Azimut Magellan 43

[benjenbav]

Just read the review in MBY and, scarily, found myself wanting to know more. Oh Lord.

Anyway, a few cheap shots and other thoughts which crossed my mind.

1 Why make the anchor stick out a metre beyond the bow. It's probably going to scratch something.

2 Why not make the single cabin fabulous? Surely there's a market for those who are posh enough to sleep in separate rooms from their spouses/partners rather than huddle together in a desperately middle class way?

3 Why carp about the dark glass? It's only going to be bought in the med anyway. And the light is very different there than in the UK. On this point I think I prefer the opinion of Matisse to Marsh. Plus it's not going to be driven at night except rarely and using instruments. Also, if you really want plain glass it's not going to be above £10k to retrofit which on a £0.5mio purchase is not the end of the world.

4 Why do boat builders insist on installing cheap looking steering wheels? It's like they feel guilty about not having a "proper ship's wheel" but are afraid to add something that Ferrari would put their name to. So they end up with an after-market boyracer style. Stop it.

5 Plus there's the usual bollixed up dashboard design. Hasn't anyone in the design department seen an iPad? How about a head up display? Let's move forwards.

 

[boatingboater]

Interesting thoughts, I agree with the anchor - looks like its falling off! Whilst I quite like the wheel, the dash is just silly!

 

[Bertramdriver]

Just read the review in MBY and, scarily, found myself wanting to know more. Oh Lord.

Anyway, a few cheap shots and other thoughts which crossed my mind.

1 Why make the anchor stick out a metre beyond the bow. It's probably going to scratch something.

2 Why not make the single cabin fabulous? Surely there's a market for those who are posh enough to sleep in separate rooms from their spouses/partners rather than huddle together in a desperately middle class way?

3 Why carp about the dark glass? It's only going to be bought in the med anyway. And the light is very different there than in the UK. On this point I think I prefer the opinion of Matisse to Marsh. Plus it's not going to be driven at night except rarely and using instruments. Also, if you really want plain glass it's not going to be above £10k to retrofit which on a £0.5mio purchase is not the end of the world.

4 Why do boat builders insist on installing cheap looking steering wheels? It's like they feel guilty about not having a "proper ship's wheel" but are afraid to add something that Ferrari would put their name to. So they end up with an after-market boyracer style. Stop it.

5 Plus there's the usual bollixed up dashboard design. Hasn't anyone in the design department seen an iPad? How about a head up display? Let's move forwards.[/QUOTE

Take the plunge. You may regret it but you'll have a beer in your hand whilst you sit out in a cool breeze.

1 the anchor sticks out on the dolphin (that's what it's called) so you can stand directly over it when you're untangling another boats anchor when they're mating. If you can't see you can't do, and throwing cold water over them doesn't work.
2 We agree. We have singles in the aft cabin. When it's hot (most of the time) the last thing you need is a hot body next to you.
3 Only "experts" who don't boat further south than Jersey complain about darkened glass. Having dark glass cuts down on eye strain, reflected glare and in the saloon reduces the ambient temperature by about 5 degreesC . We're retrofitting dark film this spring.
4 Steering wheels, leather rots in months, wood rots in years, stainless steel lasts around 30 years, even in a wheel house. Sun+salt+ water vapour can rot anything
6 Head up displays assume that nothing can go wrong. My experience has been that electronics are usually the first systems to fail. Give me analogue dials and simple systems every time.
Other than that. Good luck

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

3 Why carp about the dark glass? It's only going to be bought in the med anyway. And the light is very different there than in the UK. On this point I think I prefer the opinion of Matisse to Marsh. Plus it's not going to be driven at night except rarely and using instruments. Also, if you really want plain glass it's not going to be above £10k to retrofit which on a £0.5mio purchase is not the end of the world.

Dark glass, along with thick mullions and inadequate tinny holder facilities are standard Marshian criticisms that turn up in one form or another in every review, you kinda just filter them out after a while...

Cheers
Jimmy

 

[benjenbav]

Dark glass, along with thick mullions and inadequate tinny holder facilities are standard Marshian criticisms that turn up in one form or another in every review, you kinda just filter them out after a while...

Cheers
Jimmy

Marshian...reminds me of this:

Spaceship lands on the Falls Road and alien emerges to be confronted by a Belfast lady wielding a broom who says, what the feck are you?

Alien: I'm a martian

Lady: Not down this road, you're not.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Just read the review in MBY and, scarily, found myself wanting to know more. Oh Lord.

Anyway, a few cheap shots and other thoughts which crossed my mind.

1 Why make the anchor stick out a metre beyond the bow. It's probably going to scratch something.

2 Why not make the single cabin fabulous? Surely there's a market for those who are posh enough to sleep in separate rooms from their spouses/partners rather than huddle together in a desperately middle class way?

3 Why carp about the dark glass? It's only going to be bought in the med anyway. And the light is very different there than in the UK. On this point I think I prefer the opinion of Matisse to Marsh. Plus it's not going to be driven at night except rarely and using instruments. Also, if you really want plain glass it's not going to be above £10k to retrofit which on a £0.5mio purchase is not the end of the world.

4 Why do boat builders insist on installing cheap looking steering wheels? It's like they feel guilty about not having a "proper ship's wheel" but are afraid to add something that Ferrari would put their name to. So they end up with an after-market boyracer style. Stop it.

5 Plus there's the usual bollixed up dashboard design. Hasn't anyone in the design department seen an iPad? How about a head up display? Let's move forwards.

I can't understand why any boatbuilder shoves anchors out on a sort of bowsprit like that given the way berthing is charged. I know I can't afford an Azimut in the med either but I have found that richer people often like throwing money even more than those less well-off.

Not sure about the dark glass argument - aircraft spend an awful lot of time in very bright sunlight and yet they don't have tinted windscreens, they just have tinted visors and sunglasses. Not sure about the idea of HUD either though I agree the dash design is totally carp on a lot of awfully expensive boats from both the ergonomics and aesthetics point of view. Trouble with HUD's is that they are really meant for a situation where the user is sitting in a constant position looking through glass all the time, like a car of aircraft. In my limited experience of largish powerboats you tending to be moving around a lot and often looking over a screen rather than through so you wouldn't even be able to see the HUD quite a bit of the time. One thing I am astounded about is how badly most dash designs lend themselves to customisations and re-fits.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

2 We agree. We have singles in the aft cabin. When it's hot (most of the time) the last thing you need is a hot body next to you.

I think you've just supplied the ultimate answer as to why Med boating isn't as good as UK boating. (Someone will now mention aircon..)

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Agree with some of that. The anchor looks like an afterthought and indeed it probably was. It needs a proper pulpit which is integrated with the hull. Regarding the single cabin, it sounds like she's chucked you out again? Don't agree on the tinted glass; believe it or not but people do drive boats in the rain and dark even in the Med and tinted windows do make it more difficult to identify objects and particularly lights. After all, the Magellano is supposed to be a cruising boat. Ref the steering wheel I would go much further and ask why builders, particularly Italian ones, fit such bloody awful helm stations with no space for even a folded chart or sunnies or cups and, my personal bugbear, horrible non adjustable helm seats. You get all that on a Fiat 500 so why you don't get these items on a £0.5m Italian boat, I do not know.
Having said all this, I think Azimut are going in the right direction here. I believe the future of fast motorboats is having the ability to operate comfortably at displacement speeds with fast speeds only being used when required. Certainly the Brit builders don't seem to have picked up on this and they continue to produce the same old same old planing boats. So, the Magellano 43 is by no means perfect but well done to Azimut for being brave enough to try

 

[Bertramdriver]

Agree with some of that. The anchor looks like an afterthought and indeed it probably was. It needs a proper pulpit which is integrated with the hull. Regarding the single cabin, it sounds like she's chucked you out again? Don't agree on the tinted glass; believe it or not but people do drive boats in the rain and dark even in the Med and tinted windows do make it more difficult to identify objects and particularly lights. After all, the Magellano is supposed to be a cruising boat. Ref the steering wheel I would go much further and ask why builders, particularly Italian ones, fit such bloody awful helm stations with no space for even a folded chart or sunnies or cups and, my personal bugbear, horrible non adjustable helm seats. You get all that on a Fiat 500 so why you don't get these items on a £0.5m Italian boat, I do not know.
Having said all this, I think Azimut are going in the right direction here. I believe the future of fast motorboats is having the ability to operate comfortably at displacement speeds with fast speeds only being used when required. Certainly the Brit builders don't seem to have picked up on this and they continue to produce the same old same old planing boats. So, the Magellano 43 is by no means perfect but well done to Azimut for being brave enough to try

OK. A clear lack of understanding about Med boating. Twin beds are not a form of contraception, and you get your own space afterwards. There is also the option to retire to the fly bridge or fore deck cushions, under the stars on quiet moorings and not freeze your nuts off. Although we have encountered other boaters who consider that their endeavours should be shared by all around them. null points!
On the subject of tinted windows. It's only an issue if the weather is really nasty and you need to drive from inside. You won't be able to see much anyway. That's what radar is for.
Doing a 6 hour passage into the sun without some sun protection is a recipe for migraine and facial skin that feels like it's two sizes too small for your skull.

 

[benjenbav]

Agree with some of that. The anchor looks like an afterthought and indeed it probably was. It needs a proper pulpit which is integrated with the hull. Regarding the single cabin, it sounds like she's chucked you out again? Don't agree on the tinted glass; believe it or not but people do drive boats in the rain and dark even in the Med and tinted windows do make it more difficult to identify objects and particularly lights. After all, the Magellano is supposed to be a cruising boat. Ref the steering wheel I would go much further and ask why builders, particularly Italian ones, fit such bloody awful helm stations with no space for even a folded chart or sunnies or cups and, my personal bugbear, horrible non adjustable helm seats. You get all that on a Fiat 500 so why you don't get these items on a £0.5m Italian boat, I do not know.
Having said all this, I think Azimut are going in the right direction here. I believe the future of fast motorboats is having the ability to operate comfortably at displacement speeds with fast speeds only being used when required. Certainly the Brit builders don't seem to have picked up on this and they continue to produce the same old same old planing boats. So, the Magellano 43 is by no means perfect but well done to Azimut for being brave enough to try

Just because the lumpen pleb classes have been trained to roll over and fall straight asleep after enjoying carnal relations doesn't mean that there aren't still some who prefer their own company post-coitus.

Ref: driving in the dark. To digress a moment, when I was practising for my y/m, the best experience I ever had was driving down the Solent in the middle of the night with wind over tide and too much water for the wipers to readily clear coming over the bow. A certain Mr Mendez said, well why don't you just turn the wipers off and drive on the radar? And it might be a bit more comfortable if you turn the taps up a bit. Yeehah. Never looked back since. (or forwards...

Also the Mag 43 is equipped with what they are calling a flybridge. So the mark 1 eyeball enthusiasts can always go up top and drive from there if they find the dark glass too much.

On the question of HUD: maybe marine pilots move about so much because the displays are so badly designed that you get a full cardio workout just reaching the switches to adjust the readouts?

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Just because the lumpen pleb classes have been trained to roll over and fall straight asleep after enjoying carnal relations doesn't mean that there aren't still some who prefer their own company post-coitus.

Don't the upper classes have a fag and a beer like the rest of us?

A certain Mr Mendez said, well why don't you just turn the wipers off and drive on the radar? And it might be a bit more comfortable if you turn the taps up a bit. Yeehah. Never looked back since. (or forwards...

Yes well Mr Mendez ought to know that radars are not infallible and I have been surprised more than once by what radars don't pick up like small sailing boats coming head on at you or lobster pots. Mk1 eyeball supplemented by radar is still the best IMHO

Also the Mag 43 is equipped with what they are calling a flybridge. So the mark 1 eyeball enthusiasts can always go up top and drive from there if they find the dark glass too much

.
Its cold, wet and lonely up there and I don't any of that at my age

 

[benjenbav]

Don't the upper classes have a fag and a beer like the rest of us?


I have been surprised more than once by what radars don't pick up like small sailing boats coming head on at you or lobster pots. Mk1 eyeball supplemented by radar is still the best IMHO

.
Its cold, wet and lonely up there and I don't any of that at my age

Anyway...speaking personally, it's blimmin difficult to see anything through clear glass when the water is coming over it in boistrous wavelets. (Actually that sounds a bit 50 shades -ish. She felt the passion building up in her in boistrous wavelets...and then he turned to her and said: "That was nice. Fancy a roll-up and a can of special brew? Well, just nip down to the kitchen, there's a love... etc)

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Anyway...speaking personally, it's blimmin difficult to see anything through clear glass when the water is coming over it in boistrous wavelets. (Actually that sounds a bit 50 shades -ish. She felt the passion building up in her in boistrous wavelets...and then he turned to her and said: "That was nice. Fancy a roll-up and a can of special brew? Well, just nip down to the kitchen, there's a love... etc)

50 shades + Lumishore lights works for me with a fag and a beer afterwards

 

[benjenbav]

Back to the boat. I did like it overall. I think it was the fact that it had some great looking practical aspects like the wide side decks and handsome proportions combined with an interior which looked pretty good; certainly not like a commercial trawler.

I guess that's what I want: tugboat looks from the outside, combined with nice fluffy towels and scatter cushions indoors.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Back to the boat. I did like it overall. I think it was the fact that it had some great looking practical aspects like the wide side decks and handsome proportions combined with an interior which looked pretty good; certainly not like a commercial trawler.

Yes I agree. Many so called 'trawler yachts' are very similar in looks and layout, in fact boringly so. The AZ certainly brings a bit of pizazz in that area of the market and Azimut should be commended for it

 

[Nick_H]

Agreed. We saw one in the flesh in Tuscany and it caught my eye from quite a distance away, looks different and very stylish in a rugged sort of way.

Compare it with this monstrosity anchored nearby. I don't think the designer has quite grasped the "less is more" principle!

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yes that looks like a Sessa 54 and I agree entirely that these heavily over-styled boats date very quickly compared to more restrained designs from other yards. The owner is going to look at that in a few years time and ask himself why on earth he bought it. Maybe's it's all a marketing thing to encourage owners to trade up to the next wizz bang design?

 

[MapisM]

Many so called 'trawler yachts' are very similar in looks and layout, in fact boringly so. The AZ certainly brings a bit of pizazz in that area of the market and Azimut should be commended for it

I don't disagree on your conclusions, AZ effort definitely deserves respect.
But re. trawlers being all similar, there's a good reason.
REAL trawlers are possibly the only pleasure boats where form strictly follow function, and functionality requirements demand some design choices, like the portuguese bridge, inverse raked p/house glasses, full displacement hull, and so forth.
Of course, there's no need for the "so called trawler" to incorporate all of these feature - and in fact, they don't.
But since resembling trawlers is what they are really about, they MUST look similar...
...sort of a catch 22, in fact.

 

[Erik C]

Call me old fashioned if you like but I prefer the lines of this 44ft yacht. And like MapisM said, there is a reason Trawler style yachts look like that. The AZ might be innovative but at least to me it is not a Trawler.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I don't disagree on your conclusions, AZ effort definitely deserves respect.
But re. trawlers being all similar, there's a good reason.
REAL trawlers are possibly the only pleasure boats where form strictly follow function, and functionality requirements demand some design choices, like the portuguese bridge, inverse raked p/house glasses, full displacement hull, and so forth.
Of course, there's no need for the "so called trawler" to incorporate all of these feature - and in fact, they don't.
But since resembling trawlers is what they are really about, they MUST look similar...
...sort of a catch 22, in fact.

Yes that's fair comment but at the same time, if you are going to entice buyers to buy your boat, you have to give them something to get excited about otherwise they're not going to trade up or they're going to buy another type of boat completely. With any consumer product there has to be something about it to make the customer say I want that and that has to be more than pure functionality