Azimut

Whitelighter said:
Azimut's of this era will have bonded windows - much better than any kind of frame.
Click to expand...
Yep, I believe that Azimut (who used some engineers with automotive background) was the first boatbuilder going that route.
Still, imho in boatbuilding they (not just AZ, also all other followers) went OTT with glass bonding, sacrificing the possibility to open side windows.
Something no automotive builder would consider - and it makes even less sense on a boat! :ambivalence:
That's why I can't agree with the "much better than any kind of frame".
Remember, cost saving was the key driver of that change, nothing else.
 
MapisM said:
Yep, I believe that Azimut (who used some engineers with automotive background) was the first boatbuilder going that route.
Still, imho in boatbuilding they (not just AZ, also all other followers) went OTT with glass bonding, sacrificing the possibility to open side windows.
Something no automotive builder would consider - and it makes even less sense on a boat! :ambivalence:
That's why I can't agree with the "much better than any kind of frame".
Remember, cost saving was the key driver of that change, nothing else.
Click to expand...
I think all Azis have the electric side windows P. I don't think cost saving was the issue as much as styling. Automotive industry introduced bonded windscreens with airbags. The screen is a bearing surface for the driver and passenger bags, and therefore could not pop out like a screen with a seal. Bonding allowed Azi to introduce their gorgeous curves with the side windows. Azis always have very distinctive side glass.
 
rafiki_ said:
I think all Azis have the electric side windows P.
Click to expand...
Yup, but IIRC that's only in the upper side windows (p/house section), not in the saloon - and with a rather small open surface too.
Ref. the reasons for introducing bonded glasses in boatbuilding, I just reported what I heard from the horse's mouth.
I agree that bonded glasses affect also styling, mind - though some builders who went that route did not (or not immediately) introduce also unusual/irregular glass shapes.
The first bonded glass Ferrettis for instance had essentially the same lines of their framed glass predecessors.
 
adey said:
What are the Sealine's patio doors made from? Don't Sealines have a problem with weak hulls?
Click to expand...

Only in the same way all azimuts have osmosis.

The thruth (in both cases) is some did some didn't. With Sealine the hull weakness was specific models, osmosis has been seen across the azimut range.

I'd be happy buying either brand, it's just useful to know what to specifically check on survey. True of any brand
 
Phil, hi thanks for the reply. I was just trying to gauge a spectrum of opinions. I love the styling and detailing , I know some of the comments have been a little negative in terms of taps or whatever but in the scale of things it's nothing,
Thanks again,
Keith

PS I may come back to you again when I have looked at a couple ! Thanks in advance
 
Switch said:
I wasn't to keen on the 'Popeye' steering wheel in the lower helm either...
Click to expand...

Easily changed.
Later 'evo ' models got a very nice stainless and wood four spoke - looked like an old Bugatti wheel.
I personally find the 'Halfords' esq sports car wheels used on sunseeker a and the like dreadful, but each to their own
 
Last edited:
it'd be a shame to choose a boat based upon the style of wheel :) surely just about the cheapest and easiest item on a whole boat to change - switched my tired looking flybridge one for a beautiful stylish stainless & white leather for about less than half a tank of fuel :)
 
I think the only model which Sealine can say it compares to any Azimut in fit and finish same year to year would be the late SC35.

Before that Azimut was way ahead in any department.

I think weak stringer hull structure is a known occurrence in most of Sealine models. Beat them a bit hard and they start to break.
Have seen this personally in most models....
Osmosis is not widespread in any Sealine model, but they never had salesman shouting our hulls have ten years guarantee against osmosis.
Which I think is also part of the Azimut problem.
If they wanted to shout so much they should build there boats in epoxy ;)

Any hull will start to blister if left for over two years in the water without proper protection and after three/four with protection and no subsequent proper drying up.

To Mapis
Azimut introduced frames less glass bonding on the upper structure frames in 1991 with the 78 Ultra model. This was done cooperating with Opac which is known as a car supplies manufacturer.
Here starts the story of Opac which will then supply also hydraulic passarelle for them and the rest....
There is a story which says Azimut was boycotting Besenzoni because of the cooperation it had with Ferretti at the time (1990-2000).

They where not the first who started frame less windows (I thought they did for some time as well) but Carver (hope I am remembering well) was before them in 1989 with one of the strange looking models.

Ps I a agree with what you said though early Azimut 55 (not Evolution versions) had more elegant midships windows with the three windows and big central one which opened.
 
Last edited:
PowerYachtBlog said:
I think the only model which Sealine can say it compares to any Azimut in fit and finish same year to year would be the late SC35.

Before that Azimut was way ahead in any department.

I think weak stringer hull structure is a known occurrence in most of Sealine models. Beat them a bit hard and they start to break.
Have seen this personally in most models....
Osmosis is not widespread in any Sealine model, but they never had salesman shouting our hulls have ten years guarantee against osmosis.
Which I think is also part of the Azimut problem.
If they wanted to shout so much they should build there boats in epoxy ;)

Any hull will start to blister if left for over two years in the water without proper protection and after three/four with protection and no subsequent proper drying up.

To Mapis
Azimut introduced frames less glass bonding on the upper structure frames in 1991 with the 78 Ultra model. This was done cooperating with Opac which is known as a car supplies manufacturer.
Here starts the story of Opac which will then supply also hydraulic passarelle for them and the rest....
There is a story which says Azimut was boycotting Besenzoni because of the cooperation it had with Ferretti at the time (1990-2000).

They where not the first who started frame less windows (I thought they did for some time as well) but Carver (hope I am remembering well) was before them in 1999 with one of the strange looking models.

Ps I a agree with what you said though early Azimut 55 (not Evolution versions) had more elegant midships windows with the tree windows and big central one which opened.
Click to expand...

Speaks the man who drives a Gobbi!!
Each to his own but the OP asked for opinions good or bad. Don't shoot the messenger. I preferred the Sealine over the Azi 42 I looked. To be fair the wife and I did not inspect the stingers - I must do that next time we have some spare time. Yawn!!
 
Whitelighter said:
Easily changed.
Later 'evo ' models got a very nice stainless and wood four spoke - looked like an old Bugatti wheel.
I personally find the 'Halfords' esq sports car wheels used on sunseeker a and the like dreadful, but each to their own
Click to expand...
Mine is not an Evo, but has the very elegant 4-spoke wood and stainless wheel downstairs. The single spoke Citroen-esque Fly helm station wheel was changed for another elegant, non-OE wood wheel before I bought her. As Phil says, this is one of the easier Pimping jobs.
 
rafiki_ said:
Mine is not an Evo, but has the very elegant 4-spoke wood and stainless wheel downstairs. The single spoke Citroen-esque Fly helm station wheel was changed for another elegant, non-OE wood wheel before I bought her. As Phil says, this is one of the easier Pimping jobs.
Click to expand...

Obviously changed by a style conscious previous owner.
I do think they are one of the nicer oem wheels
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top