Used Azimut 43, any known problems?

[Slangaren]

Hi,

I am new to this forum.
I am looking to buy a used 40-43 ft fly, prefarably with 3 cabins from the mid -90's.
We have landed at either Azimut 43 or Fairline Squardron 43 (3 cabin version).

The boat will be used in Sweden.

After surfing around here and other sites, I have come to the conclusion that the CAT 3208 are probably good but VERY thirsty.

Looking around, I have found a few Azimut 43 with the Volvo's at reasonble price, in Italy / France and Spain region. So far there are very few Fairlines, and are consideably higher in price.

I guess buing in Med, I most likely need to install diesel heating system as well as a rear anchor.

Any suggestion?
As I have no experiency before from Azimut, are there any known problems / issues to look out for?


Thanks

/Jonas

 

[jfm]

Hi,

I am new to this forum.
I am looking to buy a used 40-43 ft fly, prefarably with 3 cabins from the mid -90's.
We have landed at either Azimut 43 or Fairline Squardron 43 (3 cabin version).

The boat will be used in Sweden.

After surfing around here and other sites, I have come to the conclusion that the CAT 3208 are probably good but VERY thirsty.

Looking around, I have found a few Azimut 43 with the Volvo's at reasonble price, in Italy / France and Spain region. So far there are very few Fairlines, and are consideably higher in price.

I guess buing in Med, I most likely need to install diesel heating system as well as a rear anchor.

Any suggestion?
As I have no experiency before from Azimut, are there any known problems / issues to look out for?


Thanks

/Jonas

Hi Jonas, and welcome. Both those are good boats, and it's difficult to choose between them. I'd choose the Fairline for its better finish but you should choose the one you like or that is in good condition, or is better value

Yes, you'd need to add the rear anchor. Outside Scandinavia, virtually no boats have these. Simple enough job for a Scandi shipyard to do. And diesel heating is necessary, but also an easy job

I's suggest you post on here which Volvo engines you will be getting. Some Volvos around the 480hp work had a bad reputation for longevity, while others are fine and bulletproof. There are some Volvo-expert posters on here who can give you good advice, if you say which exact Volvo engines you are considering

Good luck

 

[volvopaul]

I think all the azimuts will have cats, the 3126 suffered valve and head problems, soft blocks on the French built versions, serial number will reveal faulty one as cat did a recall.

3208 good base motor a 10400 cc but has exhaust manifold problems, cats fuel injection is very expensive to overhaul, engine should have stable idle if erratic then pump is sludged up inside that will cost. Silver anniversary motor 435hp version suffered early ring failure as cat just turned up the fuel too much as this base motor has no piston oil jet cooling.

Volvo 72 a not a great motor by now coolers will be rotten, again fuel turned up too hich for displacement and no edc made for piston failure through cylinder bore wash.

My money would be a 3 cabin squadron with cat 3126 or a cheap Volvo version with a note in the back of my mind that one day you will be looking at a hefty winter bill.

 

[Slangaren]

I's suggest you post on here which Volvo engines you will be getting. Some Volvos around the 480hp work had a bad reputation for longevity, while others are fine and bulletproof. There are some Volvo-expert posters on here who can give you good advice, if you say which exact Volvo engines you are considering

Good luck

Hi,

The most common engine for the Az 43 is the CAT 3208.
The version I am looking for is the Volvo Penta TAMD 72 which maybe is on 20-25% of the boats I have found.
The VP is mostly for fuel comsumption reasons, and also maybe a bit simpler to find service and spares in Sweden

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

Yes this particular Azimut actually becomes more competitive prices with Volvo 430hp engines. Mostly due that the boat was 2 knots slower when compared with the V8 440hp Cats. Though it will be very hard to find Volvos for models after 1996. Top speed and light medium load was 28/29 knots with Volvos 30/31 knots, 425hp V8 Cats touched more or less 29/30 knots.
This model apparently in its early years was also a legal contention between Volvo and Azimut because of Volvo loss of power in higher exterior temperatures.

Both yachts mentioned have a Bernard Olesinski hull, with the Azimut being slighly longer about 46 feet ex optional extended bathing platform to be found on later models from 1996 or after factory fitted before that. Especially the ones in Italy.
Positives and Negavites
- I prefare how the Azimut rides, lower bow angle, as the 43 Squardon suffers from the engine moved a bit too backwards and tunnels..... Curiously even the AZ43 has tunnels but smaller to those of the 43 Squadron. Dead rise aft should be the same at 18 degrees but I think Fairline has a bit more angle to fore....
- better extrior fittings for Azimut, mostly cleats, railing, and glued flybridge windows, same level in patio door altough Azimut three part door works better to that of the Squadron IMO
- more space in engine room for Azimut which also features under water exhausts
- larger flybridge and aft deck in Azimut (please note the Azimut is a larger boat)
- better interior fittings for Squadron

Note; the hull of the Azimut AZ43 was actually used later on but modified in some areas for the AZ46