Bought a boat!

Congratulations! You sound elated, and I wish you many appy cruises
Best,
Maldwin

I like boats. Glad to hear the good news!

Congratulations. It's the right boat for you and that is what matter. Hope she brings you many years of happy cruising.

One point, only because you mentioned coming from an I/O and because you wrote "Wow, this is like driving a bus with broken steering." You do know that with twin screw inboards, at slow speed you steer with the props and not with the rudders, right? With little water going past the rudders, you get little effect. Use the gears and throttles like you would a tank.

Congrats. As long as you're happy, who cares?

Congrats, I have spent a lot of time on Azimuts, and although I am not a fan of the engineering, they are nice boats to run.
Not sure where you have the boat, but it would be a good idea to start tracking down an experienced electrician and the ability to get parts from Italy.
There are a lot of ex Allied Marine guys at Apex Marine in Ft. Lauderdale that might be able to help.
If you need some help IM, me and I might have a few numbers, especially if the boat is in Ft. Lauderdale or S. Fl.

LOL, Not even close. LOL. She also won't do 50kts. You've moved from speedboat to a yacht.
You should rarely need the bow thruster. Forget the stern, and just practice to develope your skills.

Make sure you check the water level in Lk. Okachobee before heading out. You have a 5' draft, and could very well have to go around the Keys.

Of course things break, but the big thing with the Azimuts is the electricals and the hull strength. It doesn't sound like you intend to be stressing the hull (unless you hit bottom). So study your electrical systems.

I'm going to try to send you something via PM. Most of it you probably know, but maybe it will help you out a bit. Good luck.

Enjoy! At the end of the day, you bought the boat you wanted. And that's what matters. Great boat to give you a lot of great experience.

Keep us posted on your travels, and again, enjoy! Nothing beats sitting up top with a frosty adult beverage watching the working folk beat rush hour traffic.

Just don't turn the key after that. Please.

The best place to get Azimut parts even in S. Florida, is Rob at Surfside Marinemax in NY. I've managed 4 Azimuts and they are the largest stocking dealer in the country and Rob would have stuff sent overnight and I'd have them.

I've seen pics of hull issues on Azimuts, but I've never had any on the 4 i've managed and they were a pretty good seaboat, albeit a bit wet.

I think this sounds great! You sound happy. I think you're going to have a wonderful time with that boat and your daughters are going to love it!

We have three yachts here in SE Asia. One of them is a 2002 55 Azimut we keep in the Philippines! Check your exhaust system. We are having to replace the whole thing. Also make sure you get spare Hepworth fittings for you water system. The plastic connecting screw on fittings.
Many of them on that boat they don't make any more so if you can get spares now do it.
It's a nice boat though. We have a 90 Sunseeker but the boss loves the Azimut.

Yes, I agree on the exhaust. The s/s. bellows/compensator piece goes bad every few years and you either have to order it and the clamps from Italy and wait several weeks. They make one hell of a sooty mess in the ER when they go bad, and I've replaced them on all 4 Azimuts I have managed. 1 of them as early as 250 engine hours and 2 years old. Or convert the entire exhaust riser to US, and to US flanges which if you're keeping the boat I'd highly recommend.

Buy the flex connection and both clamps, and keep them on-board. They go often in that configeration and almost always seem to go on a trip where you need the part.

With regards to the plastic water line fittings;

Check from the water pressure tank. You will see where the line goes back to starboard. The line kind of bends down some over time and causes leaks. You will see where the plastic pipe fits into the screw on fitting. These need to be replaced every so offten. Try to get those parts. Also the expansion bladder in the water pressure tank needs to be serviced sometimes for good water pressure. Luckily it's easy to get at just to the aft starboard of the starboard engine.

Have fun!

Congrats on the purchase! My father owns a 2002 46' Azimut and we love it! We have also done regular trips from Trinidad to the Grenadines and Tobago and contrary to what people say, our own handles the rough water great...sure we aren't going through it at 30 knots like a bertram but really who needs to...Enjoy your boat!

Nice buy!
I helmed a couple of Azimuts and always been pleased by them for what they offer in their price tier. There electrics for the EURO versions are not so bad, actually to be honest they are quite good.
Yes they are no Cabo, but I have seen much worse stuff from other similar styled and priced competition.


The 55 is a bit wet with a headsea from Beaufort Force 4/5 (5ft waves plus) above but opposite to other similar sized boats mainly the British ones it is less bumby.

Congratulations.........enjoy her in good health.