Azimut Verve 40 Review
The first outboard-powered boat from the posh Italian builder Azimut.
A sleek new Italian is in town, and it’s not a car or a big screen heartthrob—it’s the 2017 Azimut Verve 40, the first weekender and the first outboard-powered sport cruiser launched by Azimut. This company, which is known for large and stylish yachts that ply the celebrity-strewn waters off San Tropez, is branching out. When we spotted this boat at its introduction at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, we couldn’t help but stop to shoot this introductory First Look Video.
It’s easy to move about on deck because the Verve 40 is a sort of a walkaround design. You can get from the transom all the way to the bow quickly with plenty of handholds along the way. The Verve’s profile is dominated by the sharply-angled and frameless windshield (with a single large wiper) that transitions into the swept-back hardtop. The top is the perfect site to mount a radome and antennas and forms one seamless piece, which gives the vessel the appearance of movement and speed. Recessed into the aft end of the top is an electrically-actuated SureShade awning that extends to cover the entire cockpit.
The Verve 40 defies categorization: it’s a walkaround weekender and a day cruiser and at the same time, it’s not really either. Entertaining a crowd or weekending for two is more its focus and with its Azimut DNA, the Verve 40 has an elan that will get noticed wherever you venture.
The angled dash has a carbon fiber finish and houses twin Raymarine Platinum Package MFDs. A leather-covered wheel is just ahead of the middle seat of the three bucket chairs. Throttles are to the right of the wheel and the joystick is just outboard of that. The bow thruster stick is to the left. LED lighting and an overhead hatch provide lots of light and the compass is at eye level, so it’s easy to see while scanning the horizon. Arm rests and a teak foot-brace make getting in and out of the seats easy. A lower, aft-facing bench seat tucks up just behind the three helm chairs. It can be moved aft on a recessed cockpit sole rail to join the table and the L-shaped settee, forming a dinette in the starboard corner. The table can also be lowered to make the whole area into a sunpad or playpen. An outdoor galley is split into two modules with the sink, icemaker, and teak cutting board to port, and an electric grill and 44-quart refrigerator to starboard. An optional wine cooler may be tucked under the helm seat base. In all, 11 people may be seated in the cockpit and at the helm. With larger crowds onboard, passengers can migrate forward to the double sunpad plus convertible seating for six more at the bow. A party for nearly 20, anyone? The interior is as sophisticated as any of the Italian builder’s models. Enhanced aesthetics and a high level of fit and finish greet you when you come inside–and there really is an inside, unlike on many walkaround boats, which try to shoehorn in accommodations that may never be used. The owner’s cabin has a sliding and lockable door, standing headroom and a queen sized walk-around berth. A fully-enclosed head and 66 gallons of freshwater make weekending a possibility. The saloon has a cozy dinette with a hi/lo table that converts to a double bed for guests. The straight-line full galley to port will please the onboard chef with its two-burner ceramic stove, a convection oven, a large sink and a 68-quart refrigerator. A flat-screen television hangs just over the sink, facing the settee.
Caneletto walnut finish, Montblanc (white) Silestone countertops and generous use of soft spotlights raise the bar on how chic a walkaround weekender can be.
The Verve 40 is powered by triple Mercury Verado 350 HP outboards. This power package gives it top-end performance of just over 50 MPH and a cruising speed of just over 40. Joystick maneuvering with Mercury’s Skyhook dynamic positioning feature is available so the Verve will be noticed not only for its elegant styling, but also for your maneuvering in tight quarters. Because swimming off the back of an outboard-driven boat is not ideal, Azimut also added a side gate. Not just an opening in the hull, this port gate folds down and out to make a swim platform. In a wide slip, the gate can also be used for easier access for those who may be less mobile. Azimut isn’t sure exactly what to call this boat primarily because it may be the first in a new class. It could be a weekender, a partying day cruiser, or even a tender to a superyacht. Company executives did however, choose an appropriate name: “Verve” is defined as having vigor, spirit, zest, and charisma. And that, the Azimut Verve 40 has in spades. Other Choices: It’s tough to nail down closely competing boats since the Verve 40 is so unusual, but Verve shoppers may also be interested in a boat like the Cruisers 390 Express Coupe, especially if they want more emphasis on the cabin. Those who tilt towards additional exterior space, however, would probably be more interested in a boat like the Formula 430 SSC, which has an off-center cabin and a bow cockpit. For more information, visit Azimut Yachts. See Azimut Verve 40 listings.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Length | 42'9" |
| Beam | 12'7" |
| Draft | 3'2" |
| Deadrise | 15 degrees |
| Displacement | 24,000 lbs |
| Fuel capacity | 343 gal. |
| Water capacity | 66 gal. |
