Azimut Grande Trideck

Italian shipyard Azimut is so proud of its new flagship design that it added the number of decks to the name. But in truth, the Trideck moniker sells it short, since the flybridge actually gives the vessel four levels.

While linking inside and outdoors is the driving force behind yacht design these days, Alberto Mancini’s tiered exterior and the Achille Salvagni open-plan interior set the Trideck apart from competitors in the high-volume 125ft class. Looking aft from the flybridge, the Trideck has a cascading effect that blends practical design with aesthetics. The flybridge has sun recliners, a lounge and a bar forward, with the upper helm discreetly in front, concealed behind a divider. The level below has a foredeck with a jacuzzi, a salon and an aft al fresco dining area. The beach club on the water includes a fold-out transom swim platform to expand the space.

But the most creative area is the main deck. The raised mezzanine level replaces a traditional, and often dark, cockpit area that can feel like a neglected social space. Nicknamed Sea View Terrace, this large open version floats above the beach club like an oceanside villa’s patio. Salvagni’s whimsical-butelegant interior, with its rounded furniture, unusual ceiling patterns and architectural details that even extend to the stairwells, is a worthy complement to the unconventional exterior.

Performance-wise, the Trideck’s wave-piercing bow improves fuel efficiency by more than 40 per cent, which means the yacht can reach 24 knots on two 2,600hp MTU engines. Azimut used carbon fibre across the hull to minimise weight. The boat also has lithium-ion battery packs for hours of silent running for its house systems. All in all, it’s this year’s breakthrough design in a competitive category.