By: Scott Way
The all-new Verve 42 may be the smallest in the Azimut lineup, but you'll never notice once you're aboard.
At the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in October, Azimut Yachts unveiled the second model in a new series of luxury dayboats - the unmatched Verve 42. The all-new design is the more flexible size after the launch of the larger Verve 47 last year. The use of the term 'dayboat' used to describe it could bear some scrutiny, but nevertheless, as with all things Azimut, it's a sleek blend of high performance and luxury. The equal usage by the company itself as a 'sport weekender' is a more apt title. For those in the freshwater playgrounds like the Great Lakes or the coastal and intercoastal laneways of the Pacific Northwest or the Eastern Seaboard, the Verve 42 sets a standard from which all others may seek to attain.
Federico Ferrante, president of Azimut-Benetti USA, told Robb Report, “This is a boat for lounging in the sun, swimming off the back, and going fast.” For the typical cruiser owner, that's the ideal trifecta for extended day trips and weekend anchoring excursions around your favourite boating hubs.
Azimut carries a reputation for impressive performance relative to hull size, and the Verve 42 holds that maxim in earnest. Its patented "two-step" hull comes from well-renowned Florida naval architect Michael Peters, whose hull designs create air channels underneath, thereby adding lift and reducing drag to medium to large sized pleasure cruisers. Powered by triple Mercury 450 V8 outboards, the boat is no slouch with a top speed of 52 mph.
The Verve 42 marks the smallest boat in the Azimut lineup, residing closely behind the Magellano 43 and Atlantis 45, but the Verve's 42'4" LOA and 12'11" beam belie a boat that feels significantly larger, especially when you're standing aboard.
Topside, there is an impressive bow lounge and tilting sun pad. Its sheer size is aided by the single passage on the port side, and the stern cockpit lounge is a smartly allocated layout that creates the impression of a vastly larger boat. The massive L-lounge with a drop-in dinette table can easily seat 4-6 for a full meal or evening fiesta while still leaving easy access to the triple helm seats and cabin entrance.
Below deck is a comfortable master cabin, a full head with separate shower, a convertible forward V-berth, and a complete galley with full amenities. The interior design is exactly what you expect from Azimut, which is a compliment of the highest order, and a keen eye will instantly notice the signature details. The interior comes from designer Francesco Struglia, who's beveled edges and broad faceplates create a sleek ultramodern aesthetic that's prevalent across the Azimut fleet. The Verve's sweptback windshield and carbon fiber superstructure set it apart from anything else in that size range, and if her looks don't get your attention, her performance certainly will.
Not that you'll want to spend much time below deck, as the topside layout yearns for guests and crew to make the most of the available sunlight. Covering distance won't be a problem either, as a notable cruising speed of 38 mph sets it cleanly above its contemporaries.
Those seeking opulence without lengthiness will inevitably find themselves drawn to Azimut. And for good reason, the Verve 42 provides a cruising package that, barring budgetary considerations, is difficult to beat. The 42 will be particularly attractive in coastal waters or in freshwater playgrounds where the midsize cruiser platform provides the ideal balance of size and comfort. Azimut's presence in Canada extends from coast to coast and around the boating haven of the Great Lakes, and US representation falls equally around intracoastal and inland waterways, as well as up and down the coasts.
You can get the first look at the new Verve 42 in the video below:
