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A hull designed not to limit you to a single speed
The name suggests 27 meters, but the technical specifications list it as exactly 26.20. With a beam of 6.85 m, the Azimut Magellano 27M enters a segment where the concept likely matters more than a few centimeters in length. This motor yacht does not aim to be a pure displacement yacht, nor does it seek to make top speed its main selling point. Instead, it focuses on a wide range of uses.
This is the principle behind the Dual Mode hull, developed jointly by P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture and Azimut?s R&D department. The manufacturer now classifies it as a hull semi-gliding . In particular, it combines a vertical bow with a double bilge. The straight bow allows for a longer waterline at a given overall length. As for the bilges, they help control flow and spray as speed increases. Azimut adds a central longitudinal fin, which, according to the shipyard, is intended to improve steering stability.
The appeal of the design becomes especially clear when you look at the advertised speeds. The Magellano 27M isn?t limited to the economical speeds of a displacement yacht. With the most powerful engine configuration, it can reach, according to Azimut, 23 to 24 knots. Its advertised cruising speed ranges from 16 to 18 knots. This range gives the crew considerable leeway in planning their itinerary: slowing down when range is a priority, speeding up to shorten a crossing, or adjusting their speed to take advantage of a weather window. On a yacht designed for long-distance travel, this flexibility is more valuable than top speed alone.
Two engine options for a lineup that's less monolithic than it seems
The launch press release primarily highlights two 1,650 ch MAN V12 engines. The actual lineup is slightly broader. Azimut also offers two 1,400 ch MAN engines. The difference is significant. With the first configuration, the manufacturer claims a top speed of up to 21 knots. The 1,650 ch V12s push that figure to 23?24 knots. In both cases, Azimut estimates a fast cruising speed of up to 16?18 knots. The boat carries 10,500 liters of diesel fuel. Azimut also states that approximately 1,000 miles of range at 12 knots .
This design data helps define the program. At 12 knots, 1,000 miles represent a little over 83 hours of theoretical sailing time?or three and a half days without interruption. The Magellano therefore does not fit the profile of a true ocean-going expedition yacht with very long-range capabilities. Instead, it is designed to allow for longer legs while retaining the ability to sail significantly faster when the itinerary requires it.
A cruising yacht with five passenger cabins
The design goes beyond just the underwater hull. On board, the specifications show a boat designed to accommodate 10 passengers in 5 cabins. Two additional cabins are reserved for the crew, providing three berths according to the official specifications. Six bathrooms are provided for passengers and two more for the crew. The fresh water capacity is 2,200 liters.
However, it is on the main deck that Azimut seeks to set this model apart. AMDL CIRCLE and Michele De Lucchi have designed a space that the shipyard calls a ?loggia over the sea.? Behind this architectural term lies a fairly concrete idea: to visually reduce the separation between the interior lounge and the outdoor spaces. Large glass surfaces extend the views, while vertical wooden elements filter light and views. The layout seeks not so much to juxtapose the salon, circulation areas, and the exterior as to create a sense of continuity on the main deck.
This approach reflects a broader trend in large pleasure yachts: the interior is no longer necessarily conceived as a refuge isolated from the marine environment. Views, openings, and decks have themselves become integral elements of the design. On the Magellano, this approach makes all the more sense given that the boat is designed for extended use. When spending several days on board, the relationship between sheltered spaces and outdoor areas becomes a matter of functionality, not just aesthetics.
Wood dominates a design that is deliberately architectural
The collaboration with Michele De Lucchi and AMDL CIRCLE also sets the project apart from traditional naval interior design conventions. Wood serves as the central theme of the design, featuring various textures and two primary wood species: light oak and walnut.
Carbon is primarily used to hold the mass together
Beneath the architectural exterior lies another key consideration: weight. Azimut reports that approximately 30% of the Magellano 27M?s surfaces are made of carbon fiber. The benefit is clear on a yacht that must balance living space with speed. Reducing the mass of the superstructures helps, in particular, to limit the weight of the upper structures. The builder also links this use of carbon fiber to its energy efficiency goals.
Azimut has announced CE Category A certification. This design category applies to vessels intended to withstand severe wind and sea conditions within the limits defined by applicable regulations. Obviously, it is neither a guarantee of comfort nor an invitation to ignore the weather.
Batteries to temporarily replace the generator
The second technical aspect has less to do with propulsion than with life at anchor. The Magellano 27M can be equipped with an optional Zero-Emission Hotel Mode , powered by lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. The idea is to power the onboard electrical systems without keeping a generator running. On a yacht of this size, where air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, pumps, and household appliances account for a significant load, this is no trivial matter. The first expected benefit relates to noise. The second concerns vibrations. The third benefit is local: when the generators are shut down, they produce no exhaust fumes while at anchor.
Azimut states that the system can allow users to go part of the day?or even a night?without a generator. However, the runtime of ?hotel mode? depends directly on usage patterns. A night with high demand for air conditioning in hot weather is nothing like a few hours of moderate usage in temperate conditions. It is therefore an interesting technical approach, but one that requires concrete data before any conclusions can be drawn about its actual performance.
A Magellano, judged by its fuel consumption and performance at sea
The Magellano 27M comes with a spec sheet detailed enough to understand its market positioning: 26.20 meters in length, five cabins, 10,500 liters of fuel, two engine options, and a top speed of up to 23?24 knots in its most powerful configuration. Its technical appeal lies primarily in the breadth of its capabilities. The Dual Mode hull is designed to allow sailing at a wide range of speeds without confining the owner to the sluggishness of a pure displacement hull or the fuel consumption inherent in continuous high-speed operation.
The architectural design clearly sets out its goal: to make the journey a living experience on board rather than simply a connection between two anchorages. It remains to be seen whether the technology will deliver on that same promise once the mooring lines are cast off.
