Azimut Grande 26M

• LOA: 26.36 m
• Beam: 6.30 m
• Guests: up to 10 in 5 cabins
• Crew: 3
• Engines: 2 x MAN V12 1,650 hp or 2 x MTU V10 1,622 hp (pod drive)
• Top speed: up to 27 knots
• Range: 613 nm at 13.2 knots, 376 nm at 24 knots
• Exterior design: Alberto Mancini, construction GRP and carbon fibre

Where it sits in the Grande line

At just over 26 metres the 26M is the entry point to the Grande collection, the family that carries the yard's flagship ambition. It answers the owner who has grown out of a large flybridge and now wants genuine superyacht volume, a dedicated crew area and a beach club right at the waterline. Five cabins and space for ten guests put it firmly in charter-capable territory. The boat manages this without demanding the running costs or the permanent crew of a much larger yacht.

What sets the tone is the mix of scale and ease. The hull is built in GRP with carbon fibre worked into the upper structure, which keeps weight down high up and lets the boat carry big volumes without feeling heavy under way. Two interior signatures are offered, one by Achille Salvagni Architetti and one by the yard's own Yachtique studio, so the boat can read either as a gallery of warm materials or as a cooler contemporary space. Alberto Mancini's exterior brings the long window bands and low stance that mark out the newest Grande boats.

Lines and outdoor living

Alberto Mancini drew the exterior, and his hand shows in the long glazing and the fast, purposeful profile. The flybridge is generous for the size, with a helm, a bar and sunpads that turn it into the social heart of the boat at anchor. Down at the transom the garage opens to release the tender, and the space converts into a beach club that brings guests level with the sea. An optional hardtop shades the upper deck for long days in the sun. Every outdoor zone has been drawn to work as its own room.

The main deck flows out to a broad cockpit that connects to the saloon through full-height glass. Side terraces and a foredeck lounge give the boat several distinct outdoor areas, so a large group never feels crowded into one space. Tender and water toys stow out of sight, which keeps the aft deck clear for dining and lounging. The bathing platform sits low and wide for easy access to the water. For a family that lives outdoors, the 26M lays on the choices they will actually use.

Five suites and a waterline beach club on a 26-metre flagship that still handles like a smaller boat.

Inside the accommodation

The owner's suite sits full beam on the main deck forward, a layout usually reserved for larger yachts, and it comes with its own study area and a bathroom that spans the width of the hull. Four further cabins on the lower deck sleep guests in comfort, each with an en suite. The result is a boat that hosts two couples or a full family without any compromise on privacy. Hull windows draw daylight deep into the lower cabins so they never feel enclosed. The owner enjoys a genuine sense of separation from the rest of the accommodation.

Volume is the quiet luxury here. Ceiling heights, long sightlines through the glass and light-filled corridors make the interior feel a size larger than the length suggests. The materials in either interior scheme are chosen to age well and to feel warm underfoot and to the hand. Crew get their own quarters and galley access forward, so service runs without crossing guest paths. Living aboard for weeks at a time is exactly what the layout was drawn for.

Under way

Buyers choose between twin MAN V12s at 1,650 hp or MTU V10s at 1,622 hp, both driving pods. Top speed runs to around 27 knots, which is brisk for a five-cabin superyacht of this displacement. The pod installation also makes close-quarters handling far less daunting for an owner who likes to berth the boat themselves. Joystick control turns a stern-to mooring into a calm, single-handed job. Few boats of this volume are so approachable to drive.

Range reflects the dual character of the platform. At a relaxed 13 knots the 26M covers better than 600 nautical miles, and it still shows around 376 nautical miles when pushed to a fast 24-knot cruise. That spread suits an owner who wants to island-hop quickly one week and settle into longer passages the next. The hull holds an easy, level attitude through the mid-range so guests stay comfortable.

The owner it suits

This is the boat for the owner making the leap into superyacht ownership who wants the space and the beach club without a large permanent crew or a shipyard-scale running cost. It rewards hands-on owners with its pod handling and rewards entertainers with its flexible layout. A season in the Mediterranean or the Bahamas fits it perfectly. The 26M asks for a small professional crew and returns the comfort of a much bigger yacht.

It also holds appeal as a charter asset, since five en suite cabins and a professional galley meet the expectations of paying guests. For a family that cruises together and occasionally lets the boat earn its keep, the 26M covers both jobs with ease. The dual interior options let an owner set the tone before the first trip. Resale interest stays strong thanks to the desirable size and the marque.

Who it is for: The owner stepping up to superyacht volume who wants a full-beam suite and beach club without the burden of a large crew.