Italy’s Azimut Yachts presented its new fleet flagship, the Grande 44M, at the recent Palm Beach International Boat Show. The largest model ever built by the shipyard is also an expression of its mission to marry technological innovation, visionary design and a focus on environmental sustainability, the company says.

The Grande 44M offers reduced CO2 emissions and a design with four decks rather than the traditional three, as well as significant volumes. It offers a unique onboard lifestyle for this segment: an upper deck that can be converted into an owner’s deck with uninterrupted sea views both forward and astern.

“Grande 44M is proof that true innovation anticipates what owners really desire. This is confirmed by the five units sold even before the official presentation of the project, all bought by Azimut owners who understand the Shipyard’s values and wish to grow with us,” said Marco Valle, Azimut|Benetti Group CEO.

The concept underpinning the styling—created by Azimut in partnership with Alberto Mancini—was the decision to move the helm station to the fourth deck, freeing up the upper deck so it could be transformed into an owner’s deck featuring the master suite and a private terrace offering wide-ranging views. Aft, the Grande 44M repurposes the mezzanine deck with sea view terrace that was central to the success of Grande Trideck. On the Grande 44M, this stage overlooking the sea was made more unique by a see-through pool, which plays on transparency that establishes continuous contact with the water and generates reflections that give the beach club an even more pleasant feel.

The new layout means the architecture firm m²atelier, working with Azimut for the first time, could create an interior design that balances functionality and aesthetics, making the owners’ experience central and offering versatile settings to configure based on how they like to spend their time with family and friends.

The forward section of the Grande 44M’s upper deck can be fitted out as a media room for guests or reserved for the owner, or alternatively, as a dining area with a veranda accommodating 12 people. Two-meter-long windows on either side provide views outside. A lounge area in the bow with a small fire pit offers an intimate space from which to watch the sun set over the water.

Water is the key element in the design narrative by m²atelier, capturing its essence and giving back fluidity, dynamism and reflections. m²atelier, which has an international reputation for creative projects in multiple sectors from residences and hotels to retail and product design, brings as a distinctive signature for Azimut, a clear message, accented by refined, subtle details that seduce with a discreet simplicity.

The Grande 44M brings advanced naval architecture to the table and creates a new milestone in the green course charted by Azimut. The yacht is the flagship of the shipyard’s family of Low Emission Yachts, models that offer a reduction of between 20 and 30 percent in emissions compared to more traditional naval architecture on yachts of the same size. The naval platform of the Grande 44M is based on what the company calls a “Dual Mode” hull, the introduction of “Hull Vane” foil technology and a “Mild Hybrid Plus Zero Emission Hotel Mode” system.

The Dual Mode hull, developed in partnership by P.L. Ausonio Naval Architecture and the Azimut R&D department, represents the union of two types of conventional hull. The bow section is typical for fast displacement boats, while the part from midships to the stern has a chine commonly found on planing hulls. This results in a hull that allows a considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions at every speed range.

The foil technology is installed for the first time on an Azimut yacht thanks to the collaboration between Hull Vane, a Dutch company that is leader in the design of advanced hydrodynamic solutions, and the Azimut|Benetti Group R&D department, which has gained a experience in the design and production of carbon components. The Hull Vane carbon wing fitted to the stern of the Grande 44M is able to suppress the stern wave and generate forward thrust, providing further reduction in overall drag as well as damping of pitch, sway, and roll in navigation.

The ability to combine onboard comfort with a focus on environmental sustainability is a stand-out feature of the designs developed by Azimut, which now already offers six models that can be fitted with a Zero Emission Hotel Mode system, making it possible to stay at anchor for from four to eight hours with the generators off. On the Grande 44M, the system achieves maximum efficiency in combination with the Mild Hybrid Plus system, a new electrification scheme developed by Azimut|Benetti Group R&D in partnership with Asea Nautica.

The Mild Hybrid Plus Zero Emission Hotel Mode system makes it possible to cruise with the generators off and all loads connected, as well as producing a surplus of energy used to recharge the battery pack.

The Grande 44M will be presented to the public at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026.

For more information: azimutyachts.com