Azimut Fly 82 Review: Triple IPS and Carbon Fiber Engineering

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The Fly 82 represents Azimut’s most mature thinking on the 80-foot flybridge. The carbon fiber work is legitimate engineering, not marketing. Reducing superstructure weight by 30% while maintaining rigidity is difficult, and they executed it well. The triple IPS setup is the correct choice for this displacement and beam. Joystick control at 81 feet is not a luxury, it’s a necessity, and the Volvo system is proven. The hull design by Pierluigi Ausonio is conservative in a good way. This is not a boat that will surprise you with handling quirks or unexpected behavior in a seaway.

This boat is for the owner who wants to be hands-on but not overwhelmed. If you’re coming from a 60-footer and stepping up, the Fly 82 will feel like a significant increase in capability without requiring you to hire a full-time captain immediately. If you’re downsizing from a 100-footer, you’ll appreciate the simplicity and lower operating costs. The Deck2Deck system is the feature that will either sell you or leave you indifferent. If you spend time at anchor and value water-level access, it’s worth the premium. If you’re primarily underway, it’s less critical.

Resale on Azimut has improved significantly over the past decade. The brand is no longer fighting the perception battles it faced in the early 2000s. Current market data shows Fly series boats holding 60-65% of original value after five years, assuming proper maintenance and reasonable hours. That’s competitive with Ferretti and slightly behind Sunseeker in the same size range. Maintenance costs are predictable if you stay on top of the service schedule. The IPS drives are reliable but expensive to repair if neglected. Budget accordingly and this boat will serve you well for 8-10 years before you start thinking about the next one..”