Azimut Grande 26M Review: Pod-Driven Performance Meets Five-Cabin Layout

“




The Grande 26M is the first time Azimut has put pod drives on a boat this size, and the engineering makes sense. The ZF Large Pod 4600 system cuts fuel consumption by 20 percent at 24 knots compared to shaft drives, and the joystick control is worth the investment if you’re docking this boat yourself. The carbon fiber superstructure keeps weight down and the center of gravity low, which translates to better stability in a beam sea. The hull is a planing design with a 13.8-degree deadrise, so it’s not a soft ride in three-foot chop, but it’s predictable and the boat handles well at speed. Build quality is consistent with Azimut’s recent output, which means solid lamination and good fit-and-finish in high-touch areas.

This boat is for the buyer who has outgrown the four-cabin flybridge but doesn’t want to jump to a 100-footer with full-time crew. The five-cabin layout works because the owner’s suite is on the main deck, which frees up space below for four real guest cabins. The crew quarters are accessible from the side deck, so you can run this boat with a captain and stewardess without them walking through the salon every time they need to access their cabins. If you’re planning to charter, the five-cabin configuration puts you in a higher-demand category. If you’re running owner-operated, the layout still makes sense because the separation between guest and crew spaces is built into the architecture.

The Grande 26M will hold value better than most 85-footers because the pod drives are a differentiator in the resale market. Buyers shopping used boats in this size range care about fuel efficiency and maneuverability, and the pods deliver both. Maintenance costs on the pods are comparable to shaft systems, but you’ll need a yard that’s familiar with ZF’s service protocols. The five-cabin layout also helps resale because it appeals to both private owners and charter operators. Expect this boat to depreciate 10 to 15 percent in the first two years, then stabilize if you keep hours reasonable and maintenance current. The Bahamas-friendly draft and the Deck2Deck system are selling points that will matter more in five years than they do today.”