The Azimut Grande 26M: When 86 Feet Feels Like a Superyacht
Azimut's Grande 26M redefines 86-foot yachts: the first 86-footer with ZF Large Pod 4600 drives, delivering 28 knots and 20% better fuel eff…
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Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 85' 7" |
| Beam | 20' 8" |
| Draft | 6' 9" |
| Displacement | 84.4 t (186,068 lbs) |
| Engines | 2x MAN V12 1550 HP + POD / 2x MAN V12 1650 HP + POD |
| Fuel Capacity | 8,500 L (2,245 US Gal) |
| Water Capacity | 1,500 L (396 US Gal) |
| Cabins / Heads | 5 Cabins + 2 Crew / 6 Heads + 1 Crew |
| Max Speed | Up to 26/28 kn |
| Cruise Speed | Up to 23/24 kn |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Azimut. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 8, 2026.
Part of the Azimut Grande series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- First yacht over 80 feet to use ZF Large Pod 4600 drives, delivering 20 percent fuel savings at cruise speeds compared to conventional shaft systems in the same size class
- Five-cabin layout with main-deck owner's suite and crew quarters accessible via side deck, eliminating the four-cabin compromise common in 85-foot flybridges
- Deck2Deck transom system extends cockpit into a 20-foot terrace over the water, creating usable outdoor space that rivals boats 10 feet longer
Our Take
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..
Watch Our Azimut Grande 26M Reviews
Official Azimut Premiere: Inside the Azimut Grande 26M
Video courtesy of Azimut.
Azimut Grande 26M Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Azimut.
Owning the Azimut Grande 26M: Operating Costs
The Grande 26M is the doorway into the Grande line, and its pod drives keep the door open wider than most 86-footers:
- Fuel: roughly 110 to 130 gallons per hour at the 23-to-24-knot cruise with the twin MAN V12s. The ZF Pod 4600 drives are the story — about 20 percent less burn at cruise than shaft-drive competitors this size.
- Annual upkeep: plan on roughly 10 percent of the yacht's value per year all-in — service, insurance, dockage, detailing, and crew. At 86 feet, crew is the largest single line.
- Crew: most owners run a captain, with a mate or stew added seasonally. Quarters for two keep the program small; side-deck crew access keeps service out of guest spaces.
- Pod and engine service: MAN V12 majors are far apart but substantial; the ZF pods follow their own schedule. Use authorized service for both — this drivetrain is new enough that documentation carries extra weight at resale.
- Dockage: 90-foot slip class with a 20-foot 8-inch beam. Confirm beam at older docks and expect superyacht-tier marina pricing to begin here.
- Deck2Deck transom: hydraulic terrace systems want annual inspection — treat it as scheduled maintenance.
What to Look For in a Grande 26M
- ZF Pod 4600 service documentation. First-generation adoption of a new drive system makes complete authorized-service records the most valuable paper on the boat.
- MAN V12 engine surveys with oil analysis on both sides.
- Deck2Deck transom cycled under load at sea trial — seals, hoses, and structure around the opening.
- Main-deck owner's suite glazing and finish — the signature space; inspect it like a master bedroom, not a boat cabin.
- Crew quarters and side-deck access condition — tells you how the boat was actually run.
- Five-cabin wear pattern. Check the fifth cabin's condition; on lightly used boats it is pristine, on charter boats it is not.
Cost figures are Minted Yachts editorial estimates for typical U.S. Southeast ownership; your marina, usage, insurance profile, and spec will move these numbers. Read how we source and verify, or ask us for numbers specific to your situation.
Azimut Grande 26M Articles & Guides
Compare With
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Grande 26M require professional crew?
Azimut designed it for a small crew — quarters for two, accessed by the side deck so service never crosses guest space. The ZF pod joystick keeps handling forgiving, but at 86 feet with five guest cabins, most owners will run it with a captain.
How fast is the Azimut Grande 26M?
Up to 26 knots with the standard twin MAN V12 1550s and up to 28 knots with the optional 1650s, cruising at 23 to 24 knots. The ZF pod drives keep fuel burn at cruise about 20 percent below comparable shaft-drive yachts.
What is special about the Grande 26M's propulsion?
It is the first yacht over 80 feet to run ZF Large Pod 4600 drives, paired with twin MAN V12s (1,550 or 1,650 hp). The pods deliver roughly 20 percent fuel savings at cruise versus conventional shaft systems in this size class, plus joystick close-quarters control.
What is the Deck2Deck transom on the Grande 26M?
A fold-out transom system that extends the cockpit into a roughly 20-foot terrace over the water. It creates usable outdoor living space on par with yachts ten feet longer — beach club living without stepping up to a 95-footer.
How many guests can sleep aboard the Grande 26M?
Ten guests in five cabins with six heads — including a main-deck owner's suite — plus quarters for two crew reached via the side deck. That five-cabin arrangement eliminates the four-cabin compromise common among 85-foot flybridge yachts.
How big is the Azimut Grande 26M?
The Grande 26M measures 85 feet 7 inches overall with a 20-foot 8-inch beam, a 6-foot 9-inch draft, and displacement of about 186,000 pounds. It carries 2,245 gallons of fuel and 396 gallons of water.