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.
You're ready for superyacht living but not ready to stop driving. The Grande 26M packs five staterooms and pod-driven MAN V12 power into 86 manageable feet.
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 represents a genuine engineering decision, not a styling exercise. Azimut partnered with ZF to develop the Large Pod 4600 specifically for this application, and the result is a 20% reduction in fuel consumption at cruise speeds compared to shaft-driven competitors. The carbon fiber superstructure isn't about weight savings for speed. It's about lowering the center of gravity to offset the added volume of the raised pilothouse. The boat handles predictably in a seaway and docks like something 15 feet shorter. That matters more than most buyers realize until they own it.
This boat is for the experienced operator who values function over flash. If you need five cabins because you actually travel with family and friends, if you run 200 to 300 hours per year, and if you understand the difference between owning a yacht and operating one, the 26M makes sense. It's not for the first-time buyer stepping up from a 55-foot express. The systems are complex, the costs are real, and the learning curve is steep. But for the right owner, it's one of the most capable platforms in the 80 to 90-foot range.
Resale on Azimut's Grande series has been stable, particularly for well-maintained examples with documented service history. The pod drive system is still relatively new in this size range, which means long-term durability data is limited. Budget for ZF-certified service and expect higher parts costs than traditional shaft systems. The five-cabin layout appeals to a specific buyer, which can narrow your resale market but also command a premium when the right buyer appears. Maintenance runs higher than a four-cabin Ferretti but lower than a Sunseeker with surface drives. Plan accordingly..
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.
Azimut Grande 26M Overview
The Grande 26M opens Azimut's Grande superyacht series: 85'7" overall, 20'8" beam, 186,068 lbs at full load, in GRP and carbon fiber. Alberto Mancini drew the exterior; the interior is by Achille Salvagni Architetti with Yachtique.
Like the Fly 82 below it, the 26M carries the Deck2Deck terrace — the transom transforms and the cockpit expands into a terrace over the waves.
Performance & Handling
Power is twin MAN V12s on pod drives, 1,550 hp standard or 1,650 hp optional, for published maximums of 26 and 28 knots respectively and cruise figures of 23-24 knots, from 2,245 gallons of fuel.
The pod installation brings joystick handling to an 86-footer — a large part of why this is the Grande a hands-on owner can still enjoy driving.
Interior & Accommodations
Five cabins and six heads for the owner's party, plus two crew cabins — a stateroom count the Fly series never reaches.
Salvagni's interior aims at superyacht-grade sophistication, and the deck plan is drawn for privacy: separate zones for guests who want company and guests who don't.
Market Position
The Grande 26M is the bridge between Azimut's big flybridge cruisers and true superyachts: five staterooms and crew where the Fly 82 carries four, on barely four more feet of dock.
Above it the Grande series steps to the 105-foot 32M; below, the Fly 82 keeps most of the lifestyle at a simpler operating scale.
Who the Grande 26M Is For
Buy the Grande 26M if your guest list has outgrown four staterooms and you want superyacht accommodation in a yacht that still handles like something you could run.
The Fly 82 saves complexity if four cabins suffice; the Grande 32M is the next step when the program calls for 105 feet and a third crew cabin.
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.
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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.