March 16, 2026
The Azimut S8: A Triple-IPS Sport Yacht Built for Owners Who Actually Drive
Driver-focused Azimut S8 blends 80ft luxury with triple Volvo IPS joystick control - owner-operable, 30-knot cruise, and dockable solo - del…
Read the articleAzimut S8
Expert Review, Technical Specifications & Market Analysis
The Essentials
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Overall Length | 80' 10" |
| Beam | 18' 3" |
| Draft | 5' 9" |
| Displacement | 57.7 t (127,161 lbs) - Full Load |
| Engines | 3 x Volvo Penta IPS 1350 (1,000 hp each) |
| Fuel Capacity | 4,000 L (1,057 US Gal) |
| Water Capacity | 1,100 L (291 US Gal) |
| Cabins / Heads | 4 Cabins + 2 Crew / 4 Heads + 1 Crew |
| Max Speed | Up to 34 kn |
| Cruise Speed | Variable |
Source: Spec & Photos courtesy of Azimut. Specs verified by Tony Smith, USCG 100 Ton Master, on August 8, 2026.
You want sport-yacht pace and the space of a real yacht. The S8 delivers a published 34 knots, four cabins and a double garage for tender and jet ski on 80 feet.
Part of the Azimut S series — see how owners step up through the lineup.
Quick Verdict
- Triple Volvo IPS 1350 pods deliver 3,000 hp and true joystick control, making this one of the most owner-friendly yachts over 80 feet on the market
- Galley-up main deck layout and driver-focused helm position prioritize real-world usability over showroom aesthetics, a rare choice in this size class
- 30-knot cruise speed and 200-nautical-mile range at speed position the S8 as a serious Bahamas and Keys cruiser, not just a coastal day boat
Our Take
The S8 represents Azimut's most coherent execution of the carbon fiber strategy. The weight savings are real and the performance numbers back it up. The triple IPS setup is the right call for this hull, delivering genuine 28-knot cruise capability without the maintenance complexity of surface drives. The build quality is consistent with Azimut's recent production, which means solid but not superyacht-grade. Expect typical Italian fit and finish with occasional detail work needed post-delivery.
This boat makes sense for the experienced owner who wants to run their own yacht but needs the flexibility of crew quarters for longer trips or charter use. The four-cabin layout is a legitimate advantage over competitors that sacrifice guest space for performance. The S8 doesn't make that compromise. It's not the right choice for someone who wants a full-time captain or plans to spend most weekends at the dock. The performance capability is wasted if you're not using it.
Resale should be stable given Azimut's U.S. market presence and the S8's practical layout. The carbon fiber construction is a selling point that will age well as fuel costs continue to rise. Budget 12 to 15 percent of purchase price annually for operating costs if you're running with crew, or 8 to 10 percent for owner-operation. The IPS pods have proven reliable but expect higher service costs than traditional shaft drives. Parts availability is good through the Volvo network. Plan for major service every 1,000 hours at roughly $30,000 per engine..
Watch Our Azimut S8 Reviews
Official Azimut Premiere: Inside the Azimut S8
Video courtesy of Azimut.
Azimut S8 Photo Gallery
Photos courtesy of Azimut.
Azimut S8 Overview
The S8 is the 80-foot expression of Azimut's S series: 80'10" overall, 18'3" beam, 127,161 lbs at full load, built in GRP and carbon fiber in the same three-deck, sport-fly format as the S7.
A careful space study moved the galley to an intermediate deck, freeing the main deck for living and dining — and made room aft for a double garage that takes both a tender and a jet ski.
Performance & Handling
Three Volvo Penta IPS 1350 pods, 1,000 hp each, drive a published maximum of 34 knots from 1,057 gallons of fuel.
The yard credits the triple-pod setup, waterline optimization and carbon use with 20-30% lower fuel burn and CO2 than an equivalent shaft-drive hull in the main speed range.
Interior & Accommodations
Four cabins, four heads and two crew cabins. With the galley lifted out to its own intermediate deck, the main deck runs as one bright living and dining space.
The sport fly above adds the open-air counterpoint to the enclosed main saloon.
Market Position
The S8 gives Azimut buyers the Fly 82's scale of accommodation in a lower, faster package — four cabins and two crew either way, with the S8 trading the flybridge and terrace for a sport fly and a sharper profile.
Within the S series it is the step up from the 71-foot S7 in beam, garage space and crew capacity.
Who the S8 Is For
Buy the S8 if you want an 80-footer that photographs like a sportboat and still sleeps four cabins of guests with crew to run it.
Choose the Fly 82 if the flybridge and Deck2Deck terrace fit your entertaining style better; the S7 covers the same brief nine feet down.
Owning the Azimut S8: Operating Costs
The S8 delivers 80-foot performance with an owner-operator's cost logic — but 3,000 horsepower keeps honest company:
- Fuel: roughly 95 to 115 gallons per hour at the fast cruise near 30 knots with the triple Volvo IPS 1350s. That is the price of covering Miami-to-the-islands at speed; at 20 knots the pods reward you with a much gentler burn.
- Annual upkeep: plan on roughly 10 percent of the yacht's value per year all-in — service, insurance, dockage, detailing, and occasional paid help.
- IPS pod service: three of Volvo's largest pods on schedule. Three tickets, no exceptions, full paper trail.
- Dockage: 85-foot slip class. The sport profile sits lower than a flybridge 80 — occasionally an advantage for covered storage and bridge-height routes.
- Crew: more optional here than anything else this size. The driver-focused helm and galley-up layout are built for short-handed running; quarters for two cover the delivery and heavy-season scenarios.
What to Look For in an S8
- Service records for all three IPS 1350s — the entire ownership case rests on healthy pods.
- Verify the performance numbers at sea trial. An S8 that will not reach its cruise and top-end figures has a bottom, prop, or engine story to tell.
- Galley-up equipment. The main-deck galley works hard on this boat — test everything, including ventilation.
- Hull finish below the sport glazing. Long hull windows near the water: check seals and any staining at survey.
- Generator hours versus engine hours — a performance boat with enormous generator hours lived a different life than advertised.
- Delivery and charter history. Fast 80-footers travel; match the hours to the logbook and service stamps.
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 S8 Articles & Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
What engines power the Azimut S8?
Triple Volvo Penta IPS 1350 pod drives, 1,000 hp each — 3,000 hp total. Three pods deliver the thrust for 34 knots, redundancy for long passages, and the joystick close-quarters control that makes this one of the most owner-friendly yachts over 80 feet.
How fast is the Azimut S8?
The S8 tops out around 34 knots with a fast cruise near 30 knots, driven by triple Volvo Penta IPS 1350 pods delivering a combined 3,000 hp. At speed it holds roughly a 200-nautical-mile range — a genuine Bahamas and Keys cruiser, not a coastal day boat.
Can an owner run the Azimut S8 without a captain?
More plausibly than almost anything else over 80 feet. Triple IPS pods give true joystick control, and the driver-focused helm with galley-up main deck is designed around real-world short-handed use. Crew quarters for two remain when the mission calls for help.
What is the range of the Azimut S8?
Roughly 200 nautical miles at fast cruise near 30 knots, from a 1,057-gallon fuel capacity. Slow down and the IPS pods stretch that meaningfully further — but the S8's pitch is covering Miami-to-the-islands distances at speed.
What are the dimensions of the Azimut S8?
The S8 measures 80 feet 10 inches overall with an 18-foot 3-inch beam, a 5-foot 9-inch draft, and full-load displacement of about 127,200 pounds. It carries 1,057 gallons of fuel and 291 gallons of water.
How many people can sleep aboard the Azimut S8?
Eight guests in four cabins with four heads, plus quarters for two crew with a crew head. The galley-up arrangement keeps the cook in the conversation and frees the lower deck for full-size staterooms.