Picture this: It's 10am on a Saturday in Bimini. You're on the flybridge with coffee, watching your crew prep the tender below. The carbon-fiber hardtop keeps you cool. The twin MAN V12s are silent. You've got 451 nautical miles of range at slow cruise, which means the Abacos are within reach without a fuel stop. This is the Azimut Fly 72—a 74-footer that doesn't ask you to choose between performance and volume. It delivers both, and it does so with a level of engineering precision that most builders in this class can't match. The hull is sharp. The layout is asymmetrical in ways that actually make sense. And the flybridge is one of the best outdoor spaces you'll find on any yacht under 80 feet.
Who It's For
The Fly 72 is built for the owner-operator who wants a serious cruising platform without hiring full-time crew. You can run this boat with a captain and a day steward, or you can run it yourself if you've got the experience. The systems are accessible. The engine room is clean. The helm is intuitive. This is not a yacht that requires a professional crew to function, though it accommodates one if you prefer.
It's also for the buyer who values design but doesn't want a showpiece. The interiors are refined without being precious. The materials are high-quality but not fragile. You can actually use this boat, which is more than you can say for some of the Italian competition in this size range.
If you're coming from a 60-footer and want more space without stepping into the 80-foot maintenance bracket, the Fly 72 is the right move. It's also the right boat if you're tired of compromising on flybridge space just to get a sleek profile.
Design & Layout: Asymmetry That Works
Azimut's decision to go asymmetrical on the main deck is the most interesting design choice on this boat. The galley can be enclosed or open depending on how you spec it. If you're running with crew, you close it off and give them a proper workspace. If you're owner-operated, you open it up and integrate it into the salon. Either way, the dinette forward of the galley is a smart addition—it's a crew mess when you need it, and a breakfast nook when you don't.
The salon itself is wide open, with floor-to-ceiling glass that makes the space feel bigger than it is. The materials are neutral—light woods, soft fabrics, bronze accents. It's a restrained palette that won't feel dated in five years.
Below deck, you get four guest cabins plus a crew cabin. All four guest cabins are en suite, which is non-negotiable at this price point. The master is full-beam with a walk-in closet and a vanity desk. The VIP forward is nearly as large. The two guest cabins are smaller but still functional for adults.
The flybridge is where this boat separates itself from the competition. It's massive. You get a full dining setup, a sun lounge at the helm, an American bar with refrigeration, and an open aft section that can be configured however you want. The carbon-fiber hardtop is retractable, so you can run it open or closed depending on conditions. This is the kind of outdoor space that makes you forget you're on a 74-footer.
Performance: Freedom, Not Just Speed
The Fly 72 is powered by twin MAN V12 1,400hp engines. Top speed is 32 knots. Cruise speed is 26 knots. Those numbers are competitive, but they're not the story. The story is the range. At 14.8 knots, you get 451 nautical miles. That's enough to run from Miami to the Exumas without stopping. At 26 knots, you still get 323 nautical miles, which is more than enough for most South Florida and Bahamas itineraries.
The hull is a planing design with a 15-degree deadrise aft and 20 degrees amidships. It's a proven shape that balances efficiency with ride quality. The carbon-fiber superstructure reduces weight by 30 percent compared to traditional fiberglass, which lowers the center of gravity and improves stability. You feel it in the way the boat handles—it's planted, even in a beam sea.
The active trim control system from Humphree is standard, and it makes a noticeable difference in fuel consumption. The system automatically adjusts the interceptors to optimize hull angle at every speed and load condition. It's one of those features you don't think about until you run a boat without it.
Ownership: What It Actually Costs
The Fly 72 sits at the premium end of the 70-foot flybridge class, and the case it makes against the competition is engineering and flybridge space, not sticker price.
Annual operating costs depend on how you run her—owner-operated with a part-time captain at one end, full-time captain and steward at the other. Fuel, insurance, dockage, and maintenance are the big line items, and South Florida dockage is the one that surprises first-time owners.
The good news is that Azimut has a strong dealer network in the U.S., and parts availability is generally good. The MAN engines are reliable and well-supported. The systems are straightforward, which keeps maintenance costs in check.
Resale is solid. Azimut holds value better than most Italian builders, and the Fly series has a strong following in the pre-owned market. If you take care of the boat and keep the hours reasonable, you should be able to sell it for 60 to 70 percent of your purchase price after five years.
Where to Start
The Azimut Fly 72 is one of the best flybridge cruisers in its class. It's well-engineered, well-built, and well-thought-out. If you're serious about this boat, start by getting on one. The layout is different enough from the competition that you need to walk it to understand it. Pay attention to the flybridge, the engine room, and the way the main deck flows. Those are the areas where this boat separates itself.
Explore full specifications at YachtSpecsDirect.com
Browse available Azimut inventory at mintedyachts.com/azimut