Azimut 62S

Azimut's design team have worked hard to refine this hull, with three distinctly non-parallel spray rails each side of the keel — the outer ones providing lift and reducing drag at speed, the inner ones assisting with directional stability when off the plane. Acceleration is exceptional (zero to 30 knots in 24 seconds), the turning circle is commendably tight, and far from digging in, the bow showed no inclination to do anything except pull the rest of the boat round as quickly as possible. Down in the engineroom the 18-litre, six-cylinder Caterpillar C18s, the only power units offered, sit level on V-drive gearboxes in a bright and well-designed compartment. On the water the Azimut 62S handles well. Accelerates willingly, offers a good range of cruising speeds to suit different conditions.