Azimut Magellano 43
Review and photos by Simon Hill
A stylish Italian take on the enduringly popular trawler concept
Italy’s Azimut Yachts was founded in 1969 but the company’s line of vessels is something of a novelty to Canadian boaters, with only two authorized dealers here and a handful of boats on the water so far. The introduction of the Magellano 43, however, may see that change.
The 43 is the smallest of the Magellano line — the Magellano 76 and 50 were introduced a few years ago, and the 66 is launching this year. The 43 hits a sweet spot in the marketplace, being large enough to offer plenty of room on board for entertaining and family cruising, yet small enough to allow easy handling by a couple.
Designed by Cor D. Rover with a Bill Dixon hull form, the Magellano 43 has traditional-looking lines, with a bluff bow and the houseworks set back to allow a spacious sun-pad up front. It’s an approach that maximizes interior space while producing a handsome-looking exterior that echoes classic Chris-Crafts of the 1950s. Depending on your requirements, the boat is available as a flybridge cruiser (as tested) or a hardtop version with sliding sunroof panels.
The Bill Dixon hull advances the traditional semi-displacement concept into what Dixon calls a dual-mode design. It has a rounded V-shaped entry with full fore-sections, and flattens out towards the chines to create lifting surface for planing, while the chines are shaped to minimize spray. The result is a vessel that’ll cruise efficiently in displacement mode and handle rough water with grace, but can also plane at 24 knots when needed.
On Deck
A large aft swim grid makes boarding the Magellano 43 easy, and a transom cut-out provides access to the cockpit, which features spacious L-shaped lounge seating and a folding table. The wide side decks are protected by robust railings, with gates for side boarding.
The foredeck is dominated by a large sunpad, forward of which is the anchor-handling gear and substantial mooring bitts. The 20kg Delta anchor is secured in an integral hawsepipe with the anchor roller extending outward. This keeps the anchor clear of the vessel’s stem when deploying and retrieving it, but some marinas may charge extra moorage since the anchor protrudes forward when stowed.
The flybridge is accessed from the cockpit via teak-surfaced stairs, with storage underneath and an acrylic hatch up top to close them off when not in use. There’s space on the flybridge for a compact wet bar and fridge aft, with a single sliding helm seat and sofa-lounge up front. Sturdy railings and thoughtfully-placed grab-handles provide security underway, and a wind deflector keeps the space sociable. Canvas covering for the flybridge isn’t part of the factory fit-out, so buyers may want custom-designed canvas built to suit.
Accommodations
Thanks to the Magellano’s traditional lines and thoughtful design, the interior offers surprising space for a vessel of this size, feeling more like a boat three or four feet bigger. Woodwork is a satin-finished Canaletto walnut, and there are myriad options for the other interior materials. No matter how you fit it out, it’s all wrapped in unmistakable Italian style.
Sliding doors provide level access from the cockpit to the open-plan main cabin. The aft galley easily serves either the cockpit or the inside dinette, and includes a 130-litre fridge, three-burner induction cooktop, and Miele microwave/convection oven with grill. Custom cabinetry securely stores the included Azimut dinnerware and glassware, and a low cabinet to starboard provides a spot for a flatscreen television.
Moving forward there’s a single-seat helm station to starboard and a U-shaped sofa-dinette to port. This is close enough to the helm to allow interaction with the helmsman while underway, though forward visibility from the sofa is somewhat limited. Throughout the cabin there are plenty of stout grab-handles, proof that the boat was designed by people who know the sea.
A set of steps leads forward to the lower accommodations, which can be configured as a two-cabin layout with a large storage space, or a three-cabin layout with a master cabin forward, twin-bunk guest cabin to port, and a third single cabin to starboard (the test boat had the three-cabin layout). In either case the master cabin has an ensuite head with shower, and there’s a second smaller day-head on the starboard side.
Power and Equipment
The Magellano 43 is powered by twin 355-horsepower Cummins QSB 6.7 diesels turning V-drives transmissions, with Cummins ETS electronic controls and VesselView display. The Teleflex steering is hydraulically-assisted, and there are electro-hydraulic trim tabs and a standard bow thruster. An available Xenta joystick system ties together the gears and bow thruster to provide simple, stress-free docking control.
Electrical service is supplied by a bank of four 24-volt house batteries, backed by a Cummins Onan genset mounted aft of the engines. Machinery space access is provided by a large hatch in the cockpit floor, with further access provided by raising the galley sole.
Underway
Underway the Magellano 43 is quiet, smooth, and solid-feeling. The Xenta joystick control made it easy to thread the boat out of Granville Island’s crowded brokerage docks, and the low sound levels — below 75 db at 14 knots — ensured no one had to raise their voice to be heard. Once out in English Bay we were able to carve some tight high-speed turns, which the Magellano 43 handled with minimal heel and absolutely no fuss. Shouldering our way through some self-generated chop was equally drama-free, and even when hitting waves square-on the Magellano 43 didn’t crash, bang or rattle in the slightest — it provides a genuinely impressive feeling of solidity.
Cruising fuel consumption during our test was 37 L/h at 14 knots (2,240 rpm) and full throttle netted a top speed of 24.7 knots at 3,040 rpm (see below for complete performance data). With 1,680 L of fuel in twin 840 L tanks, the Magellano 43 has a range of about 1,200 nm at 9 knots or 450 nm at 17 knots.
Ready to Cruise
With its efficient semi-displacement cruising ability, unique reserve of planing speed, and stand-out European style, the Magellano 43 is a do-it-all vessel well suited for a couple looking to cruise further afield, a family needing the space of a three-cabin layout, or an executive looking for a boat that can entertain in style and go away for the weekend in comfort.
The West Coast-based test boat is available from Fraser Yacht Sales at an introductory price of $988,000, and for those who fancy creating unique first memories with their new vessel Azimut offers European delivery, allowing you to pick the boat up in Italy and cruise the Mediterranean for up to three months before having it shipped home to North America at no additional cost. “It’s really easy cruising grounds there,” explains Ian Fraser, “and the Azimut-Benneti group owns a number of marinas so getting space isn’t a problem.” For more information on the Magellano 43 contact Fraser Yachts on the West Coast at 604-734-3344, or Executive Yacht in Toronto at 1-888-237-1647.
Specifications
LOA 13.63 m (44′ 9″)
Hull length 12.96 m (42′ 6″)
Beam 4.4 m (14′ 5″)
Draft 1.2 m (3′ 11″)
Displ. 18.15 tons
Engines 2 x 355hp Cummins QSB 6.7
Fuel 1,680 L (443 US gals)
Water 600 L (158 US gals)
Holding tank 130 L (34 US gals)
Designer Cor D. Rover
Performance Data
Displ. speed 9.3 knots @ 1,635 rpm, 16 L/h per engine
Low cruise 14 knots @ 2,240 rpm, 37 L/h per engine
High cruise 17 knots @ 2,510 rpm, 45 L/h per engine
Top speed 24.7 knots @ 3,040 rpm, 70 L/h per engine
Photo Captions:
Photo 1 – Underway in Vancouver’s English Bay, the Azimut Magellano 43 shows off its classic lines, with a bluff bow and aft-set houseworks.
Photo 2 – The uncluttered single-seat helm station features a central navigation display, Xenta joystick docking control, and single-lever throttle/gear controls. The stylish steering wheel shows true Italian flair.
Photo 3 – The open-plan main cabin is bright and roomy, with an aft galley and a U-shaped dinette forward across from the helm station.
Photo 4 – The master cabin features a walk-around island queen berth and ensuite head. Clean, well thought-out design contributes to a spacious feel.
