Azimut 55 Fly for Sale

Azimut 55 Fly Specifications

The specification that defines the 55 Fly in its competitive context is the propulsion system. The standard installation is twin Volvo Penta IPS 700 pods, each delivering 550 horsepower from a Volvo Penta D8 diesel engine. The IPS system positions forward-facing, counter-rotating propellers beneath the hull, connected directly to each engine without the need for shafts, struts, or rudders. Volvo Penta’s published data claims up to 30% better fuel efficiency at cruising speed compared to conventional shaft drives, along with measurably lower noise and vibration levels in the cabin. For buyers who prefer a traditional drivetrain, MAN V8 engines with V-drive shaft installations are available as an alternative — a choice that appeals to owners with established relationships with MAN service infrastructure or those who prefer the tactile feedback of conventional steering.

Construction follows Azimut’s well-established GRP with carbon fibre reinforcement approach. The hull is a glass-reinforced polyester layup with carbon fibre applied to high-stress structural areas — a technique that reduces weight where it matters most without incurring the cost of full-carbon construction. The Righini hull form is a planing deep-V with variable deadrise, optimised for the Mediterranean sea states that constitute the yacht’s primary operating environment. CE Category B (Offshore) certification permits operation in winds up to Beaufort 8 and significant wave heights to 4 metres — placing the 55 Fly in the same offshore bracket as every serious competitor in the 55–60 ft flybridge class.

Fuel capacity of 1,600 litres is adequate for the IPS-driven hull’s improved efficiency, delivering a cruising range of approximately 250–300 nautical miles at 24 knots and a significantly extended range of around 400 nautical miles at the 10-knot economy setting. Water capacity of 600 litres is sufficient for a week of cruising for six guests without reliance on marina water hookups, though a watermaker is a worthwhile addition for extended passages.

Performance & Handling

Speed and efficiency: The twin Volvo Penta IPS 700 installation pushes the 55 Fly to a top speed of approximately 30 knots — competitive within the 55-foot flybridge class, where most direct rivals cluster between 28 and 33 knots depending on engine specification. The meaningful number, however, is the cruising speed of 24 knots, where the IPS system delivers its efficiency advantage. At this speed, combined fuel consumption runs approximately 200–220 litres per hour, yielding a practical cruising range of 250–300 nautical miles from the 1,600-litre tanks. By comparison, a shaft-driven 55-foot flybridge burning equivalent horsepower typically consumes 260–290 litres per hour at the same speed — the IPS efficiency gain is genuine and measurable over a season of cruising.

IPS joystick docking: This is the feature that transforms the owner-operation equation for a 22-tonne flybridge motor yacht. The Volvo Penta joystick provides intuitive, omnidirectional low-speed control by coordinating both pod drives simultaneously — the yacht can be moved sideways, rotated on its own axis, or crept forward at walking pace with a level of precision that shaft-and-rudder systems simply cannot match. For owners who berth stern-to in tight Mediterranean marinas, where beam-to-beam clearance can be under a metre, the joystick removes most of the stress from the docking procedure. Azimut has integrated Volvo Penta’s dynamic positioning system, which uses GPS to hold the yacht stationary against wind and current at the push of a button — invaluable when waiting for a dock space or pausing to pick up mooring lines.

Hull design and sea-keeping: The Righini deep-V hull transitions to plane cleanly at approximately 14–16 knots without the exaggerated bow-rise that can unsettle passengers on heavier flybridges. The variable deadrise provides good wave penetration forward while flatter aft sections maintain planing efficiency at cruise. In the moderate chop typical of Mediterranean summer conditions (Force 3–4), the 55 Fly is comfortable and composed. In rougher conditions up to Force 5–6, the ride quality remains acceptable for experienced crews, though — like every flybridge in the class — guests on the upper deck will feel the motion more than those in the main saloon. Above Force 6, the yacht is capable but sea-keeping becomes a matter of seamanship rather than leisure.

The flybridge helm: One of the compelling advantages of the flybridge layout is the elevated helm position. Seated three metres above the waterline with an unobstructed 360-degree view, the flybridge helm provides vastly superior visibility compared to the lower helm station — particularly when navigating busy anchorages, entering unfamiliar harbours, or threading through mooring fields. In fair weather, which accounts for the vast majority of Mediterranean cruising days, the flybridge helm becomes the primary command position. The lower helm serves as the foul-weather alternative and provides a more sheltered driving position for passages.

IPS vs shaft drive — the practical choice: Buyers who opt for the MAN shaft-drive alternative gain mechanical simplicity, broader independent service options (particularly useful outside established Volvo Penta service territories), and a more traditional feel at the helm. They sacrifice joystick docking, the IPS efficiency advantage, and the reduced noise profile. In practice, approximately 70–80% of new 55-foot flybridge buyers in the Mediterranean now choose IPS, and the used market reflects this preference — IPS-equipped boats typically sell faster and command a premium over shaft-driven equivalents.

Interior Layout & Design

The Azimut 55 Fly’s interior is the work of Azimut’s in-house design team — a departure from the bespoke Achille Salvagni treatment applied to the previous-generation Flybridge 55, but a deliberate one. The in-house studio delivers a more accessible Italian contemporary aesthetic: bleached oak or walnut joinery depending on specification, clean geometries, indirect LED lighting, and a material palette that creates a bright, airy atmosphere throughout the lower deck. Azimut’s fit and finish is consistently praised in press reviews — the cabinetry, soft furnishings, and hardware reflect a premium Italian manufacturing standard that sits above mass-market competitors and on par with the best in the class.

Main deck saloon: The main deck is configured as an open-plan living space, with the galley positioned aft to starboard and connected to both the internal saloon and the external cockpit through a large opening window. This indoor-outdoor flow has become a defining feature of Mediterranean flybridge design, and the 55 Fly executes it well: a cook working in the galley can serve both the saloon dining table and the cockpit table without leaving the galley. Forward, a comfortable L-shaped settee and separate dining area create a sociable living space with good natural light from large hull windows and the windscreen above. The saloon headroom is generous for a 55-footer — a function of the flybridge’s raised profile, which adds height to the main-deck living space.

Lower deck — three-cabin layout: The owner’s suite sits amidships in the widest part of the hull, offering a full-width island berth with walk-around access, built-in wardrobes to both sides, and a private en-suite head with separate shower stall. Forward, the VIP cabin provides a double berth beneath an overhead hatch that admits natural light, with access to the second head shared with the day areas. The third cabin, typically configured with twin berths (convertible to a double on some specifications), occupies the starboard side and is suited to children or additional guests. The layout is efficient and well-resolved — there is no wasted space, and the sound insulation between cabins is effective.

Flybridge: The flybridge is the 55 Fly’s defining living space. Forward, the helm station mirrors the lower helm instrumentation, with twin multifunction displays, engine gauges, and the Volvo Penta joystick. Aft of the helm, a wet bar with sink, grill, and refrigerator supports open-air entertaining. A U-shaped dining area with a fixed table seats six comfortably. The aft section of the flybridge is configured as a sunpad — a substantial area for lounging that exploits the elevated position and unobstructed views. An optional Jacuzzi can replace or supplement the aft sunpad, adding a superyacht-style feature that is increasingly popular in the Mediterranean charter market.

Cockpit: The aft cockpit provides a second outdoor entertaining zone at the main-deck level, with a sofa, dining table, and direct access to the hydraulic bathing platform at the transom. The bathing platform lowers to the waterline for swimming access and can support a tender or jet ski. The cockpit connects to the crew cabin, which occupies a separate compartment aft with its own access via the transom — maintaining the privacy separation between owner and crew spaces that professional skippers require.

Build quality: Azimut is a premium brand with a manufacturing infrastructure that few competitors can match. The Avigliana factory is purpose-built for fibreglass yacht production, with controlled lamination environments, precision CNC milling for joinery components, and a quality control process that benefits from the group’s 26-year dominance of the Global Order Book. This is not the hand-crafted approach of a British boutique builder; it is Italian industrial design applied at scale, and the consistency of the output is one of Azimut’s genuine strengths.

Azimut 55 Fly Ownership: What to Expect

Owning a 55-foot flybridge motor yacht is a substantially different financial proposition from owning a sailing yacht of comparable size. The costs are higher across every category — fuel, engine servicing, generator maintenance, marina fees, and insurance — and buyers should budget realistically before committing:

• New-build pricing: The Azimut 55 Fly lists from approximately €800,000–€900,000 ex-VAT in base specification. A well-optioned example with Seakeeper stabiliser, upgraded Raymarine or Garmin electronics package, teak decking, Jacuzzi, full exterior covers, and generator upgrade typically reaches €1,000,000–€1,100,000+ ex-VAT. Options that materially affect the final invoice include the Seakeeper gyro stabiliser (€60,000–€80,000), teak flybridge and cockpit decking (€25,000–€40,000), and the crew cabin fit-out.
• Used market — the depreciation reality: Motor yachts depreciate significantly more than sailing yachts, and buyers should understand this before purchasing new. A 55-foot Italian flybridge typically loses 25–35% of its value in the first five years and 40–55% over ten years, depending on condition, engine hours, and market conditions. Used Azimut 55 Fly examples from recent production years trade at approximately €550,000–€850,000 depending on year, specification, and hours. Older generation Azimut 55s (2000–2009 Gen 1 boats) can be found from €200,000–€350,000 — though these are fundamentally different yachts with different hull designs and engine installations. The used market is relatively liquid: the Azimut 55 nameplate has a strong following, and well-maintained examples sell within reasonable timeframes.
• Annual operating costs: Budget for €50,000–€100,000 per year excluding fuel, with the primary cost drivers being marina berth (€15,000–€30,000 for a 17-metre Mediterranean berth; premium marinas can reach €60,000+), insurance at 1.5–2.0% of hull value (€12,000–€22,000), engine servicing (€5,000–€8,000 annually for twin IPS, more at major service intervals), generator servicing (€2,000–€4,000), haul-out and antifouling (€5,000–€8,000), and miscellaneous maintenance.
• Fuel costs: At the 24-knot cruising speed, the IPS-equipped 55 Fly consumes approximately 200–220 litres of diesel per hour. At current Mediterranean diesel prices, a four-hour cruising day costs in the region of €800–€1,200 in fuel. This is substantially more than a comparable sailing yacht — fuel consumption is the single largest variable cost of motor yacht ownership and must be factored honestly into the ownership budget.
• Insurance and crew: Marine insurance at 1.5–2.0% of hull value is standard for Mediterranean cruising. Most owners operate the 55 Fly themselves, but those who cruise extensively or charter the yacht will typically employ a professional skipper/engineer on a full-time or seasonal basis — adding €30,000–€50,000+ per year in crew costs.

The honest summary is this: a 55-foot flybridge motor yacht costs significantly more to own and operate than most first-time buyers expect. The compensating factor is the lifestyle it delivers — the speed to reach distant anchorages in hours rather than days, the space for genuine onboard entertaining, and the convenience of a vessel that runs on diesel and requires no sailing skill. For buyers who cruise 30–60 days per year in the Mediterranean, the cost-per-day calculus can be justified; for those who anticipate using the yacht fewer than 15 days annually, chartering a comparable boat may deliver better value.

How to Buy an Azimut 55 Fly

New vs used: New Azimut 55 Fly yachts are available through Azimut’s authorised dealer network, which covers every major Mediterranean, European, American, and Asia-Pacific market. Build slots typically carry a 12–18-month lead time depending on factory scheduling and specification complexity. The new-build route offers the advantage of choosing specification, colour scheme, and interior materials from Azimut’s extensive options catalogue. The used route offers immediate availability and significant savings over new pricing — though buyers should budget for a thorough pre-purchase survey and any deferred maintenance the previous owner may have deferred.

Engine hours — the critical number: On a used motor yacht, engine hours are the single most important data point. For twin IPS-equipped boats, engines with fewer than 500 hours are considered low-use; 500–1,500 hours is normal for a well-used private yacht; above 2,000 hours, the engines may be approaching their first major service interval, which on Volvo Penta IPS can cost €15,000–€25,000 combined. Generator hours are equally important — a yacht with 400 engine hours but 3,000 generator hours has been used primarily as a floating apartment in a marina, which has implications for the generator’s condition and remaining life.

IPS vs shaft drive on the used market: When evaluating used Azimut 55 Fly models, the drivetrain choice has significant implications. IPS-equipped boats command a 10–20% premium over shaft-driven equivalents, sell faster, and appeal to a wider buyer base. However, IPS servicing requires a Volvo Penta authorised dealer — the pods cannot be serviced by a general marine mechanic. In the Mediterranean, Volvo Penta’s service network is extensive and this is rarely an issue. In more remote cruising grounds, the shaft-drive option offers a practical advantage in servicability.

Survey Priorities

• Hull condition: GRP osmotic blistering is a risk on any fibreglass yacht that has been afloat year-round in warm Mediterranean waters. A full moisture-meter survey below the waterline is essential. Inspect the carbon fibre reinforcement areas for delamination or impact damage.
• Engine and drive assessment: For IPS boats, a full Volvo Penta diagnostic readout is essential — the system logs error codes, operating hours, peak temperatures, and service history electronically. For shaft-drive boats, inspect shaft alignment, stuffing-box condition, cutlass bearings, and rudder play. In both cases, a sea trial at full speed is non-negotiable.
• Generator condition: Test the generator under load. Check hours, service history, exhaust condition, and coolant system. A generator replacement on a 55-foot yacht costs €15,000–€25,000 installed.
• Electronics age: Marine electronics have a practical lifespan of 7–10 years before screens fail, software support ends, and chart updates cease. A yacht with original 2015-era electronics is a candidate for a full helm refit at €15,000–€30,000.
• Hydraulic systems: Test the bathing platform, flybridge hardtop (if fitted), passerelle, and any optional systems thoroughly. Check hydraulic fluid for contamination.

The Azimut dealer network: One of the genuine advantages of buying an Azimut is the scale of the group’s after-sales infrastructure. The Azimut|Benetti Group operates one of the largest dealer and service networks in production yachting, with representation across the Mediterranean, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Warranty claims, factory-supported servicing, and spare-parts supply benefit from this industrial scale. Parts for standard Azimut components are readily available; bespoke items and specific Italian-sourced hardware route from Italy and can carry 3–8-week lead times.

Azimut 55 Fly vs Competitors

The 55–60 ft flybridge segment is the most contested bracket in European motor yachting. Four principal builders — Azimut, Princess, Ferretti, and Sunseeker — compete for the owner-operated Mediterranean cruising buyer, with French manufacturer Prestige offering a value-oriented alternative. The Azimut 55 Fly’s positioning rests on Italian design flair, a competitive base price, the IPS drivetrain option, and the industrial depth of the Azimut|Benetti Group. What follows is how the specific numbers compare.

Azimut 55 Fly vs Princess F55

The Princess F55 is the British alternative — built in Plymouth by Princess Yachts and designed by the Olesinski naval architecture practice. The F55 is marginally longer (17.68 m vs 16.97 m), carries more fuel (2,750 litres vs 1,600 litres), and ships with higher-power Volvo Penta D13-900 shaft drives (900 HP per side) as standard, reaching approximately 33 knots — 3 knots faster than the Azimut. The Princess has a strong UK following and slightly more conservative styling, with an interior by the Princess Design Studio that favours darker woods and a more traditional yacht aesthetic. The Azimut counters with Italian design flair, a typically better standard specification for the base price, and the IPS pod-drive option that the Princess does not offer on the F55. Pricing is comparable: the F55 lists from approximately £960,000 ex-VAT (≈ €1.12 million) while the Azimut opens at approximately €800,000–€900,000. The Princess wins on range, raw speed, and rough-water sea-keeping (the Olesinski deep-V is widely regarded as one of the finest hull designs in the class). The Azimut wins on interior brightness, standard specification, IPS availability, and entry-level pricing.

Azimut 55 Fly vs Ferretti 580

The Italian derby — though not the sibling rivalry it might appear. Azimut and Ferretti are independent groups: the Azimut|Benetti Group is privately held by the Vitelli family, while Ferretti Group is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and majority controlled by SHIG-Weichai. The Ferretti 580 is slightly larger at 17.78 m LOA, with a wider beam of 4.98 m and a slightly lighter displacement of approximately 28,500 kg. Propulsion is exclusively Volvo Penta IPS800 pods — no shaft-drive alternative is offered, which simplifies the buying decision but removes the choice. The 580 is the more prestige-oriented of the two: the Ferretti name carries decades of racing heritage and a positioning slightly above Azimut in the Italian yachting hierarchy. Pricing reflects this: the Ferretti 580 lists from approximately €1.2–€1.6 million depending on specification, against the Azimut’s €800,000–€1,100,000 range. Both deliver genuine Italian excellence in design and construction. The Azimut is the more accessible entry point; the Ferretti is the more exclusive.

Azimut 55 Fly vs Sunseeker Manhattan 55

The British Sunseeker vs Italian Azimut comparison is one of the oldest rivalries in European motor yachting. Sunseeker has massive brand cachet in the UK market, reinforced by a long association with James Bond films and a dedicated following among British owners. The Manhattan 55 has become the fastest-selling yacht in Sunseeker’s history, with 131+ early orders and significant US sales. At 17.21 m LOA, it is fractionally longer than the Azimut, with a lighter displacement of approximately 27,000 kg. The Manhattan’s signature feature is the powered glass galley window that opens the main deck to the cockpit — a marketing centrepiece the Azimut does not match. However, the Manhattan 55 is substantially more expensive: new from approximately £1.3–£1.4 million (≈ €1.5–€1.6 million). The Azimut offers comparable size and capability at a 30–40% lower entry price, with stronger Mediterranean presence and typically better standard specification. Sunseeker dominates in the UK and Northern European markets; Azimut leads in the Mediterranean, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific.

Azimut 55 Fly vs Prestige 590

The Prestige 590 is the French alternative from Groupe Bénéteau. Prestige has built a strong reputation for offering well-specified flybridge yachts at more competitive price points than the established Italian and British brands. The 590 is a capable three-cabin flybridge at 17.96 m LOA with Volvo Penta IPS propulsion — slightly larger than the Azimut and positioned as a more affordable entry to the 55–60 ft flybridge class. Base pricing starts approximately 15–25% below the Azimut, making the Prestige an attractive proposition for buyers who prioritise specification-per-euro. The trade-off is in design prestige and resale: Azimut carries more brand equity than Prestige in most global markets, and Azimut 55s tend to hold value better on the secondary market. The Prestige interior is competent but lacks the Italian design sensibility that distinguishes the Azimut. For buyers who value practical specification and competitive pricing over brand cachet, the Prestige 590 is a serious alternative.

For a full interactive comparison between the Azimut 55 Fly and competing models — overlaying pricing trends, depreciation curves, and inventory data — visit the Hulls.io Market Intelligence tool.