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With cork decks and materials made from upcycled water bottles and fishing nets, plus the world’s first hybrid version of Volvo Penta’s IPS, Azimut’s Seadeck 7 raises the series’ green credentials while adding more levels and space for waterside chilling.
Words: Katia Damborsky; Photos: Azimut

Seadeck 7 is the world’s first yacht to use the hybrid-electric Volvo Penta IPS propulsion

When Azimut introduced the Seadeck Series to the market, its USP was simple: a more back-to basics approach to boating. More closeness to the water, less bells and whistles. It worked a charm for the first model in the line, the entry-level Seadeck 6, and it left the industry curious to see how the Italian builder would approach the extra space and length on the Seadeck 7.

The second instalment of the Seadeck line debuted at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2024, and made its Asia-Pacific debut with dealer Marine Italia at the Singapore Yachting Festival in April 2025. A fresh galley position, an extra cabin and a new deck are all among the checkbox features that the new 71-footer provides.

The 71ft Seadeck 7 is almost 15ft longer than the Seadeck 6

The new model also attracted attention for being the first yacht in the world to use Volvo Penta IPS hybrid propulsion, a still-in-development technology which comes with a huge sense of pride for the Italian shipyard.

“Our creative energy should be directed towards more sustainable solutions,” Federico Lantero, Azimut’s Head of Product Design, told Yacht Style. “And research is part of our DNA.”

SEADECK STYLE

Alberto Mancini is to thank for giving this series such a recognisable look, toeing a fine line between sports yacht and cruiser. The result includes a high hull, plumb bow, pared-back wheelhouse and an elegantly swooped sheerline that meets the cockpit at the aft.

The Fun Island expands when the aft bulwarks fold down, while the swim platform with integrated steps can lower into the water

A long-time Azimut collaborator, Mancini has done a nice job drawing on elements from past models, giving the Seadeck a clear Azimut personality but with a certain freshness that should fare well on the market. And, with almost 15ft extra to play with, the Seadeck 7 looks a little slenderer and more proportionate than the Seadeck 6.

This also comes from the fact that the Seadeck 7 has a fully-fledged flybridge. It’s not class-leading for a yacht of this size, but it does come with a generous crescent of seating and a coffee table, which is a substantial upgrade. Azimut could have plumped for more seating space up here, but chose to give over some real estate to solar panels.

The flybridge is dominated by a C-shaped sofa

“The idea of using the end of the deckhouse as an area for solar panels is an excellent opportunity to support battery recharging during the day, at anchor,” Lantero points out. “It can be an additional guarantee to keep the batteries charged, even when leaving the boat in the marina for long periods.”

ISLAND LIVING

The other key reason for the decision to limit the size of the flybridge is the Fun Island. Without saying as much, Lantero wonders why anyone would want to use the flybridge for relaxing when an expansive oceanfront lounge exists.

Bird’s eye view of the Fun Island, a Seadeck signature by Alberto Mancini

The Fun Island is where the Seadeck series really shines, and it also highlights what the Seadeck was designed for. Spanning the swim platform and the aft cockpit, the space features unfolding sea terraces at main-deck level and submersible steps that extend well below the waterline for easy access to the sea. When not in use as a swim platform, this area acts as a launch pad for a tender (up to 3.4m/11ft).

On the aft part of the cockpit is a very generous sweep of sunpad with backrests that allow you to look out over the water. This is helped by a glass balustrade, cleverly shaped so it slightly juts over the swim platform below to give crucial extra inches to the sunbathing space.

Thick, luxurious sunpads lie aft of the covered dining table

Immediately forward of the sunpad is a dining area that could comfortably seat about six, but with room for a few more at a pinch. It’s directly connected to the sunpad, effectively creating an entire social hub where everyone can get together and enjoy time on board.

The unfolding bulwarks are a highlight here, paralleling Benetti’s wildly popular Oasis Deck, but in a more petite and manageable size. During boat shows and photo shoots, the Azimut teams add little hammocks and plants to give a nice idea of how these spaces can be used.

NATURAL INTERIORS

The interior is by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez, a Milan-based design studio and architecture firm experienced in shoreside properties. The Seadeck 6 was the team’s first foray into yachting, with Azimut tasking them to develop a slightly more evolved and mature style for the Seadeck 7.

Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez designed the interiors, which feature sustainable and recycled materials

Key to the Seadeck Series is the commitment to eco-focused materials, evident in decks made from upcycled cork and carpets made from old fishing nets. Additionally, there’s a sense of harmony in the decor which comes with unique touches like custom-made wallpaper inspired by the design of the exterior decks. The galley is forward of the saloon, compactly tucked alongside the helm.

“Thun and Rodriguez pioneered a style of architecture that sought greater synergy with nature, capable of generating a feeling of wellbeing,” Lantero says. “They spoke of a boat that’s more tangible

because of the tactile richness of the different natural materials that have been combined.”

The light-filled saloon (above) leads forward to the galley (below) and helm station

The result is an atmosphere compatible with the relaxation that comes from a seaside vacation, adds Lantero.

The lower deck features four guest cabins, with the full-beam master midships, a VIP in the bow, as well as two guest cabins in-between – a double to port twin to starboard – that share a bathroom. The two-berth crew cabin is in the forepeak, forward of the VIP.

HYBRID PIONEER

The Seadeck 7 has been built in GRP mixed with carbon-fibre. According to Azimut, the use of R-PET, a type of recycled material that comes from plastic bottles, makes up 30 per cent of the total structure of Seadeck yachts. The material is infused into the bulkheads, floors and 75 per cent of the inner deck, making up an equivalent of up to 15,000 plastic bottles recycled for each boat produced.

The owner’s suite midships has storage to port, and a walk-in closet and bathroom aft

Those efficiency claims continue under the hood, where the new IPS system combines twin diesel engines with electric motors and batteries to deliver a range of drive modes. These include pure electric for quiet cruising up to 11 knots, hybrid standard, and hybrid boost for faster cruising, while other modes are in development.

According to Azimut, the hotel mode lets onboard systems run silently for up to 12 hours emission-free, while the setup can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 per cent annually. As Azimut-Benetti CEO Marco Valle told Yacht Style: “When you go boating these days, people are less formal. Everybody is more relaxed on board, and we wanted to transfer this attitude to the Seadeck.”

The angular VIP suite forward features an angled bed

With its boundary-blurring layout and laid-back interiors, it looks like Azimut has scored full marks with the Seadeck 7. The new Volvo Penta hybrid-electric package is the icing on an already-appealing cake.

azimutyachts.com