The Azimut|Benetti Group will be present at the 54th edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), showcasing an amazing fleet of 21 yachts, including the world premiere of the Benetti‘s Vision 145’ charter yacht Checkmate, as well as the US debut of the new motor yacht Azimut 80 by Azimut Yachts. The Group is also growing on an organisational level, with the naming of Eng. Fabrizio Scerch as the new Americas Country Manager for Benetti brand only, and significant changes in Benetti after-sales services. The event will run from October 31 to November 4, 2013.

One of the most important international shows, the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show is traditionally considered a ‘testing ground’ for industry companies, even more reason for the Italian Group’s wholehearted participation; and, the Group has plenty of surprises in store for the US public.

The majestic Benetti Vision 145’ motor yacht “Checkmate” is making her world debut in Fort Lauderdale and will be one of the stars of the brand dedicated to super and mega yachts. 43.6 meters by 9.26 meters, the 18th model in the Vision collection and the top of the line of the Class Range, this yacht sports an elegant black and white two-tone color scheme. This is a reference to chess (one of the boat owners great passions), and a theme which recurs throughout the furnishing details.

Timeless design, superior construction quality, attention to onboard safety and services: all this translates into a design concept that doesn’t skimp on relaxation areas, both inside and out. Among these are: the majestic main sundeck towards the stern designed to accept a solarium; a dining area; a barbecue area; and an open, circular lounge; and on the upper deck, an incredibly dramatic indoor/outdoor dining area with sliding doors.

Checkmate yacht’s four cabins can accommodate up to 10 guests plus one for the owner. There are also accommodations for 10 crew members in four cabins plus one for the captain. The overall exterior concept and design is by Stefano Righini, with the interior concept and design by Francois Zuretti; the interior design, furnishing, and décor is by Joan Brown Interiors. The “very finest” materials have been used to create an ambiance which is at once austere and highly evocative, with combinations of Madrona Burl and Cherry woods, dark neoclassical carvings, and fine marble.

Azimut Yachts will present the US public with one of the season’s greatest new offerings: superyacht Azimut 80. This is a yacht which first caught the public’s eye at the European boat shows, and further confirmed its popularity by winning the prestigious 2013 World Yachts Trophy, (sponsored by the LuxMedia Publishing Group) for “the most functional yacht in the 24 to 50-meter category.”

Azimut 80 Yacht by Azimut Yachts at full speed

The new 24-meter yacht Azimut 80 features a layout hinging on four different stylistic proposals, each one distinct in terms of its colors and furnishing: Portofino, Dolce Vita, Firenze, and Riviera. With 4 cabins and 5 bathrooms, it accommodates a total of 8/9 guests, together with 2 cabins for the crew and captain, and a 42 m2 flybridge designed for maximum flexibility of use. Among this impressive yacht’s key features are the two full-height windows in the dining area and the dramatic boatowner bathroom at full beam. The latter is located astern of the cabin and has two entrances, a Spa Pool, central glass shower stall, and double sink in marble, making it practically a SPA.

Superyacht Azimut 80 - Saloon

The flagship of the Azimut Yachts fleet is the Grande 100 yacht; its 31 meters encompass a distinctive character and dynamism all its own among the Azimut Yachts collection of planing yachts over 100 feet.

Azimut Grande 100 Yacht

Yet the news that will have people talking at Fort Lauderdale won’t just be about the “products”; most of all it will be about the Group’s development and reorganization strategy, underway for several months now under the guidance of Ferruccio Luppi, the recently appointed CEO of Azimut|Benetti Group.

The Azimut|Benetti Group has always paid special attention to the USA which it considers to be a strategic and critical market. Today, this attention takes on a new form, specifically with regard to Benetti’s sales and after-sales areas. The goal is to reinforce broker network relationships and significantly bolster the after-sales and “Lifetime Customer Care” processes to better support the boatowner throughout the entire lifecycle of the yacht.

The management of sales, marketing, and customer satisfaction processes has been entrusted to Fabrizio Scerch, who as of 1 September 2013 is the Americas Country Manager at Azimut|Benetti USA Inc.; Tommaso Bilotta and Alberto Perrone da Zara are respectively, the Americas Area Manager and Benetti Sales Director. There is a new operating area for after-sales services coordinated by Alessandro Gallifuoco as Quality and After Sales Manager which is staffed with 23 professionals.

“We pay close attention to brand enthusiasts and boatowners in the USA and around the world,” says Francesco Ansalone, Marketing Director Azimut|Benetti Group. “Over the years this has led us to carry out significant improvements to our services and the quality of our customer support, ensuring a service network which is increasingly diffuse, dependable, and efficient. To accompany and support our clients with their Azimut or Benetti yacht at every point along the way is one of the cornerstones of our philosophy. We are completely committed to satisfying every need to ensure excellent and always accessible service. These are positive values and ones which are inherent to “Made in Italy” quality. Indeed, starting this fall we have launched a marketing campaign based on the simple and effective concept of “Being Italian”, an identity of which we are enormously proud.”

Azimut Yachts at FLIBS 2013

Atlantis Collection
AZIMUT ATLANTIS 34
AZIMUT ATLANTIS 38
AZIMUT ATLANTIS 58
ATLANTIS VERVE OB

Magellano Collection
AZIMUT MAGELLANO 43
AZIMUT MAGELLANO 50

Flybridge Collection
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 45
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 48
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 54 (Zebrano)
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 54 (Decapé)
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 60
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 64
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 70
AZIMUT FLYBRIDGE 80 – USA PREMIERE

S Collection
AZIMUT 40 S
AZIMUT 55 S
AZIMUT 62 S

Grande Collection
AZIMUT GRANDE 100

Benetti Yachts at FLIBS 2013

BENETTI VISION 145’ “CHECKMATE” (BV18) – WORLDWIDE PREMIERE
BENETTI CLASSIC 120’ “KAI” (BC107)
BENETTI DELFINO 93’ “AZUL” (BD04)