Yachting USA — February 2018

INSIGHTS TRENDS Rolls-Royce AZP C65 Thruster

MIGHTY MOUSE

This compact, lightweight thruster pushes a 200-ton Benetti superyacht to 22 knots.

By Michael Verdon

T

he rolls-royce azp

C65 steerable thrust-

ers on Benetti’s Fast

125 Skyler are a break-

through in superyacht propulsion.

Azipods have been on commercial

vessels for years, but Rolls-Royce

designed the AZP C65 specifi cally

for Benetti’s Fast 125 series. The

steerable Azipull thrusters, with

their forward-facing propellers,

use carbon fi ber throughout to

reduce weight without sacrific-

ing performance and effi ciency.

Mated to twin 2,636 hp MTU 12V

2000 M94 diesels, the thrusters

push Skyler to a 22-knot top-end

and a 1,540-nautical-mile range

at 12 knots. Other advantages, ac-

cording to Rolls-Royce, are joystick

maneuvering across a 35-degree

turning radius, underwater ex-

haust through the thrusters and

less vibration across the lower deck,

where the engine room is farther

aft (away from guest staterooms)

than on other Fast 125s, thanks to

the Azipull’s smaller footprint.

Take the next step: benettiyachts.it

DRY WEIGHT
6,173 LB.
AZIMUTH
ANGLE
+/- 35
DEGREES