As the size and price for entry to the world of Azimut dips slowly toward the masses, a slice of Italian exotica eases tantalisingly within reach. Paul Mahy explores Azimut’s 2010 range at an open weekend in Lymington.

Growing up and working on the inter-island passenger ferries from St. Peter Port, gave myself and others a grandstand view of some of the world’s most glorious craft. Many of the island’s wealthy would park them alongside a pontoon and spend lazy summer’s days doing a fine job of making everyone else jealous. Among the old favorites were Camper and Nicholson and Riva. Sunseeker was also getting into the swing back then, challenging established  marques like Fairey and Fjord.

The really classy craft that were heading for the Med only tended to pop in for fuel before heading off to their southern playground and these, on the whole, were much larger than the local craft. Their names were impossibly exotic too, with langorous syllables that dripped off the tongue - Benetti, Feretti, Azimut - these craft were special and we knew it, so we treated them with due reverence. Boat skippers would slow more than usual in passing, cameras would click and sighs of longing would be audible.

However, such fond memories are a very far cry from this. I am in Lymington, beneath a blustery autumn sky, where Clipper Yachts, UK agents for Azimut, are holding an open day. There are some splendid craft on show but the key boat is not one of those vast and untouchable megayachts of old but something altogether more approachable . . .

For more, check out the January 2010 issue of Sports Boat and RIB magazine . . .