The Azimut Grande 44M has received the Special Jury Award at the Cannes Innovation Route Awards 2026, recognising the combination of technological and design innovations brought together in Azimut’s new flagship. The jury highlighted the yacht’s approach to applied innovation and efficiency, including its focus on reducing fuel consumption for a yacht of this size.
One of the technologies contributing to this approach is Hull Vane®, which was developed specifically for the Grande 44M in collaboration with the Azimut | Benetti R&D Department.
Hydrodynamics designed around the yacht
The Hull Vane® was considered at an early stage of the Grande 44M’s development. This allowed it to be developed as part of the yacht’s overall design rather than added afterwards.
Hull Vane’s role was to optimize the stern hydrofoil using CFD, taking into account the specific hull form, stern-wave characteristics and operating profile of the yacht. Different Hull Vane configurations were evaluated before the final geometry was refined for the vessel.
The Hull Vane® recovers part of the energy contained in the stern wave and converts it into forward thrust, reducing hydrodynamic resistance while also contributing to improved stability and comfort underway.
For the Grande 44M, the Hull Vane® was also integrated with the yacht’s opening stern-door mechanism, bringing the hydrodynamic and functional requirements together within the overall stern design.
Photo credit: Azimut Yachts
A 400 kg carbon-fibre Hull Vane®
Carbon fibre is another defining feature of the Grande 44M. According to Azimut, more than 50% of the vessel is made using carbon fibre. The reduction in superstructure weight makes the yacht’s distinctive four-deck architecture possible, freeing the Upper Deck for the owner. Azimut also states that over 1,000 m² of carbon fibre is used across the yacht, resulting in an 8-tonne reduction in weight in the upper sections.
This lightweight approach extends to the Hull Vane® itself. Developed specifically for the Grande 44M, it weighs around 400 kg, compared with approximately 1,500 kg for a comparable steel construction.
One part of a wider efficiency approach
Hull Vane® is one element of a broader package of technologies on the Grande 44M. The yacht combines its hydrodynamic design with a Dual Mode hull, Mild Hybrid propulsion and approximately 30 m² of solar panels.
According to Azimut, the combined technologies result in up to 30% lower CO2 emissions compared with a traditionally designed yacht of the same size.
The Grande 44M shows how hydrodynamic optimization can be integrated from the outset of a yacht project and developed alongside the hull, stern arrangement and operating requirements. The result is a bespoke Hull Vane® solution that forms part of the yacht’s wider approach to lightweight engineering, efficiency and onboard comfort.
Hull Vane congratulates Azimut and all the project partners on winning the Special Jury Award and on the successful debut of the Grande 44M at the Cannes Yachting Festival.