The Azimut 39 is a 12.5 m Italian flybridge motor yacht — and it's specifically positioned in the Marbella charter market as the bigger-group, flybridge-led alternative to the 9-11 m cabin cruisers most operators carry. This page lays out, point by point, what an extra 1-2 metres and a proper Italian flybridge buy you over the typical Marbella cabin cruiser rental.
The size class below the Azimut 39
In the 9-11 m motor yacht category common at Puerto Banús and Marbella Marina, you typically find:
- Sea Ray 270/290 Sundancer — single-deck express cruiser, hardtop only, 6-8 guests legal.
- Sealine S330 / SC35 — single-deck cabin cruiser, no flybridge, 6-8 guests.
- Bayliner 285 / 305 — budget American cabin cruiser, no flybridge, 8 guests.
- Beneteau Antares 32 / Galeon 305 — small cabin cruiser, no flybridge, 6-8 guests.
- Older 9-11 m "flybridge" — Carver, Cranchi, Bavaria Sport — technically have a flybridge but it's a small ladder-accessed bench, not a true second deck.
All competent boats. None have what the Azimut 39 delivers: a 12.5 m Italian flybridge with an actual second-deck helm + sun-pad + seating, plus the legal capacity for 11 guests rather than 8.
The flybridge difference
On a true flybridge (Azimut 39, Mangusta 80), the upper deck is a destination — it has cushioned seating, a sun-pad, a second helm and an overhead bimini. Half your group can be up there while the others stay below in the saloon or cockpit.
On a single-deck express cruiser (Sea Ray, Sealine), everyone shares the same cockpit. With 8 guests on a 9 m boat, that cockpit feels crowded by hour two. The flybridge doubles your usable deck area without changing the hull length.
Capacity — the 11-guest break-point
This matters for group bookings:
| Boat | Length | Legal day capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Ray 290 Sundancer | 8.8 m | 8 |
| Bayliner 285 | 9.4 m | 8 |
| Sealine S330 | 10.4 m | 8 |
| Azimut 39 | 12.5 m | 11 |
If your group is 9, 10 or 11 people, the Azimut 39 is the smallest yacht in Marbella's typical fleet that can legally and comfortably take you. Anything smaller forces you to either leave 2-3 guests behind or jump straight to an 18 m+ luxury yacht at 3× the price.
The Azimut interior
Italian Azimut is a brand built around aesthetic — and the 39 reflects that. Versus a Bayliner or Sea Ray of the same length:
- Saloon: panoramic wraparound windows vs limited portholes. Daylight floods the interior — feels much bigger.
- Galley: proper full-size fridge, hob and microwave vs token galley on smaller boats.
- Cabins: two private cabins (master + guest) vs one cabin + dinette-convertible berth on the 9-10 m cruisers.
- Head: separate shower + WC vs combined wet-room.
- Cockpit table: hi-low electric vs fixed.
Speed and seakeeping
Twin diesels (around 320 hp each) deliver 18 knots of cruising speed vs 14 knots on most 9-10 m cabin cruisers. Practical effect: a half-day to Sotogrande and back (35 NM round trip) is comfortable on the Azimut. On a 9 m at 14 knots, you'd spend 2.5 of your 4 hours just moving — leaving 90 minutes to actually enjoy yourself.
Per-person cost on a full boat
| Boat | 2 h rental | Capacity | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Ray 290 | ~€550 | 8 guests | €69 |
| Sealine S330 | ~€620 | 8 guests | €78 |
| Azimut 39 (full) | €749 | 11 guests | €68 |
With a full 11-guest party, the Azimut 39 is actually slightly cheaper per person than the smaller cabin cruisers — and you get the flybridge, larger saloon, proper sun-pad, and legal headroom.
When the Azimut 39 wins outright
- Groups of 9-11. Other 12 m+ boats in this price class are rare in Marbella; everything smaller is illegally over-capacity.
- Mixed itinerary day. Half the group sunbathing on the flybridge, half in the AC saloon — works seamlessly.
- Overnight charter. Two proper cabins + convertible saloon = sleep 6 comfortably.
- Anyone who values the Italian aesthetic — modern lines, panoramic interior, brand recognition.
Compare with the rest of our fleet
If you don't need 11 guests and prefer a Spanish-built classic with teak interior, see the Astondoa 40 (9 guests, same length, same price). If you want the biggest charter yacht in Marbella with jet ski included, go straight to the Mangusta 80 (24 m, 12 guests, from €4,719 / 4h).
Full specs, photos, hourly grid: Azimut 39 page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Azimut 39 a real flybridge or a glorified hardtop?
A real flybridge. The upper deck has a full second helm, dedicated sun-pad and seating for 4 — accessed by a proper stairway, not a ladder. Many "flybridge" boats in the 9-11 m range are basically a hardtop with a small bench on top.
What other 11-12 m boats can take 11 guests in Marbella?
Not many. The 11-guest cap usually requires a 12 m+ Spanish-registered boat. Common 10-11 m boats (Sealine F34, Sea Ray 290, Bayliner 305) are licensed for 8-9 max. The Azimut 39 hits the sweet spot.
How does the Azimut 39 compare to the Astondoa 40?
Same length (12.5 m), same departure port (Puerto Banús), same price. Astondoa is Spanish-built with classic teak interior and 9-guest capacity. Azimut is Italian with modern lines, real flybridge, 11-guest capacity. Pick Astondoa for groups up to 8 and Mediterranean classic feel; pick Azimut for groups 9-11 or the flybridge sun-deck.