Ranked among the legendary Italian builders, the yard has created some of the most striking designs on the water since it was founded by Paolo Vitelli in 1969. Now one of the company’s latest designs – the Azimut 55S – is drawing global attention and some high-profile praise. This new addition to the builder’s S Collection of sport yachts took two honors at the Festival de la Plaisance in Cannes this past September, the 2012 Most Innovative Yacht award and the Best Layout and Interior design award.

Because it puts a fresh spin on the a mid-sized performance cruiser, it could become the blueprint from which future boats are made.