Lazzara LMC-76 Motor Yacht

Tampa, Florida’s yacht entrepreneur Lazzara adds yet another superb new yacht to its brilliant history. At the 2010 Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, this All-American in-family enterprise for half a century unveiled its splendid new, ultra contemporary Lazzara Motor Cruiser, the LMC-76. Teaming with Cummins MerCruiser Diesel to build the first triple-pod-propelled motor yacht, company President Dick Lazzara and Cummins Diesel President Alex Savelli proudly announced their newest showcase. A combination of high style with excellent performance, she presents handsome good looks that are both cutting edge and yachtsman traditional. Meticulous planning and design, plus excellent appointments and materials make her the latest bold addition to the company’s long list of successes. Eagerly awaited by Lazzara fans, especially those who favor traditional motoryacht style and livability, the new LMC-76 is a motoryacht whose time has come… again. Gone are the swoopy, signature lines of the past. This edgy approach will appeal to a broad swath of ages and taste. Real yachtsmen (and yachtswomen), behold… Lazzara has your new yacht!

The LMC-76 is the result of a tenacious family that refuses to give up. While the world economy stumbled, Lazzara stepped up to be better positioned for an economic recovery. Inside of three years, they engineered and built the LSX-75 Fly, the larger LSX-92, the new LMC-76 reviewed here and even an LSX-120, which has been mothballed until monetized. In the midst of a rapidly changing shift in core consumer values, Lazzara realized a return to mortal-size, manageable live-aboards with big boat amenities was in order. From that notion, that vision, the LMC-76 went from drawing to displacement in record time, literally debuting as a last minute entrant at FLIBS 2010, with workers putting the final finishing touches on the boat while it was in transit to the show.

The YachtForums crew had originally scheduled a sea trial of the new 76’ in the days following FLIBS 2010, but the boat needed to return to the yard for final fit-out. In early February 2011, we met with the captain - YF member "BrandonW" - the son of Lazzara Yachts managing partner Craig Williams, and got a chance to coerce the three Cummins into action. Departing from deep in Ft. Lauderdale’s New River on a busy Saturday afternoon, we headed for the Port, using brainless boaters as an obstacle course; the ideal environment for testing Mercruiser’s Zeus Pod system and that Futaba-like joystick that turns neophytes into seasoned captains with the twist of a wrist.

The LMC-76 is the first vessel with Cummins Mercruiser’s Zeus Pod system in a triple, side-by-side configuration, resulting in unparalleled flexibility in maneuvering -- travelling sideways, spinning, or any combination. She’ll cruise at 24+ knots, or slow for a very long range at 10 knots; she is a first in this very competitive market. With a 76’5" length and 18’5" beam, her three Cummins QSC 8.3-litre 600 hp engines are mounted far aft, allowing more living space forward. Drive-by-wire systems allow the Captain’s use of her joystick for intricate maneuvers, without bow or stern thrusters. And when the captain needs to take a break, her Skyhook° autopilot systems takes over, holding position and direction to within a few feet. The Zeus drive system also has a built-in trim tab, but only for negative trim, which has proven unnecessary thus far. Tunnel-mounting of the pods, along with aft-facing, counter rotating propellers has added an increased level of protection from unseen, shallow strikes; however, the yacht is still able to navigate on two, or even one engine if needed.

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