The first trip is from Gold Coast to Auckland, New Zealand. This will be a shakedown and a chance to meet the people. This latest flagship of Maritimo’s fleet will then head to Southeast Asia. Central and wing tanks carry over 10,000 litres of fuel which, combined with Rolls Royce MTU 1625 HP power plants and Maritimo’s renowned shallow shaft drives, allow the passage to New Zealand with suitable safety margins.
The M75 will then be able to island hop to New Caledonia or Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, before entering Indonesian waters. This is the same distance from San Francisco to New York.
That’s the scenario foreseen by Maritimo CEO Tom Barry-Cotter, who likes to sea trial new models he builds personally, as though they were his own. It is a legacy instilled by dad Bill Barry-Cotter, who founded both of Australia’s two premier production yards, Riviera and Maritimo, the latter now into its third decade.
For this review, we edged out into The Broadwater from Runaway Bay Marina as light rain squalls swept across from the SE, with yard stalwart Ross ‘Rossco’ Willaton driving, and marketing executive Leanne St George also aboard, but the weather didn’t matter as a motor yacht this size is fairly snug in most conditions.
In fact, apart from cruising Asia’s exotic seas and straits, these new-breed semi-custom vessels can realistically look at inter-island trans-Pacific passages as well.
Showboats The first small superyachts were defined by American magazines in the 1990s to be 80+ feet. The capabilities have grown enormously since then, and 75 feet LOA does not differ much from the superyachts that were built in the past, but the current design, technology, construction and power are vastly superior.
The flybridge is a large, solid model with three sleek hulls that allow for light to enter and view below deck. The LOA is 75 feet 8 inch, and the beam is 19 feet 8 inch.
According to her designers, the variable deadrise with a deep keel along with a sharp bow entrance and a flattened progression in back is designed for offshore cruising range, efficiency, and comfort.
The Gold Coast Seaway sea state was choppy, with winter swells being driven by the wind offshore. I decided to take a run on a flat water towards Jumpinin Bar in South Stradbroke Island. Finger-tip controls on the flybridge quickly had us zipping along at a comfortable 27 knots. Noise and vibrations are virtually inaudible.
Rossco said that Simrad was the preferred brand, but Raymarine and Furuno were also mentioned.
The hull design and engineering is centered on straight shaft drive, with Scania Di16 engines delivering power via a shallow, ultra-efficient straight shaft angle, to the Nibral five-blade propellers. MTU 1380HPs are available as options, and MTU1625HPs were installed on this vessel.
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It was a bit unnerving watching the depth sounder hovering around 2m in the charted channel and past the old Couran Cove echoe resort. We politely inquired where the instrument was installed.
It’s always fascinating to see what boats other owners have ordered. The owner of this particular Maritimo had previously owned three other Maritimos. His custom choices were clearly based on his experience and the intended practical use for the vessel.
Basic price, incidentally, is also subject to variables like inflation shipping if wanted, insurance and so on, but US$4.5-5m is a ballpark figure, and to get full value, one shouldn’t skimp on the fixtures and fittings.
You can use the specifications and options of this semi-custom Maritimo as a guide. The next two M75 owners are also Kiwis, then an Australian, and Asian orders are open at an optimal time in the vessel’s development.
Stand-out standard features for me included the potentially multiuse adventure deck, one of the largest and best-outfitted galleys I’ve ever seen, the impressive full beam master stateroom and en-suite, interior stairway to the fully enclosed flybridge, and last but not least, the aft flybridge deck, which can also be weather-protected, replete with its bar, three barstools and lounge.
Pop a bottle of fine fizz and add a setting sun, and the archetypal image of a perfect lifestyle afloat wafts before one’s eyes.
The aft module of the cockpit is ideal for examining the vessel more closely and returning to the Adventure Deck. It includes a refrigerator, a sink and food preparation areas as well as an electric cooktop.
There are also three flush-deck storage hatches that are deep enough to hold inflatables, watersports gear, and other items. Two steps lead up to the aft dining and lounge table, which seats eight people.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the first Maritimo M75 flagship owner was going to treat this area – Rossco thought he may store jetskis here. I would’ve gone with sportfishing, with discreet rod holders on the hull port and starboard. Two lines were streamed behind and two other lines were attached to outriggers, creating a lure design.
Anglers can sit at the lounge level and enjoy a meal or drink while they wait for the reels to start. It’s easy to boat gamefish, such as mahi mahi, yellowfin or wahoo. All fishing gear can then be put away once the M75 resumes cruising.
This teak deck extends to a large swim platform which can be lowered below the sea level with a single button. It is ideal for jetskis, tenders, snorkeling, scuba-diving and other water sports.
The boat is divided into two sides by deep walkways leading to the sun lounges on the foredeck. Once there, the tender with its crane is positioned in twin grooves so that it does not interfere with the sunpad.
Maxwell New Zealand or Muir Tasmania are both options for deck hardware. Both brands have a good reputation internationally. At one point, we anchored and picked-up seamlessly with pushbutton controls, a single crew member watching but not necessary.
Tom Barry-Cotter and his marketing director Simon Stewart describe the M75 galley as “Maritimo’s largest and most bespoke to date”. I would go further and say it is unequivocally one of the best layouts and finishes I’ve encountered anywhere.
This layout focuses on a galley island, surrounded by galley fixtures and fittings in an U-shape across the beams from starboard. More integral facilities are ensconced behind the central walkway towards port.
Island benchtops provide bracing in a swell or seaway, but we’re not talking about gimbals. They are also highly functional. The large dish washer, for example, is discretely integrated into the base.
It is fitted with Miele’s high-quality galley equipment. When I went to look for the refrigerator and the freezer, they were hidden behind wooden-covered doors. At first, one would have thought that there was additional cupboard space. The wine cabinet is also disguised in a similar way, and the solid Bianco stone countertops used in the galley can be found in the bathrooms, creating a further themed effect.
The custom pantry is located across the corridor. It is not only practical, but also beautiful. The extensive wood panelling softens the more commonly-used areas.
Finishes in metallic silver-aluminum galley. Full marks.
As expected, the M75 main salon, indoor dining room, and entertainment screen pop ups are located both on the flybridge and here. The sliding vista windows allow seated guests to see the view when underway, which is a problem that some builders have always had.
Taupe and Tusk vinyls have been strategically placed in key areas, along with Dark Pebbles and Ocean. Upholstery fabrics include Lopi Pumice Interweave Dumont Barley and Ramie Mesh Wallpaper.
Steps lead down again to the flagship’s accommodations on the slightly lower amidships and bow deck, consisting of four staterooms and three en-suites, in addition to an auxiliary crew berth and en-suite accessed from the adventure deck back aft.
Tom Barry-Cotter has had a large influence on the interiors of these homes. Maritimo released four new colour and finish packages called Dune. This owner chose Dune, described as “a homage to the sandy dunes that line our coastline. These colours blend well with the natural scenery of the sea and sky, evoking a sense of beauty, calm and peacefulness”.
Textile and Design Studio is assisting Maritimo. The company’s products and brand names include 3Beaches Textiles Santa Barbara Umbrellas Sunbrella Maeve Oliver Heirloom linens. They also help Maritimo customers select soft furnishings and offer a wide range of luxury bed linens and other accessories.
The master bedroom with a full-beam, king-sized bed feels like it belongs on a superyacht, complete with the usual amenities.
There are also two twin staterooms with one ensuite that doubles as a shower room.
The enclosed flybridge is reached via an interior, easily-navigated staircase. pièce-de résistance This vessel. Also known as the Sky Lounge, it exemplifies the M75’s theme elsewhere, and continues the Fusion sound system.
The boat’s business end is two custom-made helm seats, which face an array of tested-and-true Simrad instruments. Rossco also mentioned recessed mini controls for docking and that if a fish was larger than expected, another set of controls could be added to the aft.
Flybridges are a popular gathering place for friends and family. It is divided into two sections: one for forward cruising and a second, larger lounge, for other activities such as watching TV on a large screen, all while being within conversation range of the helm or forward lounge.
The entire deck can be blocked off by a glass panel at the stairway for privacy or child safety, if the flybridge was temporarily used as an extra room. There are also additional blinds. Flybridge hardtops shade and protect its occupants. In fine weather, electric sunroofs can be rolled up to let in fresh air and sunlight.
The aft “extension” of flybridges has long been a quandary for designers, who have come up with assorted ideas as to how to best utilise this space. Maritimo’s solution on the M75 is more of a statement, with its separate lounge, full bar and bar stools. This area can be closed off or opened up in good weather.
Summary: This vessel can traverse the exotic seas, straits and rivers of Southeast Asia and East Asia with a style that would have been unimaginable a decade or so ago for anything other than superyachts.
The Yacht Sales Co., a seasoned dealer in the region, was recently appointed by Maritimo as its agent. The company has opened offices in Phuket and Singapore. More will soon be added.
Mark Elkington is a CEO with a long track record in China Coast. Mark Elkington is also known throughout Australasia, Europe and Australasia, where he provides advice to some of the biggest yards about practical improvements that are driven by the client, much like Bill Barry-Cotter.
A buyer from Asia could take delivery of the vehicle in Australia and then cruise Australian and New Zealand water before returning home, exploring the Pacific or both.
The M75 sea trials are still ongoing and we did not have final performance data by our deadline. Please see Maritimo’s website for updates.
www.maritimo.com.au
www.yachtsalesco.com
Maritimo is the photographer of all photos.
This article was first published on yachtstyle.co
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