Maritimo M600

NEW DESTINATIONS

OFF THE BACK OF THE HUGELY POPULAR M55 LAST YEAR, MARITIMO DELIVERS THEIR LATEST FLYBRIDGE, THIS TIME IN THE OFFSHORE SERIES WITH THE M600.

STORY JAMES DUMERGUE PHOTOS SUPPLIED

It’s long, sleek and nicely balanced regarding weight distribution and aesthetics, poised and elegant design, with big-boat proportions on a 60-foot platform. The extra waterline length and an enclosed cockpit whet the appetite of the anglers who chase big ones far offshore, yet there’s a broader appeal for people who want a safe design for families and pets.

The conditions couldn’t be any better for heading offshore today, a leisurely morning run out the Gold Coast Seaway on the sparkling Pacific Ocean past Surfers Paradise. On a day in the middle of Autumn, that feels like the middle of summer. The running attitude is natural with no tabs. Cruising and eating up the miles is a breeze.

The typical shallow shaft angle and big blade props have it in full go mode quickly thanks to the high power to weight ratios of the increasingly popular Scania D16s. A

CLOCKWISE FROM RIGHT: It’s built to handle rough weather so what we had on review day was a breeze; Maritimo’s signature style is unmistakable; Far off destinations are within reach here

beautiful 30-degree day on the water with one metre of swell running is far from ideal for a boat to show off its prowess, but it’s enjoyable cruising from the fully enclosed sky lounge.

Built for long-range ocean cruising, Maritimo motoryachts are comfortable in the rougher stuff, but we’re out on a day when the conditions can’t challenge the boat. It’s a shame because this boat is built to weather so much more. The extra waterline length and upgraded engines are the ingredients for impressing. When there’s nothing out of the ordinary in life and health, it’s smooth sailing, as the saying goes, and the same goes with boating. Many people can sort you out for the regular stuff, but the more specialised your gear gets, the fewer people can solve your problems. You can end up at the mercy of a specialist’s geographical availability. If you’re the adventurous type, it’s worth looking at the foundation of a boat’s design before setting your sights beyond the horizon. The dependability and serviceability of Maritimos lend themselves well to the adventurous. Exploring beyond the horizon to lands of limited services is part and parcel of ownership. Maritimo continues to deliver dependable traditional shaft-drive boats with the reliability of manual switching electrical systems, so there will be people who know how to work on it wherever a Maritimo ends up in their adventures.

Having a world champion powerboat team developing your lamination and construction methods makes it always interesting to see what steps of evolution happen between new models. In motorsport, winning margins result from groups of people working tirelessly for the tiniest of improvement, and the M600 is no different.

Maritimo’s evolution is not just about aesthetics or their approach to propulsion optimisation. They are implementing technologies to lighten superstructures and lower the centre of gravity to create naturally balanced boats. They are building on the ocean-going DNA of the brand and gaining genetic input from its racing division.

Last year, the moulded hull liner introduced in the M55 utilised the new construction methods that will eventually benefit all Maritimo models. What began as a hull liner now includes the same advanced two-skinned approach throughout the boat. The hulls are still the reliable solid fibreglass ocean-going platform. Inside the hull is the superbly gel coat finished hull liner. It creates the most pristine of engine rooms, precise and perfectly engineered.

It has changed the look and feel of the

engine room and transformed it into a mechanical operations room that is easy to identify any leaksin. This technique minimises the voids, enables more precise bonding and creates structural benefits. It is being developed systematically across the range to include all the liners in the hulls, decks and superstructures.

It’s a complicated process that involves creating more moulds. Still, it contributes to a more robust structure and lower centre of gravity. Reducing weight aloft and putting fuel tanks down really low makes a naturally supple ride with minimal pendulum effect. Developed in-house by their racing division, the monocoque building technique is something Maritimo deems worthy of protecting and is now patented worldwide.

The other area in which Maritimo excels is the efficiency of the straight shaft propulsion. The longer hull requires longer shafts, which help reduce the shaft angle to below 8 degrees. The reduced shaft angle combined with the extra hull length has created more buoyancy, reducing the draft to only 1.35m. So, if the tides are a significant consideration where you go boating, this could widen the opportunities to get through some shallow water sections.

All Maritimo motoryachts now have Veem propellers as standard. These are different to the standard ones because the owner has opted to fit the additional 4000L fuel tank to supplement the standard three tanks that

already hold 4500L. Combined with a large tender with a larger than standard davit (500kg capable), the extra weight requires different propping. The pitch of these props enables more bite that the heavier load requires to get up on the plane.

Propping like this takes a couple of knots off the top speed, but it still hits 32 knots with these props, so 34 knots is possible with the standard setup. Sending the power to the props are twin Scania D16 rated at 1150mhp. These optional 16L V8 upgrades are a great choice.

The V8s quickly and easily pop the boat out of the hole and up on the plane in no time. They don’t add much weight at around 50kg heavier per engine than standard engines. Cruising at 20 knots is a real sweet spot.

The cockpit is what defines the M600 as the offshore series. The lower cockpit is 10sqm, allowing you to walk around the game chair on all sides (once fitted) or easily host a party. A physical barrier between the lower cockpit and the ocean creates a safe space.

Below the deck, a transverse fish bin is almost big enough to have a bath in but can certainly take care of a successful day on the water. Stern cleats are below the coaming to minimise obstructions that can catch a line. Rod holders surround the cockpit coaming, a live-bait well, and tuna tubes for fresh live baiting.

There are gaff lockers on either side with a nice toe recess to get right up against the protected coaming for leverage and sure-footedness when hauling the big ones onboard. Although equipped for the angler, the cockpit is not exclusively for fishing; there are 10sqm of space to use how you like. It creates a safe cockpit for ocean-going and an easy-going area when on anchor, a great spot to share with family, including the furry members. Looking down on the action is the aft deck of the flybridge.

The excellent sightlines from the aft driving station make it easy for the helmsman, and those hanging out on the lounge can enjoy the best seat in the house to watch the action in the cockpit. Between the alfresco upper cockpit and the outdoor lower cockpit, there’s over 19sqm of deck space. Stitching the two cockpits together is the entertainment module.

It is a casual outdoor galley under the lids equipped with an electric burner BBQ to starboard for a short journey from hook to cook, a hot and cold water sink and a chest fridge/freezer to port complete the module. Closed, the flat surfaces of the entertainment module lids are perfect for spreading out for entertaining as an extra bar top or place for snacks and platters. It’s quite a self-contained space, but minimal height changes ensure an intimate connection to the rest of the main deck.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Eat with views wherever you are; Large windows all around let in plenty of light; The white hull offsets the timber floors and platform; Guests will be entertained in style

MARITIMO M600

PRICE

POA

GENERAL

LENGTH OVERALL 18.54m(60ft 10in) HULL LENGTH (ISO) 18.35m (60ft 2in) BEAM 5.23m (17ft 2in) DRAFT 1.35m (4ft 5in) DRY WEIGHT 32,000kg

CAPACITIES

FUEL CAPACITY 4550L WATER CAPACITY 750L HOLDING TANK CAPACITY 300L SLEEPING CABINS 3 STANDARD SLEEPING CAPACITY 6 STANDARD

ENGINE

ENGINES (STANDARD) 2 X VOLVO D13 - 800mhp GENERATOR CUMMINS - ONAN 17.5kW 50hp

MANUFACTURED/SUPPLIED BY

Maritimo 15 Waterway Dr, Coomera QLD 4209 Ph: (07) 5588 6000 W: maritimo.com.au

A small step takes you to the upper cockpit. There are a few options in this area, depending on how you want to set it up. The upper cockpit, protected by a hardtop above, is an all-weather alfresco zone. Recessed channels in the hardtop can hide away the clears and enclose the area. This one has a very social layout of three seating areas with seating facing all four ways to capture the interaction and views.

There’s also an additional control station with an EJS joystick for precision closequarters manoeuvring tucked in on the port side. Inside, the galley has a few option boxes ticked, which reinforce that going away and staying away attitudes are the soul of this boat. Pull out full-sized pantry, full-size upright fridge and freezer, plus additional drawer fridges on the port side.

Triple wall-mounted appliances include the wine fridge option at the bottom and a fourburner cooktop. The more extended island bench option provides more storage, puts the dishwasher on the front end near the sinks, but is still accessible without entering the galley footprint.

On the port side above the bar is the electrical panel. Roaming to new and far off places, the M600, like all Maritimos, uses the standard electrical panel to pull in anywhere and get help if you have issues. It further reinforces the nomadic nature of this boat’s foundation. One small step to the saloon, and you see the continuation of the connection to the environment that Maritimo is pushing.

They do it by minimising the interruption

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Wood features throughout the internal styling; Wherever you look you are greeted by sigh-inducing views; The forward VIP cabin will host guests in comfort

of the views. The refinement of the mullions they introduced in the 55 series gives a triptych view with minimal framing. It offers all the benefits of modern indoor-outdoor living from an offshore luxury boat. The dining and lounging areas have benefitted from lower sill heights to achieve better sightlines.

When seated anywhere, you can look down at the water and feel the air as it naturally passes through the saloon. The port side internal stairs lead up to the flybridge sky lounge. It’s a fully enclosed cruising lounge and helm station that can be climate controlled or opened to connect with the outdoors. The helm positioned to starboard has good vision forward and aft too. Side windows, like in the saloon, open on both sides.

The C-shaped cruising lounge to port will seat most passengers for magnificent viewing underway. The additional lounge behind the twin Pompenette helm chairs face the popup TV and have convertible bed options to handle long passages or guest overflow. The bi-fold doors open up the entire rear bulkhead extending and blending the two areas. Outside, the L-shaped lounge wraps from the starboard side back halfway along the aft deck. The other half is left free for the aft helm station and chair which, as mentioned earlier have excellent vision of the whole cockpit, good side vision and even a clear view forward through the windscreen. It would be a pleasant spot to catch some breeze on a passage.

The tender is stored and launched from the foredeck, optioned with the hefty 500kg davit; it can take a decent-sized tender for local explorations and adventures far from the mothership. Accommodations lead off from the light-filled atrium of the accommodations deck. It’s a three cabin and two bathroom arrangement.

The owner’s cabin is midships below with a stacked washer and dryer available just outside the cabin door for life aboard convenience. The main bathroom runs fore and aft on the starboard side as you enter and exit the cabin. Spanning the boat’s full-beam it’s quite the retreat, easy to get around with decent headroom, flat floors and views spilling in from both sides.

A day bed, a desk, a vanity unit, drawers for more storage or a settee, the options on the outboard sides of the cabins are there to suit your style. The VIP cabin forward has the offset Queen berth allowing for a comfortable height and excellent flat access right up to the head on both sides.

The third cabin is a spacious twin with the option to have the beds slide together for a double. There’s good viewing out the hull window, plenty of storage and excellent headroom for better everyday living. The

TOP TO BOTTOM: At speed, the Maritimo is a sight to behold; A variety of tech makes captaining simple

Maritimo M600 sits nicely, straddling luxury comfort and liveability with the ocean-going and fishing function and form.

Thanks to their monocoque approach to boat building, Maritimos are becoming more robust and lighter with more engine options to suit your needs. The incredibly shallow shaft angle, hull with a variable deadrise and rocker have created a boat with a wide sweet spot that can cruise in the high teens or push it wide open for top speed near the mid-30knot mark.

The enclosed cockpit makes it safe and workable in all sorts of conditions, including for all ages. If you fish, it’s even better; install your favourite chair, grab a chart of the Pacific and start thinking farther afield because built for long-range cruising, the Maritimo M600 will be a great partner to explore.