Maritimo M75

Picture this: You’re sitting with your buddy, enjoying the beautiful vistas out the windows, the outdoor deck is just through the sliding doors, the fridge is filled with chilling refreshments, a cool breeze is drifting through the windows, you’re on buttery-soft leather seating and the big game is on the TV.

No, you’re not in someone’s living room, you’re on the top deck of the Maritimo M75 Flybridge Motor Yacht.

And you aren’t watching the game — although you could thanks to the pop-up 43-inch TV; you are waiting on a freight train at the railroad bridge on the New River in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Let me expound on this situation.

And so it begins…

Maritimo introduced the M75 to the U.S. market during the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Staying around for a few weeks, I got my chance to perform a sea trial for this publication. Since the yacht was tucked way up the river, it would take about an hour to transverse the route to the open ocean. Captain Tom Jagucki, my wheel man for the day, is a customer service manager for Maritimo Americas and an all-around encyclopedia when it comes to Maritimo info and news.

With feather-like controls, the M75 responds instantaneously to throttle commands and joystick controls. Keeping us in one spot was the station hold option, perfect for this or tending to lines single-handed.

With a floating helm pod to port that houses three Garmin 22-inch multifunction displays, and a lower console with engine monitors, VHF and other electronics, everything is within line of sight and touch. To starboard are the throttles and joystick controls.

The rest of the flybridge is well-appointed and comfortable. Ambient air flow is refreshing thanks to the open side windows, sunroof, wide bi-fold aft doors and 6 feet, 8 inches of headroom. Nestled in the U-shape sofa across from the pop-up TV is a dedicated credenza. A forward U-settee is next to the helm. This is a great private social area or a central gathering place for a cruise.

A great feature on this yacht is the aft flybridge terrace. Through the aft door, the 175-square-foot deck is yet another lounging area, with a starboard L-settee and portside tiered bar with two bar stools. I like this as it offers outdoor enjoyment away from the foot traffic on the docks. Or opt for an open floorplan with your own seating configuration.

Another benefit of the full-feature helm in the flybridge is you don’t need one on the main level, reserving this deck for full enjoyment. Entering from the aft deck, you’ll see a gorgeous galley to starboard with a high-gloss wood finish on the cabinetry, including on the large center island (with dishwasher and storage). Add in the solid surface countertops, Karndean design flooring, large windows and sliding aft doors, and the galley now becomes the center of the yacht. Complementing the ability to feed the masses are the full-size fridge/freezer unit, fridge/freezer drawers, four-burner flat cooktop and microwave oven.

A nice feature is the wool-carpeted and lit staircase from the salon to the flybridge, offering sure footing. Forward in the salon is a setup akin to a home’s living room. There’s an L-shape lounge to port and a U-shape sofa to starboard, both fitted with buttery leather. An electric lift reveals the hidden 65-inch TV.

Power up

Powered by a pair of 10-V MTU diesels producing 1,625-hp each, this big 122,000-pound pleasure craft is nimble yet powerful. Running in mostly flat conditions, at 1,800 RPM, the M75 gets up to an impressive 17.8 knots, burning 89 gph. There’s more if needed. Push the sticks to wide open and you’ll get a really impressive speed of 27.9 knots (average over reciprocal routes) at 2,450 RPM, drinking up 168 gph. Point is, the M75 may not be the fastest yacht but it can run when it has to, keeping owner and guest safe.

I did notice upon quick acceleration that there was minimal bow rise and slight lean into turns. It’s important to know the balance of your yacht, for your understanding and the guest’s safety.

The Maritimo line has a fleet of stout yachts that can handle just about anything. That’s because they are manufactured in Australia, an island with about 32,000 nautical miles of coastline. Boating is in Maritimo’s lineage, as evidenced by the 60-odd years founder Bill Barry-Cotter has been crafting vessels. And when you look at the details of the yachts, you see a true attention to craftmanship, performance and function.

Let’s not forget that Maritimo has a history in offshore racing, with certain lessons from the sport applied to its motoryachts.

Down under

If you think the fine furnishings are only for the upper decks, wait until you go below to the accommodations. The midship full-beam primary is masterfully laid out. With a king center berth, there’s a vanity to port and drawers to starboard (or you can opt for a desk or lounger). The minimalistic head is simply laid out with a Jack and Jill sink setup and an oversized shower stall. A walk-in closet and wall-mounted 55-inch TV fill out the stateroom. It’s a bonus to have 6 feet, 10 inches of headroom here.

Forward in the peak is the VIP, with a caddy-corner island berth that allows for walk-around access (and helps when having to make the bed). A private head has its own shower stall.

Two additional staterooms have side-by-side berths they can slide together and upper/lower bunks. These rooms share a head that also acts as a day head.

Throughout the yacht, Karndean flooring and wool carpeting make for perfect accents to the leather seating, satin Enviro Walnut (standard), Enviro Plantation Teak woodwork and Shangri La Silhouette roller blinds on windows and aft doors

What’s nice about the lower level is that the large stateroom windows, high ceilings, open-step floating staircase and indirect lighting provide a sense of openness; it’s not claustrophobic like some yachts feel.

Aft end favorites

A favorite spot of mine on the M75 is the main deck aft area. Not only is there an L-settee with teak table and additional chairs, but it’s also tucked into the starboard corner, making the dining area private. To port is a sofa and aft entertainment center. This is all under cover from the flybridge deck and can be enclosed with curtains to make it an all-weather area, ideal for the Great Lakes’ changing seasons.

Of note is the huge aft platform “Adventure Deck” with a lazarette hatch, which offers great access to the water and toys and has its own huge garage for those toys and other gear.

I can’t give this yacht enough justice in this short four-page story. Its standard specifications listing is a mini booklet, with nearly everything included in the base model. Flip to the options listing, which is five pages long, and you will see how you can truly make the M75 your own.

After stepping aboard, you will be convinced that the Maritimo M75 really is the destination after all.