Maritimo M55

Flybridge cruisers offer three levels of living space and commanding views from the helm, but for the more adventurous there has to be a sturdy hull beneath, something that 60 years of building boats (18 years building Maritimos) has taught founder Bill Barry-Cotter and now his son, Tom.

Smart ideas meet quality construction

Hand-built quality combined with clever use of technology and new materials are other features of the company. Throughout the three-cabin layout on hull No. 1, for example, there is an impeccable grain-matched enviro-veneer throughout, hand-sprayed by the hands of Maritimo craftspeople. The advantages of this new technology lie in its resistance to UV light, and that any panel within the boat’s CNC kit can be replaced with an exact match, should any damage occur — stylish and clever.

Stepping aboard is easy via the optioned “adventure deck,” which is a vast teak swim platform with a hydraulic aft section to float a tender, and which includes a full-beam wetbar. Handily, the entire transom deck hinges open on electric actuators to reveal a 9-foot, 2-inch tender garage with a folding 550-pound davit option. Beyond is the aft cockpit, completely shaded by the flybridge overhang, ideal for dinners around the couch and swivel table. Beneath, a teak-clad hatch gives easy access to the engine room. Yet more lounging space is found by walking along the wide side decks, their tall bulwarks guiding me safely to the bow, where this first hull sported double sunbeds. Prolong the time on the bow with an optional Euro awning. A dinghy and davit can also go here. Beyond on the bow an oversized foot-operated Australian-made Muir windlass/capstan combined with an equally large Bruce anchor should take care of ground-tackle duties. Mooring essentials, such as sturdy cleats, were all around and midship.

Outdoor living done right

Maximizing outdoor living space is an area the Maritimo team understands, given our mild Australian year-round climate, but they also know that interiors have to be functional rather than fussy. So stepping inside the salon, I’m met by the island galley, clad in ultra-hard-wearing Karndean flooring. I confess to not trying this material when wet but it matched the classic gloss walnut interior well. Extensively fitted, the galley is a bluewater one thanks to a large upright refrigerator plus drawers, a microwave and separate oven with a three-plate electric cooktop, all quality choices by Miele. Other key appliances are also present: A small dishwasher and, belowdecks, the option for a combination or split washer-dryer. Usability is apparent in the galley with several cooks easily gathering around the island bench and reaching provisions from the pantry’s custom racks. Just pull the stainless exterior door shut when the rain comes and it remains cozy and ventilated thanks to vast side windows adjoining from the salon.

A step-up onto the woolen carpet here gives the ambience of a much larger vessel, thanks to that generous beam and tall windows placed ideally at eye height when resting on the couches or at the fold-out dining table. Australians are avid cricketers, and the salon can house an entire team of them, while the forward-mounted television can be elevated to satiate their viewing of that obscure English pastime. A couple of ottomans give flexibility and casualness to this relaxed area. At the forward end of the salon is the staircase down to the three cabins, naturally lit by the front salon window overhead.

A very livable arrangement

Nestled deep and using the entire 17-foot beam, the owner’s suite is, for me, best in class. It’s a huge rectangle with more than 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom and without impinging bulkheads around the king-size bed. Elongated hull windows let in light but the two opening portholes could be more generous or even more numerous to increase air. The ensuite is another spacious feature on the M55, is easy to wipe down, and offers natural ventilation and a generous shower.

Yet more joy came from the forward VIP cabin; instead of the usual berth set fore and aft, this one is offset to starboard, thus giving walking space around it. Overhead are two large opening skylights. With a similar bathroom that has dual doors, this is an excellent suite.

Finally, the third cabin, with its bunks and large portlight, finishes off the excellent accommodation layout. The bunks can be optioned to move together as well. Add to this an optional berth in the flybridge for a visiting skipper or noisy teenager and you have a versatile family boat.

The business end of the M55 is found by climbing the wide internal staircase to the flybridge where another very livable space is found, thanks to two separate lounges plus the cockpit-transom one. At the starboard-set console, the look is fairly basic yet functional, reflecting the use of straight shaft drives with simple bow and stern thruster controls. Inexperienced owners may well option a Twin Disc or Yacht Controller joystick system. On hull No. 1, the essentials were all ergonomically laid out, including the hydraulic wheel, manual tabs and Garmin systems, which include a glass screen, radar and autopilot. The aft cockpit can also house a second control console to port, ideal for docking either side.

Gold Coast cruise

The shallow waterways of this Australian region are challenging but much less so when viewed from the towering flybridge of the M55. The graduated wheel required only a mere twitch to adjust our course as I accelerated. No discernible feeling of planing came; it was all one movement from wow-to-go and done without the need for tabs as we reached a comfortable cruising speed of about 22 knots. Beyond, I clicked the tabs a few percent to drop the bow a tad and simply enjoy the drive, as the GPS stopped rising at 29.7 knots. Sadly, stormy weather prevented us from going offshore so I replicated waves by doing doughnuts, which revealed a tight two-boat-length turning circle and no groans from the M55. Finally, with lunch on our minds, I slowed and backed us into a cove, using the simple combination of the engines and a touch of the bow and stern thrusters. Predictable and without drama, which indeed sums up this Maritimo.