MARITIMO M45 REVIEW

Introduced in 2012, the M45 is the smallest of Maritimo’s blue-water fleet with a host of inclusions to heighten its appeal and long-distance ability. Based on the more fishing-oriented C440, the boat shares a hull that was designed in co-operation with Volvo Penta to handle both shaftdrives and pods, with a deep-V section forward running to a flatter stern profile.

Our test was via Sydney dealer Steve Batton from SBM Maritimo, The Spit, and he showed me through the boat before we headed to the harbour and seaward. He is a passionate believer in the brand and also in educating his clients in boat handling and seamanship, with regular workshops on Sydney Harbour and rallies to places like Jervis Bay.

In the shaft version, engines are mounted in the centre of the boat for better balance and to allow shallow and more efficient prop angles. The pod version has engines mounted under the cockpit, but still leaving a good-sized lazarette.

In the years since their introduction there has been much fanfare for pods as the saviour of inexperienced skippers trying to manoeuvre into tight places, but Steve Batton is less enthusiastic about them. He maintains that a shaftdriven boat with front and rear thrusters is actually a better handling option, without the higher maintenance costs of pods.

At 48ft LOA the boat’s M45 model name refers to the length without overhangs but even so, it looks and feels big for its size.

LINES

A lot of research and customer feedback went into the design of the Maritimo 45 and a standout feature that everyone liked is the inside staircase. Constructed of stylish timber and stainless steel, the staircase means guests will have no trouble mingling, even between the saloon and flybridge. Perhaps more importantly, young and old have safe access to the bridge when underway.

Steve told me the flybridge has been extended over the cockpit to create a spacious lounge that can be converted to a double bed protected by full-height clears for overnight accommodation. A table creates a great al fresco dining experience with a view. An entertainment unit along the port side of the flybridge has a bench with sink, hot and cold water, fridge and drinks storage — so handy for accessing refreshments when anchored or on the go. A large electric sunroof opens for an airy feel and has a sliding block-out screen when the sun starts to bite.

INTERIOR

Outside decks are covered in teak and transition to a resilient Amtico floor in the galley and to beige carpet in the saloon’s lounge area. New to the range are bi-fold saloon doors that open to create a seamless single level from boarding platform to lounge. Without a lower helm station, this gives a great feeling of space and ample room for entertaining a crowd of 20 guests.

The galley is to starboard at the rear of the saloon and well placed for entertaining, the cook being right in the action. A two-door fridge-freezer opposite the galley is also handy for accessing drinks from inside or out. There is also outdoor cooking and cooling in the transom island module, with a deep fridge to port and a sink and barbecue starboard.

CABINS

Downstairs are two cabins and two bathrooms, one of which doubles as the dayhead. The portside cabin has a single bed, good headroom and walking space. The double berth is aligned across the boat and tucked in under the saloon sole, there’s not a lot of headroom under the low ceiling. 

In the stateroom, hanging wardrobes flank an island bed with easy access and storage below. Long opening ports and an overhead hatch with insect and block-out screens drown the cabin with light and fresh air. Another Dave Stewart touch is the pair of folding tables either side of the bed, but I wonder if they are robust enough for any rough or accidental treatment.

HELM

Twin vinyl-clad Pompanette helm chairs sit behind a comprehensive array of instruments and controls dominated by two 12in Garmin touchscreens with readouts for GPS, sounder and radar. A smaller VesselView digital screen monitors engine performance, including fuel usage, and there’s also a screen for the Garmin GHC10 autopilot. Other controls include the Muir anchor winch with rode counter, Sea-Fire fire-suppression system, trim tabs and Vetus bow and stern thrusters.

HANDLING AND RIDE

Settling into the helm it didn’t take long to adapt to the offset wheel and twin controls within easy reach. Vision was good all around and I noticed the three-section windscreen was equipped with substantial pantograph wipers.

Electronic controls got us into gear without any mechanical drama and we were soon on the plane at around 2200rpm and a gentle 14kts. As we headed into a slow 1 to 1.5m swell clear of the heads, the boat held a steady 19kts at around 2500rpm for a fuel burn of 100lt/h from both engines, giving a range of 307nm with a 10 per cent reserve. At 3000rpm we achieved 24kts for a fuel burn of 142lt/h and a safe 273nm.

Wide-open throttle was at 3300rpm and 27.4kts, which is a couple of knots down on Maritimo’s test results. Steve suggested that three months of growth on the hull had slowed the boat and also contributed to a thirstier fuel burn than the factory figures.

THE VERDICT

In the M45, Maritimo has delivered a luxury package in its smallest cruiser, well in keeping with the brand’s charisma. It’s not just a trendy entertainer either; it’s a boat capable of heading to distant destinations in style and showing you a hell of a time when you get there.

HIGHS

• High standard of finish
• Good sea handling
• Solid construction
• Roomy entertainer

LOWS

• Dining table is quite small

MARITIMO M45 SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE AS TESTED

$995,000 (special price)

OPTIONS FITTED

Bow and stern thrusters, teak swimplatform, cockpit fridge, washer and dishwasher, Bose sound system, Garmin electronics package and more

PRICED FROM

$1,035,000

SEA TRIALS

Twin 550hp Cummins QSB 6.7 turbo diesels

RPM      SPEED   FUEL BURN

600         5kts        2.1lt/h

1000       7.5kts    4lt/h 

1500       9.5kts    11lt/h

2000       12kts     30lt/h

2200 (planing)    14kts     n/a

2500       18.5kts 50lt/h

3000       24kts     71lt/h

3300 (WOT)        27.5kts 95lt/h

Sea-trial data supplied by the author. Fuel burn is per engine.

GENERAL

MATERIAL Solid glass hull, cored superstructure               

TYPE Planing monohull

LENGTH 14.8m (LOA)

BEAM 4.68m

WEIGHT16,000kg (dry)

DEADRISE14°

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (DAY) 20

FUEL 1800lt

WATER 400lt

ENGINE

MAKE/MODEL 2 x Cummins QSB 6.7

TYPE In-line six-cylinder turbo-diesel

RATED HP 550 (each)

DISPLACEMENT 6700cc (each)

PROPELLER Five-blade 26 x 30in

SUPPLIED BY

SBM Maritimo Sydney,

Suite 1, Smith Boat Shed, The Spit,

81 Parriwi Road,

Mosman, NSW, 2088.

Phone: (02) 9968 1222

Web: Maritimo Sydney

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