Maritimo S50: Boat Review
The Maritimo S50 is an evolution of the popular M48 which is claimed to have sold more than 100 vessels around the world. The original hull has been stretched slightly to 53 feet to create a little more internal volume and I think it shows with improved sleekness in a profile view over the M48.
The rest of the hull footprint, sans flybridge, is nearly identical to the M48 with the same fine entry and low forward volume exhibited, which is so important to the boat’s sea-handling characteristics.
While the lifestyle aspects of single-level boating are important to consider (and we will do later), when I look at the S50 I see a boat that is a reflection, technically speaking, to many of Bill Barry-Cotter’s philosophies on good vessel design.
MARITIMO S50
Removing the flybridge greatly improves the boat’s aerodynamic efficiency, contributing favourably to the green side of the fuel consumption ledger. So favourably in fact, the company is claiming efficiency figures in the shaftdrive S50 as good as or even better than competing vessels with any of the much-vaunted pod-drive systems in place.
Barry-Cotter’s views on the shaftdrive versus pod-drive debate are strong and he is more than happy to express them publicly. He believes that the simplicity and long-term reliability of shafts, which in a quality installation can do hundreds of hours with comparatively limited maintenance or servicing, contributes greatly to the total cost of ownership of a vessel.
CABINS
With a layout that provides a full-beam master suite, a double VIP/guest cabin forward and starboard bunk cabin, the S50 has certainly been designed to accommodate the family.
I was surprised by the space offered below decks. The extra 45 centimetres of hull length may not seem like much, yet this combined with the cleverly designed full-beam master suite tucked in beneath the saloon floor makes space available downstairs that simply was not achievable ten years ago in a boat this class.
Every cabin is attractively appointed and finished in lashings of leather and gloss timber.
A single bathroom services the forward VIP (as an en suite) and the double-bunk cabin to starboard. I always like to see large drains like these in place, but did think this bathroom and its mirror image in the full-beam master to be a bit pokey.
What I like about Maritimo is that it invariably leads the way at the forefront of thinking rather than following the bigger overseas houses. The split-level master cabin seen on the company’s mid-sized boats is an example of this. The purpose is to squeeze every last inch of usable living space out of the hull’s interior. The effect, at least visually, is the creation of two rooms in the single cabin without any concession to the grandeur of the space.
The upper level, which sits in line with the rest of the accommodation deck, provides storage via the cedar-lined wardrobes, a small office by virtue of the writing desk and access to the en suite. A few steps below and you are in the master cabin proper with its diagonally aligned queen bed, entertainment cabinet and under-window lounger.
SALOON
As expected, Maritimo continues to follow the Japanese principal of kaizen in the S50’s saloon and galley layouts. Kaizen more or less means continuous improvement via incremental tweaking.
Some saloons that strive to achieve the ideal indoor-outdoor flow can leave the user slightly confused by the exact purpose of various areas in the floor space. For example, if a lounging area lacks definition and transitions too quickly into the galley it can be hard for the occupier to feel fully relaxed in the space.
The S50 addresses the issue nicely with a distinct lounging area bordered by luxurious loungers over a carpet floor. Where the carpet ends and the wooden floor panelling starts, it is clear you have now entered the galley and wetbar area.
The galley offers adequate bench space with the added benefits of an island servery. Every opportunity for storage has been utilised behind perfectly finished spray-gloss wooden doors. Even the dishwasher would be impossible to find if you weren’t in the know.
Two more steps aft and through the impressive dual sliding doors and you are outside in the cockpit.
VOLVO PENTA ENGINES
The twin shaftdrives that push the S50 so efficiently through the water are spun by two Volvo Penta D11 powerplants. An inspection prior to departure (see the accompanying video) revealed a well laid-out and very well-appointed engineroom with adequate servicing access to the wide range of equipment.
Yes, it is short on headroom but this is unavoidable on a boat of this style. What is important is the build and engineering quality on display. Every detail, right down to the paint finish in the bilges has received a professional’s eye and speaks to Barry Cotter’s claims about the high-level of skill the Australian boatbuilder brings to the table these days.
I also took the time to look in the forward inspection hatches and was similarly impressed with the finish in those.
THE VERDICT
For me the Maritimo S50 is head and shoulders above any other single-level Maritimo-built boat I have spent time in. I don’t need to tell you how good looking it is, the pictures speak for themselves. What left more of an impression is how liveable and easy the boat is to enjoy.
The small tweaks in the saloon made a noticeable difference to its comfort, while the wide walkaround decks and robust handholds add real surety for those navigating the bow. There is also simplicity in the design which makes it easy to keep clean and tidy – something that will get big ticks from owners a long time after they have received the handover.
Bill Barry-Cotter’s thinking around long-term ownership is very well reflected in the Maritimo S50 – from its good looks to its shaftdriven reliability, fuel efficiency, seakeeping and general ease of use.
HIGHS
- Classic good looks with modern lines
- Shaftdriven simplicity
- Famous Maritimo seakeeping
- Well-defined saloon and galley area
- Professional workmanship throughout
LOWS
- Pokey bathrooms
- Narrow lower bunk in double bunk cabin
MARITIMO S50 SPECIFICATIONS
PRICED FROM
$1,385,000
GENERAL
MATERIAL Fibreglass
TYPE Planing monohull
LENGTH 16.15m
BEAM 5.2m
WEIGHT 21,000kg
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE (NIGHT) 6
FUEL 4000lt
WATER 800lt
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL 2 x Volvo Penta D11
TYPE Straight-six turbodiesel
RATED HP 670 (each)
DISPLACEMENT 10.84lt (each)
SUPPLIED BY
Maritimo Offshore
15 Waterway Drive, Coomera, QLD, 4209
Phone: +61 7 5588 6000
Web maritimo.com.au.