REVIEW: Maritimo M70 Motor Yacht

Walking up to Pacific Belle, the hull lines immediately convey offshore purpose. Unlike many imported boats, Maritimo hulls are penned with rough water capability in mind. Walk a marina to gaze on the M70’s profile and the raised bow and tall side decks express ability; the look is purposeful as if waiting for adventure – exactly as a motoryacht should be. The way the raised bow flows to the cabin sides and is matched in upturn details towards the rear creates a feeling of movement and purpose. But while tall, the lack of a radar arch keep the look sleek, the salon windscreen helping break up the height further.

FRANK

Having previously owned a Meridian 44, Frank began the hunt for more comfort, power and prestige with a company willing to work directly to fulfil his dream. In stepped Maritimo, through its Hope Island sales office, with a new M58. The move up the range to the M70 was primarily to satisfy the need for more guest accommodation, and work began shortly after handover of the M58.

The team at Hope Harbour worked with Frank over a six-month period to finesse the specification, including an initial bright orange paint scheme reflecting Frank’s proud Dutch heritage. Both Maritimo sales and marketing manager Greg Haines and Hope Harbour sales exec Spence were tight-lipped on who led the change in tack from orange to blue, though I heard Spence and Frank had found an image of an overseas vessel that inspired the subtler hue.

MOTIVATION

Frank is clearly a motoring enthusiast. One look at the immaculate engine room and the standouts are the brightly coloured engine blocks and chrome accents. As with all Maritimo products, the engine room is spacious and well laid-out. A particular positive is easy access to sea strainers, fuel valves, circuit breakers and engine service points. This reflects the true offshore nature of the product, as access while miles offshore can be a matter of survival.

The choice of Scania powerplants – each 1150hp and displacing 16.4 litres – was partly down to performance, being near the hull’s maximum power rating, but also on account of their long service intervals and cruising economy. Having cruised aboard an M65 running 1150hp CATs, I found the Scanias noticeably smoother and quieter.

The engine room also reflects Maritimo’s focus on self-driven long-range cruising with generous headroom of approximately 1.8m, bright lighting including emergency systems, and large well-positioned labels for key switches, valves and gauges. It is an engine room fitting for a practical boater, with ease of access and safety in mind.

Driving the M70 is a fuss-free affair. The gauges are well placed and easily read, while the digital throttles are smooth though a little light between neutral and engagement.

Power delivery from the twin 1150hp Scanias is similarly smooth, with very little lurch as revs and turbo pressures rise to deliver full power at 2200rpm. The engines are exceptionally well insulated, the optional privacy door isolating the salon from the bridge further softening their deep rumble. If peace and quiet appeal, when optioning you motor yacht select the privacy door – it does wonders.

Pushing the M70 out through a wide tidal set rolling into the heads, the on-water weight of approximately 48,000kg made itself apparent with the bow pushing deep into the 2-3m waves before lifting steadily with very little spray. Testament to the craftsmanship at the factory, it feels bigger and more capable than the near 71-foot size suggests. The all-GRP hull never groaned or flexed; it moved as one, tight as a much smaller boat.

Inside the seclusion of the broadwater, at a fast 18kt cruise, we saw only 200L/h combined fuel burn, a surprisingly good result bearing testament both to the efforts of Scania and the design efficiency of the slippery shaft-driven hull. Opening the throttle out to an indicated 100 per cent load gave us just shy of 30kt at 2300rpm. The hull had just been cleaned but the engines were still in break-in hours, so I feel confident 30kt will be a reality for Pacific Belle once the Scanias have loosened a touch.

Impressively, at full flight fuel consumption only jumped to 400L/h, a surprisingly low figure for a 48-ton flybridge. Slowing the pace and relaxing the hull back into the water, economy jumped to 15L/h at 7kt. With the optional 2000L fuel tank added here, the total 8300-litre capacity makes a 3800nm trip viable, putting the whole Pacific in reach from mainland Australia. With planning, Pacific Belle has global reach.

LAYOUT

The M70 features a four-cabin layout as standard, with a central full-beam master, large VIP with en suite, plus double and separate-bunk cabins sharing a generously sized bathroom. The master features an exquisite full beam en suite between the master and engine room that’s beautifully bright thanks to extensive white tiling and port holes to port and starboard. Fittings are high quality and customers are encouraged to choose benches, tapware and finishes. A bidet is standard, as are a pair of shower heads and a waterjet massager in the oversized shower.

Headroom throughout was impressive, more than accommodating my two-metre frame. Robes are oversized and full length, while the master features a discreet entertainment system and large monitor. To port lies a compact yet fully functional office, and under the entrance stairs there’s storage ready to take additional refrigeration, wine storage or even a humidor should the owner wish.

Guest cabins continue the luxurious feel and attention to detail of the master, also featuring full-length robes, ample storage and bright natural light. The bunk room can be configured as more office space or, as a gym.

In the salon, Frank has optioned Maritimo’s premium timber package – Wenge – a rich, vibrant dark wood that features regular but uniform inclusions. It is striking up close and distinctly modern, and holds the attention. Cabinetry is painstakingly constructed on site with quality control the highest priority. The high-gloss finish is the result of nine polished layers of varnish.

Reflecting the entertaining angle behind Frank’s purchase of the M70, there’s additional refrigeration in the galley, a separate wine fridge, a full-size dishwasher and additional full-size Miele oven, along with one of the most spacious pantries I’ve seen. With 1400 litres of fresh water storage, the 130L/h watermaker is unlikely to have a hard life, even with freshwater outlets at the bow, stern platform and throughout internally.

While you’re relaxing and enjoying the fruits of the impressive galley, the lounge offers a hideaway TV that stows under the internal stairwell. The lounges are soft leather and hold yet more storage while a beautifully crafted table with nautical-themed inlays and customer-specified heavy-duty looped wool carpet round out one of the more impressive salons on sale right now. For entertaining, a quality four-zone Bose hi-fi system is plumbed throughout, offering the ability to play different music at different levels, meaning kids’ zones or quiet areas can easily be managed.

Outside, the rear lounge invites passengers to relax on a settee that’s covered by an extended bimini stoutly framed in stainless and flanked by gates to the outstanding portfino. The transom hides a teppanyaki plate, freezer and sink complete with hot and cold water. Central is access to the lazarette housing the watermaker, water toy storage and, in Pacific Belle’s case, the optional additional fuel tank and Seakeeper 16. The area also features optional air conditioning which is recommended in warmer climates to help counter moisture issues.

As standard the rear swim platform features a central foldout stairwell that makes egress from the water much easier, though our boat featured the optional hydraulic platform. Able to be submerged or raised just above the water, it makes water toys easier to use and provides a great spot for young families to play in the water.

Upstairs, the flybridge is a mix of the latest technology, expansive views and yet more room to relax. This bridge is to be used as overflow accommodation and has lounges that convert to beds. The buffet bar has been optioned to include a second refrigerator, while out on the balcony Frank’s touches show again. He suggested an update to the inbuilt corner seating so the two closest to the bi-folding rear door face back, reclined. They now form a great place to unwind while watching the bubble trail behind.

At the helm, a Simrad electronics package resides in the air-conditioned dash – the A/C cools not only the bridge but also the navigation systems. So much processing power creates a lot of heat so cooling helps keep things reliable. The helm and first-mates chairs are wonderfully comfortable, as they should be with ocean-going vessels. Adjustable for height, reach and recline, they’re sumptuous and sturdy.

The only obvious omission from the helm is the Twindisc EJS (electronic joystick system). Although a popular option, Frank prefers a remote joystick for docking. This allows him to be anywhere on the boat, even on the dock (though that’s not recommended) to control the boat’s screws and thruster remotely, and really makes setting lines a breeze.

One of Maritimo’s five pillars is wide, safe walkarounds. The M70’s are wide enough to walk without turning into or away from the cabin sides. They’re well lit, and the thick stainless rails add security at hand.

At the bow proper, a Nautilus DLX13 tender hides under protective canvas. It features a 50hp outboard and a suite of Simrad electronics, making it more capable than most and likely to take Frank’s sons on fishing trips. A hydraulic davit takes the work out of launching and retrievals, and fender lockers and access to the anchor winch, including fresh and saltwater wash-down systems, round out the area.

THE WRAP

The M70 is an extension of what Maritimo is most famous for – a customer-centric approach to building offshore-capable luxury vessels. One of the largest in the fleet, it combines a clever yet traditional hull design with contemporary thinking and technologies. The company’s use of exquisite finishes and partnerships with Seakeeper and Scania have combined to create a locally crafted vessel that will more than compete on a global level.

FACTS & FIGURES 

PRICED FROM A$3,037,000.00

OPTIONS FITTED

Hydraulic swim platform; hull paint; through-hull lights and custom signage; Wenge wood; additional 2000L fuel tank; lazerette A/C; Scania 1150hp upgrade; additional refrigeration; bridge privacy door

PRICE AS TESTED A$3,690,000.00

GENERAL

MATERIAL Fibre-reinforced plastic
LENGTH 21.51m (70ft 7in)
BEAM 5.67m (18ft 8in)
WEIGHT 43,000kg (dry)

CAPACITIES

PEOPLE (DAY) 23
PEOPLE (NIGHT) 8
FUEL 6300L
WATER 1400L
HOLDING TANK 400L

ENGINES

MAKE/MODEL Twin Scania DI16076M
TYPE Common-rail injected, turbocharged four-stroke diesel V8
DISPLACEMENT 16.4L
WEIGHT 1660kg (dry)
PROPELLER 37X47 five-blade

MORE INFORMATION

15 Waterway Dr, Coomera,
QLD 4209
PHONE +61 (7) 5588 6000

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