Maritimo 48 Sports Bridge

Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, among other compelling titles, wasn’t averse to taking risks. He believed that the person who went furthest was generally the one willing to do and dare. He said that the sure-thing boat never got far from shore and if you believed that you would succeed then you would.

So it is with Bill Carry-Cotter and his assembled team of boatbuilders at Maritimo. Rather than abide by convention, conservatism and risk banality, the Maritimo team has set about building a range of refreshingly different but practical passagemakers that team innovation with modern sea-keeping values and virtues.

Now, following the success of the 60 and 52, comes the company’s new baby grand, the 48, which was derived from the 52 and is available in a Sports Bridge model with an aft helm location (48 #1) seen here or a Cruising Bridge with extended flybridge and forward helm position. Either way, you can see the Maritimo lineage in the robust house lines and in things like the walkaround decks, Aussie-sized cockpit, internal stairs to the flybridge, efficient warped-plane hull with low shaft angles, and long cruising range aided by big tanks.

Then there is the accommodation plan: two cabins each with an island double bed and ensuites, plus a third cabin with bunks. Thus, the new 48 is a big but manageable boat perfect for cruising with a couple or the family and kids. And, from what I read, multigenerational living is in vogue, but never more so when holidaying aboard boats. But, for all this, there is an element of daring in the design. In the flybridge, for example, the optional high-backed Navigator helm seats slide back to create more leg room. Nothing new there, however the entire dash also slides forward to create even more space. Though borne out of necessity, it is a different approach to design.

So it goes as you move around Maritimo’s new 48, which is something you can do easily. In the cockpit, a built-in barbecue takes centre stage. The engine room is fully-lined with a surfeit of servicing space to encourage owner maintenance and there is a trick venting system to keep salt at bay. The helm conveniences include bow and (optional) stern thrusters, while snappy off-the-wheel steering derived from race-boat technology makes this a fun boat to drive. And the latest fully electronic Cummins QSM11 660hp diesel donks add to the pleasure.

ENGINEERING PRAISE
When you start with cart blanche, as Maritimo did, you don’t inherit hand-me-down technology. Instead, you start anew. From the outset, a lot of emphasis has clearly gone into the engineering, which is among the things that attract serious Queensland-island-bound cruising buffs to this badge.

Construction of the warped-plan or variable deadrise hull is, predictably, solid GRP for the running surfaces with cored topsides. But, at about 20 tonnes, this is a light boat, with weight savings from 24V DC wiring (half that of 12V), aluminium honeycomb internal partitions, and production efficiencies.

Not always present on imported boats, the 48 has a watertight engine room with a fully moulded liner and checker-plate centre walkway, and an integral transverse forward GRP fuel tank with a 3500lt capacity as standard and a sight gauge, positioned where it has the least effect on trim. The engine bearers are solid GRP and form part of the integral box structure, with flexible mounts that, together with sound insulation, make for a smooth and quiet ride.

I liked the fact the engine vents are inboard in the boat’s walkaround decks and that the risk of salt intruding in further is reduced by washable membranes in filters. I also liked the decent 600lt stainless steel water tank (but where is the gauge?), the 300lt holding tank, the Racor fuel filters (no redundant filters alongside), the single oil-change line linked to a manifold, and the decent running gear include 2.25-inch shafts and responsive bronze rudders and engine-driven power steering.

The shaft angles are a low nine degrees, achieved by placing the motors well forward where their weight is easily carried and the use of long shafts. The optional watermaker, a 283lt/h Spectra MaxQ unit costing almost $22,000 but worth every cent, is carried in the lazarette with the aforesaid water and holding tanks.

Back in the engine room, the respectable 17.5kva Onan gennie is back aft with separate start battery and a 2000W invertor that runs all 240V gear at anchor except for the air-con. Incidentally, wiring schematics come with the boat. Access to the sea strainers for the gennie and air-con units, the latter located outboard of the motors, is back under the stairs and a bit out of the way.

Access to the primary servicing items on the Cummins was very good and, I’m told, it is possible to change an engine by removing the saloon flooring and craning the block out through the saloon door. The good, simple, engineering is not to be scoffed at and it’s all accessible with just a little stoop through a cockpit door and down a moulded stairwell.

Another nice thing: the common manifold and outlet for generator and air-con cooling water is back at the transom. Thus, running water can’t be heard from the cabins. In fact, the only skin fitting is for the switchable direct-overboard head discharge.

DEDICATED DECKS
Maritimo has a motivated marketing man in Peter Jenkins who, at boat shows, is inclined to invite throngs of would-be buyers aboard and send them in a conga line through the accommodating cockpit around the sidedecks to the bow and back again. The well-lit walkaround decks are a big selling point and, on this 48, they work well without being cramped. Along the way you might notice handy grabrails that double as tying points for fenders, the inboard engine vents and big springer cleats.

 The flat foredeck has room for a 400kg-lift davit and jet RIB on cradle. The recessed anchoring area is mindful of crew and the boat’s heavy-duty hardware is built for offshore anchoring. The boat comes with 60m of 10mm chain (plus an extra 20m on the demo boat), a separate rope locker, self-stow anchor, deckwash, and concealed deck fillers. Thus, no stubbing of toes as you move around the decks and, for the skipper, great access from the low-helm station – in this case equipped with basic repeater electronics only – via the starboard-side door leading to the walkway.

I’m guessing there will be plenty of shuffling of deck chairs and al fresco dining on this 48. The cockpit is broad and accommodating. With the optional second transom door, the moulded amenities centre built into the transom with optional barbecue, standard sink, food-prep space, top-loading eutectic fridge, storage unit and 240V outlets, becomes an island entertaining area.

The broad boarding platform has the usual swim ladder and nearby handheld shower, but it also has additional built-in wet storage lockers. The rounded mouldings for these sit below the boarding platform, just above water level, and thereby create an annoying slap of water when anchored with wavelets or wash rolling in from afar.

For my money, I’d prefer no slap, peace and quiet, even if it meant stowing the togs and dive gear elsewhere. The cockpit has plenty of handy storage, especially for fenders and mooring lines, plus a freshwater washdown. Teak would be a nice touch on the test boat, though the non-skid decks would be easy to scrub clean.

SPORTS BRIDGE
An internal eight-step staircase on the port side of the saloon offers easy access to the flybridge where, ordinarily, great views extend in all directions from the aft helm. But on the demo boat, the optional half-awning, while casting welcome shade on deck, spoilt the otherwise unfettered vision to the boarding platform. Not so good for the skipper charged with berthing. Options of an internal helm or plug-in remote in the cockpit or on the aft flybridge deck are worth considering.

I couldn’t find any facility for cleaning the outside of the moulded hardtop – no non-skid surface or harness pad-eye – which might seem trifling to some. But if you want to keep your boat and its windows clean then you have to start from the top. The partially-opening sliding side windows, windscreen and backdoor are all safety glass and there are wipers and washers.

The views when seated are great from either the two-person portside lounge or the starboard L-shaped lounge around the dinette that converts to an occasional double bed – handy for catching 40 winks between driving shifts or on a bad night on the anchorage.

This boat had the optional high-backed lux Navigator helm seats, but when slid back they rubbed on the fibreglass behind. So to create extra space at the helm the dash also slid forward. There were also handrails so crew could stand in the bridge when traversing bad weather.

 Bridge amenities include a fridge, a sink to port and optional air-con/demister. The boat had a red night light and, moreover, some $30,000 worth of Simrad electronics by way of two 10-inch displays for chartplotter with C-Map and 24nm radar, and sounder with 1kW transducer. There was an autopilot and VHF radio, bow and optional stern thrusters, Cummins Smartcraft engine displays, spotlight control, optional chain counter, separate sound system and carpets and upgraded upholstery.

Last but not least, the aft bridge deck had room for a small drinks table and some folding chairs.

INDOOR LIVING
The aft three-stage sliding saloon door lets you open the galley to the saloon for snappy entertaining. You step down into the compact starboard-side galley, but what it lacks in room it makes up for in functionality.

The desirable U-shaped space has a decent beech servery and Corian counters with fiddles, self-close drawers, opening hatches and a rangehood over the four-burner cooktop. Gourmands will also welcome the convection microwave, domestic-sized fridge/freezer – there is plenty of scope to create more refrigeration aboard – drawer-type dishwasher, sink with filtered drinking water and rinser, and handy storage space.

Opposite is the AC/DC panel with battery management, watermaker and invertor controls. Nearby, the wetbar has an icemaker and bottle and glass locker. The myrtle joinery was softened by neutral bone soft-touch liners and leather upholstery, but enlivened by details such as the high-gloss coffee table. The boat had a Bose Lifestyle 38 entertainment system with 160 CD storage hardrive, separate outdoor speakers, linked to a 65cm HD LCD television.

The saloon gives up some floor space to the walkaround decks, but the L-shaped portside lounge facing the television can comfortably seat four people and the L-shaped lounge opposite converts to an indoor dinette for a similar number of people. Views from the indoors are great. There are chartlockers behind the windscreen, and options to create a full-blown lower helm if you intend making this a cold-climate passagemaker and want to do dinner while you drive.

ACCOMMODATION PLAN
An Omega combo washer/dryer was tucked under the stairs leading down to the three-cab/two-head accommodation plan. The washing machine is accessible from the kids’/dresser cabin to starboard, which still had decent bunks and hanging space. All the cabins have hatches and weather-protected private portlights opening into the sidedecks, plus air-con.

 VIP guests will find that their cabin in the bow has a huge island double berth, his and hers hanging space, additional side lockers, Italian door fittings and reading lights, scope to mount a television, and floor space and head room for dressing. The ensuite/dayhead boasts a quiet-flush switchable FW/SW Tecma head, separate shower stall, moulded tile-look floor, and myrtle trim vanity with glass sink bowl. An opening hatch and portlight provide ventilation.

Naturally, owners get the amidships cabin away from the slap on the chines and the generator noise was barely discernible because the outlet exits the transom. You can get around all sides of the island bed to pull up the sheets, storage comes by way of drawers and there’s a lined and lit hanging locker.

A huge sub-bed area with drawers can be used to stow clothing when long-term cruising. Floor space and head room were generous, again, and the ensuite mirrored the dayhead, with another separate shower and Tecma loo. Strangely, I couldn’t find any 240V outlets.

CRUISING QUEENSLAND
As we scooted out the Gold Coast Seaway I didn’t sniff a drop of saltwater and there wasn’t a bang or buck to report. But I can confidently say that the Maritimo 48 and electronic Quantum Series Cummins QSMIIs combine to give a new-age cruise that is smoke-free, quiet, smooth, economical and just totally agreeable. With full water and one-third fuel, the 48 lifted bodily and longitudinally to pleasant planing speeds. The boat loped along at 20kts at 1750rpm, where both motors consumed a paltry 122lt/hr. That’s impressive by my yardstick, giving a safe cruising range of more than 500 nautical miles, leaving 10 per cent of the fuel supply in reserve.

Fast cruise was clocked at 27kts at 2020rpm and 165lt/h. It will scoot along in the vicinity of 30kts. The comfortable cruise speeds and frugal fuel consumption are impressive. Above all, cruising and passagemaking are what Maritimos do best.

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