Maritimo A55 Enclosed Flybridge

The Enclosed reviewd here had its debut at the 2011 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show and has been turning heads ever since.

While its swept-back smooth lines of the superstructure have a hint of cabriolet, the practicalities of the Aegean style for the Australian market can’t be ignored.

While inside, the opulence of the furniture and dressings exhibit all the hallmarks of David Stewart Design; simply impeccable!

As well, the 32-inch LCD TV on pop-up actuator fitted to the saloon is optional as is the carpet in the fly bridge and the refrigerator fitted there also.

These options will add $20,030 to the base price of $1,650,000

An electronic actuator lifts the centre section housing these appliances to reveal a boot with enough space to park a tender up to three metres in length. The forward section of this structure features a lounge which services the cockpit, and the aft-cabin wall each side houses an icemaker and bar fridge.
The engine room breathers are also installed here and consist of a stylish stainless steel mesh flush-mounted.

The rear saloon window and door set open with two of the panels folding to starboard while the single is the entrance door portside. With these doors fully opened, the galley, saloon and cockpit take on seemingly huge proportions.

Entering the saloon through the single door, one passes the refrigerator and freezer installed behind floor-to-ceiling wooden panels. Their doors open toward the galley creating a barrier when using the galley and accessing foodstuffs from these appliances. Doors opening in the other direction while momentarily blocking the entry door would be more ergonomically friendly to the chef.

The cooktop and sink are built into a good-sized bench top with the microwave oven and dishwasher installed in the vertical panel below the cooktop.

The starboard wall of the galley features polished timber cupboards that come up to the panoramic windows and the front end of this unit and that housing the galley sink segregate the galley from the dining lounge with a companionway in between.

Dining is easy with a lounge for six, a folding space-saving table with leather inlay and bottle stowage within. Of similar stylish design is the stainless steel non-slip inlays in the staircase leading to the fly bridge; both being a taste of David Stewart Design as are the leather pelmets hiding the stylish venetian blinds and the general theme throughout of rounded, soft corners on furniture and fittings.

The front bulkhead in the saloon features more cupboard space and has expansive flat areas all the way to the front window panes; this area has been softly upholstered to reduce glare.

The short companionway takes one down to a single-bunk cabin starboard side which has a washing machine built in under the bunk base along with a drawer set.

Portside of the companionway another takes one aft to the full-width stateroom. This cabin is well lit and spacious with large portholes each side and ample cupboard space across the aft bulkhead.

A divan seat on the portside may be laid out with cushions to make another bunk and an office desk forms part of the built-in robe. It features its own ensuite bathroom while another accessed off the companionway has a second entrance coming from the double cabin situated at the forward end of below decks.

As well, another single bunk cabin is available, running off the companionway.

Access to the flybridge is via the afore-mentioned staircase forward of the galley on the starboard side.

A Perspex hatch opens to the enclosed fly bridge and a similar table to what is featured in the dining area below, services a rear lounge that is protected by taut clears.

A bar fridge and hand basin is installed against the portside while storage space is available opposite on the starboard side.

A huge fascia spanned across the console in which all manner of large screen electronics may be installed once the new owner has made up their mind as to brand and size.

Seated at the helm wheel one had excellent all-round views but when standing, one's head (at 180cm tall) is touching the raking roof. This may be an issue to skippers taller than that.

Access to the engine room is via a hatch aft of the rear glass doors.

Once inside a pathway leads between and around the back of the D12 Volvo motors with easy and ready access to fuel filters and 'L' cock systems.
At the time of the review the D12 engines were being superseded by the current model D13s.

In the electrical department, a 17.5kW generator with sound shield is installed with exhaust plumbed to the transom. It has a 24-volt/40 amp charging alternator to top up the four, 210-amp engine cranking batteries and the pair of 120 amp hour house batteries.

Where this boat really shines is in the manoeuvrability department. With fore and aft bow thrusters, docking is a simple affair and on the plane we found it hard to imagine you could get a more responsive hull. It was a joy to drive and turn at speed.

From the original sea trials we gleaned performance figures. At 700 rpm the A55 has a speed of 8.7 knots with 13 litres per hour of fuel consumption. 1500 rpm offers a cruise of 16.7 knots with 104 litres of fuel being consumed per hour. Winding it out to WOT, 32 knots may be achieved with fuel consumption rated at a total of 305 lph at which time the Volvo’s are turning at 2360 rpm.

We came away from the A55 more than impressed. Lots of big-boat advantages in a relatively small hull; Barry-Cotter has done it again!