Maritimo buoyed by rising market

Australian manufacturer Maritimo says it is riding a wave of renewed interest and activity in the luxury cruiser market here and internationally and 2015 will be one of the company’s biggest years ever.

The 2015 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) was highlighted by the company’s world premier of its M65 and M48 Cruising Motoryacht’s and the completion of its 400th vessel.

Maritimo has now declared SCIBS to be the most successful since the GFC for sales of its luxury long-range cruisers.

STRONG SANCTUARY COVE LAUNCHES
Maritimo Sales and Marketing Manager, Greg Haines, said the response to the company’s two new releases at the show, the M48 cruising motoryacht and the M65 cruising motoryacht had been, tremendous with sales of both.

"The number of people through our display and the boat show overall is up and the response to our new and existing models has been very encouraging," he said.

"We have noticed that there has been a lot more interest from New Zealanders and that has obviously got to do with the foreign exchange rate and the near parity of the Australian and New Zealand dollars.

"Our decision to invest heavily in the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Sow has paid big dividends and we will be back bigger and better again next year.

"People love this show because of the entire offering, the boats, the village, the restaurants, the hotel the whole package."

SYDNEY BOAT SHOW
Mr Haines said the company was now planning its display at the Sydney International Boat Show mid year which would include the release of the S48 sedan (renderings above).

The company's new M61 Cruising Motoryacht will be released early in 2016.

Maritimo’s Sales and Marketing Manager Greg Haines said the luxury boat market in Australia and overseas, primarily in The Americas, was gaining momentum and Maritimo was showing strong growth in those markets.

OVERSEAS SHOWS
Later in the year, the largest international display in the company’s history will be assembled at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

"Immediately after Fort Lauderdale we head to Key West with one, (possibly two) race boats to contest the world offshore championships again," said Haines. "A Maritimo owners' and supporters' tour is being co-ordinated around both these events and it is a very exciting time for the company."

Mr Haines said in recent months Maritimo had been represented at a number of smaller boat shows across America including the Palm Beach Boat Show the Gulf Coast Yacht Show and the Sarasota Boat Show.

Maritimo’s USA activities are not restricted to Florida and before the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show the company will again be staging a Maritimo Muster at Roche Harbour. Fourteen Maritimos took part in the Muster last year, which is co-ordinated by Hampton Yacht Group.

"The rugged beauty of the coastline of Washington State near the USA and Canadian border is a perfect backdrop for the Roche Harbour Maritimo Muster and after the success of last year we are confident numbers will swell this September," he said.

"All up, with our new models, our new affiliations and our traditional events and relationships we are enjoying a very positive period in our history," said Mr Haines.