David Lockwood•23 Aug 2013

REVIEW

Maritimo S50 Cruising Motoryacht

Sedan with all the comforts of home

HIGHS

- Loaded options and upgrades create a special sedan

- Excellent single-level living and cruising platform

- Class-leading, full-beam owner’s stateroom

- Optional transom arrangements to suit all uses

- Revered boat builder with lots of experience and a renewed quality focus

NOT SO MUCH

- AC/DC switch panels not as easily accessed in forward saloon

- Saloon dinette could benefit from a bed conversion

- Lack of raised ‘co-pilot’ seating (new lounge being considered)

- No flying bridge, a veritable penthouse and ultimate cruising station on the M50

OVERVIEW

- Single-level cruiser extends 50’s appeal

After selling more than 100 Maritimo M48s, the Australian boat builder released the replacement M50 http://www.boatpoint.com.au/reviews/2013/maritimo-m50-cruising-motoryacht-36720 earlier this year. That boat achieved a number of feats, not least being gains in just about every area. We felt the master stroke was a full-beam stateroom with headroom in a mere 50 footer with traditional shaft drives.

At first glance, this S50 -- sharing the same platform but sans flybridge -- is just an iteration. But when you start peeling away the layers, the boat goes further, with upgraded appliances, a swag of options, and a new lifted finish from an independent-survey process. After all, this was meant to be the boat-builder’s boat.

The story goes that Bill Barry-Cotter decided he wanted a luxury cruiser for kicking back on the Gold Coast with his wife. This is something he’s no stranger to doing -- launching new boats, that is -- estimating he’s built more than 4500 of them since striking out with Mariner in Mona Vale way back in 1965.

Now in his late-60s, but showing no signs of slowing down, Barry-Cotter embodies the adage that time and tide wait for no man. In keeping with the current trend among his peers, he opted for a boat without a flying bridge to create a one-level living and cruising space.

"I thought about going to Hammo but realised I’m not going to bother," he says. Of course, a low-profile boat also makes it easier to slip under bridges like that between his Coomera factory and waterfront home on the Nerang River. You also get less windage from less superstructure. The whole rig is less daunting, I suppose.

Evidently, Barry-Cotter wanted a seamless transition from home to boat, too. The S50 featured here had upgraded Cummins engines, Bose AV gear, new edgy bathroom fittings, Miele appliances in the galley, and on-trend bluestone-coloured leather trim and contrasting feature stitching. In fact, as we saw it, the S50 is probably the most loaded Maritimo ever, boasting more than $250,000 worth of options and upgrades that together create a rather special cruising sedan. Leave home, and well, you’re not leaving much wanting. Even heated towel rails were included.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT

- All the fruit makes a special boat

From a base price of $1.33 million, the Maritimo S50 test boat had a $1.585 million sticker price with upgraded Expedition Pack including aft rails, LED deck lights, extra fridge and Miele appliances. The engine upgrade was to 715hp Cummins QSM11s over the standard issue 670hp Volvo D11 engines, partly because the Cummins became available at a great price. It seems the Volvos actually do it better.

But unlike his competitors, Barry-Cotter isn’t offering Volvo or Cummins pod drives on either Maritimo 50. Although the market is apparently asking for it elsewhere, the boat builder is sticking with time-proven shaft drives and adding aftermarket joysticks, either hydraulic types like that from Twin Disc or Xenta or the less costly models that couple 24V bow and stern thrusters.

The latter was among the long list of options fitted on the test boat. There were joysticks at three different locations including either flank in the cockpit, along with a set of optional engine controls. On a blustery day, the system helped make decamping from the marina and berthing a bump-free affair. What’s more, the Yacht Controller with three joysticks costs some $30,000 as opposed the hydraulic upgrade setting you back triple that amount.

As pictured, the S50 had an upgraded custom-painted hull, hydraulic-lift swim platform for quick tender dispatch, and underwater lights for attracting marine life. The transom with sink, integrated fridge/freezer and optional barbecue was the standard design, whereas future owners may prefer the optional Euro-style transom (photo included on M50 in gallery above) including lounges and external access to the lazarette and the inevitable stowed water toys.

Other notable external options include teak decks, floodlights, heavy-duty anchor winch upgrade, Karcher pressure cleaner, and outdoor carpet to the lazarette, where a reconfiguring of the water tanks creates more storage space than the early M50.

Indoors, there was a David Stewart soft-furnishing upgrade, extensive AV upgrades including a Bose Lifestyle 25 with indoor/outdoor zones, Blue-Ray player, KVH satellite TV with Foxtel repeaters, 32in Samsung TV in saloon and 42in stateroom, and full Simrad electronics package including twin 12in screens in the dash.

The Miele upgrade package, part of the new Expedition Package, included convection microwave oven, cooktop with extractor fan, domestic-style fridge with second inbuilt icemaker, washer/dryer and, in a redesigned island servery, a bigger dishwasher. As Barry-Cotter told us during ‘his’ boat’s build, he just wants to load up the dishwasher and walk away knowing the clean-up is being done.

The Zip HydroTap to the galley, giving instant boiling or chilled and filtered water, is another nice touch on this loaded S50. The fitted Italian-made Indromar watermaker with sand filter means you’re virtually autonomous as well. Days, weekends, weeks could be lost aboard.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION

- Class-leading owner’s stateroom

We came aboard the extended hydraulic swim platform, waltzed up the transom steps flanking the central amenities centre, and noted a cockpit big enough to cater for a couple of families for al fresco dining. The lazarette floor hatch is wide enough to stash the folding teak table and chairs below deck.

As touched on, serious entertainers might prefer the Euro transom with integrated lounges. But either way, the extended hardtop provides welcome shade, there’s storage for fenders, lines, a rubbish bin and more, while wide walkaround side decks traced by moulded bulwarks, grab and bow rails, and a flat foredeck provide an alternative seating area. We’re told there’s an optional foredeck sunpad with canopy, too.

En route, you might notice the large-scale deck gear and cleats, extra breast cleats, and inboard engine vents (with washable membranes). Twin anchor lockers let you stow rope for reef anchoring if heading north or a fishing buff, a stainless steel 30kg Bruce anchor is bundled with the boat, as is a saltwater deck wash. The pressure washer hose and ‘gun’ reaches the bow, too.

Bi-fold saloon doors and an aft galley are a big part of this boat’s indoor/outdoor on-water living appeal. The saloon is very similar to the M50’s we’ve tested in depth, but the portside stairs to the flying bridge don’t exist. There’s a bigger and better wet bar or cocktail cabinet there instead.

In order to accommodate the lower helm, you lose the return for the starboard-side lounge ahead of the galley. It’s not a big loss, but in order to make the single-seater helm station more social, Maritimo is looking at create a high/low function on the remaining transverse section of lounge. This way, guests might get to see a bit more of the open-ocean road as they cruise.

Meantime, the Miele appliance upgrade in the galley holds a lot of sway, although the island servery has been reduced to a more cube-like facility to accommodate the enlarged 45cm-wide dishwasher. Hard-wearing Amtico flooring adds to the utility, while the cocktail cabinet includes an icemaker and drinks fridge.

The forward saloon, raised up two steps, ensures good views from the L-shaped dinette to port with folding table and concealed wine storage. Here, guests can sit, drink and cruise opposite the skipper.

We don’t want to reinvent the wheel with our words on the accommodation front. The S50 is the same boat down below as the M50, that is to say, a three-cabin/two bathroom layout with class-leading accommodation.

For guests, the island double bed in the VIP cabin in the bow has been lifted and widened, with various ledges and fiddles to help contain personal effects. Split-doors improve access to the lined his-and-her hanging lockers, while two drawers pull out from under the bed. The new bedhead, lighting, and soft furnishings add to the luxury, the escape hatch with insect and shade screen takes care of air and light, and there’s scope for a separate AV system and a 240V GPO, too.

The third cabin to starboard is a twin-bunk arrangement for kids and a handy storage spot for your soft bags. It’s not a big cabin by any means but the twin bunks are said to be slightly wider than those on the 48, there’s air-con and a big hatch, plus a half-height storage locker.

Of course, the crowning jewel is the full-beam master stateroom. You arrive via a landing area come dresser/office with desk and pull-out pouf. A cedar-lined hanging locker is alongside. Off the same landing is the owner’s en suite, one of two home-like bathrooms each with big shower, solid counters, boosted storage, air-con and hatches.

Step down and the stateroom opens up like an exclusive waterfront hotel suite. There’s a chaise lounge that doubles as full-blown adult-length single bed by the twin opening portlights to starboard. Read a book in private or crack the ports and kick back at night. Offset, the island double berth doesn’t hinder floor space, with a single portlight nearby to create cross-flow ventilation.

Lift the mattress base and there’s abundant storage in addition to the low-boy with drawers and dedicated cupboard for the fitted combination washer/dryer.

With dedicated mounting space for a decent flat-screen television facing the bed, the owner’s abode is complete and ready to mollycoddle owners accustomed to luxury surrounds. The saying “the best bed is the one back home” may well be otiose.

HULL AND ENGINEERING

- Slippery hull with more fuel to burn

The S50 shares the same platform as the M50. Replacing the M48, which accounted for more than 110 builds, the M50 could well be Maritimo’s best seller again. But for the views from the flying bridge, this sedan is no-less-serious a cruising motoryacht.

The engine room is simply laid out, with wing fuel tanks with remote shutoff, sight gauges and large access panels, for an enlarged fuel capacity of 4000 litres -- 500 litres more than the M48. A transfer pump lets you quickly balance tanks if necessary instead of waiting for the balance line to do that.

Room outboard of the engines is tighter than the M48, but all the key stuff for owners is at hand. Sea strainers are forward, reasonable well accessed with clear inspection covers, as are the engine coolant reservoirs and Racor fuel filters. Paired engines means the oil dipsticks are on the centerline, there are Aquamet dripless shaft seals, 2.25 in shafts, 2.24:1 ZF gearboxes, and five-blade Teignbridge props to PropSpeed.

The race-bred power steering is a highlight of the boat’s handling, while the 17.5kva Onan generator will run the tropical-strength air con all day. Some of those units are concealed in the hardtop, accessible below a Bomar hatch, while others are outboard of the saloon lounge backrests.

A sizeable 4kW inverter powers the AV systems, 24V fridges, GPO 240V outlets in the galley and a GPO in each cabin for, say, overnight charging. This way, you can hunker down without needing the generator and drawing ire from surrounding yachties (who will then start up their old smoky diesel engines for power at dawn and dusk anyway).

There’s increased clearance over the engines and their turbos to prevent the galley floor getting hot -- something that happened on early M48s -- and renewed focus on reducing engine noise in general. Note also that the M50 has six bilge pumps, in other words a back-up pump, in each of its three watertight areas. After extensive testing, Maritimo went with Whale pumps.

Under floor, in the accommodation area, there are hatches to massive storage areas, the hot-water service and valves to switch the toilets from fresh to salt water. These bilge areas are ideal for storing plonk and, with some customisation, game-fishing rods, provisions and more.

The boat’s AC/DC switching, while in keeping with the M50, is a departure from previous Maritimos. The split AC (portside) and DC (mainly 24V and opposite) switch panels are found in overhead cabinets in the raised forward saloon.

The cabinet at the saloon entrance where switching used to be is now additional storage but, perhaps on future boats, a useful charging area with the addition of a GPO or two and maybe the inverter panel.

ON THE WATER

- Long range if you need it

The new 50 hull is an extended version of the M48, slippery through a wide rev range thanks to its flat run aft and variable deadrise shape. It wears bigger Lenco trim tabs than the M48 and, as tested, they did help flatten the trim attitude to maximise vision and views from the lower saloon helm.

Beam-on and backing off the throttles, we coped a few lashes of spray. Wipers dispensed with that, though, and thereafter we pretty much did the Sydney thing and spent more time at champagne-sipping speeds, ogling the scenery and the ritzy real estate, than on the sticks. Why rush?

Top speed with the 715hp Cummins on this S50 was just over 30 knots, but we’re told the base model 670hp Volvo engines produce a similar speed while burning less fuel. Official sea trial data confirmed the Volvos just win out.

With 1000 litres (1/4) fuel and 400 litres of water, plus two crew, the S50 has a stated range of 536 nautical miles at 21.75 knots and 2100rpm. You get 20nm and 50nm more range at 1900rpm/19.4 knots and 1700rpm/16.45 knots respectively. At 200rpm off top revs, the fast cruising speed of 25.85 knots gives 469 nautical miles.

Indeed, the S50 was delivered from the Gold Coast to Sydney by the local dealer, Steve Batton, in one run taking 16 hours using 2800 litres of fuel, navigating by radar to dodge the fleet of ships off Newcastle, where a 30-35 knot westerly made Stockton Bight true to name. They escaped its gnashing teeth and made it to Sydney full of praise.

VERDICT

- Big-city cruiser finds a home

The S50 is one of those boats where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. All the extra kit on the S50 and the upgrades meld to create a luxurious cruising experience and great entertainer for big-city waterways like those around the Gold Coast, but even more so Sydney Harbour, Port Phillip, the SA Gulfs and even out to Rotto.

But worse luck for Barry-Cotter, the unthinkable happened. While in Monaco for the Grand Prix -- a bucket-list must-do, he says -- his staff sold his boat. The first ever S50 was snapped up by a Sydney buyer after it debuted at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May. That same boat made its Sydney boat-show appearance before we snagged a test drive on the way back to its berth.

Ours was a fleeting encounter, and who knows if Barry-Cotter ever really intended cruising aboard, but what better excuse for creating a loaded boat? Depending on your stage of life, you might see better value in the M50 with flying bridge, a veritable penthouse in the sky, with superlative cruising views, for just $60,000 more in base-boat mode.

But with the S50 there isn’t the separation you get with a flybridge, you still get serious offshore performance to head away at holiday time, and with sunroof and opening side windows, the S50 would be a great entertainer on a hot summer’s night, where driver and guests get to travel as one. Now all Barry-Cotter needs to do is keep one for himself.

Specifications:

Price as tested: $1,585,000 with upgraded 715hp Cummins QSM11 engine, Expedition Package including Miele appliances, aft rails and LED lighting; optional teak laid decking and hydraulic swim platform; engine controls to cockpit and Yacht Controller joysticks (x3); AV system upgrades with Bose Lifestyle and big TVs, plus satellite TV with Foxtel; heavy-duty anchor winch and underwater lights; Simrad electronics; heated towel rails and loads more.

Priced from: $1.33 million with standard 670hp Volvo D11 engines and a boatload of standard inclusions including bow and stern thrusters, 17.5kVa Onan, 4kW inverter and more.

LOA: 16.15m

Hull length ISO: 16.15m

Beam: 5.20m

Draft: 1.30m (max)

Weight: Around 21,000kg dry with twin Volvo D11 engines

Sleeping: Six

Fuel capacity: 4000 litres

Water capacity: 800 litres (plus 200 litre/hour watermaker)

Holding tank: 300 litres

Engines: Twin 715hp Cummins QSM11 common-rail diesel inboard engines with shaft drives, ZF gearboxes and five-blade Teignbridge props

Generator: Onan 17.5 kVa

Supplied by:

SBM Maritimo

81 Parriwi Road

Mosman, NSW, 2088

Phone: (02)9968 1222

sbmmaritimosydney.com.au?

Built by:

Maritimo Offshore,

15 Waterway Drive,

Coomera, Qld, 4209

Phone: (07) 5588 6000

Website: www.maritimo.com.au

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Maritimo S50 Cruising Motoryacht

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