Maritimo S70 reaches NZ in record time
Professional skipper reaches NZ from Gold Coast in 100 hours at 12.4 knots using 8500lt of fuelProfessional captain Russell Fleming recently completed his 50th delivery trip between Australia and New Zealand. But aboard Maritimo's new flagship S70 sedan motor yacht, powered by twin 900hp Scania D16 engines, it was his fastest crossing to date.
"We had 25 knots of wind on the bow and three and a half metres seas for about eight hours at one stage in the trip and she handled it beautifully," said the veteran skipper.
"We then had big following seas and she revelled in those conditions. Because she is single level the centre of gravity is quite low, she performs brilliantly in any conditions," he adds.
Captain Fleming said his 50th trip took just on 100 hours to cover the 1178 nautical miles, burning 8500 litres of diesel fuel. Average speed was 12.4 knots. The boat left the Gold Coast at 7am on a Saturday morning and arrived in The Bay of Islands four-days later.
This first ever S70 was delivered to her NZ owners, Brian and Cath Carran, who worked with Maritimo for almost two years creating their dreamboat.
Their decision to motor the boat from the Gold Coast to their home country was based on economics — it costs about half what it would to ship the boat across The Ditch.
Captain Fleming was chosen for his experience and his attention to detail in preparing the boat for what could be a dangerous exercise.
Two fuel bladders carrying 1500 litres each were added to the port and starboard side of the S70 and the hydraulic swim platform was removed and put in a container to be shipped to NZ.
The two crew, Colin Fraser and Matthew Birdsil, operated on a three-hours-on/six-hours-off watch system.
The Carrans didn't want a flybridge motoryacht, but were impressed by the performance of the M70 sister ship in sea trials off the Gold Coast.
The owners plan to use the boat around New Zealand and will consider venturing further afield to locations such as Fiji and Noumea.
Meantime, Captain Fleming must be wondering how he can top his latest and greatest crossing.
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