New Maritimo M61 world launch

Amid the bright lights and the razzle-dazzle of a Gold Coast soiree with "After 5 Beach Party" dress code, Maritimo rolled out its dashing new M61 Cruising Motor Yacht to rousing applause earlier this month.

Then, as the clock struck midnight, Greg Haines, the head of Marketing at Maritimo, was off to hospital to launch another new model, his first son Quintin Sydney Haines, to wife Renee who did the heavy lifting. The little fella was eventually born 8:12am Sunday May, 8, 2016 at 8lbs and 55cm. Double congrats.

Having winged it to Southport Sailing Squadron to attend the world Maritimo boat launch — ahead of the new model's public showing at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show opening May 19-22 — we have a bit to share on this new 61ft addition.

After a long labour, the birth earlier in the night was of a new long range-cruiser with trademark big-boat Maritimo poise, but in a more affordable owner/driver cruising package than the M65 on which the hull is based.

Deemed a mini version of the company's big-hitting M65, the new 61 footer has been designed with serious cruising comforts and range to whisk you away to, well, the Whitsundays where the tropics are the real deal.

Already five M61s have been sold all to existing Maritimo owners and they are all Queenslanders, we're told. Evidently, the forward-order book now extends well into 2017 thanks largely to strong domestic sales.

SCANIA ENGINES
Maritimo has previously estimated
that with the base Volvo Penta D13 900s, and a fuel capacity of 5700 litres, its new M61 will be good for 750
nautical miles at 21-22 knots cruise. Long-range motor yacht, indeed.

But as things transpired, this first M61 had a pair of upgraded common-rail 1150hp D16 V8 Scanias for a top speed in excess of 32 knots, yet a similar cruising range and consumption thanks to the common-rail engines.

After being buoyed by the success its M65 cruising motor yacht, upon which this little sister is based, the M61 claims to have as much cruising capability but in a lower priced, entry-level 60 footer with a base price is $2.554m.

FIVE QUEENSLAND SALES
Seeing a gap between the M65 and the M58, Maritimo built this first new M61 for a Gold Coast owner who has had three Maritimos previously.

The
boat that was launched sported a three-cabin three-bathroom configuration but you can also have four
cabins and two bathrooms, even an office by eliminating
one of the bathrooms.

Of course, there is a full beam master suite (access down a starboard side companionway) and virtually everything else that Maritimo delivers in its long-range motor yachts including lots of handcrafted joinery and David Stewart interior designer touches and packages.

CUSTOM OPTIONS
As these are customer-driven boats and built for existing owners, no two 61s sold to date are the same.

The boat can also be set up to
include crew quarters, extra accommodation aft, a gyro and custom interiors including the option of Wenge, dark teak, walnut and traditional teak timber joinery.

Catering will be a breeze thanks to the generous aft galley with the option of side-by-side domestic sized
refrigerators and island servery. Miele appliances come standard.

The new M61 can have the popular Euro-style transom or it could be
optioned to include Maritimo’s traditional island transom, or even a fishing
transom layout.

After making a splash and stealing the limelight, the new 61 will be displayed at the Sanctuary Cove boat show in May, Sydney boat show in August and Fort Lauderdale in October this year.

AT-A-GLANCE: Maritimo M61
Priced From: $2.554m
LOA: 19.48m
Hull LengTH (ISO): 19.48m
Beam: 5.67m
Draft: 1.425m
Dry Weight: 38,860kg
Fuel: 5600 lt
Water: 750lt
Holding Tanks: 300lt
Sleeping: Three cabin for 6, option fourth cabin/crew + 2
Engines: 900hp Volvo Penta D13 with shaftdrive standard, upgraded 1150hp D16 Scania on boat #1
Generator: 17.5kW
More at www.maritimo.com.au.