Spotlight: Maritimo Aegean 60

Maritimo Mediterraneo

Maritimo owner and CEO Bill Barry-Cotter has upped the ante on his European counterparts by taking the oft-introspective sportscruiser or sportsyacht and adding an open-air top deck entertainment level. The resulting Aegean 60 blends the best of both worlds or, rather, hemispheres.

After commanding attention with its new Sports Cabriolet range, the stylish Aegean models are sure to turn heads. Maritimo says it broke with tradition in creating the two new ranges, which expand on the Euro-style cruiser theme. While the Sports Cabriolet has been a big hit, the Aegean 60 is better for tropical climates, with an open-air flybridge featuring commanding second helm station, outdoor entertaining and plenty of lounges.

The A60, the first of three boats proposed for the Aegean range, is based on the C60 Sports Cabriolet. But with a stylish flybridge added to the superstructure, the boat will satisfy Aussies who enjoy doing their entertaining outdoors, surrounded by views and under the sun or moon. And the centrally positioned upper helm offers perfect views ahead.

The flybridge features a wraparound, sportsboat style windscreen and, to maximise the entertaining area, Maritimo has included a targa arch - for housing the radar, radomes and communications antennas - that angles back to overhang the rear of the flybridge and its stainless steel railing.

A bimini top can be specified to beat the rays during the harshest hours of the day, and access to the expansive flybridge is via a starboard internal staircase just aft of the lower of the two helm stations. The standard layout from Maritimo shows the flybridge helm and skipper's seat sitting on the centreline, with a large L-shaped lounge and table to port, opposite the stairwell and amentities centre with sink and fridge.

The cockpit expands on the alfresco theme up top, with a rear transom lounge fronting a table. Access through the saloon doors to the aft galley, which provides ample fridge and freezer space, storage, cocktail cabinet and a dishwasher, is nice and direct.

The saloon has opposing L-shaped lounges. The larger of the two is on the port side and features a table, which the smaller sits behind the starboardside helm that has the swivelling skipper's seat in-between. Accommodation on the Aegan 60 includes four staterooms, including a full-beam master with bed athwartships, en suite and walk-in wardrobes.

With the Sports Cabriolet and Aegean models, Maritimo has done away with the need for cranes or tenders on the foredeck, instead designing nifty transom garages. To access the garage that can house a 3.5m tender on the Aegean 60, a push-button control raises the cockpit sole and folds a section of transom forward.

The engineroom of the $1.6 million A60 is identical to the C60, with headroom, big-boat systems, and twin 715hp Caterpillar C12 diesels for speeds in excess of 30kts. Power is delivered through a ZF gearbox that drives five-bladed Teignbridge propellers.

Barry-Cotter, believes the new Aegean and, in particular, the sports Cabriolet models will make up the bulk of his company's business.

"I was aware that Eruopean manufacturers were selling various models in Australia and I came to the conclusion that we could build these kinds of boats as good if not better, but at US prices rather than the higher costs associated with the Euro," Barry-Cotter adds.

"Now that the first boats are in the water, I can truthfully say I am delighted; it's everything I wanted it to be, everything I hoped it would be," boasts Barry-Cotter.

For further information, visit www.maritimo.com.au