Luxury cruiser manufacturer Maritimo, which struck a winner with its all new Maritimo M65 cruising motor yacht, has now launched a ‘mini version’, the M61 cruising motor yacht which has a lower priced entry level while providing many of the same features and benefits of its bigger sibling.
The M65, which was publicly launched at this month’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, has been a popular model for the company with negotiations now underway on boat number seven, but Maritimo saw a niche for a similar styled vessel that sat between the M65 and the M58.
The first M61 cruising motor yacht is in build and will be delivered to its Gold Coast owner in February next year. The owner has had three Maritimo’s previously.
Big boat enthusiasts are expected to embrace the new M61, which requires less berthing space than its larger sibling, has almost all the same features, albeit proportionally smaller, and is priced under $2.5 million.
The company expects strong orders for this model and will be revealing detailed drawings and specifications on it at the mid-year Sydney International Boat Show
“Like the M65 this is a serious motor yacht and the interest we have had in this new model has been tremendous,” according to Maritimo Sales and Marketing Manager Greg Haines.
“The boat can come as a three cabin three bathroom configuration or four cabins and two bathrooms or you can even have an office by eliminating one of the bathrooms.
“It has the full beam master suite and virtually everything else that the M65 delivers only slightly smaller. “It will be ideal for people who have limited berthing area and cannot accommodate the M65.
“It is a go anywhere motoryacht which can accommodate a family in style, safety and comfort for some genuine blue water passage making.”
Mr Haines said the M61 was powered by D13 900’s and could be set up to include crew quarters or accommodate a gyro. Interiors would include the popular Wenge timber finish and the soft furnishings and fit out would be the same as the M65 in terms of quality.
Mr Haines said with Maritimo’s super efficient shaft drive and hull design technology the company is able to deliver even better fuel consumption figures than its competitors using pod-drives across the full range of Maritimo models and he says the M61 will be no exception.
Maritimo has estimated that with fuel capacity of 5700 litres it will have a range of 750 nautical miles at a speed of 21-22 knots.
Catering is a breeze with a massive galley with the option of side-by-side domestic sized refrigerators. Miele appliances are standard.
Room to relax and kick back is no problem with the saloon lounge being 2.5metres long.
Mr Haines said the flybridge was similarly large and there were options for convertible berths, relocatable tables and a wet bar.
“Some of our buyers like the idea of having a separate area for their teenage children to have their own space,” he said.
He said like the M65 the new M61 could have the popular Euro style transom or it could be optioned to have Maritimo’s traditional island transom or a fishing version.