BOAT REVIEW Maritimo S75

So, naturally, they took their time – three years in fact, which included conferring with owners while Managing Director, Tom Barry-Cotter, drove the architecture team to ensure this first hull was just right for its new Gold Coast owner. The stunning result gleamed before me at May 2023’s Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, where it was launched to the public.
“The global launch of the S75 heralds the start of Maritimo’s 20th Anniversary celebrations – and what could be more fitting in our 20th year than releasing this grand vessel, the epitome of everything that is Maritimo?” said Tom. In addition, a flybridge model, the M75, will be going to New Zealand before year’s end.

My first impression of the S75 was its striking and sleek profile, thanks to nearly 75 feet (23m) of waterline, including the vast 18 square-metre Adventure Deck. Some reverse sheer along the topsides enhances the look, while the tall hull, stylishly punctuated with elongated dark windows to match the targa bar and housing radar and satellite domes, clearly makes a sporty statement even at rest. Of course, style without substance is not much good offshore, so there’s a solid glass hull under the water with an elongated keel for both stiffness and linear stability.

Cruising
S75 hull # one is configured as a general-purpose vessel with large fore and aft cockpits to suit Australia’s mild outdoor climate. The S75’s signature feature is its Adventure Deck, a vast teak-clad swim platform, its hydraulic aft section able to deploy a heavy (1,000kg) tender. It includes a full-beam wet bar with electric barbecue in the forward bulkhead, which also provides access to the crew cabin via a hatch.

A step above this area, via transom doors each side, is the aft cockpit, completely shaded by the flybridge overhang, so ideal for diners around the inner dinette table at the transom couch and bench seat. Underfoot, a teak-clad hatch gives easy access to the engine room.
Yet more lounging space is found by walking along the deep side decks – their tall guardrails guided me safely to the bow where this S75 sported a double sunbed, but with shallow recesses, so no danger of any seas coming aboard compromising stability when offshore.

An oversized Australian made horizontal Muir windlass/capstan, combined with an equally large 60kg Ultra anchor, should give peace of mind at rest. Mooring essentials, like the sturdy cleats, were positioned all around and mid-ships, with powered capstans at the stern quarters.
The S75 saloon roof has been designed for storage – it can be accessed from the upper cockpit deck via a wide stairway and hatch. It serves as a utility deck space for storing a light tender, with 500kg davit offset to starboard, and smaller items such as paddleboards. Tall bulwarks hide water toys and reduce their windage while the storage provided frees up the transom area for fishing or diving.

Vast saloon
The low-slung S75 conceals its bulk well, but entering the saloon via the sliding door that opens into the rear galley next to the cockpit dinette reveals its true size. Ahead of the galley is the midships lounge; offset to starboard is the steering console, which with everything else seamlessly blends into this vast space. The U-shaped galley uses the entire aft section, which allows several people to work there, and is extensively equipped with two large freezer drawers, a microwave and separate oven, plus a four-plate electric hob, all by Miele. Other white goods include a small dishwasher, plus a washer and separate dryer downstairs.

Maritimo’s signature tall pantry rack cupboard and plentiful cupboard space enhance the galley’s useability, but ideally, fiddles on the stone bench tops would be good. Quality fixtures and fittings include locks on large cupboards, yet another offshore feature on the S75.
Just slide the rear doors shut when bugs are buzzing and the galley becomes cosy, yet still airy thanks to its vast side windows – the windows near the front slide open for plenty of fresh air.
A step-up on the panelled vinyl floor leads to a carpeted lounge with the ambience of a much larger vessel, thanks to the vessel’s generous beam and tall windows positioned perfectly at eye height when seated on the couches that surround the area. This boat’s owner was still deciding some final details, so no table had been installed yet, but the understated dark wood gloss finish will contrast nicely with the cream leather furnishings.

A couple of ottomans afford flexibility to this relaxed area, while a large television elevates from the bulkhead to port beside companionway stairs leading down to the atrium, naturally lit by the saloon windscreen overhead, and three cabins.
The console is a well-equipped navigation station with Twin Disc EJS joystick and throttles on the right, plus paddles for fore and aft thrusters. EJS activates the fore and aft thrusters and heading control – ideal for fishing mode or for waiting near the fuel dock. Given the vessel’s windage, controlling the shaft drives and thrusters with a simply operated joystick system will be ideal for most owners. In addition, a hand-held remote control can be used for close docking manoeuvres.
On this vessel, all the essentials, including tabs, the hydraulic steering wheel, and Garmin smarts (twin 24-inch MFDs), were all ergonomically laid out in front of the two Captain’s seats, along with the Scania engine displays for loading, temperature, oil pressure and other key data.

Full-beam owner’s suite
The central stairway leading below provides access to an optional lounge instead of a fourth cabin – a bright airy and convivial area. A seagoing layout suits the more adventurous owner who can sleep soundly while underway in the midships master cabin.
Located deep in the hull, using the entire 20-foot (6.1m) beam, the owner’s suite is outstanding with several furniture options including vanity table and benches with cedar-lined cabinetry. The cabin is a large space with 2m of headroom and no bulkheads to impinge upon the king-sized bed. Elongated hull windows give light with opening portholes for natural airflow. The full-width ensuite bathroom behind the bed is vast, with twin sinks, a freshwater flush electric head and a generous shower cubicle.

Also impressive is the bow cabin because, instead of the usual location in the middle, the queen bed is offset to starboard, creating a walking space around it. Overhead one large opening skylight doubles as an emergency exit. The bathroom is modestly proportioned, but functional with natural ventilation and a generous shower cubicle. Finally, the third cabin has two bunks and a rather small portlight, to round out the vessel’s practical accommodation.
Solid hull
The Maritimo S75’s hull is solid GRP below the waterline. Rigidity comes from a monolithic GRP liner, moulded longitudinally all the way to the forward cabin – a Maritimo-patented technique to enhance hull integrity. Similarly, the decks also have liners, as does the superstructure, enhancing both rigidity and insulation. This design creates a monocoque structure intended to last.

Scania 1,150hp engines were fitted to the review boat, running straight shafts to five-bladed Nimbral Veem propellers, but Maritimo is the first Australian manufacturer to offer an upgrade to Rolls Royce Power Systems MTU engines, which are available in the 2000 Series V10 1,625mhp per side. Deep bilges able to manage any water incursion without losing stability are a real plus in an offshore vessel.
Electrical power comes from twin Onan 22.5kW generators. At rest, twin ARG 250 T gyros can be deployed, with one in the engine room and the second aft on the Adventure Deck. Tankage includes twin wing tanks that feed into a central main tank, which puts centres weight low in hull. Tanks are GRP and moulded into the hull. All the vessel’s systems are neatly laid out, with electronic/hydraulic controls high on the forward bulkhead, alongside the Racor filters, and a sensible gravity gauge for fuel info (along with an electronic version). Wiring is marinised copper cabling, so easily fixed anywhere in the world.

Sea sojourn
After navigating the shallows of the Gold Coast’s sheltered Broadwater with its shifting sandbanks and fleets of jet skis, it was good to take the S75 to its natural element – offshore. Behind the wheel, I felt the long southerly Pacific swells beneath the stiff hull as I accelerated towards the eastern horizon – and with 10,000 litres fully loaded, the S75 can reach those far horizons!

The motion was heavily dampened and the natural trim – thanks to shaft drives putting engine weight inboard – negated the need for tabs (at least without a full cruising load). Turning was interesting, as unlike smaller Maritimos, this large hull didn’t heel into turns. But neither did it slide. It tracked flat and predictably and when I sought out our wake to the joinery and bulkhead fit, they didn’t complain as the swell crashed off the hull, before running obediently off the flared bows.
Offshore is not the best place for slow handling, but I tried it nonetheless. Noting the smooth, transmission as I went astern, I aimed the wide transom at a navigation mark and accelerated to replicate backing-up. This resulted in a large stern wave but no complaints from the S75 – and the Adventure Deck’s scuppers easily dealt with the small ingress of water. Then, twisting the EJS joystick, I spun the hull around before going astern with the growing breeze midships, all without dramas.

Skipper and company representative, Isaac, recommended a cruising speed of around 22 knots. This rate clearly suited the twin 1,150hp Scanias, which showed an optimum 80% engine load and 280 litres per hour total fuel consumption. That rate gives an impressive 785 nautical mile range.
So well-trimmed was the hull with those shallow-angled shaft drives, that no tabs were required as I accelerated to a maximum speed of 28 knots, noting that noise was minimal (measured at 68dba). Good trim also allowed me to see clearly forward and aft, the latter always essential around the busy Gold Coast. Just a nudge of the hydraulic wheel when another boat loomed up in the distance brought an instant smooth weave and a new direction as we surfed down following waves, the hull tracking straight rather than yawing – a nice way to finish an enjoyable afternoon on this most impressive 75-footer.