Review: Maritimo X60
REVIEW: MARITIMO X60
Of all the surprises wrapped up in Maritimo’s revolutionary X60 yacht, perhaps the most startling occurs when you dump the gleaming Twin Disc throttle.
It’s just more of the same — smooth, effortless Scania muscle rushing through the rev counter, being delivered via a hull-shape that speaks to Maritimo’s vast racing pedigree.
And it’s really that last concept which sums up what young gun designer Tom Barry-Cotter has delivered with the X60 — a carefully considered, rigorously engineered sports yacht that blends inspired design with lessons learned from Maritimo’s years of building and racing boats.
But ‘inspired design’? Really? Isn’t that what every yacht designer claims about their newest vessel? Well, yes, but in this case it’s gloriously true.
Tom B-C (yep, he’s the son of legendary Maritimo founder Bill) has delivered something openly exhilarating with the X60; it combines cleverly engineered hull-form and layout with a modular aft cabin.
Taking inspiration from superyachts (where owners enjoy lounging on their expansive swimplatforms before nipping inside for a cold glass of Veuve Clicquot), the X60’s masterstroke is an aft Beach Club, offering water-level access, a full bar, dayhead, storage and more. There’s much to like about a shady, comfortable nook where parents can keep a close eye on novice swimmers, sun-worshippers can lounge on the water’s edge and scuba missions can be launched with ease.
But here’s the real (fully customisable) surprise: if a Beach Club is not your thing, the X60 can alternatively be optioned with this aft space as an extra guest cabin, tender garage or even a deluxe galley. Each of these options can easily retain the convenience of an ocean-level dayhead too, so wet or sandy swimmers need not longer trek through your pride and joy.
BUILT TO FIT
Of course, custom yacht builds are nothing new, but what’s special about this Maritimo is the flexibility for owners to tailor a vast space at the aft of this yacht to their exact requirements – an unheard-of concept in a 60-footer.
More importantly, the X60 has been engineered with this adaptable space in mind. In fact, as Tom explained, this was his starting point. “The whole boat has been designed around that aft cabin,” he said. “The engineering systems, the balance, everything – it’s all been tweaked to make that space work. “By including the aft cabin in our initial plans, it has opened up so much extra accommodation space, so we’re not trying to push the engine room as far aft as possible to the furthest point where it can be located.”
This has seen all the heavy engineering equipment placed close to the X60’s centre of gravity, so that regardless of the choices a buyer might tick on the options list, every vessel will perform just as it was intended to. “Anything which can vary in weight has been placed as close to the centre of gravity as possible,” Tom told us. “Whether it’s fuel tanks, water tanks, optional gyro, optional watermakers, all the batteries – the heavy equipment that could change weight depending on customer specifications has all been located near the centre of gravity, so it never changes that balance we worked so hard to achieve. "This means the trim attitude of the running hull is perfectly balanced throughout the rev range, offering a more comfortable ride, and better economy and performance.”
BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Reports from the Sanctuary Cove and Sydney boat shows would indicate the boating public are equally enthusiastic about this latest release from Maritimo. Launched at SCIBS, the showstopping X60 produced best-ever sales figures for Maritimo — 13 of these new models have been signed for — with the first build crossing to New Zealand on its own hull last month.
A ‘little sister’ X50 was also launched at the Sydney show in August and is scheduled to debut in 2019, so Maritimo’s industrious boat yard looks to have its order books full for the next few years at least.
While the modular aft cabin/Beach Club arrangement is certainly appealing to eager buyers, there’s plenty more going on within this clever new yacht.
Electric sunroofs roll back over the helm station and the galley to create an enviable, airy flow throughout the X60 – and that’s before you open the side windows.
Hang on. Windows? On a sports yacht? Big deal… oh no, these are something extraordinary.
Custom-designed by Alfab and described as ‘panoramic three-stage sliding saloon windows’ these huge expanses of cyclone-rated glass open up the entire topsides of the X60, from the helm right back to the galley, giving a whole new meaning to ‘al fresco living’.
Much like the rear utility space, the structure of the X60 was created to include both the sunroofs and those massive windows along the cabin sides, with engineers forming extra strength into the hardtop to accommodate these concepts as a building block, not an afterthought. And in keeping with the occasionally harsh Australian climate and its friendly insect life, both the forward and aft sunroof include blockout blinds and bug screens to keep owners comfortable in any weather.
RACE INSPIRED
Skippers will also appreciate the fantastic lines of sight opened up while docking with the helm-side windows rolled back. Those same lucky X60 captains have the sumptuous pleasure of helming from a delicious new dash. Again taking inspiration from Maritimo’s race boats, the reinvented helm is set to be rolled out across the brand’s range, including features such as a hand-stitched leather boot around the steering column and mood lighting beneath the armrest.
However, the real appeal is impressive new levels of functionality. Two enormous Garmin touchscreens sit just above the Scania engine monitoring units, which are right next to the autopilot and thruster controls. All this critical information is clustered together neatly, and just outboard of the screens are the Twin Disc throttles and Express Joystick System for unrivalled manoeuvrability in docking situations.
FAST PASSAGEMAKER
On the water, Tom’s ongoing experience with Maritimo Racing is borne out through the X60’s slippery performance. Working closely with fellow X-Cat racer Ross Willaton, Maritimo’s engineering team delivered on its goal of hull efficiency throughout the cruising range, coupled with a soft and dry ride.
Sea trials on our test boat produced impressive figures, especially with an upgrade from the standard Volvos to Scania DI 13s, pushing 925hp each. While top speeds approaching 34kts should be enough to keep the most hot-blooded X60 owner appeased, it’s the long-range capability that is truly interesting.
The variable deadrise hull, coupled with the efficiency of shaft-drives, mean that even at a thrilling 27kts, the X60’s fuel rate is less than 100lt/hr. Coupled with a hearty 4200lt tank, this will see adventurous owners able to knock off more than 1000nm at a high-speed cruise, including a safety reserve – those are some serious legs for a 60ft sports yacht!
REGENCY SUITE
This versatility and ease of customisation is clearly a major factor behind the number of eager X60 owners who have already signed on the dotted line. As mentioned, the engine room comes with a gyro bed ready-to-go for clients wishing to install a Seakeeper gyro and fitting a watermaker is an equally simple proposition. All of a sudden, your harbour sportscruiser is ready to take on bluewater Pacific missions or serious passagemaking up and down the coast.
But the options don’t stop there. If a full-beam master suite doesn’t offer quite enough room, there’s an opportunity to extend this cabin down the starboard side a little further, in a configuration known as the Regency Suite. This sees the starboard bunk cabin optioned into a luxe ensuite plus walk-in robe servicing the master cabin, though to be fair, the standard configuration does offer acres of space as is. This sees a desk and daybed adjacent to the centrally-located queen bed, while elliptical portlights provide welcome ventilation belowdecks.
The satin walnut timber used throughout the X60 contrasts softly with muted grey fabrics of the daybed and wall panels, including the stylish headliner. This understated design palette continues through the accommodation deck to the starboard twin with its crossover beds (easier access than traditional bunks) and the VIP forward stateroom, which again demonstrates progressive thinking. Here, the queen bed is offset at around 60° into the starboard bow, opening up unheard-of space around the cabin – yet another one of those moments where you ask: “Why didn’t someone come up with this sooner?” The forward and twin cabins share access to the lower dayhead and a Miele washer and dryer are concealed beneath the stairs as you head aft to the master.
TAKE YOUR SEATS
For guests enjoying the single-level opulence of the X60’s main deck, it’s hard to believe this is a 19m yacht. The open spaces overhead and to the side, afforded by the dual sunroofs and panoramic windows respectively, create the impression of a much larger yacht – you’re not hemmed in by bulkheads; you’re literally at one with the outdoors.
This is amplified by the vast range of seating options at your disposal: a U-shaped lounge around the flip-out dining table, a double-seater behind the helm and a classic Euro lounge in the cockpit nestled up to a minimalist raw teak table.
There’s also an enormous electric barbecue and chef station just through the bifold aft doors (which can be swapped for a sliding arrangement if you feel the need for extra cockpit seating).
WATERSIDE LIVING
Which brings us again to that epic Beach Club. For Tom and his team, it made absolute sense to include this option on their debut vessel as it toured recent boat shows, solely for the impact it has on potential buyers.
It’s all too easy to picture yourself relaxing at water-level with your closest friends, enjoying a cold drink at what is basically your very own swim-up bar. There’s a wine fridge to hand, icemaker, sink and ample storage. Heck, there’s even a TV you can view while bobbing in the ocean, hanging off the swimplatform! Most buyers to date have ticked the Beach Club option, such is its appeal, though a handful chose to appoint the utility space as a fourth cabin, and others selected the tender garage/PWC storage.
Just being able to offer clients such an unconventional level of customisation really provides Maritimo with a solid footing and distinct advantage in what is becoming a very crowded market for single-level sports boats. But its clear designer Tom and his team have done their homework in terms of what the people want and this is already being demonstrated in the strong sales figures to date. What you get is an innovative vessel that fits a whole lot into its length and, while not exactly cheap, the X60 sure is a lot of boat for the money. It’s smart thinking done well by Maritimo and that will always sell.
Facts & Figures
PRICED FROM $2,232,000
PRICE AS TESTED $2,573,000
OPTIONS FITED
Scania DI 13 925hp upgrade, Twin Disc EJS 300, Beach Club to aft cabin, raw teak cockpit table, electric cockpit barbecue, LED mood-lighting package, Maritimo panoramic sliding saloon windows, forward and aft sunroof, Miele washer/dryer, 43in LED TV, Bose Acoustimass entertainment system, underwater LED lights, Amtico flooring.
GENERAL
MATERIAL GRP
TYPE Aft-cabin monohull sports yacht
LENGTH 19.42m
BEAM 5.21m
DRAFT 1.45m
WEIGHT 30.5t
CAPACITIES
PEOPLE 6 (night) +2 in aft cabin option
FUEL 4200L
WATER 800L
HOLDING TANK 2x400L
ENGINE
MAKE/MODEL 2 x Scania DI 13 093M 925hp
TYPE Six-cylinder inline common-rail diesel
DISPLACEMENT 13.0L
SUPPLIED BY
Maritimo
15 Waterway Drive,
Coomera, QLD, 4209
Phone (07) 5588 6000
Web maritimo.com.au
The full review featured in issue #508 of Trade-a-Boat magazine. Subscribe today for all the latest boat news, reviews and travel inspiration.
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