Appeared on the October 2018 Cover of Sea Magazine
Layout options abound on this fun-to-drive and efficient 63-footer.
The Maritimo X60 made its international debut at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in Australia in May, and then recently the first U.S. version arrived for the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis, Md. At both shows — and I suspect wherever it goes — the Maritimo X60 drew crowds and had lines of people waiting to get a closer look.
What makes this new Maritimo so exciting? It simply does what most boats cannot: offer a substantial aft cabin and remain visually appealing. Twin cockpit stairwells surround a large hydraulically powered transom door that gives access to a unique aft cabin that can be configured in a variety of ways. This cabin provides versatility and allows owners to get close to the water in a way only seen previously on much larger yachts, without ruining the lines of the boat.
At first glance the Maritimo X60 looks like a stylized version of the builder’s popular S Series sedans, but the touch of a button gently lifts the transom up like the hatchback of a luxury car. One would expect this to lead to a tender garage — an option, certainly — but the X60 I toured Down Under had an aft cabin Beach Club. A stairwell to port provides easy access. Inside along the swim platform is a finished bar area where one can sit and look out at the water while enjoying a cocktail or a glass of wine. A full-size head complete with a separate shower is to port, and a large flat-screen TV graces the forward bulkhead above the wet bar and refrigerator. An internal stairway leads to the main salon and has engine-room access along the way.
The X60’s aft cabin can be configured as a beach club, which is shown here, a stateroom or a tender garage.
This beach club design is impressive and unlike anything I have seen before on a vessel of this size. Its proximity to the water, access through the transom and the cabin, and view astern create a different perspective in this unique socializing area. Details such as pullout barstools, ample storage, ambiance lighting, and an actuator that lifts and seals the transom doorway complete the cabin.
The Maritimo X60 I toured in Annapolis had the aft cabin set up as a stateroom. The same transom hatch and access lead to a cabin with a center island bed. The head and shower remain, as does the internal stairway to the salon. The proximity to the water conjures up visions of open-air sleeping on temperate nights with the moon and stars above. Daytime can be spent sunning on the swim platform or sitting partially submerged, like in a wading pool, with the platform lowered into the water. A crew could enjoy a cocktail or dine at a small table on a warm day with their feet dangling in the shallow water.
Few owners will trade the larger amidships master to make this their primary cabin, as it is a bit tight, but it remains a fun alternative sleeping cabin when climate permits and a great place to lounge and relax with the sea air close at hand. It also provides a private extra double cabin, even with the transom door closed. Another option utilizes the aft cabin as a tender garage and water toy area. The stairwell and access to the transom remain. The head and shower stay, making a great day head and changing room. Wet guests returning from swimming or watersports can enter through the transom, take a warm shower and change privately before entering the cabin via the internal stairway to the salon. A large RIB (3.2 meters) is stowed and concealed to starboard. The remaining cabin area wraps around the tender garage and includes ample room for scuba tanks, compressors, inflatable water toys, bicycles, beach furniture and more. With the tender in the garage, a PWC can be cradled on the swim platform.
What makes all these aft cabin options work and the reason you don’t see this on other vessels in this size range is Maritimo’s commitment to shaft-driven boats with super-efficient low shaft angles. Maritimo is owned by Australian boat builder Bill Barry-Cotter, who started Mariner Cruisers in 1966, founded Riviera Yachts in 1980, sold Riviera in 2002 and created Maritimo in 2003.
Barry-Cotter and his team, including his son Tom, not only design and build recreational boats, but they own and race offshore powerboats. Designing, building, and racing boats keeps them informed about new technology in engines, equipment and materials that can be applied to the recreational boats. Their racing heritage and experience in building boats created their preference for shaft-driven boats. With shafts, engines can be positioned farther forward, which provides balance and performance — and allows for an aft cabin accommodation area not possible with pods.
The unique aft cabin layouts and cabin configuration choices are not all that the X60 has to offer. Given the builder’s racing heritage, its boats are known for their performance. I was lucky enough to run the first X60 in Australia, powered by Scania 925 engines, and then run the American boat in Annapolis equipped with standard Volvo Penta D13-800s (D13-1000s are an option).
The aft cabin concept of the X60 is not just for accommodations; placing the engines farther amidships helps it perform. With the helm forward and a low shaft angle, bowrise was barely perceptible, even without tabs, as it rose up evenly and accelerated smoothly. In Chesapeake Bay we encountered choppy seas, and the X60 sliced through them without any slamming or banging. It was raining and we took some spray as I spun donuts through the short chop, but intermittent wipers helped us maintain excellent visibility. Its low running angle allowed us spot and avoid a myriad of crab pots as we headed out to run our performance numbers. Steering, which is derived from Maritimo race boats, was tight and direct and worked flawlessly as we slalomed through the buoys.
As expected the top speed of the Volvo 800-powered boat was slightly less — 28.2 knots vs. 33 knots — than the higher-horsepower Scania 925 vessel. At 20 knots the Volvo-powered boat burned 49 gph and had a range of 408 miles. A burn of 2.4 gallons per nautical mile is good efficiency for a vessel of this size at cruise. Range is a slightly better 424 miles at 18.7 knots, and it drops to 355 miles at 25.1 knots and 343 miles at 28.2 knots.
Up the stairs the main salon is decked out with comfortable seating on both sides and twin helm seats forward to starboard. The X60 has Maritimo’s signature aft galley, which includes a large pop-out pantry, an island and folding doors that join the cockpit. Cockpit seating around a teak table creates a nice outdoor gathering area protected by an overhang. Cockpit amenities include an electric grill, a sink, an ice-maker and a refrigerator. A second seating area with a table adjacent the galley is an option. There is excellent continuity between the salon, galley and cockpit that creates a large, open entertaining area that can be segmented into smaller gathering spaces.
Ahead of the galley to port, a lounge with a dining table is raised slightly to ensure excellent visibility while running. Dual opening skylights, one over the galley and the other forward over the helm, provide air and light, which highlights the contemporary furnishings and finely finished wood.
The helm has twin adjustable seats, and the throttles and controls are within easy reach of the driver along the opening side window. Visibility from the helm is good all around, whether the driver is seated or standing. A cushioned lounge seat just ahead of the windshield on the foredeck creates a congregating spot, and a large sunpad farther forward adds to the appeal.
Belowdecks offers two master cabin options. One features a full-beam master with an en suite head and a second double cabin forward with an angled island bed. An alternate layout places the master head inside the master cabin, along the port side, and creates a twin bunk cabin in the corridor. With the aft-cabin stateroom, options include four cabins (three doubles and a twin); three cabins (all doubles); three cabins (master, double forward and a twin); or a master, a double cabin and the beach club.
