The strong silent type, the new Maritimo M75

When a new Maritimo M75 arrived in Seattle, WA, near where I live, I was excited to get on board. During a visit to the Maritimo factory in Coomera, Queensland, Australia earlier this year, several new M75s were under construction, but I wasn’t able to drive this model because no finished boat were available. Now I joined Maritimo’s customer service manager, Captain Tom Jagucki, and local Factory Sales Specialist Mark Mansfield for a ride up to the San Juan Islands aboard a new Maritimo M75.

Long-range offshore capabilities

Maritimos are designed to run offshore even in harsh conditions, which can occur in both the Southern Pacific waters of Australia, where they are built, and the coasts of the United States. The Maritimo M75 carries 2,164 US Gallons/10,000 liters of fuel which when combined with their efficient hull form and low angle straight shaft propulsion, gives the boat tremendous range. At 8.8 knots, the range I calculated on the M75, leaving a 10% reserve, is 1,738 nautical miles and our test boat featured optional twin MTU 10V 2000 M96 rated at 1,625hp each. Even better news is that the M75 provides long-range capability even when running faster. Traveling 18 knots, the range is over 500 nautical miles, and at 26 knots you can go 421 nautical miles, even with the big optional MTU engines.

The Maritimo M75, while a sizeable boat at 75’8” (23.07 m) and 121,695 lbs (55,200 kg) displacement, is also remarkably easy to handle. The locks we went through to get out of Lake Union are only 28’ (8.5 m) wide, leaving 8’ (2.4 m) of lateral space over our 19’8” (6 m) beam. Stick a few fenders in there, and it is pretty tight. For increased maneuverability, both engines have variable-speed transmissions which are also integrated with a Side Power bow thruster to provide convenient joystick operation. This ZF XENTA (JMS™) Joystick Maneuvering System allows precise control even in tight quarters, like the locks, that have concrete walls on both sides. DPS (Dynamic Positioning System) is also available, so you can hold position while setting fenders, preparing for docking, or just waiting for a lock to open like we did.

The sound of silence

Once through the locks, we exited into the open waters of Puget Sound and headed for Admiralty Inlet. As we cruised, I noticed that the M75 was amazingly quiet. Even at 23 knots, dB readings measured in the low 60s, which is below the volume of most conversations. I have been testing boats for many years, and even with the big MTUs churning below the M75 is one of the quietest boats I have tested. Not having to raise your voice to talk even when moving fast is really nice. The quietness also belies the speed. Humming along at 26 knots/85% load, it didn’t even seem like we were going that fast. Sure, you can hear the big MTUs at top speeds, but they are just purring along.

Clearing past the Point Wilson lighthouse near Port Townsend, we were entered the eastern section of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The combination of wind and current was not ideal in this area. The Maritimo M75 blasted right along unencumbered, while short, steep waves angled sharply on our port side and splashed a bit onto the lower windows, a little spray even blew high enough to reach the bridge. Even in these strange conditions, we moved steadily at 25+ knots without any creaking, pounding or rolling. The boat just felt solid. Closer to the San Juans, the wave angle and current changed, and the boat was completely dry again. The waves, even when they were nearly broadside, really hadn’t impacted our progress nor rolled the boat. The Maritimo M75 is equipped with a Quick Gyro system and Humphrees interceptor style trim tabs which probably helped.

Skybridge salon and cockpit

The enclosed flybridge of the M75 where we sat is a great spot to run the boat in climate-controlled comfort. Two adjustable helm seats offer excellent visibility and easy access to the wheel and controls. Adjacent to the helm, is an L-shaped lounge that also has a good view when underway. Aft of the helm seats, is a large lounge with a pull-out bed, so the bridge can double as an extra cabin when needed. On the boat I tested there was no day head on the bridge or salon level, which I think would be a convenient add on that would eliminate traversing the stairs to access the nearest head. A flat screen TV rises out of a varnished cabinet from across from the lounge for movie night or to watch the game away from any noise or intrusion at the dock.

On temperate days, you can also open the side windows, overhead sunroof, and aft doors on the flybridge to let in fresh air. The aft deck, which they call the skybridge cockpit, can be configured with different seating options. On our test boat, there was a U-shaped lounge with a table and a stand-up bar. To me this whole bridge level adds a lot to the boat. Maritimo also makes an S75, a sedan version of the M75, but personally I really like the extra space and comfort of the skybridge.

Centrally located galley

We were now in the whale zone, where Orcas are often seen off Lime Kiln Park on San Juan Island, but unfortunately no whales were visible, so I wandered down the stairs from the enclosed bridge to check out the rest of the boat below. The stairs connect conveniently to the salon and galley, which facilitates entertaining on both levels. The main salon has plush seating and indoor dining near the galley. Similarly, aft doors swing wide open to connect the galley to a mezzanine-style cockpit with seating and a table for al fresco dining under the bridge deck overhang above. That central location of the galley, which features an island, pull-out pantries, multiple large fridges, an electric cooktop and oven, a deep sink and plenty of storage, makes the layout versatile. The galley is the center of activity whether meal prepping or serving, and connects equally well, fore, aft, or up to the bridge. It’s a Maritimo hallmark that I really like.

Aft of the forward-facing cockpit lounge, twin stairwells lead to a large open area they call the adventure deck. Here, a console hides a wet bar, electric grill and an entrance to a crew cabin with twin bunk beds and its own head. While most American owners won’t necessarily have crew this cabin has benefits. When swimming, returning to the boat from shoreside adventures, or even just cocktailing on that big open aft deck, you can duck into this cabin to use the head. This cabin also provides engine room access so mechanics can enter the machinery spaces without entering into the main cabin. The aftmost section behind the adventure deck has a dinghy lift system to hold your tender which on our test boat was a 12’8″/3.90m William 395 Jet Tender RIB.

Four staterooms and three heads

Below on the cabin deck, the owner’s suite runs full beam with a centerline king-size bed, and unlike some boats that tuck this cabin amidships, I measured 6’8” of headroom. The master head also runs nearly the full beam of the boat and, in stone-clad beauty, has twin sinks and a massive shower compartment. There is also a large dressing/closet area near the entrance to this head along with plenty of storage throughout this cabin. Side windows with opening ports bring in light, and a large flat screen is conveniently embedded in the wall opposite the foot of the bed.

The forward VIP stateroom has a bed that is slightly canted providing a full walk around as it is not tucked into the forepeak “V-berth” style, and it has its own ensuite head. There are also two other cabins, one with over/under single berths and the other with twin beds that can be moved together to create another double berth when needed. Of course, there is another head with a shower that acts as the day head and serves these twin cabins, and the laundry machines are concealed behind cabinets in the foyer.

Maneuvering

With my tour of the accommodations complete, I made my way back up to the near silence of the skybridge to complete my performance test. The test data showed that the Maritimo M75 has plenty of range and power, and with proven offshore capabilities, owners can pick and choose pretty much anywhere they want to go. The boat handled the choppy, wind against the current conditions in the Strait just fine, but now there were only short waves as I whirled around in tight circles to assess handling. I have always been impressed with the tight steering on Maritimos, which is derived from their offshore racing, and true to form, the M75 felt lively and completely in control at the wheel. In a super hard turn at 24 knots, speed dropped to around 20 knots, but I could have throttled up to make the boat carve tighter and faster. In more normal circles of 5-6 boat lengths, we only lost a knot and the boat felt better even though we still didn’t heel much into the turns because of the keel below. That said, it is nice to have the keel to improve tracking and stability in rough conditions, and in the Pacific Northwest it gives you a bit of protection from the ubiquitous crab traps that pepper the area in the summer. For a big boat, the Maritimo M75 is fun to drive and handles like a much smaller boat for the most part, although its inherent heft cuts through waves like they are nothing, demonstrating the strength behind the nimbleness.

Sadly, our time aboard the Maritimo M75 was nearing an end. We headed into Roche Harbor to turn the boat over to the owner and meet up with my son Avery, a pilot for San Juan Airlines who we had arranged a charter flight for us to get home. As Tom washed down the boat to get her ready for her next adventures with her owners, I collected my test gear from the enclosed flybridge. Gazing out the wide windows across the marina, I realized that the engines were now turned off. Whether underway or sitting at the dock, I really enjoyed being on this boat, particularly up on the skybridge where I sat. As I looked around, thinking about my time aboard this Australian beauty the phrase “The strong silent type,” just kind of stuck in my head.

https://www.maritimoamericas.com/model/maritimo-m75/

Pricing Available Upon Request

Maritimo M75 Specifications

LOA: 75′ 8″ / 23.07 m
Length On Deck: 75′ / 22.86 m
Beam: 19′ 8″ / 6.00 m
Draft: 5’3″ / 1.60 m
Air draft (to top of mast): 24′ 10″ / 7.57 m
Displacement: 121,695 lbs / 55,200 kg
Fuel Capacity (Diesel): 2,641 US gal / 10,000 L
Freshwater Capacity: 370 US gal / 1,400 L
Blackwater Capacity: 105 US gal / 400 L
Generator: 2X Kohler 21.5kW 60Hz
Standard Power: 2X Scania D16 1,150 MHP each
Optional Power (as tested): 2X MTU 10V 2000 M96 @ 1,625hp each

Best4Boats Performance Snapshot

Maritimo M75 w 2X MTU 10V 2000 M96 @ 1,625hp each

Performance Data Analysis – Maritimo M75

2X MTU 10V 2000 M96 @ 1,625hp each
Test based on two way averages of reciprocal course

Arnie Hammerman Publisher

Boats and the ocean define my life. From teaching sailing to captaining yachts, marine publishing, and marketing, I’ve spent decades sharing seafaring tales. At Best4Boats, adventure awaits—welcome aboard!

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