Ultimate adventurer

Style without substance is not much good offshore, so there’s a solid glass hull underwater and an elongated keel for stiffness and linear stability. Hull #1 is a general-purpose vessel with large fore and aft cockpits to suit Australia’s mild outdoor climate.

The S75’s signature Adventure Deck, a vast, teak-clad swim platform with a hydraulic aft section to float a 1,000-kilogram tender, includes a full-beam wet bar with an electric barbecue and an access hatch to the crew cabin.

One step up is the aft cockpit. Completely shaded by the flybridge overhang, a transom couch and inner dinette table with bench makes it ideal for alfresco dining. 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 to the bow, where this first hull sported a double sunbed but with shallow recesses to ensure any seas coming aboard didn’t compromise stability when offshore.

There’s a Muir windlass/capstan with 60-kilogram Ultra anchor, which should give peace of mind at rest. There are sturdy cleats all round, plus powered stern capstans.

The S75’s saloon roof has been designed for storage, accessed from the cockpit deck via a wide stairway and hatch. This utility deck has space for a light tender – with 500-kilogram davit to starboard – and for smaller items such as paddleboards, freeing the transom for fishing or diving. Tall bulwarks up top hide the toys and reduce their windage as well.

The low-slung S75 conceals its bulk well but the saloon reveals it in all its glory. A sliding door aft opens into the rear galley, adjoining the cockpit dinette. Forward, there’s a midships lounge and offset to starboard is the helm, with all parts seamlessly blending into this vast space.

The U-shaped galley uses the entire aft section, and it’s extensively equipped with two large freezer drawers, microwave and separate oven with four-plate electric hob, all by Miele. There’s a small dishwasher and, below decks, a washer and dryer. Maritimo has included its signature tall pantry and plentiful cupboard space, and locks on the large cupboards speak to the S75’s offshore ambitions.

Generous side windows running back from the saloon give a feeling of space, with the forward ones opening for a breeze. A step up to the carpeted saloon area gives the ambience of a much larger vessel, thanks to that generous beam and tall windows.

This first owner is still deciding on some details, but the dark-wood gloss finish is understated and contrasts with the cream leather furnishings. A couple of ottomans give flexibility and a casual air, and there’s a large television elevating on port, forward of which is the companionway to the three cabins, naturally lit via the windscreen.

The well-equipped helm offers Twin Disc EJS joystick and throttles plus paddles for fore and aft thrusters, with joystick control of all elements making for easy manoeuvring. In addition, a remote-control hand-held can be used for docking. On hull # 1, the essentials – including tabs, the hydraulic wheel and Garmin smarts (twin 24-inch glass screens, radar and autopilot) – are all ergonomically laid out in front of the two bucket seats. There are also Scania screens for key engine data.

Below, a lounge has been optioned instead of a fourth cabin, creating a sociable and airy space. A seagoing layout will suit adventurous owners who can sleep soundly while underway in the midship master.

Using the entire 6-metre beam, the owner’s suite is outstanding, with several furniture options including a vanity table and benches with cedar-lined cabinetry.

The cabin boasts 6-foot-plus headroom and a king-size bed, while elongated hull windows give light with two opening portholes. The full-beam ensuite behind the bed has twin sinks, an electric head and a generous shower cubicle.

Also impressive is the bow cabin, with a queen bed offset to starboard that gives walking space around it, while overhead there’s a large opening skylight. The ensuite is modestly proportioned but functional, with natural ventilation and an ample shower cubicle. The third cabin offers two bunks and a small portlight.

The hull build is solid GRP below the waterline, with rigidity coming from a monolithic GRP liner moulded longitudinally all the way to the forward cabin. The decks have a liner as well as the superstructure, which enhances rigidity and insulation while creating a monocoque structure built to last.

The first hull runs with Scania 1,150 hp engines driving shafts, and Maritimo also offers MTU 2000 V10s as an option, at 1,625 hp each. At rest, twin ARG 250 T gyros give stabilisation. Systems are neatly laid out and service elements are easy to reach.

After navigating the shallows of the Gold Coast’s Broadwater, it felt good to take the S75 to its natural element – offshore. Behind the wheel, I felt the long Pacific swells beneath the hull as I accelerated toward eastern horizons – and with 10,000 litres of fuel, the S75 can reach those far horizons.

The motion was heavily dampened, and the natural trim 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, rather tracking flat and predictably. I then sought out my wake to test the joinery and other bulkheads, which didn’t complain when the swell crashed off the hull before running obediently off the flared bows.

Offshore was not the best place for slow handling, but we went through the motions anyway. Noting the smooth transmission as I went astern, I aimed the wide transom at a navigation mark and accelerated to replicate backing up.

This brought a large stern wave but no complaints from the S75, and the Adventure Deck 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 done without dramas.

Skipper and company representative Isaac recommended a cruising speed of around 22 knots, which clearly suited the twin Scanias, showing 280 litres per hour for a 785-nautical-mile range. So well-trimmed was the hull that no tabs were required as I accelerated to a maximum speed of 28 knots, noting that noise was minimal at 68 dBA.

Good trim also allowed me to see clearly both forward and aft, the latter always essential around the busy Gold Coast. Just a nudge of the hydraulic wheel brought an instant smooth weave and new direction as we surfed down following waves with the hull tracking straight rather than yawing – a nice way to finish an enjoyable afternoon.

Maritimo clearly doesn’t rest on its laurels, and this latest addition to the range shows that care and attention in the design phase continue to pay off with a well-rounded, offshore-friendly cruiser that screams quality in everything from the hull lay-up to the finishing details. Bigger may not always be better, but it’s hard to think of a better proposition than the S75.

maritimo.com.au