Maritimo M70W
alking up to Pacific
Belle, the hull lines
immediately convey
offshore purpose.
Unlike many
imports, Maritimo hulls are penned
with rough water capability in mind.
The M70’s profile, the raised bow and
tall side decks, express purpose, as if
awaiting adventure – as a motoryacht
should. The flow of the raised bow to
the cabin sides is matched in upturn
details towards the rear of the cabin,
creating a feeling of movement. Yet
while tall, the lack of a radar arch keep
the look sleek, the salon windscreen
helping break up the height further.
OCEANS FROM HOME
The owner generously allowed us a
test between handover and the vessel’s
departure for tropical Fiji where Pacific
Belle will host family and friends.
Having previously owned a Meridian
44, Frank began the hunt for more
comfort, power and prestige with
a company willing to help fulfil his
dream. In stepped Maritimo, through
its Hope Island sales office, with a
new M58; the move to the M70 was
primarily to satisfy the need for more
guest accommodation. Work began
shortly after handover of the M58.
The team at Hope Harbour worked
with Frank over six months to create
a specification, originally including
bright orange paint to reflect his proud
Dutch heritage.
MOTIVATION
From one look at the immaculate
engine room and the standout brightly
coloured engine blocks and chrome
accents, Frank is clearly a motoring
enthusiast, and as with all Maritimo
products, the engine room is spacious
and well laid-out. A particular positive
is easy access to sea strainers, fuel
valves, circuit breakers and engine
service points. This reflects the blue
water intention; access while miles
offshore can be a matter of survival.
The choice of Scania powerplants –
each 1150hp and displacing 16.4 litres- was partly down to performance,
being near the hull’s maximum power
rating, but also on account of their
long service intervals and cruising
economy. Having cruised aboard an
M65 running 1150hp CATs, the Scanias
were noticeably smoother and quieter.
The engine room also reflects
Maritimo’s focus on self-driven
long-range cruising, with generous
headroom around 1.8m, bright lighting
including emergency systems, and
large well-positioned labels for key
switches, valves and gauges. It is an
engine room befitting a practical
boater, with access and safety in mind.
Driving the M70 is a fuss-free affair.
The gauges are well placed and easily
read, while the digital throttles are
smooth, if a little light between neutral
and engagement.
Power delivery from the twin 1150hp
Scanias is similarly smooth, with very
little lurch as revs and turbo pressures
rise to deliver full power at 2200rpm.
The engines are exceptionally well
insulated, and the optional privacy
door isolating the saloon from the
bridge further softens their deep
rumble. If peace and quiet appeal,
when optioning you motoryacht select
the privacy door – it does wonders.
Pushing the M70 out through a
wide tidal set rolling into the heads,
the on-water weight of approximately
48,000kg made itself apparent with the
bow pushing deep into the 2-3m waves
before lifting steadily with very little
spray. Testament to the craftsmanship
at the factory, it feels bigger and more
capable than the 71-foot size suggests.
The all-GRP hull never groaned or
flexed; it moved as one, tight as a much
smaller boat.
Inside the seclusion of the
broadwater, at a fast 18kt cruise, we
saw only 200L/h combined fuel burn,
a surprisingly good result bearing
testament both to the efforts of Scania
and the design efficiency of the
MAIN Maritimo prides itself on producing truly ofshore-capable vessels and that
ability is immediately obvious when you witness the depth of the bow
FAR LEFT Wide walkarounds are another Maritimo hallmark
LEFT The cockpit is on the same level as the main saloon, increasing entertaining spacetradeboats.com.au 25