Trade-A-Boat — February 2018

M

aritimo has

become a

world force

among

luxury

boatbuilders and according

to marketing manager Greg

Haines, this is due in part

to listening to customer

feedback. Accordingly,

many of the ideas in the

new models were born

during a forum of Maritimo

owners in 2014.

Sharing a hull design with

the M48 fl ybridge, the new

S48 version joins the S43, S50

and S58 in the sedan range,

catering for those who prefer

a single-level platform,

either because of a dislike

of stairs or perhaps home

base requires passing under

a bridge.

These new 48s have their

origin in the sportsfi shing

470 Offshore Convertible,

but with raised sides and a

higher spray rail that reduces

the amount of noise on the

sides when at rest – one

of the suggestions of the

focus group. Being derived

from such an able seagoing

model, the S48 is a capable

cruiser and with 3200lt

diesel capacity owners can

confi dently set sights on

distant shores.

Although only marginally

shorter than the S50, the

S48 is noticeably smaller

and thus less intimidating

for couples to operate,

especially out of confi ned

moorings.

The boarding platform

leads to the cockpit through

transom gates. It’s worth

pausing here because the

transom moulding lifts on

rams to open a cavernous

garage under the deck,

accessible from the platform

or a fl oor hatch. The cockpit

has a folding table and a

transom lounge for four, the

roof overhang extending

across much of the area.

Wide doors open to the

saloon where a central island

unit adds to preparation

space because the galley is

set to port in the rear of the

saloon. Joinery is high-gloss

timber, contrasting with

white benchtops, the timber

theme continuing with

rosewood fl ooring in the

galley but moving to a light-

coloured carpet forward to

blend with the cream leather

lounges.

Forward of the galley are

deep windows that open at

the lounges and helm for

a great fl ow of breeze. An

electric sunroof allows more

light and air, while electric

sunblinds close at night.

There is room for six at the

dining table and another

three on the lounge/daybed.

Steps descend to a hallway

with a door leading back to

the amidships full-beam

master with island queen

bed. Ahead is a second

double in the bow, a small

starboard multipurpose

room and the dayhead.

Again a result of owner

feedback, the third cabin

can be a utility room or, as

tested, a single-bunk cabin.

Power is supplied by twin

600hp Cummins QSC8.3s

delivering a top speed just

under 30kts at 3000rpm. In

lumpy 1.5m seas offshore

at 22kts, the Maritimo’s

weight eased through the

swell and felt like it could

run forever. At 2000rpm I

saw 16.2kts for a total fuel

burn of 90lt/h and a range of

518nm. Pushing the throttles

forward brought up 23.2kts

at 2500rpm, so in the right

conditions expect a joyful

run of 422nm at 158lt/h.

Maritimo has a deserved

reputation for building well-

appointed long-distance

cruisers and the new S48

slots in there comfortably.

Including a full-beam cabin

puts it in a class with few, if

any, competitors.

Maritimo S48

SINGLE-LEVEL CLASS ACT

STORY & PHOTO JOHN FORD

quick specs

Maritimo S48

PRICE AS TESTED $1.347m

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Planing monohull

LENGTH 15.27m

BEAM 5.03m

ENGINE 2 x 600hp Cummins

QSC8.3 turbo-diesel

FUEL 3200lt

WATER 600lt

FOR MORE INFO

Visit maritimo.com.au

tradeboats.com.au 81

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