By Arnie Hammerman
This past spring, I caught up with Kim and Jan, the owners of a 2023 Maritimo M600, in the San Juan Islands of Washington. They were kind enough to have me and my wife on board while taking a ride from Friday Harbor to Anacortes, even though they were finalizing preparations for an epic summer cruise.
They were getting ready to traverse the gorgeous Inside Passage, traveling up the east side of Vancouver Island, Canada, and then on to Alaska. This summer trip would keep them onboard through September, and, in fact, they are still cruising as of Labor Day 2024 as I write this missive.
Two other couples, who also own Maritimos, started the cruise with them. They all met in 2023 on a flotilla run by Waggoner, the leading cruising guide here in the Pacific Northwest. Last summer, shortly after taking delivery of their M600, they left Seattle and headed north with the flotilla for a pretty incredible shakedown cruise. They had so much fun cruising to Alaska and back, they decided to do it again, spending the entire summer cruising this year.
I was eager to speak to Kim to find out some of the reasons why he had chosen a Maritimo M600 for his newest boat. We boarded the boat in Friday Harbor, entering through the expansive cockpit, a hallmark of the M600 model. The cockpit is big enough for some serious fishing, although with all the refinements, I would classify Maritimo models more as fish capable cruisers. That said, the cockpit has a lighted baitwell at the transom and can easily handle a fighting chair. There is also plenty of room on the combings for rod holders, downriggers, crab pullers and all sorts of fishing equipment.
This lower cockpit area is also ideal for other leisure activities. Facing forward there is a console that has a refrigerated compartment, storage drawers, a sink, and a barbecue, which are all neatly concealed under contoured fiberglass lids. This is a great space for entertainment and even dancing to the music coming from speakers located along the gunnels. The close proximity to the water and access to the swim platform through the transom door gives the feel of a close connection to the sea. The lower cockpit is equally suited to entertaining, fishing, or just enjoying the breeze, adding versatility to this venerable cruiser. A step up from the lower cockpit leads to a covered cockpit lounge. This area has a variety of seating options that include a forward-facing lounge and a teak table.
Kim explained that customization was a major reason why they chose Maritimo. They wanted more than just different cushion colors and were able to arrange areas of the boat to what they wanted, for the most part, and add equipment that they chose. That doesn’t mean that Maritimo is a custom boat, but they do allow more customization than some other brands, so if you know what you want, they try to be accommodating. For example, in the cockpit lounge area Kim and Jan selected L-shaped seating and sliding doors forward. (Another option keeps this area open and has bifold doors that completely open the galley to this deck lounge area.) With the back half of the forward-facing lounge wrapped with Isinglass panels and under the cover of the flybridge above, this protected space allows you to be outdoors but also comfortable—even in Alaska.
Inside the doors, the galley is central to all activities on the main deck with great connectivity aft to the cockpit lounge as well as forward to the salon. Maritimo signatures here include an upright fridge in addition to drawer-style fridges, freezers and dishwashers, and a convenient central island. Jan was also able to set up the galley according to how she wanted it. Many Maritimos have a fold-out, upright pantry with wire shelves, but Jan set it up with drawers and shelves that better suit her style. She also placed the appliances, including an oven, stove, microwave, coffee maker, dishwasher and numerous fridge/freezer drawers where she wanted. Galley surfaces are an elegant quartz with gold-colored accents that bring out the warmth of the high gloss teak cabinetry and the ultra-leather cushions and wall coverings that were also customized.
For our cruise, we headed up the internal staircase to the enclosed flybridge, a climate-controlled cabin complete with an outdoor sky lounge. Helm visibility is excellent, with easy access to twin Garmin MFDs and comfortable seating in two adjustable bolstered helm seats. Overhead, Kim chose hatches instead of an electric sunroof as he prefers the practicality and reliability hatches provide. We eased off the dock and Kim noted the smoothness of the Twin Disc joystick control system, which he likes better than the pod drives he had on a previous boat. All Maritimos are driven by straight shafts, but the optional Twin Disc system with variable control of the transmissions as well as thrusters allows joystick control like pod systems, but without any delay or abrupt motion. I have used this system and appreciate the subtleness of the Twin Disc System as it makes up for my tendency to be heavy-handed with the joysticks.
Underway, the Maritimo performed flawlessly during our short cruise through the islands and on reciprocal test runs. With the optional twin Scania 1,150 HP D16 engines, we hit a top speed of 30.2 knots even while heavily loaded with a substantial tender, a Seakeeper gyro, and a lot of gear. (The manufacturer has topped 34 knots with an M600 powered with these same engines.) At a fast cruise of 26 knots, we ran at 2000 RPM using 93 GPH or 3.1 gallons per mile. The standard 1,200-gallon tank gives the M600 a range of 302 nautical miles, factoring in a 10 percent reserve. This range at speed makes the boat ideal for trips like an extensive Alaskan cruise. If you are willing to slow down to a 15-knot cruise speed, the range more than doubles to 685 nautical miles providing tremendous offshore capabilities. Scania engines are relatively new to the recreational powerboat market, but have been used extensively on commercial vessels in the Pacific Northwest, so there is a service network here to support them, and that is in part why Kim chose these engines. Maritimo has used them for a number of years in Australia and the engines have proven to be reliable in other areas like Florida. Twin Volvo Penta D13 800 MHP are standard and D13 1000 MHP are another option.
Bill Barry Cotter, the founder of Maritimo, runs an offshore powerboat racing program and brings knowledge from racing into the recreational powerboats he builds. Straight shafts with low angles on all Maritimos not only deliver clean power to the props but keep the center of gravity low which improves stability. A proprietary steering system provides instantaneous control and easy handling at the wheel. Maritimos are crafted in Australia where offshore conditions can be challenging, so they are built tough to handle whatever they encounter.
Our visit with Kim and Jan was over when we tied up in Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, but even our short cruise helped us understand why this Maritimo M600 is uniquely suited for serious cruising. If you are looking for a boat that can take you anywhere you want to go safely and efficiently, Maritimo offers quality construction, efficient performance, and tremendous versatility. Whether on a weekend outing to the San Juans, up to Desolation Sound, or heading all the way to Alaska, Maritimo offers exemplary style and comfort.
Specs & Info
LOA 60’11” · Beam 17’2” · Max Draft 5’
Tankage (Fuel/Fresh/Black)
1,200 gal. / 198 gal. / 79 gal.
Engines
Twin Inboard Volvo Penta D13 800HP Direct Drive Diesels (standard);
Volvo Penta D13 1000HPs or Scania D16 1150 HPs (available as options)
Contact
Maritimo Sales America (Washington)
Seattle
206.513.2100
maritimo.com.au/dealer/maritimo-sales-america-washington-usa/
