Inner Space
The dynamic design of Maritimo’s M64 feels like living in a luxury apartment at sea.
Very often a boat like Maritimo’s M64 would be defined by a key feature. This could be something like a full-beam king master with ensuite, a full-beam storage lazarette or a fully enclosed sedan bridge. The boat happens to have each, but none truly captures its essence quite like Maritimo’s description of the spaces on board as “apartment-like.”
The M64 isn’t a small boat by any stretch of the imagination, though it is offered by Maritimo as a mini version of its M70 model. So while it certainly isn’t “mansion-like,” the M64 looks, feels and operates like a luxury apartment on the water.
The focus for the the boat in terms of layout was clearly on quality over quantity of spaces. Instead of cramming in this lounge or that settee, Maritimo opted for a dynamic use of space that maximizes enjoyment. Rather than two intricate helm stations—more is not necessarily better—the M64’s is on the sedan bridge. The traditional helm forward on the main deck is utilized for an improved and expanded dining spot. That decision then allows for the sedan bridge to be fully enclosed, paired with an aft upper deck and sunroof creating another inner area bathed in natural light.
With this yacht, what may seem simple on first look is actually greater attention to design and a layout that prizes quality of space over range. The design is malleable as well; one can choose a three-berth/three-head configuration, or go with four berths and two heads. On the exterior, one can elect to go with a Euro-style transom, stay with the traditional island transom or a sportfishing transom. Even with all these moving parts, the comfort of the space is notable and thorough—plenty of room, plenty of luxury, plenty of conveniences, all arrayed to create a relaxing, pleasurable environment beyond what the water and surroundings can naturally bring.
Getting on board via the aft swim platform, you’re immediately treated to the beautiful teak decks familiar to those who have been on a Maritimo boat. This platform can be upgraded to submerge and brings you right up to the aft-facing grill and refreshment center. It turns the stern into a sort of “teak beach.”
The middle portion of this station is the hatch access to the full-beam lazarette. Granted, it is just storage, but for many in the market for a boat like the M64, this is an extremely attractive practical feature, and it offers easy access to the steering gear, as well as separate Glendinning cable masters.
The cockpit has bench-style seating near an adjustable cocktail table, all on the same teak decking. Storage bins are to port and starboard, and just by the entry to the main salon there is a second joystick control station, separate from the ones at the helm—a nice option for improved line of sight and convenience. Beyond the smoked-glass bifold doors is the main salon, with the beautiful staircase up to the sedan bridge to port and the luxurious apartment-like galley to starboard.
The woodgrain decks of the galley lead forward to a step up into the carpeted area of the main salon. The overheads are upholstered, with recessed LED lighting in the woodwork. To port and starboard, expansive windows wrap around to the windshield. Natural light is everywhere, by design.
A spacious L-shaped dining area to port is enhanced with a beautiful high-gloss wood table across from a simple couch. Both are luxuriously upholstered and can serve a large group, a casual event, a formal meal—it is conservative and versatile, a line the M64 walks quite well.
The showpiece staircase aft of the salon leads to the sedan bridge. At the helm are two exceptionally comfortable, adjustable captain’s chairs and a wide, sleek dash panel with room for as many as three large touchscreens. The sedan bridge feels like a doubling up on the main salon space, without sacrificing any natural light or outdoor volume. Forward seating is to port of the dash, while aft seating is to starboard around a dining/cocktail table.
Ample storage is safely ensconced in a beautiful woodgrain island via cabinets and drawers below a leather-upholstered countertop, as well as a mini wet bar with a stainless steel sink and faucet just aft. Smoked-glass bifold doors open to one of the boat’s highlights: the upper aft deck. Simple and direct, it offers just a teak deck and waist-high guardrails to deliver an elevated view of the wake.
Of course, the M64 has generous below-deck accommodations as well, all laid out in the same pattern of high-gloss wood finishing and suede upholstery overhead and on the bulkheads. In either configuration, the master stateroom is full-beam—very “apartment-like” indeed—with a king-size berth and ensuite with walk-in shower, beautiful vessel sink and stainless steel finishings. The VIP guestroom is in the bow, with an island berth and private access to its shared head. Opening hatches as skylights abound throughout the lower deck, further integrating natural light into the M64’s indoor spaces.
On the water, the M64 is a very smooth-riding boat—no creaking—and plows through two to three waves with authority. The boat is close to the same weight of trawlers of the same length, yet clocks in two to three times faster. For additional stability, she is rigged to install the optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizers. This eliminates any rolling felt when taking beam seas. When the wheel is put hard-over, she can make a full 180-degree turn in approximately five to six boat lengths.
While the handling and the ride of the M64 is immensely important, the true experience is the design and layout; it’s what the boat is all about. The aesthetic ends of the arrangement—the high-gloss wood, teak decking, upholstered bulkhead, clean simplicity of lines throughout —are something luxury yachts are good at, and Maritimo’s efforts are on the elite end. But what speaks loudest is the design of space. High overheads and judicious use of open areas, placement of seating and resistance to overdoing all move beyond a practical utility to a deeper, less-tangible satisfaction that makes the boat itself—not just the experiences or places it can deliver one to—truly relaxing, entertaining and rewarding.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 64′
Beam: 18′ 8″
Draft: 4′ 8″
Dry Weight: 86,000 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 1,479/198 U.S. gals.
Power: 2 x 900-hp Volvo D13
Cruise/Top Speed: 25/29.2 knots
MSRP (base): Contact Representative
Contact: Maritimo America
7819 Broadway, Suite 100
Galveston, TX 77554
(409) 741-8716 or maritimoamerica.com
Chris Reid Southern Boating June 2017