Journos from Australia and New Zealand watched Maritimo’s Tom Barry-Cotter and members of his team present a walk-through of a mock-up of the new model – already being hailed as one of the company’s best-ever long-range cruising motor yachts.

A fine balance of power and play, the new M55 fuses advancements in nautical technology/design with the existing features of Maritimo’s M-Series models. The result is a sharpened exterior design, extensive entertainment areas and hot performance.

One of the most impressive features is a fully-enclosed, climate-controlled flybridge – a ‘sky lounge’ with internal staircase access. The lounge maximises the vessel’s beam and space and presents two dedicated flybridge lounging areas, including a large aft deck with a full hardtop and optional roll-down clears.

Equally impressive is a reimagined ‘adventure deck’ and lower cockpit space – with an optional fully-lined 3.0m tender garage. The large alfresco upper cockpit provides and versatile living spaces. Large walk-around decks and minimal steps offer easy access and enhance safety.

The M55’s aft galley seamlessly connects the upper cockpit deck and enormous saloon lounging area. Injecting light and air to the saloon and flybridge is the option of two-stage vista sliding windows which transform the areas into an indoor/ outdoor escape.

Below deck free-flowing spaces utilise the hull’s volume, maximising height and minimising steps. Three spacious staterooms and two ensuites are on offer, with a full-beam king master stateroom, offset queen forward stateroom, and a twin single starboard guestroom.

Barry-Cotter says the new concept has already generated plenty of interest in New Zealand. The first boat off the production line is expected at the end of this year.