With a pair of Volvo Penta D11-670hp, the top speed is around 33 knots.
The X50 is Maritimo’s second model in their new X Series, and while at first glance it may seem just a more compact version of the X60, it is quite a different boat.
It is always exciting when you get to review a boat in a place that isn’t familiar to you. Not only is it about the boat, but it’s also about where you are. In the case of the Maritimo X50, I was in North Sydney at Pittwater. I have only boated here once before, and it was only a quick trip up to the heads and back.
Pittwater, located about 40 km north of the Sydney CBD, is an open body of water, that has its origin from the confluence of several creeks and smaller estuaries, that flows north towards its mouth into Broken Bay, and the Tasman Sea. It is an expansive boating area that covers 18.4 square kilometres. It is home to over 1000 moored boats and was where I picked up the Maritimo X50.
The review turned out to be more than just a quick run around the bay from Maritimo’s new office at The Quays Marina. Thanks to our ‘skipper’, Mick Groenhyde (Michael’s Boat Detailing) who was born and bred in Pittwater, it evolved into a very informative guided tour and a chance to learn about the history of Pittwater. And what better way than from the comfort of the very first Maritimo X50 sport yacht.
So first a quick history lesson. Pittwater was occupied for many thousands of years by the Kuringgai Aboriginal peoples. They used the river as an essential source of food and a place for trade. Pittwater was named Pitt Water in 1788 in honour of William Pitt the Younger, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Europeans settled the area as did escaped convicts living along the shores. There was some commercial shipbuilding in the area with the last locally constructed shipping vessel launched from a shipyard at Blackwall in 1912. However, since the 1950s, Pittwater has become predominantly residential in character and is a suburban region of Sydney and now a favourite venue for recreational boating. Boatbuilding is far from gone, albeit mostly repairs and maintenance for the boats moored around the many bays and inlets.
When we left The Quays Marina, Mick explained that the eastern parts of the catchment are largely urbanised while the western regions are primarily Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. We cruised at 22 knots on Pittwater, rounded West Head and up into Cowan Water, which leads into Cowan Creek. While we turned around when we got to Cottage Point, if we had kept going, we could have gone all the way to Bobbin Head or turned to port and ended up at Akuna Bay. It’s a boating paradise and well worth taking the time to explore.
CRUISING IN COMFORT
It was while we were cruising at a sedate 22 knots (1900 rpm) and admiring the passing landscape that I appreciated the appeal of a sport yacht and especially the X50. The high-profile side windows provided unlimited viewing as we passed significant places of interest. While I am a confessed petrol head and like speed, I would not have wanted to go any faster. The X50 comes standard with a pair of Volvo Penta D11-670hp, and at best gives a top speed of around 33 knots. You can up-spec to a couple of Scania 800s and see 39 knots on the speedo, but then I was thinking, why bother. More cost, more fuel and how often are you going to run to maximum speed. At 1900 rpm we were using 148.5 lph/6.7lpnm and had a range of around 380nm. Still had plenty of power left, which I did use to our advantage when a rival brand’s sport yacht tried to pass us. Unsuccessfully I have to add!
DOWNSIZING
The X50 is a natural follow-on from the X60 and came about after a lot of feedback from Maritimo dealers, who loved the X60 but felt there was a market for something similar but smaller. The new X50 is just that, a more compact version of its bigger sister and retains much of the same layout and styling. There are some external changes such as restyled forward quarter panels in the cockpit and a more extended hardtop over the cockpit with softer lines, but they are not apparent until you put an X60 alongside. The 2m long sliding side windows either side of the saloon are now a single-stage design, whereas the X60 has two panels. A refinement to the X60 sliding window concept, they provide a smoother style and look to the profile of the boat and yet still retain the structural integrity.
Phil Candler, GM for Maritimo told me that they had had the X50 in some reasonable atrocious water coming down the coast from Gold Coast to Sydney and while they took a few ‘green’ ones over the bow coming out of Port Stephens, they never had any leakage issues. “We are well aware of the problems you can have with sliding windows on a boat this size, so we were very conscious of that when we engineered and built them for the X50. They are tough and durable”.
Another significant change is there is only one Webasto sunroof on the X50, whereas the X60 with the more extended roofline has two. Being a new hull, the beam is 66 cm narrower than the X60, has a 11500kg lighter dry displacement and comes with around a $AUD1 million lower price tag.
While there are a lot of equipment, colours and fabric options available, the actual layout of the X50 is very much restricted to one design. Where the variation is possible is the aft cabin, which can be configured as a beach club, third cabin or tender garage. The aft ensuite remains the same for the beach club and third cabin but is removed if you go for the full tender garage. To date, of all the X50s sold, the majority owners have chosen the beach club concept.
Another significant change is that the X50 is the first Maritimo to have a full structural inner liner that goes into the hull from the rear of the lazarette to the forward end of the bathroom. This fibreglass component runs 80% of the length of the hull and adds to the stiffness of the boat and its structural integrity. There are only five major mould components in the X50, which also helps to streamline the construction time and the way the boats are built.
TWO CABIN TWO BATHROOM
Rather than try and jam in a three-cabin layout up forward, Maritimo has divided the accommodation area between a full-beam master and a large forepeak VIP. Each has a dedicated bathroom, with the ensuite for the VIP doubling as the day head.
Like the X60, the VIP has an island berth from the side of the hull rather than the traditional bow layout providing maximum use of space around the bed. There is plenty of storage and light through side ports and an overhead hatch. Individual controls let you set your aircon the way you want it.
The two ensuites that divide the cabins come with Corian bench surfaces, large shower cubicles with frameless glass doors, excellent headroom and Karndean luxury flooring throughout. Natural light pours into the central companionway via the atrium design and it’s only a few steps down to the full-beam master.
Such is the space in the master stateroom you can upgrade from the standard queen size berth to a larger kingsize. One side there is a lounger with make-up vanity and slide away pouffe and the other built-in cabinetry. You have a wide choice of timber options, with the first X50 finished with satin walnut.
PANORAMIC VIEWS
Another first for the X50 is the pair of Maritimo designed and built helm seats, something that will now be standard on all X Series models. The dash is a continuing development of the style and features as found on the X60, but just a little more compact. Both Simrad and Garmin electronics packages are available.
Opposite is a large U shape lounge with dining table and contemporary styling furniture. Sitting here, you have exceptional viewing through the panoramic windows, and when you want some natural air circulating through the saloon, you can slide the side windows back and open the large sunroof. There is a second lounge to starboard aft of the helm plus an entertainment area with the TV.
The island counter has been a feature of many Maritimo models, and it is very much a feature of the X50. It increases the servery spaces as well as storage and even comes with an ice maker built-in. However, if you feel this impedes the galley space, you don’t have to have it. The rest of galley still has plenty of storage and serving areas, with Corian surfaces and Meile appliances.
ENTERTAINING COCKPIT
Bifold doors or a sliding door (your choice) divide the internal and external spaces, with the cockpit set out to entertain. There is central seating for four with steps either side to the high-low platform and access to the aft beach club/cabin/tender garage. Cockpit features include a moulded unit with wet bar, electric bbq and Isotherm draw fridge.
If you opt for the sliding door, you can add an L shape seat module to port, which does change the access options to the galley.
SUMMARY
This is an excellent boat for anything from day boating to extended cruising and offers enough comforts and style to make it all an enjoyable experience. The X50 has been an immediate success with sales to New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Interestingly all have chosen the third cabin option which offers both the day use as a beach club and the fold-out berth for extra accommodation. Look for more models from the X-Series with a third and larger model already in the production phase.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Boat Design Name: Maritimo X50Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Year Launched: 2019Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
- Builder: Maritimo  Â
- Designer: Maritimo Design Team                                      Â
- LOA: 16.0m
- LOH: 15.17m
- Beam: 4.55m
- Displ: (Dry): 19000 kg
- Max Speed: 33 knots       Â
- Construction: GRP
- Fuel Cap: 2900 litres          Â
- Water Cap: 500 litres       Â
- Engine Make: 2 x Volvo Penta D11-670hp
- Drive Train: Shaft Drive
- Priced From: $Aus1.49m
 | MARITIMO X50 |  |  | |
Fuel capacity: | 2900 | litres | Â | |
RPM | Knots | L/h | L/NM | Range (NM) |
600 | 6.5 | 7.2 | 1.200 | 2100 |
1100 | 10.1 | 41 | 4.100 | 630 |
1300 | 10.9 | 68.5 | 6.300 | 410 |
1500 | 13.7 | 99 | 7.300 | 350 |
1700 | 18.2 | 121.5 | 6.700 | 380 |
1900 | 22.2 | 148.5 | 6.700 | 380 |
2100 | 26.0 | 175.5 | 6.800 | 380 |
2300 | 29.8 | 213.5 | 7.200 | 360 |
2400 | 31.2 | 233 | 7.500 | 340 |
2500 | 33.0 | 262.5 | 8.000 | 320 |
Range is calculated on 90% of the fuel capacity. | ||||
