Flagship M73 conquers the world
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Maritimo has announced the first overseas sales of the company's
new flagship M73 Motoryacht.
Through a strong international boat show season, the company has
taken orders for M73 hull number 4 to be delivered to client in
Florida in the United States and for M73/05 to a client in
Singapore.
The M73 Motoryacht bound for the US is already being built at
Maritimo's Hope Harbour facility on the Gold Coast and the
Singapore order was confirmed this week following a sea trial off
the Gold Coast.
"We are delighted by the market's response to this magnificent
craft," said Marketing Director Luke Durman. "We knew it would be
accepted quickly in Australia but we are very pleased with the
international response."
Luke said the Singapore-bound boat will include a dramatic
metallic bronze hull while the US boat would be similar to the one
on display at the Sydney International Boat Show with upgraded
Caterpillar C32 turbo diesel engines rated to 1,652hp.
The sales cap a successful year for the Gold Coast boat builder,
with healthy sales at all major Australian boat shows in spite of
the world economic downturn that saw many boat builders around the
world in crisis.
Luke returned to Australia from the Miami Yacht and Brokerage
Show this week to report healthy sales across the Maritimo range.
This follows a strong showing during the European season late last
year.
"Our Dealers continue to make sales even though we are competing
in an international market with a strong Australian dollar and most
of our competitors holding excess stock," he said. "It puts us in a
particularly strong position as the US and European economies begin
to recover."
CEO Bill Barry-Cotter said he was pleased with the way his staff
had rallied through the crisis.
"The first half of last year was difficult, but the company had
been taking on new staff over the past four months as sales pick
up," he said.
"The new M73 orders will certainly stretch our staff
resources.
"We are now in a strong position to take advantage of the
economic recovery. We will launch two new models in the sub-50-foot
range at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May and a
further four through the year."