The turn around in the USA economy with low job vacancy rates, a strong share market and a positive attitude permeating corporate America has resulted in an extremely successful Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show for Australian cruiser manufacturer Maritimo.
Just back from the USA, Maritimo’s International Sales and Marketing Manager, Greg Haines, said the company displayed its M51, M54 and M59 cruising motor yachts at Fort Lauderdale and made sales across the range with more deals being negotiated.
“There is generally an air of optimism in the USA currently and we certainly felt the benefits at our on water display,” he said. “Our principal USA dealer, Galati Yacht Sales, did a great job co-ordinating the pre- show marketing and scheduling of inspections and there were very good numbers during the whole show.”
“Maritimo’s West Coast representatives, Compass Point Yachts and Silver Seas Yachts, also attended and had great enquiry from people traveling from the West Coast of America all the way to Fort Lauderdale to view the display.”
Haines said a number of USA boat dealers approached Maritimo at Fort Lauderdale seeking to forge relationships for them to represent the brand into the future and several deals were being formalised.
The M54 flybridge cruiser was a stand out vessel for the USA market and Maritimo expected to sell many more of that model going forward. “It is the right size for a lot of cruising couples and families and has many of the bigger yachts features such as the full beam master suite and also the large cockpit and hydraulic swim platform providing plenty of marine real estate at the stern of the vessel,” he said. “The Galati team feel that this particular boat will continue to be very popular in that market place.”
Haines said Maritimo was now looking forward to the Miami International Boat Show where it would have five vessels on display including the S51 for the first time.
Maritimo is finishing the year on a high note with the company’s race team taking out its 15th national offshore powerboat title and in an Australian first, an S59 luxury sedan cruiser being displayed in the prestigious Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup.
“We have been a social media sensation in recent weeks and with strong sales and strong interest in our new models such as the X60 sedan cruiser with the aft beach club the future is looking extremely bright.”
