The new Maritimo M50 Flybridge ticks all the boxes when it comes to luxurious long-range cruising credentials.
It’s not every day you get the Coomera River and Gold Coast Broadwater all to yourselves, but that’s the impression we get setting off at the civilised time of 9.30am on a mild morning aboard the first Maritimo M50 Flybridge. All of us aboard also marvel at how much space and how many features the Maritimo design team managed to fit in a vessel of just over 15m. “A 50-footer is a breeze for an owner to operate and dock,” said our skipper Leigh Bradshaw, equally incredulous at the feeling of space and multiple zones on board.
Self-contained, cosy and exceptionally quiet, the new model is a lot of boat concentrated into compact form. Punching well above its weight in its category, the M50 Flybridge sets a new standard in design, performance and that all-important and difficult to define “onboard experience”. You either feel it, or you don’t. And the M50 conveys that elusive feeling in spades.
Maritimo hosted the M50 Flybridge global debut at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May to much enthusiasm from devotees and newcomers to the brand. Its compact hull print belies the space onboard and delivers category-leading accommodation for up to eight guests and versatile living areas.
Maritimo’s renowned blue-water performance and ease of handling are complemented by seamless living spaces and the hallmarks the brand is known for: wide walkaround decks, high safety rails and the internal, rear-facing staircase to the flybridge. Its climate-controlled, enclosed flybridge, convertible guest accommodations, and luxurious master suite are just a few of the standout features that set it apart from competitors.
This 15.69m motor yacht is the product of dialogue with Maritimo owners and the brand’s international network, coupled with 20 years of honing the flybridge attributes to create what company founder, Bill Barry-Cotter describes as the ultimate flybridge cruiser. “The new M50 is the epitome of everything Maritimo represents,” he said. “Every detail has been carefully thought out, and we believe it will resonate strongly with Maritimo owners around the globe.”
Engineered to adapt
Drawing on elements inspired by Maritimo’s flagship model, the M75, which launched in 2023, the M50 Flybridge was designed to suit all styles of boating lifestyle and activities. Despite its height, the M50 has a streamlined, sleek profile, accentuated by angular hull windows along the full length of the master stateroom that are echoed in the main level and flybridge above.
Below the waterline, and based on decades of offshore racing experience, Maritimo’s planing hull design delivers lift, stability, comfort and fuel efficiency. A reverse chine runs the length of the hull, and a custom-designed keel ensures a softer re-entry in challenging conditions. On this sea trial, setting out from Maritimo’s Sanctuary Cove base, we experience glorious Gold Coast sunshine as we cruise at 6 knots along the Coomera River, only to face a bitter southerly breeze off the Broadwater. The nimble M50 is ready for any conditions.
Activity central
Certain to appeal to owners in regions where berths are size-limited to 15m, the M50’s ingenious articulated hydraulic transom ‘hinges up’ vertically when not in use to reduce the boat length by around 750mm. It also provides additional protection by further enclosing the cockpit when underway.
When deployed, it’s a multi-purpose Adventure Deck to suit all kinds of watersports and social activities. The ‘entertainment module’ as it’s referred to, comprises built-in barbecue and refrigerator, and the lazarette can be accessed through a hatch in the middle, as well as via lifting the banquette seating in the cockpit. As its designers explain, “this way, you don’t require huge actuators to lift up the deck, barbecue and fridge, which helps reduce weight and makes access easier while underway”.
Dual staircases lead to the cockpit which is level with the galley, creating a pleasant single-level entertaining area. To catch any splash, there’s a drain plate running between the cockpit and the sliding doors. New ‘squaring’ of the rear rope lockers allows the option of side boarding gates.
Spacious and customisable, the aft deck comes with dining table and seating, Fusion speakers, Garmin Marine IP camera and large lockers on each side for fenders and other gear. To create an all-weather enclosed cockpit, simply roll down the clears. Owners are able to specify TV and entertainment systems and the placement of any additional built-in seating or benches.
Born to run
The engine room is accessible via a cockpit hatch. The M50 is equipped with twin Volvo Penta D13-800 engines and its centralised fuel tank enhances stability and maximises usable space. The M50 comfortably cruises at 24 knots with a top speed of 30 knots. The 3700l fuel tank offers exceptional range and efficiency: around 1,501 nm at 9.5 knots from 900rpm – ideal for owners seeking to explore blue-water horizons. The generous size of the engine room allows owners to install the stabiliser, watermaker and other systems of their choice. The M50 has also been enhanced with next-gen insulation to reduce noise and vibration.
Premium panoramas from the foredeck
Moving forward via the wide side decks, we’re inclined to linger longer on the foredeck with its large, level expanse and breathtaking unobstructed views. The reimagined foredeck is a versatile space for toys and a tender, with a 250kg davit option, and option to deck it out with sunpads to create a pleasant leisure area. Integrated skylights shed light on the master and VIP suites below. The M50 comes with a Muir winch, stainless-steel plow anchor, and chain counter as standard.
Light and luxurious interiors
The M50 redefines interior luxury for its class. Maritimo’s high-quality craftsmanship is evident throughout in the contemporary styling and the premium finishes. The minimum head height of 1.9m throughout the vessel adds to the feeling of space.
The galley will appeal to everyone, whether they’re a gourmand who likes nothing more than whipping up a multi-course feast, or those who prefer to reheat and serve. Fitted with Miele appliances, stone benchtops, and walnut cabinetry, its format and features rival that of larger models. A central island provides additional prep space and storage. The expansive glazing that gives the M50 its eye-catching appearance has been subtly lowered in the design refinement process to offer unobstructed panoramic views and bathe the galley and adjacent saloon in natural light.
From the galley, it’s a single step up to the super-social saloon, so those involved in culinary duties are still connected. The space comprises twin lounges, fold-out dining table and modular foot stools/seats. Adding to its family-friendly features, the sofa on the starboard side converts to a double bed – the ideal teen crash pad – and a 50-inch ‘Electric Lift’ TV is concealed in the portside cabinet.
Five-star flybridge
The flybridge is where the M50 shines. A veritable second storey, the fully enclosed flybridge spans the yacht’s full 5.22m beam, benefitting from “external wings”, as seen in the M75. It functions as a second saloon with two lounges, one of which converts into a double bed.
For the skipper, the raked windscreen provides 360-degree visibility and down to the bow and water below, as well as loads of natural light, while a strip skylight and forward/ rear opening hatches maximise light and airflow. At the helm, the floating dash includes two 19-inch Garmin displays, Volvo Penta Boat Trim System (BTS), Vetus 150 electric bow and stern thrusters, and wireless Yacht Controller for stress-free docking. Twin, heated helm chairs have been custom-crafted for ergonomic comfort for long passages.
With 65 per cent load, the M50 shifts into planing mode at 16kt, with the lightest touch steering derived from Maritimo racing technology. Through sliding doors, the aft deck is 11sqm of social space that can be customised to an owner’s preference for enjoying the sunshine or casting a line.
The suite life
Below deck, the M50’s layout is the product of masterful design, optimising every square centimetre to deliver impressive accommodation. The full-beam master stateroom amidships boasts class-leading proportions, comprising a king bed, chaise lounge, storage in the form of cabinets and cupboards, and extra-large ensuite with a shower big enough for two! Hull windows with opening portholes fill the cabin with light and sea breezes.
The Maritimo design team focused on the master suite aiming to differentiate the M50 from its 50ft rivals and those above it. “The master cabin is much larger than what you would experience on the 55s or even 60s in other brands,” they commented. “We want potential owners to look at them, then come back to Maritimo, and say ‘Yes, this is the one we want!”
They have been just as creative with the VIP cabin in the bow, which features a queen-to-twin convertible bed and ensuite that doubles as a day head. Between the cabins, the companionway houses the washer and dryer concealed behind the impeccable gloss walnut cabinetry – essentials for a weekend or longer sojourn at sea. Emerging again to the salubrious surrounds of the saloon, it’s easy to appreciate the homage to Maritimo’s M75 flagship in every facet of the M50. This is palatial design, distilled.
“Conceiving a 50ft motor yacht that combines many of the features of our larger models in this size package was no easy task,” states Phil Candler, Maritimo’s General Manager Operations, adding that the M50 has generated the ‘buzz’ they anticipated, with a steady flow of orders from all regions. “The M50 Flybridge is the product of thousands of hours devoted to discussion, planning, testing, design and construction,” says Candler. “The design is customer-driven, specifically the folding transom, larger master cabin and convertible beds. We’ve found some couples are interested in downsizing from a larger vessel, while others are stepping up from a smaller motor yacht. The M50 offers a whole host of benefits of a smaller boat, with the features of a large one.”
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Words by Jeni Bone.
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