Queensland commanded the attention of the global marine world when Maritimo drew back the curtain on its all-new S50 Sedan Motor Yacht at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Far from a routine evolution of an existing model, the S50 represents a genuinely clean-sheet undertaking, conceived from the ground up with no reference to any previous flybridge configuration. The anticipation surrounding its world debut reflected that rarity: a design that signals a new direction rather than simply refining a familiar one.
For the serious owner-operator, the S50 carves out its own distinct territory. It establishes a dedicated tier of single-level luxury, pairing architectural finesse with the offshore capability required to handle New Zealand's demanding coastline with confidence.
There is a fundamental difference between owning a home with a waterfront view and actually living on the water. Even the grandest coastal property tethers its owner to a single vista. The S50 offers a different proposition entirely, a glass-wrapped pavilion that lets its owner choose a fresh backdrop at will, simply by pointing the bow somewhere new.
QUOTE 1
ON THE MARITIMO S50 SEDAN
"At its core, the S50 Sedan has been conceived to deliver a seamless connection between interior and exterior living spaces, which is an increasingly important consideration for modern motor yacht owners. The expansive main saloon exemplifies this philosophy, offering a level of openness, natural light, and airflow that sets a new benchmark in the 50-foot sedan motor yacht category."
Phil Candler, Maritimo Operations Manager
Twin Volvo Penta D13 800hp shaft-drive engines push the S50 to a cruising speed of 24 knots, with a range that puts multi-day passages across Cook Strait and along the North Island coast well within reach. Built for those who regard their lifestyle as something fluid, the S50 treats the horizon as an invitation rather than a boundary.
Step aboard the main deck and any preconception of the enclosed, cabin-heavy feel that traditionally defines a motor yacht interior disappears almost immediately. Maritimo's design team approached the S50's saloon as an architectural exercise rather than a marine one, and the result reads unmistakably as a minimalist glass pavilion, bearing very little resemblance to a conventional helm station.
Towering panoramic side windows pull natural light deep into the space, while opening glass sections allow a genuine sea breeze to circulate throughout. The atmosphere is deliberately residential in character, open and unencumbered. A central glass skylight strip fitted with dual opening hatches sends a vertical shaft of light down into the saloon, picking out the texture of the contemporary oak interior finishes below. The overall effect is closer to a high-end designer atrium than anything traditionally nautical.
The relationship between inside and outside living sits at the heart of the S50's character, and it is resolved most thoughtfully around the port-side galley. Positioned directly off the cockpit entry point, the galley is equipped with full-height domestic refrigeration, a sleek cooktop, and cleverly concealed premium storage. Slide the heavy glass doors back and the cooking and dining area flows without interruption out onto a generous outdoor terrace.
At this transition point, Maritimo has introduced an innovative 'boot' structure, a sculpted lounge form that extends the upper cockpit length by 300 millimetres and provides deeply cushioned seating for guests. An electrically actuated lifting mechanism is concealed within it, and at the touch of a button the lounge rises to reveal a substantial lazarette storage area underneath, keeping weekend equipment completely out of sight when not in use. The terrace itself comes fitted with a built-in barbecue and an alfresco sink, creating a natural setting for relaxed dinner gatherings while the S50 swings at anchor in a quiet northern harbour.
Below, the atrium staircase leads to an accommodation deck that holds its own against the master suites of a boutique hotel. Rather than chasing berth numbers, Maritimo has configured the S50 with two staterooms, a deliberate decision that prioritises generous volume and genuinely residential-scale comfort.
The master stateroom is built around a walk-around bed and served by a beautifully appointed private bathroom. Forward, the VIP guest stateroom is designed with spatial flexibility in mind, converting between twin and double bedding arrangements to suit whoever is joining for the weekend. Soft modern oak joinery, quality linens, and extensive concealed wardrobe space give the entire lower deck the atmosphere of a true retreat. Integrated domestic laundry appliances ensure that extended time away from port requires no concession to everyday comfort.
The engineering underpinning the S50's composed exterior draws directly on Maritimo's championship racing background. The twin 800-horsepower Volvo Penta D13 engines, paired with their specialist shaft-drive systems, are tuned for smooth, vibration-free progress, producing a vessel that inspires genuine confidence on open-water passages.
Race-derived steering systems mean that managing a 50-foot yacht of this calibre places very modest demands on its owner. Whether threading a narrow tidal estuary or bringing the boat alongside at a busy marina, the precision and ease on offer is closer to driving a well-sorted car than wrestling with a large vessel. The unhurried mood that the S50's interior so carefully cultivates is, by design, never interrupted by the business of actually handling her.
Maritimo S50 Sedan Specifications
Maritimo S50 — General Specifications
Maritimo, Gold Coast, Australia
Specifications reflect the standard build of the Maritimo S50 Sedan. Engine options and fitout may vary. All figures are approximate.
| Design Length (AMSA)* | 15.36 m / 50’ 5” |
| Hull Length (ISO) | 15.69 m / 51’ 5” |
| Beam | 5.22 m / 17’ 2” |
| Draft | 1.39 m / 4’ 6” |
| Dry Weight | 28,000 kg / 56,215 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 3,500 L / 925 US gal |
| Water Capacity | 750 L / 198 US gal |
| Holding Tank Capacity | 300 L / 79 US gal |
| Sleeping Cabins | 2 Standard |
| Sleeping Capacity | 4 Standard / 6 Std |
| Engines (Standard) | 2 x Volvo D13 — 800 MHP — ZF |
| Generator | 17.5 kW 50 Hz |
* AMSA design length. Specifications subject to change without notice.
