The M50 from Australian luxury motor yacht builder Maritimo has claimed top honours in the Motoryacht 16–18m category at the YachtStyle Awards 2026, defeating a strong field of European competitors to secure the regional title.
The victory came against serious opposition. The M50 edged out the Invictus ST550/TT550, the Riva 58' Capri and the Sunseeker Manhattan 56 to take the category win. The YachtStyle Awards carry genuine influence across Southeast Asia's luxury motor yacht market, and an Australian-built vessel finishing ahead of some of Europe's most established yards reflects how far Maritimo's reputation has reached.
A panel of industry professionals and knowledgeable enthusiasts assess the awards, weighing technical credentials against real-world appeal. The focus is on designs that connect with serious boat owners rather than those that simply attract attention on the boat-show circuit. For Maritimo, the result validates a product philosophy built around extended cruising range and offshore capability, qualities that distinguish the brand from builders whose primary focus is day-boat performance.
Derrick Nowak, Maritimo's Global Business Development Manager, regards the result as evidence of a meaningful shift in what owners are seeking when they head offshore.
"We're seeing owners move beyond day use into more structured, multi-day cruising, moving between destinations, spending time at anchor and using their yacht as a base rather than a platform for a few hours on the water," he said. "The M50 was built for exactly that, and to have it recognised by YachtStyle only strengthens our commitment to growing the Maritimo presence across the region."
Long passages are central to the M50's design brief. The shaft drive system and hull form are paired to produce strong fuel efficiency, a consideration that grows more important the further an owner ventures from port. Below decks, a full-beam master stateroom and a generously proportioned VIP stateroom offer comfortable multi-day accommodation, while a fully enclosed flybridge extends the boat's liveability across a wide range of conditions. A defining layout detail is the upper cockpit, which flows directly into the galley without a step, underpinning the open-plan philosophy that runs throughout the vessel.
| Specification | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Length Overall | 15.88 m | 52' 11" ft |
| Hull Length (ISO) | 15.69 m | 51' 5" ft |
| Beam | 5.22 m | 17' 2" ft |
| Draft | 1.39 m | 4' 6" ft |
| Dry Weight | 26,500 kg | 58,420 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 | 8 std |
| Sleeping Capacity | 4 standard and 2 x fold out double beds | 8 optional |
| Engines (Standard) | 2 x Volvo D13 - 800 MHP - ZF | |
| Generator | 21.5kW 60Hz |
The award adds to the momentum Maritimo has been building across Southeast Asia, where Primus Marine serves as its authorised dealer. For New Zealand boaters with serious offshore ambitions, the M50's blend of range, self-sufficiency and onboard comfort makes it a vessel well worth considering.
