Maritimo expands its operations to South Africa

by Bob Wonders on 12 Dec 2010 Queensland’, Australia's s luxury boat builder, Maritimo, has again expanded its international dealer network with the appointment of Durban’s Bigfoot Marine to represent the marque in southern Africa.

Laurence Steytler, principal of Bigfoot Marine, is a passionate boater and angler who established the business in 2003 after a successful career in property management and development.

Luke Durman, Maritimo Marketing Director, said there was a ’healthy big boat market’ across the southern Africa region, specifically for luxury cruisers and game fishing vessels.

'Laurence Steytler and the staff of Bigfoot Marine boast an intimate knowledge of those markets,' he added.

Mr Steytler said he had ‘searched the world’ for a boat that would suit his own specific requirements.

'I looked for a boat with genuine blue water credentials, with safe walk-around decks and a useable flying bridge,' he explained.

Mr Steytler said his search eventually led to a magazine article on Maritimo CEO Bill Barry-Cotter and the award-winning Maritimo range.

'The Maritimo range appeared to offer everything I was looking for,' he recalled.

'I telephoned the plant, spoke with Luke Durman and received straight answers to my questions.'

The answers obviously comprised the information Mr Steytler was looking for.

Earlier this month he visited the plant, met the crew and toured the facilities, describing the company’s engineering capabilities as 'astounding.'

'The fact that Maritimo manufacturers its own water strainers, propellers and couplings could only be termed reassuring,' he declared.

Bigfoot Marine has placed its first orders and the company expects a February delivery of the first Maritimo to the South African region.

It will be based at the exotic Seychelle Islands, a republican nation 1500 kilometres (932 miles) east of the mainland.

Although Bigfoot Marine was originally seeking flying bridge convertible-style vessels, the dealership has not ruled out the popular Maritimo Cabriolet range.

'We’ll wait and see what happens, in the meantime we are delighted to have a boat in our region and will assist the new owners with all relevant after-sales service,' Mr Steytler added.