Maritimo 550 in impressive game fishing debut

by Bob Wonders on 13 Sep 2007 |Fresh from being launched to the world at the 2007 Sydney International Boat Show, the stunning Maritimo 550 has claimed third overall in the annual Townsville Billfish Classic.

It was the first tournament outing for the stunning battlewagon, which was specifically designed to hunt the big billfish roaming the Coral Sea.

The tournament attracted more than 200 anglers and 39 boats, but heavy conditions offshore with 25 to 30 knot winds saw some boats several declining the start.

Maritimo 550 skipper, Chris ‘Sharky’ Miles, said the boat handled the conditions 'as though built specially for it. The boat took everything the weather threw at us without a murmur.'

'Our performance characteristics, thanks to the C18 1000hp Caterpillar diesels, could not have been criticised in any way.'

In addition to claiming third overall, the Maritimo’s four-man crew acquitted themselves well.

The tag and release, light tackle tournament also resulted in crew member Stuart Hull being named runner-up in the Champion Angler category. Hull 'nailed' a 200lb billfish on 12lb line.

During its time in Townsville, self-proclaimed capital of North Queensland, the Maritimo 550 attracted a score of admirers. 'We had plenty of people approach us wanting a closer look at the boat,' ‘Sharky’ Miles said. 'That came as no surprise – it really is a beautiful vessel,' he added.

Being a light tackle, stand-up tournament, the crew did not have the opportunity to fully test the comprehensive big game fit out aboard the boat, such as the $20,000-plus Release fighting chair, the outriggers and the spectacular tuna tower.

'Our turn will come when the big game tournaments get underway,' ‘Sharky said.

'There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll be campaigning a potential winner in whatever tournament we start in.'

The Maritimo 550 when fully optioned with its spectacular stainless steel tuna tower, the Release fighting chair and towering outrigger poles from the same manufacturer, comes in at close to $2 million.

Interest from prospective buyers has already been, as marketing manager Peter Jenkins put it, 'sky high.'

'To out perform the Maritimo 550 someone is going to need a custom-built American battle-wagon with 1500hp engines,' Jenkins declared.

'With this boat, Bill Barry-Cotter has again shown the industry just what he’s capable of.'

For further information contact Peter Jenkins, telephone (07) 5509-3607.