Return of the Sedan: Maritimo Reinvents Luxurious Accommodation
The Pharaoh would have approved.
The sedan is the original form of luxury transportation for the uberwealthy. It is believed to have made its first appearance in ancient Egypt, when the Pharaoh rode in comfort high above the dust on an opulently decorated chair supported by sturdy lifting poles and carried by teams of sure-footed bearers selected from the most trusted royal guards.
By the 16th century, the sedan, by this point further evolved to enclose the privileged passenger in an ornate cab for protection from the elements, was in comparatively widespread use among the upper echelons of civilized society in China, India, Turkey, France, Italy, and England. Borgelli captured the elegance of travel by sedan in his 19th-century work A Rococo Scene, establishing it as the only way for those who prefer to travel in style.
That’s a heritage upheld today by Australian yacht builder Maritimo with its magnificent S60 Sedan. The bearers replaced with powerful engines, and the cab vastly extended for magnificent comfort, Maritimo’s S60 Sedan makes every bit the statement today as being carried by guards would have in days of yore.
Officially announced in 2021 as a new model to fill the midrange gap in the company’s acclaimed S series lineup, the S60 Sedan made its official debut early this fall when hull number one began making the circuit at the world’s top yachting events. Measuring 18.53 metres in overall length, the S60 advances Maritimo’s long-standing experience in long-range cruising design. The variable deadrise hull, with its deep keel, sharp bow entry, and flattened progression aft, is clearly focused on offshore cruising performance, comfort, and stability. It is this innovative hull design, in unison with the yacht’s low centre of gravity, that provides the S60 Sedan with its unusually stable ride.
Further contributing to its rock-like stability is the positioning of the yacht’s three fuel tanks, representing a massive 4,550-litre capacity overall, very low in the hull to minimize pitching and rolling in rough seas. They function as a natural stabilizer of sorts, reducing the need to rely on mechanical assistance.
The surprising amount of interior space aboard the two-deck S60 Sedan becomes apparent as one steps onboard. The yacht’s sweeping contours reflect the S series lineage while providing a vast stern space for enjoying the sea and sun. The extensive aft beach club includes plenty of space for entertaining around the transom grill and wet bar while concealing an enormous lazarette that opens on electric actuators. There’s enough room to stow a standard 10-foot tender, kayaks, SUPs, or even scuba gear.
Look up, and there’s room to stow even more stuff atop the stern cockpit space, which can be fitted with a 350-kilogram davit. That’s more than enough to accommodate a personal watercraft. The elongated cockpit hardtop not only provides the cockpit with plenty of coverage and sun protection, it also amplifies the amount of area above on the normally almost inaccessible Sedan hardtop.
The cockpit itself can accommodate a U-shaped dining lounge with seating space for six. It makes the most of both the transom grill space and the adjacent salon’s aft galley, adding enormous value to the boat overall.
That aft galley connects the indoor and outdoor spaces on the S60 Sedan, prompting the after-dinner crowd to come inside and enjoy drinks and conversation in the inviting living area. Facing L-shaped settees surrounded by enormous windows create an entertaining space unlike any other, especially when the huge HDVT is raised on its electric lift or the overhead moonroof opened to enjoy the stars above.
Below, the S60 Sedan presents a three-stateroom, two-head layout designed to maximize every square inch of the internal hull volume provided by the yacht’s generous 5.2-metre beam.
The full-beam owner’s suite and its spacious king-sized bed is midships, where panoramic hull windows to each side penable occupants to feel connected with the world around them. In the bow, a VIP suite with an offset queen-sized bed and adjoining ensuite could be easily mistaken for the master stateroom. A generous guest stateroom with twin beds allows the option of sliding the inner berth outboard to create a double bed for couples.
Standard power in Maritimo’s S60 Sedan is twin Volvo Penta D13 diesels generating a combined 1,600 horsepower, with the option of moving up to larger Volvo Penta, CAT, or Scania engines of up to 2,300 total horsepower for enhanced performance. In every case, the yacht is responsive to steering and throttle inputs, making the S60 Sedan as fun to drive as to enjoy with a glass of wine in hand.
The Pharaoh would have approved.
