That's a record for the Gold Coast company at a time when COVID-19 has been simmering below the surface, impacting global supplies and pushing build times well beyond the norm.

The new 60-footer will kiss the brine early in 2022, following close in the wake of S600 sedan. It certainly has big shoes to fill in the form of the original, highly acclaimed Maritimo 60.

"At the beginning of this project, it was made clear by Maritimo founder Bill Barry-Cotter that the M60 had to be a motoryacht that was truly special, as the 60-foot flybridge designation was something he held close to his heart," Maritimo design director Tom Barry-Cotter says.

"The Maritimo 60, of course, was the brand's very first motor yacht, which debuted in 2004, collecting honours as the Cruiser of the Year and Australian Boat of the Year.

It has since gone on to earn a reputation as a stand out bluewater cruiser with a diehard following.

"That said, our completely in-house design team is continuing to set new standards in flybridge motor yacht design, as we combine innovative design expertise with the collaboration of our global network of Maritimo owners."

The M60's exterior lines follow the design direction set by recent Maritimo model launches, but benefit from the additional length in that they're sleeker and more elongated.

A completely revised deck and flybridge superstructure add to the sense of balance and poise.

Overhanging flybridge wings create considerable space for the upper, aptly named "sky lounge" as well as protection over the side decks and cockpit. There's still ample outdoor space, however, as the open transom flows seamlessly to an extended boarding platform.

Cleverly, the deck space lifts via electric actuators to uncover Maritimo's largest garage lazarette. The space can house a 3.2-metre tender or even a two-person jetski when optioned with a 350 kilogram rear davit.

Forward of this is the upper cockpit that transforms into a protected indoor/outdoor zone using clears. There's a rear module complete with sink, barbecue and large top-loading fridge plus up to three separate lounges, including a standard U-shaped dinette.

Entering the main saloon, there's an aft galley to starboard, internal staircase to port, and huge lounge area forward.

An open atrium companionway design then invites natural light down to the lower accommodation deck.

Here you find a three stateroom, two ensuite layout that maximise every centimetre of the 5.2-metre beam.

A king master stateroom is midships, with panoramic hull windows.

Forward, there is an offset queen stateroom with adjoining ensuite. The offset berth provides greater practicality for guests to walk around all sides without tripping on steps.

A generous twin single stateroom awaits to starboard, with the option for the inner bed to slide outboard to create a double bed.

The M60's 18.5-metre hull draws on Maritimo's vast experience in long-range cruising design, offering a variable deadrise hull with deep keel. Standard power are twin Volvo Penta D13 diesels, producing 800hp apiece, however you can upgrade to 1000hp Volvos or 1150hp Scania Di16s.

Maritimo likes to keep its running gear simple, favouring straight shaft-drive technology over vee-drive gearboxes. In the M60's case the shaft angle is 8 degrees, and it swings five-blade Nibral props.

Fuel capacity is 4550 litres, spread between two wing tanks and a central tank located along the M60's keel line, keeping the main mass of fuel as low as possible in the hull for greater stability. That affords generous range and, for added convenience, refuelling can take place through a single filler from either side of the vessel.

Across the ditch, naval architect Kevin Dibley and fellow Kiwi boatbuilder Mike Forsyth are developing something sleek and sporty to fill the gap in Australasia for a racing yacht that can beat the imports from Europe.

Called the FD33, it's ideal for short-handed sailing, which is rapidly gaining popularity, but can also be fully crewed.

Coastal Boat Works, Forsyth's company, is building hull number one as we speak.

If you're a handy DIY enthusiast, you can buy it as a bare hull and deck - like in the 1970s. But it also comes completely factory finished, ready to race.

The large sail plan, complemented by powerful appendages and hull form, will allow for high-speed sailing upwind and down.

Dibley's name sounds more like vicar, but he's an exceptional designer with over 30 years' experience, and designs ranging from a One-Metre model to 150-foot superyachts.

Meanwhile, the two-handed fleet for the 2021 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has grown to 17, as anticipation continues for the division's debut in the bluewater classic. The overall fleet stands at 87, with entries open until October 29.

It offers a different style of racing, where you need to think in advance and know when to change gears. That starts before the race, with forecasting and course planning. Then crews have to respond to changing conditions and execute manoeuvres, which demands another element of skill.

dibleymarine.com

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