Boaters of some 40 years experience, Jeff and Mindy Siegel, of Connecticut are living the dream on their Maritimo M64 cruising motor yacht named ‘Sea Gull’ traveling to some of the most iconic destinations in the USA.
Having done considerable research into what vessels were available in the 60 to 73 foot range internationally they settled on their Australian built Maritimo because of ‘its unmatched overall design, its engineering and its layout’. They first saw a Maritimo M64 at the Miami International Boat Show.
“We love the fully enclosed climate controlled flybridge and the stand up full height engine room which if I could I would steer the boat from,” said Jeff.
‘Sea Gull’ is the seventh boat the couple has owned, the last four all with the same name. Jeff’s father also had a series of vessels which he named ‘Sea Gull’.
The longest passage the couple has undertaken so far was from Fort Lauderdale which is where the boat landed from Australia to Connecticut. Since then their travels have taken them to places such as Montauk, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Newport and Palm Beach.
Sea Gull’s home port is in Stratford in Connecticut and it is kept at Palm Harbor Marina in West Palm Beach Florida during winter. Their aim is to cruise The Great Loop at some stage in the future. Jeff is still involved in the family’s chemical manufacturing business. “That keeps me busy and helps pay for diesel fuel aboard Sea Gull,” he said.
“There are so many things we love about our Maritimo it is hard to list them all, but as a package it offers everything we wanted in a long range cruising motor yacht. We are also very happy with the after sales service and follow-up provide by the entire Maritimo USA team. Nothing is too much trouble and the professionals they have here on the ground are able to assist with anything we want.”
Maritimo’s USA President, Dave Northrop said the benefits and comfort of Maritimo’s climate controlled. enclosed flybridges were one of its major points of difference in the USA market.
“Our owners use their boats for extensive cruising and the enclosed bridge means they can do that in safety and comfort and that’s a major plus.”
The Siegels plan to visit the Maritimo on water display at the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
