Maritimo has further expanded their international Dealer network with the appointment of Bigfoot Marine to represent the company in southern Africa.

Marketing Director Luke Durman said: “Southern Africa has a healthy big boat market of cruisers and game fishing enthusiasts. Laurence Steytler at Bigfoot Marine has an intimate knowledge of those markets.”

Bigfoot Marine principal Laurence Steytler with Maritimo's Luke Durman and CEO Bill Barry-Cotter

Bigfoot Marine principal Laurence Steytler has been involved in boating and fishing since the age of 10 and launched Bigfoot Marine in 2003 after searching the world for a boat to suit his own requirements.

“I looked for a boat with blue water credentials, with safe walk-around decks and a useable flybridge,” he said.

“I read a magazine article about Bill Barry-Cotter and his Maritimo boats. They seemed to offer everything I was looking for. So I called the factory, spoke to Luke and received straight answers.”

Mr Steytler visited the Maritimo factory in early December to meet the team.

“The company’s in-house engineering capabilities are astounding,” he said. “The fact that Maritimo makes its own water strainers, propellers and couplings is reassuring.”

Maritimo will deliver its first boat to the Seychelles islands off southern Africa in February.

“We are delighted to have the boat in our region so soon and will assist with all after-sales service for the new owners,” said Mr Steytler.