11:04 PM Mon 30 Mar 2009 GMT
 | | 'Andrew Willaton, son of Maritimo warranty manager Ross Willaton, engaged in shrink-wrapping the Singapore-bound 48 Sky Lounge. - Singapore dealer strikes swiftly'
Bob Wonders
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Although respected Singapore company, Hong Seh Marine, was only appointed to the Maritimo dealer network in January, it has already struck 'pay dirt' with the sale of a Maritimo 48 Sky Lounge.
The stylish, C-12 Caterpillar-powered flybridge cruiser was carefully shrink-wrapped at the Hope Island plant in readiness for its journey as deck cargo to Singapore this week.
More than five-hours work went into the detailed shrink-wrapping operation, which ensures the vessel will arrive in Singapore in pristine, show room condition.
Maritimo marketing director, Luke Durman, said the company had indeed chosen well in selecting Hong She Marine as its authorised Singapore dealership.
The renowned company was established in 1936 and is also the Singaporean distributor for Ferrari, Maserati and MV Augusta and Cagiva motorcycles.
Preparing the 48 Sky Lounge for its shipment to Singapore ended a busy week for the boat manufacturer which earlier had played host to Australia's major media representatives (including Powerboat-World) as it unveiled its future plans.
 | It's a finicky and tedious task, but the heavy-duty plastic shrink-wrapping will maintain the Maritimo's showroom appearance. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
The media toured the Hope Island and Coomera production plants, the company's foundry at Molendinar and the rarely-seen headquarters of the Maritimo Offshore Race Team, where they witnessed race engines being run on a high-tech dynamometer.
They also had the opportunity to 'talk racing' with 'Maritimo' driver (and current Australian Class 1 champion) Tom Barry-Cotter and chat with some of the skilled mechanics that keep the race team to the forefront.
Luke Durman, national sales manager Peter Jenkins and general manager Martin Lewis each detailed their responsibilities within the Maritimo organisation and freely answered questions, some 'tricky', to say the least, thrown at them by the media throng.
 | Media representatives were given a first-hand tour of the very high-tech Maritimo Offshore Race Team headquarters. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
To end what had been an interest-packed tour, the media was treated to a gala dinner at a prominent Gold Coast restaurant, the host none other than Maritimo CEO Bill Barry-Cotter.
 | Media representatives were treated to the spectacular (and noisy!) experience of a Maritimo race engine at full revolutions on the dyno. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
 | Maritimo marketing director Luke Durman (left) with 'Pacific Motor Yacht' publisher Barry Thompson during the company's media day. Thompson's son, Travis, will team with Durman aboard the Maritimo Offshore Race Team's #2 boat, 'Simrad' for the 2010 season. - Bob Wonders Click Here to view large photo |
by Bob Wonders
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