NEWS - Maritimo expands to southern Africa

Maritimo has added Durban’s Bigfoot Marine to its international dealer network, representing the company in southern Africa.

Maritimo marketing director, Luke Durman said: “Southern Africa has a healthy big-boat market of cruisers and gamefishing enthusiasts. Laurence Steytler at Bigfoot Marine has an intimate knowledge of those markets.”

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,” said Steytler.

“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,” he said.

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 Seychelle 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 Steytler.

Photo: Maritimo’s Bill Barry-Cotter (right) and Luke Durman welcome Laurence Steytler (centre) to the company’s dealer network.