Maritimo 100 – Merging the legacies of Oyster and Bill Barry-Cotter to design a racing yacht
by Maritimo 5 Nov 02:36 PST
Maritimo 100 © Maritimo
The 30.40-meter Oyster superyacht ‘Maritimo 100’ is now nearing completion following its delivery from Newport, Rhode Island. The fusion of Oyster and Bill Barry-Cotter’s legacies has resulted in a truly elegant and competitive gentleman’s racing yacht, poised to participate in this year’s Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Launched in 2012, this stunning superyacht was the second Oyster 100 constructed by the esteemed Southampton-based Oyster Yachts, designed by the internationally acclaimed Ed Dubois of Dubois Naval Architects.
Acquired in early 2024 from Rhode Island and now named ‘Maritimo 100,’ this regal 114-tonne sloop boasts a beam of 7.7 meters and features a sleek aluminum hull. It is driven by 493 square meters of sail area, a sports rig, carbon spars, and Spectra Carbon sails. Like all Oysters, operational efficiency and maximum comfort are essential.
The luxurious interior creates a sense of expansive space filled with light and breathtaking views from the broad panoramic glass windows. There are two salon spaces available – the upper salon, which features cozy lounge seating, and the formal dining area that fully capitalizes on the view. Forward and below decks, a spacious second salon provides extra areas for relaxation and entertainment. Guest accommodations are located behind the salon below deck, with three Staterooms, each equipped with en suite bathrooms. Oyster’s innovative floating interior design not only offers a visual spectacle but also provides a practical solution that minimizes noise and vibration.
We recently conversed with the Skipper of ‘Maritimo 100’ – Peter ‘Scallops’ Jones – who shared intriguing insights regarding the delivery of the Oyster from Newport, Rhode Island, and the upcoming works planned ahead of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
“Oysters are fantastic vessels; the meticulous attention to detail from the construction and beyond is exceptional. They’re great boats to work with, and with the modifications we are implementing, it will be an utterly magnificent gentleman’s sailing yacht.”
“After the Barry-Cotter family purchased the Oyster 100, I led a delivery crew to retrieve the boat in Newport, Rhode Island, sailing it to the Gold Coast via the Panama Canal and Tahiti.”
“Getting from the North Pacific to the South Pacific and arriving in Tahiti was incredibly enjoyable. It felt like we had conquered the journey upon reaching Tahiti. We likely experienced about 12 days of genuine Trade Wind sailing, maintaining boat speeds of 12 to 14 knots 24 hours a day. As long as the boat has sprung sheets and wind angles of approximately 50-55 degrees, it can achieve 14 knots in 14 knots of breeze and 16 knots in 16 knots. It was genuinely a pleasure to sail, and I thought, wow, this is about as much fun as one can have. We were averaging around 300 nautical miles each day.”
“At 30.40 meters, the boat hardly pitches and rolls. With a mast that reaches 42 meters above the deck and about 493 square meters of working sail area, the vessel glides through the water very comfortably.”
“Our sail inventory includes one large and vibrant orange asymmetrical spinnaker in a sock, making it easy to set with winching up and down – it’s a substantial size. Additionally, we have a furling reacher, a furling jib, and an in-boom furling mainsail, which is fully battened.”
“The pre-racing works plan involved replacing all of these working sails. The mainsail, jib, and reacher are being crafted here on the Gold Coast by our local sailmaker, Sail Inc. The reacher is enormous, with a 155% overlap, and there are significant capstans at the mast for running the halyards, along with four major primary hydraulic winches at the rear of the boat. It’s an excellent setup for gentleman’s racing!”
“Alongside the new sails, we are updating many of the PLC controls that manage the boat’s hydraulics. Our specialists at AT Hydraulics are collaborating with us to overhaul numerous hydraulic systems. We are also replacing the wiring from European and American standards to new Australian specifications. Electrical and hydraulic systems on a vessel like this are crucial since they operate everywhere and control everything.”
“We are currently rebuilding the gearbox, as analysis revealed some metal shavings in the oil. The 355hp Cummins engine drives the gearbox and the three-bladed feathering propeller.”
Once the repairs and clean-up are finished, the Maritimo livery will be affixed to the boom, measuring about a meter high and 15 meters long. Interestingly, that boom area is quite comparable in size to the livery on the hull of the TP52.
‘Maritimo 100’ will appear in gold lettering on the stern, complemented by the dark blue hull and gold cove line. The vessel is set to look spectacular and extremely prestigious.
“The current goal is to travel to Sydney by mid to late November and participate in the Cabbage Tree Island Race on December 6th, with the full Sydney Hobart crew. Following this, we may also join the Maxi Cup big boat series, as we plan to spend additional time with the crew in early December.”
“After the Sydney to Hobart, our plans for the next couple of years are fairly open. Plan A would be aiming for New Zealand in February, then potentially returning for the Sydney-Nouméa Race in May 2025. However, nothing is confirmed at this stage. It will depend on the Barry-Cotter family’s decisions regarding the program as it unfolds.”
“Our primary focus right now is the Sydney Hobart. We will be sailing down to Hobart with a crew of fifteen. It’s truly a family affair, including Bill Barry-Cotter and his brother Kendal, both very skilled sailors, along with senior Maritimo management and some long-time friends of Bill’s. Also, we will have a core group of experienced crew members who have sailed on Maritimo 54 and the TP52, including myself.”
“Bill and I have been heavily involved with the logistics to ready the boat and everything necessary for action. This has been months in the making since purchasing the yacht, facilitating its delivery, and compiling the task list. I know Bill is thrilled that everything is coming together, culminating in participation in this prestigious event, particularly with a close-knit group of family and friends. This is what Bill envisioned, done in the manner he desired. This program truly reflects Bill’s lifelong passion for sailing and competition—however, this time he aims to enjoy the journey in comfort. Hence, we are even bringing along our own chef!”
Without a doubt, the competitive spirit is vibrant and robust within Maritimo, alongside a profound sense of enjoyment and adventure. Isn’t that what sailing and boating are truly about?