Mumm’s the word for Maritimo’s Birdcage coup
A Gold Coast boat builder will make a splash at next week’s Melbourne Cup – with a luxury model dropped into the VIP-studded Birdcage.
Coomera-based Maritimo has shelled out big bucks – it won’t say how much – to transport its new $2.2 million S59 model overland from Sydney for the race that stops a nation.
Maritimo has teamed up with avant-garde French champagne brand Maison Mumm for what will be the first time a luxury motor yacht has had a presence at a Cup Birdcage marquee.
“It is not every day you get to see a magnificent luxury cruiser of this size displayed in an environment such as Flemington and particularly when the eyes of the world will be on Melbourne for the Cup,” Maritimo CEO Garth Corbitt
The race is viewed by a billion people worldwide.
Maritimo founder Bill Barry-Cotter said the expense of getting the 59-footer to the event would be “well worth it”.
“I agreed it was a great idea and should give us recognition around the world,” he said.
The vessel was sailed to Sydney for its annual August show before an elaborate logistical exercise to transport it the 877km overland to Melbourne.
Maritimo shipping, international service and warranty manager Ross Willaton said it was initially shrink-wrapped in Newcastle then put on a truck bound for Melbourne.
“We had to get the boat to a maximum height of 5.1 metres when on the quad trailer and that involved taking the shafts, rudders and props off and then also the nagivation gear, electronics and lights on the cabin top.”
Mr Willaton said it was “just legal” to go under the tramlines in Melbourne and once at Flemington’s famed race track was the first piece of major infrastructure installed using a 250-ton crane.
“Then the rest of the marquee was constructed around the boat.”
The Australian owner would be attending the Cup.