Maritimo M60 Operating Manual

This document was created by Dave Horne to detail the operation of Amazing Grace – 2024 Maritimo M60-14. All contents reflect best knowledge and recollection. There is no warranty of accuracy given or implied. The contents are copyrighted, and reuse without written permission is prohibited.

Predeparture

• Charge Dockmate – Wall mounted below the throttles (see website for details.) The joystick is programmable, and we had it set up as follows:
  • 12:00 and 6:00 – Both engines forward and back.
  • 3:00 and 9:00 – Both thrusters with proportional power (the further you push, the higger the thruster RPMs.
  • 1:30, 4:30, 7:30, and 10:30 – the engine is 180° away only.
  • Twist puts one engine forward and the other in reverse. 
• Charge Headsets – Headsets located in the ottoman near the helm. USB cable for charging. 
• Plot Autoroute – The autopilot can operate in HEADING HOLD mode or Autoroute. I generally use Autoroute to plot a course and monitor my time/miles to the destination.
  • The Autoroute requires a WAYPOINT to plot a course. You can create a waypoint by finding your destination on the chart plotter, touching the spot you want to go to, and selecting CREATE WAYPOINT at the upper menu of the chart screen. 

• My historical destinations are saved and accessed through the WHERE TO? link to the left of the HOME icon on the chart page.

• Here, I selected ONSET, which automatically generated a course from Plymouth to the waypoint I saved in Onset.

• The purple line on the screen is the calculated route. It’s generated based on the program’s rules. It will often plot courses that are too close to buoys or the shore, so I only use it as a guideline. I manage the course manually through Heading Hold and the autopilot remote control. 

Departure

• Start the generator. Switches are on the power panel.  Shut off the HVAC first to avoid overload. Once running, flip the safety switch and switch from shore power to ship power.

• Stow the Power Cable—AVOID CONTACT WITH SEA WATER. There is a handheld remote, but I prefer the switch in the rope locker. Maintain some mild resistance. If wet, run it through a towel to dry as it stores.
• Test Thrusters – Wake up by pressing both the on and off switches.

• Nudge both paddles in either direction to confirm operation until you feel the boat move.
• Start Engines – Turn on the ignition, then start. Starboard first, then port.

• Engage Gyro – Button on the dash.

• Drop Lines—Check the wind and direct the crew to drop leeward lines first. If necessary, engage Dock Hold.
• Dock Hold – See video.
• Sound Horn Before Engaging Props
  • One Prolonged Blast – This means you are leaving a dock or departing your slip. It signals to others a change in status and that you are getting underway. A prolonged blast is also sounded when a vessel is approaching a bend in a river where vessels coming from another direction cannot be seen. It is sometimes referred to as the “blind bend signal.”
  • Three Short Blasts – This means you are operating in astern propulsion, for example, backing away from a dock
  • One Prolonged Blast + Three Short Blasts – These are technically two different signals in succession. One prolonged blast indicates you are getting underway, and three short blasts indicate you are backing up. This is what is sounded when you are departing a dock in reverse.

Underway

• Monitor Depth Departing – I carefully monitor depth until I get to deep water. AG has both a Depth Sounder and a Forward Sonar. Click favorites on the port Garmin and select FrontVü.

• Monitor Engines
  • Engine Temperatures
  • Engine Load – 80% Continuous Maximum 
  • Match States on each engine
• Here is a photo of the port monitor taken on April 30, 2024:

These are all normal readings; however, everything is running cooler than usual due to the 45° water temperature. The key metric to monitor is any significant deviation between the two engines. It’s safe to assume they’re operating properly if they’re similar.

• Monitor Wake—The M60 generates significant wake. Pass and meet smaller boats with caution. 
• Operating Autopilot – Once you’ve left the harbor and started on an extended heading, select ENGAGE on the autopilot screen. 

• Once I’m engaged, the boat is fixed on the heading we were on when I hit ENGAGE.
• Although it’s possible to engage the autopilot to follow the automatically generated course, I generally don’t. It often plots a course that’s too close to channel markets. And, of course, it doesn’t see other boats or lobster pots.
• The Garmin Package we installed includes an operating panel to the right of the helm.

• “Out of the box,” it can be used to scroll across the two 22” screens and the autopilot screen. After a few trips, I realized that I was only using it as a “mouse” to adjust the heading (the round knob can be turned or pressed to enter.) My electronics guy set it only to control the autopilot screen, which allows me to quickly change course with a twist of the knob.
• To engage the knob, you twist it until the blue highlight box looks like this:

• Then you push down on it, and the knob is now able to change the heading by twisting right or left.

• Since the Maritimo has straight shafts and rudders, there is a bit of a lag when turning the boat, so it takes some getting used to.
• When you’re ready to steer by the wheel, just hit standby.
• Basic Rules of The Road

• Engaging Other Vessels
  • One Short Blast—This means “I intend to leave you on MY port side.” When you pass near another boat, you will maneuver by leaving them on your left side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction, and about to overtake it, one short blast means: “I intend to pass you on YOUR starboard side, MY port side.”
  • Two Short Blasts – This means “I intend to leave you on MY starboard side”. When you pass near another boat, you will maneuver by leaving them on your right side as you pass. If you are behind another boat, going the same direction and about to overtake it, two short blasts means: “I intend to pass you on YOUR port side, MY starboard side.”
  • Five Short Blasts – This is the DANGER signal. Remember, that when you approach another vessel and hear either one or two short blasts, and you both understand their signal and can safely let them do it, then you are required to respond with the same signal in response. However, if you don’t understand their intentions, or feel that their proposed maneuver is dangerous to either vessel, then you are required to sound the DANGER signal.
• Buoys – The basic rule is “Red Right Returning,” but it’s not always easy in Buzzards Bay to know if you’re returning or leaving. The chart plotter shows where to pass buoys.

Here’s a link to the Coast Guard website for more information.

• VHF Basics – While underway, monitor Channel 16. Inside the Cape Cod Canal, monitor Channel 13. Here are a few basics of VHF Operation.

Arrival

• Engage Forward Sonar
• Hail Dock—Generally, via VHF Radio. Hailing channels can be found on Dockwa or by doing a general Google search. 
• Initiate Dockmate and Headsets (if necessary).
• Dockmaster Conversation – The Dockmaster will generally tell you when and where you are to approach the dock. If they don’t mention it, be sure to discuss which side you’ll be tying up on. If it’s the captain’s option, consider the wind, the view, the sun/shadows, and the location of the power terminal.
• Set Lines and Fenders – Generally, this is the job of the First Mate. Fenders should be attached to the safety rails via a Clove Hitch at a link that sets the fender to protect the hull just above the water.

Lines should be cleated before arriving at the dock using a standard cleat tie:

2025 Thruster Upgrade

• Brushless motors do not overheat or cycle off
• 300 KG upgrade to stern thruster
• Dockmate and DPS Operation

Where appropriate—The thrusters are battery-powered and shut off after a few minutes. As you approach the dock, hit the “on” button to wake them up. Excessive use of the thrusters can drain the batteries and kill them. Jog the engines to approach the dock as much as possible, saving the thrusters for the final approach.

• General Rules on Docking – Do not toss the lines no matter what the dockhand says.  Lines in the water can jam the thrusters and put the boat in peril. Unless I have a mechanical failure, I will bring the boat close enough (via thrusters) to hand the lines to the dockhand. The other General Rule is to kindly request the dockhand to cleat the lines as quickly as possible. Amazing Grace weighs 100,000 lbs and has the cross-section of a 40’ sailboat. No dockhand can pull her in by hand in even a light breeze. 
• Set Spring Lines

As a general rule, set the first spring line to stop forward motion or to stop the wind from pushing the boat.

Shut Down Process

• Once the First Mate signals a secure tie-up, shut down the Engines, leaving the ignitions on.
• Unless it’s cold out, turn on the engine room fans via the button on the starboard dashboard.
• If you used the Dockmate, power it off. If the Dockmate is powered up, but not controlling the boat, it will beep a warning.
• Deploy the shore power cable and signal the dockhand to power up.
• Shut off the HVAC to avoid a power surge.
• Switch from vessel power to shore power at the power panel. 
• Switch on the HVAC, one zone at a time, monitoring the A and B power levels. The combined draw cannot exceed 50 Amps.
• Once the engine room is sufficiently cooled, return to the helm, shut down the fans, shut off both ignitions and put the gyro on standby unless necessary. NOTE: The Volvo display will beep if you shut off the electronics on the power panel before shutting off the ignition.

Operational Systems

• Radar—The USCG requires radar to be on at all times. Select Radar Overlay from the favorites on the Starboard Garmen. Press the XMIT button at the top left to Spin Up.
• Humphrees – The Humphrees Interceptors are small blades mounted on the stern that stabilize and trim the boat. They can be set to automatic or operated manually. NOTE: They should always be powered on. They automatically clean themselves every 24 hours. 
• Anchor and Windlass—The anchor is electronically deployed and retrieved via a switch at the helm. A safety line on the bow prevents accidental deployment. 
• Power Monitoring and Management—AG’s electrical system is 50 Amps. If everything is turned on, the shore power breaker will trip. 
• HVAC – There are seven heat pumps on Amazing Grace powered by three breakers on the panel (2 in the flybridge, 3 in the salon, and 2 in the cabin level).
  • Each heat pump has its own control panel where you can set:
    • Temperature
    • AC, Heat, Humidity, Auto
    • Fan-Level or Auto
  • I avoid Auto Temperature, it tends to switch between heat and AC constantly.
  • I avoid Auto Fan. If it’s very hot out and someone leaves a door open, the AC will run full and trip the shore breaker. 
• Shore Power Breaker – The Shore Power Breaker is located in the engine room and is mounted on the port transom wall. There are two breakers.  If the breaker is tripped, you see the white side of the switches. Otherwise, you see a green light.
• Strainers—There are four strainers in the engine room (HVAC, Generator, and one for each engine). Maritime recommends exercising the through-hull valves monthly. Monitor their contents and clean them for weeds.

• Water – The forward water tank has been disconnected and cannot be filled. The new tank is located in the lazarette and filled at the starboard water cap. Amazing Grace depends on a full water tank to trim her in rough seas. Always fill the water tank before departing.
• Fuel – All fuel tanks are connected and can be filled from either side. Fuel caps are amidship on the salon exterior walls.

• The Garmin’s fuel level is calculated, not measured. It appears accurate, provided the glass tube is purged after adding fuel.
• The glass tube on the engine room’s foreword wall displays the number of gallons on board.

• After you add fuel, you must purge the glass tube by depressing a switch under the glass tube.

• After the tube has been purged, note the number of gallons, go to the Garmin screen, and reset the fuel level to match the glass tube gallons.
• Toilets – The toilets have two switches and can be prefilled (prior to solid waste) by pushing the BEFORE USE button or the AFTER USE button to simply flush.

• Waste – There is a wastewater gauge in the Master Head. Occasionally, it’s not accurate, so it’s best to plan a pump out every 48 hours for four guests.

• The M60 has an automated system for dumping solid waste, but per CGREGS, IT CANNOT BE USED WITHIN THREE MILES OF SHORE.
• Once you’ve reached an authorized discharge area (as designated on the USCG Charts), bring the helm to neutral and turn the key to the right.

• The little screen to the right will turn green when the tank drains.

Additional Notes

• Operating Underwater Lights
  • Below is the instruction form the manual for color scroll operation:
    • Scoll mode is entered by powering the lights ON and the power cycling twice within 1 second, so OFF, ON, OFF, ON.
    • The light should then slowly scroll between colors.
    • When you get the color you like, power it off for 5 seconds and back on and it will stay in the desired color.
• Skydeck refrigerator on 5; setting to 6+ will freeze contents 
• Electric Grill setting of 3 ½ to grill hot dogs, sandwiches, or buns.
• AIS Stealth Mode – UP on is stealth (AIS Transmit Off), DOWN is on. 
• USCG Boarding Notes
  • Documentation 
  • Identification 
  • Life Jackets
  • Fire Extinguishers 
  • Life Ring
  • Black Water Discharge
  • Hull Number (starboard under the line cabinet)
  • Beacon and EPIRB
  • USCG-REGS
• The Lais Bibbo Teak Maintenance Procedure
  • To clean, use ECO 100, with a medium scrub pad.
  • Do it in medium sections, get the teak wet and never let it dry, the product is a powder.
  • We apply it directly to the teak (the instructions on the bottle takes too long to work).
  • Wait for a few minutes before you start scrubbing and then rinse off the product. It takes a lot of water to rinse it off.
  • Scrub with a pad as even as possible so it won’t stain (parts darker than others).
  • Let it work for about 5 minutes and do not let it dry (if it starts to dry, spray it down with water – never let it dry.)
  • Hose it of thoroughly. When the teak is no longer slippery,  the product is rinsed off (if the product isn’t all rinsed off, the teak will gray faster than normal).
  • ECO 100 is a non chemical product, it will not damage the teak or the caulk on it. We don’t recommend chemical cleaners; they can damage the teak.
  • We sand the teak only when necessary.
  • Use Semco Clearcote. We don’t use colored sealers because when it wears off it shows too much and it doesn’t look good.
  • The sealer it’s water based, it won’t damage the teak or caulk. Since it’s water based, so when it’s raining season it will wear off faster. 
  • You don’t need to clean the teak every time that you apply the sealer, only if it’s dirty. The dirt gets trapped in the teak grains it’s what cause mold
  • If you have any questions about the teak or anything else just let us know. We’re happy to answer any questions – Lais Bibbo (954) 554-9309
• Adjusting Door Handles
  • To access the Phillips Head screw to adjust the interior door handles, you must remove the chrome
    square cover.
  • The set screw is accessed at a 45° angle from below and it’s a 1.5 mm metric Allen head.
• Unlocking Mele Cooktop
  • When the LC code is on the Mele Cooktop, it will not operate.
  • LC indicates Locked. To clear, hold down the on/off button for six seconds (you will see a countdown from 6 to 0.