Maldivia 45 Sea Trials: Faster Than Predicted

Hull No. 1 completes a week of open-sea testing and beats its design calculations

The first Maldivia 45 has completed one week of sea trials in open-sea conditions, with waves from 0.5 to 2 metres. There was no flat water during the week, so every result was measured in waves. The boat ran at half load (9 tonnes) on two standard Yamaha 250 hp outboards.

The M45 held a continuous 28 knots in 0.5–1 metre waves over several runs, and 27 knots in 1–1.5 metre waves. In the calmest conditions and in 1-metre following seas, it reached 30 knots. With an optimised propeller, the same engines deliver 30.5–31 knots.

The hull sat exactly on its designed waterline, and fuel consumption came in slightly below prediction. In 1-metre waves the boat did not slam and the captain never had to reduce speed. “Manoeuvring in the harbour is far easier than with similar boats in the Maldives,” said one of the test captains. Our client rated the M45 about 75% easier to handle than the 38-foot boat it runs today.

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