Chuck Mills knew exactly what he wanted in a new boat — he just couldn't find all the desired elements in a single package. "I was leaning toward a convertible, but [my wife] Jan wasn't sold on the idea of passengers having to climb an outside ladder," Mills says. "We have young grandchildren on board quite often, and she's all about safety."

Though 90 percent of the couple's time on the water involves family cruises, Mills also wanted to do some fishing. Other important features on the wish list included a minimum of three separate sleeping areas, secure 360-degree deck access, a sheltered and climate-controlled helm area and IPS propulsion — all in a package under 50 feet.

In 2009, Mills purchased a Tiara 3900 Sovran from Galati Yacht Sales and was using the boat often, both for local cruises around his home waters in Destin, Florida, and on cruises to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. "It was a great boat, but I kept thinking we could use a bit more room — and a bridge deck," Mills recalls.

In May 2010, Mills received a phone call from Brian Dekkinga of Galati Yacht Sales, who proclaimed, "I've found your boat." Galati had recently taken on the Maritimo line, and Dekkinga knew of a new 44-footer in the works. Like many of the company's larger cruising motoryachts, it would feature an enclosed bridge deck, three staterooms and something new for Maritimo: Volvo IPS drives.

Mills placed a sales deposit sight-unseen and then booked flights to Australia, where he visited the Maritimo factory and met founder Bill Barry-Cotter. "I immediately liked a lot of things about the boat," Mills says, "but I also had a few additions and changes to fit our lifestyle. Bill not only listened to us, he has this ability to take your idea, work it through and end up with something even better. Originally, Jan was only 50-50 on the whole idea, but after seeing the boat and taking a cruise around Sydney Harbor and out into open water, she was as enthusiastic as me. One thing she really liked was the security of the inside stairwell."

Mills' new boat arrived in time to be shown at the 2011 Miami International Boat Show in February, then it immediately headed for Destin. "On day one, we ran around Cape Florida to Venice, then right on to Destin on day two," Mills says. "The boat proved itself right out of the gates."

I met Mills in early April in Destin, where the Galati team was putting final touches on his new 440 Offshore Convertible in preparation for the summer cruising season. Mills, who is meticulous in the care of his boats, began with a tour of the interior. "I'm not usually a fan of high-gloss woodwork," he tells me, "but I love this finish." Maritimo uses a proprietary resin-blend coating on woodwork that includes UV inhibitors and is surprisingly durable. Mills also appreciates the Amtico laminate flooring, which will withstand the traffic of grandchildren and a Labrador retriever.

As on other Maritimo models we've reviewed, the 440 incorporates large windows into the second and third staterooms, giving these quarters an added sense of spaciousness. Overall ergonomics in all three cabins and both heads are exemplary, and the salon provides wide-open views with sliding glass doors that open the interior to the sheltered cockpit.

One of the crowning achievements of the design is the fully enclosed upper station, which is something not often seen on a boat of this size. "It's where everyone wants to be when we are under way," Mills says, "and it also makes a great fourth stateroom for the kids or extra guests."

Any initial concerns I might have harbored with regards to windage or stability were allayed after working the 440 out of a tight crosswind slip and spending some time out in the Gulf of Mexico, laying side-to into a modest wind chop. I've always been impressed by the stability Maritimo's enclosed-bridge cruisers exhibit, and the 440 proved no different. Also on par with other members of the fleet was the precise handling and thrifty fuel consumption.

Maritimo hulls are known for delivering best-in-class performance with conventional shaft drives. In keeping with market demand, the builder incorporated the IPS system into the 440. The fact that a 35,000-pound, "two-story" boat with a pair of 435 hp diesels can achieve nearly 32 knots with a max fuel burn of just over 40 gph, well, it speaks for itself.

In addition to performance, other attractive aspects of Maritimo's IPS system Mills likes include safety, access and storage. "There are flotation chambers built into the spaces outboard of the engines," he says, "and a full watertight bulkhead between the engine room and the interior." The entire cockpit floor rises for easy engine access, and the space under the salon floor is utilized for auxiliary systems and additional storage — something that will come in handy as the boat begins a summer cruising season.

"Having a boat that's safe for the grandkids is key," Mills says, "But with the 440, we get that without giving up performance or range, and I can still fish it." Mills plans to add rod holders to the cockpit gunwales and will carry a soft livewell, which can be mounted on the integral swim platform.

This year's plans call for trips to the Keys and Bahamas, and Mills says eventually a yearlong cruise around the Great Loop may be in the works. Whatever the mission, he feels the 440 will provide an ideal platform for his family and him to enjoy their time on the water in a boat that's exactly what he wanted.