Having produced a number of Makai M37s now cruising proudly across Europe and making their way toward the Americas, we at Makai Yachts found ourselves standing at a pivotal point in our journey. The M37 had already proven itself as a capable, luxurious, and highly efficient power catamaran — a vessel that married modern design with practical cruising ability. But from the very beginning, there had always been a vision for something more.
Something that would push boundaries.
Something that would deliver the pure, exhilarating performance of a sports machine — without compromising the grace, comfort, and fuel efficiency that defined Makai’s DNA.
That dream took form in what we called the Makai M37 GTS — a model we had long referred to internally as our “unicorn.” For years, the GTS sat on a pedestal: an ideal blend of performance, endurance, and refinement that we tirelessly chased but refused to release until it met our exacting standards. The goal was deceptively simple — to create a high-performance version of the M37 that maintained its exceptional cruising efficiency while adding a true sport-boat soul.
After years of testing, design iteration, and collaboration with industry specialists, the GTS has finally come to life. What emerged from our shipyard in Croatia is not just another model variant — it’s a statement of intent, an expression of what’s possible when passion and precision engineering converge.
The Three Pillars of GTS Performance
The GTS transformation revolves around three core technological advancements — each meticulously developed and integrated to elevate the M37 into a new league of performance and efficiency.
- The Powerhouse: Twin Yanmar 8LV370 V8 Engines
The standard M37 configuration features twin 320hp diesel engines, more than adequate for brisk cruising and efficient performance. But to achieve our target speeds and performance characteristics, we needed a new level of propulsion.
Enter the Yanmar 8LV370 — a twin-turbocharged, V8 marine diesel powerhouse producing 370 horsepower per side. Known for their robust construction, smooth power delivery, and remarkable reliability, these engines bring the GTS to life with the kind of instant torque and mid-range thrust that performance enthusiasts crave.
Beyond raw power, Yanmar’s engineering focus on lightweight design and fuel economy aligned perfectly with Makai’s philosophy. The result is a propulsion system that not only delivers blistering acceleration but does so with astonishing efficiency — making long-range, high-speed cruising a genuine reality.
- The Hydrofoil Advantage
Power alone wasn’t enough. To truly redefine the performance envelope, we needed to reimagine how the M37 interacted with the water.
We collaborated closely with a specialist hydrofoil designer to develop a custom foil system, tuned specifically for the M37 hull form. Unlike traditional performance foils designed purely for speed, our focus was on optimizing fuel efficiency and ride quality at cruising speeds.
The hydrofoil provides subtle but effective lift once the boat reaches around 20 knots, reducing wetted surface area and dramatically lowering drag. This lift not only enhances top speed but — more importantly — improves fuel economy and seakeeping. The result is a vessel that glides across the surface rather than ploughing through it, maintaining stability and comfort even in choppy conditions. Learn more about the MAKAI hydrofoil system HERE.
In testing, the hydrofoil quickly proved its worth — delivering better-than-expected results both in speed and efficiency, confirming that our careful design and simulation work had paid off.
- The Q-SPD Surface Drive System
With more power and less drag, we needed a drive system that could harness every ounce of performance potential while maintaining the smooth, controlled feel expected from a Makai.
To achieve this, we partnered with Q-SPD, pioneers in surface-piercing propeller systems. The Q-SPD surface drive is a lightweight, low-drag propulsion system designed to deliver maximum thrust efficiency at high speeds. Its compact design also helps optimize weight distribution, a critical factor in achieving our balance of agility and efficiency.
Learn more about the QSPD surface drive propulsion system HERE
The synergy between the Yanmar engines, hydrofoil, and Q-SPD surface drive was immediately apparent. Together, they formed a triad of performance — working in harmony to deliver effortless acceleration, stable high-speed handling, and fuel economy figures that defied expectation.
Designing the GTS: Engineering Meets Emotion
From the beginning, our objective was not to build a racing boat disguised as a cruiser, but rather a true performance cruiser — one that retained the hallmark comfort and practicality of the M37 platform.
The GTS benefits from the same spacious twin-hull design, offering superior stability both underway and at rest. The interior remains refined and practical, with generous living spaces and all the amenities for extended cruising. Yet beneath the surface, every system and detail has been optimized for performance — from weight reduction measures and composite layup refinements to aerodynamic and hydrodynamic tweaks across the hull and superstructure.
The result is a vessel that feels inherently balanced — poised, responsive, and alive under throttle, yet calm and composed during long passages. It’s a rare combination that few boats achieve, and one that defines the essence of the Makai M37 GTS.
The Maiden Voyage: From Croatia to Greece
After months of meticulous testing, calibration, and refinement at the Makai shipyard in Split, Croatia, the day arrived to launch the very first M37 GTS.
With the vessel fully outfitted for a real-world journey — stocked with provisions, cruising gear, and a crew of four — we prepared for a 350-nautical-mile voyage south to Corfu, Greece. This wasn’t just a test run; it was a full-fledged shakedown voyage designed to validate the GTS in real cruising conditions.
As the hull slipped into the water and we idled away from the dock, the sense of anticipation was palpable. Initial checks confirmed all systems were operating perfectly — from steering and trim controls to the advanced electronic monitoring suite. With everything cleared, we eased the throttles forward.
As expected from a planing catamaran, it took some power to lift the hull onto the foil, which engaged around 20 knots. The transition was immediate and electrifying — as the foil took load, the boat surged forward with surprising urgency. From 20 knots, she leapt effortlessly to 30, and within seconds, we were looking at 45.7 knots on the GPS — a full 5 knots above our target top speed.
Even more impressive was the composure of the vessel. The engines felt smooth and unstrained, the steering crisp and precise, and the ride remarkably flat and controlled. We had, however, reached a new problem: at such high speeds, the raw-water pickups began drawing air, necessitating a quick reduction in throttle. A simple engineering fix, but a testament to just how much performance the GTS was capable of delivering.
Cruising Efficiency Beyond Expectation
As we settled into our long run toward Greece, we experimented with trim, throttle, and speed settings to find the vessel’s sweet spots. The data that followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
At 30 knots, the GTS achieved a fuel burn of just 2.6 liters per nautical mile, significantly better than our original prediction of 2.9 L/NM. Even more impressive, we recorded 3.8 L/NM while cruising at a blistering 40 knots — performance figures rarely seen in a vessel of this size and capability.
As the Adriatic swells built from one to two meters, the M37 GTS continued to impress. The combination of the hydrofoil’s lift and the catamaran’s wide stance allowed the boat to glide over wave crests with minimal pitch and roll. Passengers remained comfortable and dry, while the helm maintained exceptional visibility and control.
By early afternoon, we made a brief stop in Dubrovnik — refueling, grabbing a quick meal, and conducting further system checks. Everything was running perfectly. As evening descended, we resumed our journey, cruising steadily through the night toward Corfu.
Fifteen hours after leaving Split, the GTS made landfall in Greece — having maintained a steady 30-knot average and consuming far less fuel than anticipated. It was an emphatic validation of years of design, development, and determination.
Continuous Evolution: Refining the GTS Formula
While the maiden voyage proved beyond doubt that the GTS was a success, the spirit of innovation at Makai Yachts means we never stop improving. During the trip, we identified several areas for further optimization.
First on the list were the raw-water pickups, which would be redesigned to ensure reliable engine cooling even at the extreme lift and trim angles made possible by the hydrofoil and Q-SPD combination. Secondly, we planned to integrate a refined automated trim control system, combining Zipwake’s dynamic interceptors with adjustable trim tabs to fine-tune running attitude automatically across varying speeds and sea states.
These refinements would allow the GTS to lift even higher, reducing drag further and potentially unlocking even greater efficiency and speed. The process of testing, tuning, and optimization continues — because perfection is not a destination, but a pursuit.
The Experience at the Helm
Driving the Makai M37 GTS is an experience that transcends simple numbers and specifications. From the moment you settle into the helm seat, you sense the potential beneath your fingertips.
Throttle response is instant — the twin Yanmar V8s delivering a deep, satisfying growl as they spool up. The transition from displacement to foil-assisted planing is smooth and predictable, followed by an exhilarating surge as the hull breaks free from the drag of the water.
The steering is light yet precise, offering total confidence at any speed. At 40 knots, the catamaran tracks true and stable, effortlessly slicing through the water. There’s no sense of strain or nervousness — just pure, controlled power.
Even at these speeds, comfort remains a hallmark of the Makai experience. The helm station is ergonomically designed for long passages, with clear visibility, intuitive controls, and full digital monitoring. Passengers enjoy the same sense of luxury and calm that defines every Makai interior, making it easy to forget you’re traveling at performance-boat velocities.
A New Benchmark in Cruising Performance
The M37 GTS represents more than just a faster version of the Makai M37 — it’s a proof of concept that challenges traditional assumptions about what a power catamaran can achieve.
For decades, high-speed boating and fuel efficiency were seen as mutually exclusive goals. The GTS breaks that paradigm, demonstrating that with intelligent design, advanced materials, and precision engineering, it’s possible to have both — and more.
Whether carving across calm waters at 45 knots or cruising efficiently for hundreds of miles at 30, the M37 GTS delivers an experience that is as thrilling as it is refined. It’s not merely a step forward for Makai; it’s a step forward for the entire category of performance cruising catamarans.
The Road (and Sea) Ahead
As we continue refining the GTS and integrating lessons from our testing and customer feedback, one thing is certain: this model marks the beginning of a new era for Makai Yachts. The combination of efficiency, performance, and luxury that the GTS embodies will serve as the foundation for future models — larger, faster, and even more advanced.
The M37 GTS is more than just a high-performance variant — it’s a vision made real. It’s the embodiment of the Makai promise: to deliver yachts that don’t just move through the water, but move the heart.
Specifications Snapshot – Makai M37 GTS
| Feature | Specification |
| Engines | Twin Yanmar 8LV370 V8 Twin Turbo Diesel |
| Power | 370 hp x 2 |
| Drive System | Q-SPD Surface Drive |
| Hydrofoil | Custom-designed high efficiency foil |
| Top Speed | 45.7 knots (tested) |
| Predicted Efficiency | 2.9 L/NM @ 30 knots |
| Achieved Efficiency | 2.6 L/NM @ 30 knots |
| Range (approx.) | 320 NM @ 30 knots |
| Hull Length | 11.2 m |
| Beam | 5.4 m |
| Draft | 0.91 m |
| Crew Tested | 4 |
| Test Route | Split, Croatia → Corfu, Greece |
Conclusion
The Makai M37 GTS is not just an upgrade — it’s a redefinition. It proves that true performance and real-world cruising capability can coexist, that efficiency doesn’t mean compromise, and that innovation remains the beating heart of Makai Yachts.
As the first of the GTS models continue their journeys across Europe and beyond, they carry not only our craftsmanship and engineering but our unyielding commitment to excellence. Every throttle push, every crest cleared, and every horizon reached is a testament to what happens when vision meets precision.
The M37 GTS isn’t just the next step in our evolution — it’s a leap into the future of performance cruising
To learn more about the M37GTS hydrofoil supported power catamaran, CONTACT US today to discuss with a member of our team.