Boats The Maxi knack

‘Swedish flair and superior performance’: Peter K Poland salutes the extensive range of Maxi boats designed by Pelle Petterson

ention But the most prolific Swedish the class; he skippered unusual for its era. A conventional Scandinavian- builder and designer of cruising Swedish America’s Cup challengers saloon, aft galley and separate built cruisers in yachts followed a slightly different twice; and he won the forecabin (with WC located under general and path. Indeed, the first world-beating World Championships in 6s of his the berth) gave plenty of space, Swedes in design drawn by Pelle Petterson own design. Latterly, he received while its DLR of 150, ballast ratio of particular, and didn’t even float. He studied the King’s Medal for his outstanding 49% and sporty SA/displacement Msolid stalwarts like Hallberg-Rassys, design at the Pratt Institute in New contributions as a sailor and boat ratio of 18.15 ensured above- Najads and Malös spring to mind. York, and then – while a student of designer, and most of these boats average all-weather performance Such quintessentially Swedish Pietro Frua – he drew the most go by the name of Maxi. for a volume-built family cruiser. craft, with substantial displacement- successful sports car ever built by As one would expect from a And how did the market react to-length ratios and elegant Volvo. Called the P1800, it even designer who collects awards for to this trendsetting yacht? An interiors with rich joinery and blue featured on the TV series The Saint a sports car and wins yacht races astonishing 3,900 were sold. upholstery, evoke dreams of blue starring Roger Moore. galore, the Petterson-designed Petterson hit the bullseye with his water voyaging. And all have found However, competitive sailing Maxis don’t resemble the heavier first Maxi. When asked 30 years great favour down the years with was Petterson’s real passion. He and more traditional HRs, Najads later how he viewed the Maxi 77, cruising sailors, even if they cost twice represented in the and Malös. They combine Swedish Petterson modestly replied: ‘I see more than volume production Olympics in the class, winning flair with superior performance and that many boats seem to be well cruisers from France and Germany. silver and bronze medals; he won volume production methods (at cared for and that the owners World Championship medals in least in the early days). And – as enjoy their sailing in it. That it still with other Scandinavian brands – seems to fill its need is clear when there’s not a bilge keel in sight. owners tell of how happy they are ABOUT THE AUTHOR with their boats.’ Peter K Poland crossed the Atlantic in a 7.6m Hitting the bullseye Larger (the 8.7m/28ft 6in Maxi (25ft) Wind Elf in 1968 and later spent 30 In 1972, the Maxi 77 (7.8m/25ft 6in 87) and smaller (the 6.8m/22ft 4in years as co-owner of Hunter Boats. He is LOA) set the ball rolling. Its transom- Maxi 68) models soon followed. now a freelance journalist. hung rudder, bulbed fin keel and Both shared the 77’s looks, the sleek full-width coachroof were distinctive blue flash on the

24 Practical Boat Owner 589 Summer 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk Pelle Petterson’s Maxi boats

galley situated aft on either side Maxi 95: available of the companionway steps. second-hand Once again, Petterson went for from £10,500 a moderate DLR of 222 and high-ish SA/disp ratio of 15.49 to ensure sharp performance. Maxi 95 owner Richard Shardlow says: ‘It’s very spacious, certainly living up to the nickname of the Swedish Tardis. We have a cockpit enclosure that means the rear cabin is very useable even in inclement weather while in port. This gives privacy to guests. Would I buy her again? A very definite yes!’ Another owner, Rob Watt (cruiser captain at Greenwich Yacht Club), adds: ‘My wife Kim and I were looking for a good boat with comfortable, spacious accommodation that the two of us could handle without any problems. I also wanted something that could hold its own in club races.’ A 95 fitted the bill, and as Rob observes, ‘she’s an excellent boat, handles well in all conditions and is a good club racer. When we are on our four-week summer cruise the rear cabin becomes Kim’s wardrobe and dressing room. The one problem was leaking windows: the design is “of the era” and they tended to flex. Maxi 1050: available They have now been sealed and second-hand then bonded with Sikaflex.’ from £70,000

Sailing Scenes Runaway success The 1977 Maxi 84 (8.5m/28ft) was another runaway success, and around 1,350 were built. The Petterson Maxi recipe evolved with

Sailing Scenes a slightly wider beam (2.9m/9ft 8in), slightly lower ballast ratio (37.5%) coachroof and coaming sides, and and more substantial DLR (268). Maxi 84: available good performance. The smaller 68 The layout remained practical and second-hand boasted a ballast ratio in excess traditional with amidships heads from £4,500 of 40%, a DLR of 205 and SA/ and L-shaped galley aft. A Volvo displacement ratio of 14.99. These saildrive provides powered push, figures, combined with a fin-keel and it remains a marvellous cruiser draught of 4ft 3in, gave sailing to this day. qualities that ‘same era’ owners of A subscriber to an online forum similarly-sized bilge-keelers like recently asked: ‘I’m looking at a Westerlys and Snapdragons could Maxi 84 which seems well specc’d only dream of. In total, 1,295 Maxi and is a good price. Has anyone 68s were sold. any experience of these boats? We The 1976 Maxi 95 (9.7m/32ft are looking for something that will LOA) introduced another ‘first’ for go well round the cans but will also Petterson – a separate twin-berth cope with west of Scotland stern cabin and a centre cockpit – cruising.’ One respondent replied: but these new characteristics were ‘I have had two 84s, one in the UK not allied to a heavy long-keeler and now another in Norway. It’s a (as on similar-sized early HRs). safe family boat: good in a blow, The sleek 95 has a low easily sailed single-handed and coachroof, skeg-hung rudder and with lots of room inside. sharply raked fin keel. The engine ‘Fast? Yes, if you sail it right. I’ve lives well forward, placing its had 7, 8 and even 9 knots both weight low and in the centre of the up and downwind and won yacht to maximise stability and handicap regattas! The latest win minimise pitching. The saloon is was last year. Total ownership is comfortable and practical, with an more than 20 years.’ enclosed heads compartment and Another sailor replied: ‘The Maxi

Sailing Scenes ➜

Practical Boat Owner 589 Summer 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk 25 Boats

Maxi 999: available to buy second-hand from £29,000 Sailing Scenes

84 is about as close to the ideal Company to Hellenic Europe’, boat for the uses you describe in silver in the ‘Best Activity Holiday Maxi 33: available second-hand from £30,500 terms of pleasure per buck spent. Company’ category and bronze Not the fastest in light airs, but it’s in the ‘Best Family Holiday competitive in moderate winds Company’ category – now buys upwards. If there’s a good No3 fleets of brand-new yachts for its with the boat that can be sheeted flotillas. However, it still uses its inside the shrouds, it will point older Maxis as lead boats crewed really well in a blow and little by its employees. can touch it. The windward Amy Neilson (daughter of performance is useful and the founder and MD Barrie) says: ‘All boat will keep you out of trouble our lead boats are still Maxis, a due to its stiffness. Like all boats, mixture of 95s and 100s. They some will have issues, so caveat have been our lead boats since 1990 and are still going strong. We emptor applies!’ This particularly Sailing Scenes applies to elderly Volvo diesels. have bought a number since then Spare parts can be expensive. and each crew has added its own disp ratio of 17.5. The 9.4m/30ft us retired folks which would offer Maxi 84 owner Alan Jeans says: modifications over the years. 10in Maxi 100, introduced in 1982, effort-free coastal cruising. ‘I’ve owned my 84 Snowgoose for ‘They offer unrivalled solidity, followed a similar format with the ‘Before then I was a wooden- about six years. I have cruised and have excellent onboard addition of a fixed wheelhouse boat enthusiast, but there was extensively in the Clyde, the east storage room that is essential for ‘lid’ over the front of the cockpit. too much labour! I needed an coast of Ireland, the Irish Sea and carrying spare parts to keep our When he introduced the 8.3m/ easily-maintained GRP yacht North Channel including Rathlin flotillas running smoothly. These 27ft 3in Maxi Fenix 8.5 in 1981, with a well-crafted wooden Island, and up the west coast of models have a fantastic layout for Petterson changed to fractional rig interior, and found a Fenix with Scotland as far as Tobermory. I three crew members to live on for this performance fin-keel cruiser. a new engine and saildrive! bought the Maxi because I was board. The centre cockpit splits He also updated the styling. The ‘Maxi yachts have a reputation really impressed with the build the living area, and the aft cabin – change was obviously well for build quality, safety and quality, the space inside and the affectionately known as the “dog received, because around 1,300 performance, and all the criteria sailing abilities. I would happily box” – offers more space and were sold. The accommodation were met. The yacht handles easily recommend Maxis to anyone privacy than found on other plan features a separate forecabin, and predictably, both under sail considering purchasing a boat – boats of a similar size.’ a heads area just aft of this, and a and under power in the marina. especially an older one – as they choice of a dinette or conventional The self-tacking jib arrangement are so well built.’ A desirable yacht layout in the saloon. Large quarter is a joy: no more winch grinding By the time the 84 was built, As the 1980s approached, berths with an optional infill (to and, allied to a powerful fully- Maxis were also gaining popularity Petterson launched the Maxi 108 convert this to a cosy double) battened main, provides for charter in the Med. Those were (11m/36ft LOA). This centre- stretch back under the cockpit. A progress even in Force 2.’ the days when boats around 30ft cockpit fast cruiser adopted a new DLR of 192 and ballast ratio of 35% This move towards more were the norm rather than the look, substituting a conventional ensure that the Fenix 8.5 is a contemporary styling, a choice of exception in flotilla fleets. Popular coachroof for its earlier full-width sporty rather than staid yacht. cruising or racing accommodation charter company Sailing Holidays cabin top. It’s a desirable yacht Fenix owner Graham Bremer layouts, fractional rig and Ltd – winners of The British Travel that sails well, thanks to a DLR of says: ‘I was looking for a modern, pepped-up performance continued Awards 2014 ‘Best Holidays 220, ballast ratio of 38% and SA/ easily-handled yacht for the two of with the 10.5m/34ft 6in LOA Maxi

26 Practical Boat Owner 589 Summer 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk Pelle Petterson’s Maxi boats

Mixer in 1983. A DLR of 188, ‘In a word, yes. I occasionally look going back to a symmetric kite.’ An exceptional ballast ratio of 40% and SA/disp at other boats at shows and so on, Many ARC and Transquadra fast cruiser ratio of 20.0 tell the tale. Petterson but have yet to find one that ticks sailors come to the same As the millennium loomed, said that finish quality moved to a any more boxes for me. I have conclusion. Unless a yacht Petterson brought out the higher level when Maxi production decided to keep her until I need planes, continuously gybing an 10.5m/34ft 7in Maxi 1050. With moved under the wing of Swedish to downsize, so I have gradually asymmetric down a deep run a DLR of 167 and SA/disp of 18, motor-cruiser builder Nimbus, been refitting/upgrading with new can be a pain; while a good this elegant and comfortable yacht and added: ‘Buyers now wanted sails, a heating system, a cockpit old-fashioned symmetric spinnaker has excellent performance. As higher quality and more elegant enclosure, bowsprit etc. can gobble up the miles with the with other more recent Maxis, this styling on the boats. By launching ‘Though she’s built to sleep wind almost dead astern. When is combined with a high-quality the Maxi name and making boats seven she’s very comfortable for asked if he would consider finish, making the 1050 an that differentiated themselves from two couples over a prolonged changing boats, David replies: exceptional fast cruiser. A bulbed the older versions, we hoped to period. The aft cabin is a good ‘Maybe. I would go down to a Maxi fin keel puts the CG low and meet this demand. size and the forecabin ample too. 999 and keep hold of my gear.’ ensures good stability. ‘It’s possible our move came One other great feature is good a little late; the competition had locker space, particularly in the increased and it was difficult to cockpit with a huge sail locker Maxi 1100: available second-hand from £95,000 build quality boats at good prices. and two very spacious lazarettes. Even if Mixer did not become a She’s just a really well-designed great commercial success, its boat and fun to sail!’ lines still bear appreciation today.’ David Williams, who enjoys This change of tack continued cruising his Maxi 1000 as well with the 1985 Maxi 999 as taking part in the increasingly (9.9m/32ft 6in LOA), the 1986 Maxi popular two-handed races run 909 (9m/29ft 6in), the 1988 Maxi 39 by the Royal Southampton YC, and the 1990 Maxi 33, which was is another satisfied owner. His a more ‘cruisey’ development of previous boat was an X ¾-Tonner the 999. All were fine yachts and and he changed to the Maxi five were finished more luxuriously years ago because ‘I had sailed than earlier Maxis, but they sold on one and also knew one of the in smaller numbers. most successful owners in the JOG fleet who had three Maxis. Maxi 33: available True to the classic It’s an all-round boat that does second-hand from £30,500 Scandinavian look everything: it can be a single- By the time the Maxi 1000 handed or a couples boat, or (10.2m/33ft 6in LOA) hit the water a long-distance cruiser.’ in 1993, the new look had definitely He has fitted a bowsprit to fly come of age and this model was small and large asymmetrics, a great success. The conventional adding: ‘The small sail is ballistic in modern accommodation with its sweet spot but a nuisance if you forecabin, spacious saloon, have to run, as it is cut to fly on a forward-facing chart table area spinnaker pole, so gybing is a big and aft double cabin and heads work-up. The larger asymmetric is beautifully finished. Extensive does not fly effectively below 150°, gleaming joinery and blue and despite being easy to gybe I upholstery are true to the don’t think it pays unless you have

classic Scandinavian look. a planing hull. So this year I’m Sailing Scenes To get an owner’s view, I asked Charles Price why he selected a Maxi 1000. He said: ‘I was looking Maxi 1000: available second-hand from £47,500 for a good-quality sailing boat around 10m which I could race if I wanted, but primarily as a quick, good-handling cruiser. I read reviews and looked at a number of boats and narrowed it down to a Maxi 1000 or a Westerly Storm. A friend had sailed Maxis for some time and was very impressed, so that helped. ‘She handles very well in heavy weather. She is a fin-keeler, inevitably more lively than a long keel. You need to get your sails balanced and make sure you reef in time, but otherwise there’s no problem at all. There’s very little weather helm, and I have yet to find conditions where she will not heave to, which is very useful when short-handed.’ When I asked if she had lived up Sailing Scenes to expectations, Charles replied: ➜

Practical Boat Owner 589 Summer 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk 27 Boats – Pelle Petterson’s Maxi boats

from a Hunter Impala 28 to a Sigma 362, Matt and Jean Findley also went for a Maxi 1100. In addition to cruising, Matt entered the RSYC two-handed series, winning comfortably in a fleet of 30 yachts that included strong opposition from J/105s and J/110s. With his son Mathew as crew he also won Class 1 in the two-handed Yachting Monthly Triangle race, all of which goes to prove that a well-designed quality Swedish cruiser can hold its own against sporty and spartan racer-cruisers, thereby offering the best of both worlds.

Maxi 1300: available second-hand from £162,500 Nicely finished

www.maxiyachts.com After being built (briefly) by Najad Transatlantic voyages prove when Nimbus ran into financial troubles, Maxi has now been taken the point. In the 2009 ARC, Maxi 1200: available the family-crewed 1050 called from £150,000 over by the successful Delphia Minimaxi won Class F and came yard in Poland. Two models – the 7th overall out of 158 monohull recent Maxi 1300 and new Maxi cruising entries. She also won the 1200 40-footer – are currently prize for Best Performance by a available. Both are designed by Family Boat. Pelle Petterson, and the new 1200 Loosely translated, the French has an attractive interior design skipper wrote about one squally from Tony Castro. Andy Horwood night wherein ‘we decided to play of the Maxi Owners Association with the surrounding clouds. The (and owner of a Maxi 1100 that he first of these was no big deal, but cruises extensively from Hamble the second was unreal. Ronan and races in the RSYC double- was on the helm, Laurent held handed series) went to the 2015 on to the spinnaker sheet, the Düsseldorf Boat Show to look at yacht’s stem played torpedoes for the first Delphia-built 1200. minutes on end and our three-day- ‘We were pleasantly surprised,’ old speed record of 15.3 knots fell he says. ‘Initial thoughts are that as Minimax vibrated from masthead the new boat definitely has the to keel tip, hitting 17.3 knots’. “Maxi feel”. It was nicely finished That must have been some ride, with thought to detail, albeit with and proves once again how a well- a few teething issues you might built family production cruiser- expect in any new model.’ racer can cross oceans The construction methods at surprising speeds. follow the Maxi ‘way’. Carbon

Another French owner, Eric www.maxiyachts.com reinforcements beef up the grid Bompard, entered his Maxi that takes loads from keel and 1050 Boulinou in the 2014/15 ripped genoa. This was satisfying last year. I also started racing rig, while the hull and deck are Transquadra race. This event, when I saw the problems some single-handed with SORC in 2014. laminated in vinylester resin very popular in France although had. Boats adrift, shipwrecks… After the Solo RIOW, I took part in around a PVC core. Designer it is yet to attract much British I wasn’t there to experience that the solo Celtic challenge from Pelle Petterson comments: ‘The interest, is open to amateur crews sort of thing! Falmouth to Kinsale, then round Maxi 1200 is meant to be very who are over 40 years old, sailing ‘My boat’s hull form gave me an to Dingle and a long leg back to fast and very comfortable, IRC-rated yachts up to around advantage compared to some of Plymouth – 52 hours. elegant and easy to handle.’ 40ft. There are separate classes my competitors.’ ‘In the Yachting Monthly Triangle She certainly looks the part, for solo and two-handed crews Eric beat a JPK 9.60 into second event I was first in class 2 and and all bodes well for the new and the race kicks off from two place and an A31 into third, both second overall, beaten by a J/105. UK dealer Russell Hodgson of starts, one in Barcelona and of these brands being dedicated An X332 was our closest rival. It Regatta Yachting Ltd, who says the other in Saint-Nazaire. racers compared to Eric’s trusty was a light weather race; wind the new Maxi 1200 comes to Port Stage one stops in Madeira Maxi 1050 fast cruiser. more constantly above Force 4 Hamble in late July and makes its then the combined fleets sail The Maxi 1100 (11m/36ft) would have suited us better.’ UK premiere at SIBS. The price on to Martinique. that followed is very much a When I asked what he likes looks attractive, so these new Eric’s solo transatlantic trip took development of the 1050; elegant, about the boat, he replies: ‘It’s models have every chance of 17 days 16 hours and he won beautifully finished and no slouch. a real cruiser-racer – good maintaining Maxi’s enviable his division. Via another loose Gary Heward says he bought a accommodation, nimble and reputation for producing translation, he said that at one 2000 example, attracted by its performs well, particularly upwind desirable fast cruisers. stage ‘I made a magnificent tack build quality, pedigree, in strong winds. During the of a bit over 1,000 miles under performance and reputation as a Triangle Race I was asked spinnaker on port at 155° to the cruiser racer. He is another owner why we did so well with a full NEXT MONTH wind. My arms and the halyard to enjoy double-handed racing complement of crockery and Nordic Folkboats, Marieholms, were well worn, but all went well. with the RSYC, saying: ‘I won the cockpit table onboard!’ Arconas, Albin Vegas and I limited breakages to just one offshore series in IRC class 2 Having owned boats ranging Ballads... and more

28 Practical Boat Owner 589 Summer 2015 • www.pbo.co.uk