The Maverick 400 is a distinguished cruising catamaran, designed for serious blue-water voyaging and comfortable liveaboard experiences. Conceived by naval architect Phil Southwell and meticulously constructed by Maverick Yachts Ltd. in Cape Town, South Africa, this vessel is celebrated for its robust build, excellent handling characteristics, and commitment to delivering a premium, world-class sailing platform. The Maverick 400 has gained recognition within the sailing community, earning awards for its innovative design and capabilities, and is particularly noted for being easily managed by a short-handed crew, making it an ideal choice for couples or families seeking circumnavigation-ready adventures.
Maverick 400 Information, Review, Specs
- Make
- Maverick
- Model
- 400
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 2010 - ??
The Maverick 400's production commenced in 2010, marking a significant milestone for Maverick Yachts Ltd., a company founded in 2007 by Rudi and Deslynn Pretorius. The shipyard's ethos, born from the founders' own extensive sailing experience, centered on crafting "premium world class, live onboard cruising catamarans" that could be easily managed by just two people, prioritizing performance and safety for offshore adventures. The Maverick 400 quickly became a foundational and award-winning model, embodying this commitment., 6, 7]
Designer Phil Southwell, who established Southwell Yacht Design in 1989, played a crucial role in the Maverick 400's development, with this model being the third production catamaran from his design studio. The design philosophy behind the Maverick 400 emphasizes making it "circumnavigation-ready and ICW-friendly," ensuring versatility across various global cruising grounds. Maverick Yachts builds its catamarans using female molds, a technique that contributes to the quality and craftsmanship evident in the vessel. While specific production variations are not widely documented, the consistent focus on a high-quality, liveaboard-centric design has been a hallmark throughout its production run.
Sailing Performance and Handling
The Maverick 400 is described as a comfort catamaran that sails beautifully, offering wonderful handling characteristics in all conditions. Its robust construction and design contribute to an extremely stable platform, which enhances the living experience aboard, especially during extended passages. The vessel is regarded as a strong yacht, instilling confidence in tough conditions.
With a displacement of 18,739 pounds and a waterline length of 34.45 feet, the Maverick 400 possesses a Displacement-to-Length ratio of approximately 204.53. For a catamaran, this ratio suggests a solidly built vessel designed for blue-water cruising rather than ultra-light performance. While exact Sail Area to Displacement and Ballast to Displacement ratios are not available in the provided specifications, the qualitative descriptions affirm its capability as a stable and well-behaved offshore cruiser.
Accommodations and Layout
Designed as the "ultimate live-on-board 40ft catamaran," the Maverick 400 prioritizes comfort and functionality, offering "all the creature comforts of home." The interior boasts best-in-class design features with extraordinary attention paid to the quality of finishes. To maximize living space and flexibility for various crew configurations, the Maverick 400 is often offered with up to four cabins, providing ample room for family, friends, or additional crew. This multi-cabin option highlights its suitability for extended cruising or charter operations. Although specific details on features like galley size, salon arrangement, or V-berth specifics are not detailed, the emphasis on a "live-on-board" experience suggests well-appointed communal areas, sufficient storage, and good ventilation, crucial for long periods at sea. The design also considers aspects like ease of mooring and general liveaboard practicality.
Measurements
Construction & Hull
- Construction Material
- Fiberglass (Solid)
- Hull Type
- Catamaran Sailboat
- Keel Type
- Twin
- Ballast
- -
- Displacement
- 18739 lbs
- Water Capacity
- 264 gal
- Fuel Capacity
- 211 gal
Engine
- Engine Make
- —
- Engine Model
- —
- Engine Type
- —
- Engine HP
- —
- Engine Count
- 2
- Drive Type
- —
- Fuel Type
- Diesel
Rig & Sails
- Rig Type
- Fractional Sloop
- P (Main Luff)
- -
- E (Main Foot)
- -
- I (Foretriangle Height)
- -
- J (Foretriangle Base)
- -
- Forestay Length (est)
- -
- Main Sail Area
- -
- Foretriangle Sail Area
- -
- Total Sail Area (Reported)
- -
- Total Sail Area (Calc)
- -
Dimensions
- LOA
- 38.32 ft
- LWL
- 34.45 ft
- Beam
- 24.28 ft
- Draft
- 2.62 ft
- Max Headroom
- -
- Air Draft
- -
Calculations
- Hull Speed
- 7.87 kn
- Pounds per Inch Immersion
- —