The Maxi 1100 has the hallmarks of a Petterson cruiser-racer: a low coachroof, wide side decks, a lead-bulb fin keel, and a fractional rig. At 36.65 ft overall, she combines a substantial hull with a layout intended for straightforward sailing and cruising.
Design and Construction
Petterson drew the 1100 as a direct evolution of the Maxi 34 lineage. The hull uses woven fiberglass rovings over a PVC foam core rather than balsa, a construction method the marque favored for stiffness without the risk of rot. The deck has the same PVC foam sandwich construction. Bulkheads are bonded directly to both hull and deck, tying the interior structure into the shell.
The standard lead fin-and-bulb keel draws about 6 feet 7 inches, while a 4 feet 11 inches shoal alternative was offered. Ballast is roughly 41 percent of displacement. With a displacement-length ratio near 186, the 1100 is appreciably heavier than a modern performance cruiser of similar length. Her capsize screening value of 2.03, however, would bar her from organized ocean racing.
The hull has about 441 square feet of wetted surface. An immersion rate near 1,314 pounds per inch speaks to a settled, volume-bearing hull.
Rig, Cockpit, and Handling
The fractional rig uses a double-spreader, keel-stepped Seldén mast. Its generous sail plan is balanced by the lead keel below.
The mainsheet and Lewmar 46 primary winches are within easy reach of the helm, helping make the boat manageable short-handed. The 51-inch wheel turns 1.5 rotations from lock to lock and provides clear rudder feedback. Test sailors found the Maxi 1100 nicely responsive to the wheel, quick and easy to handle, with a comfortable motion and secure footing in the compact cockpit.
Yachting Monthly found that she goes best in a breeze. Light airs are not her preferred conditions, particularly upwind, where the wide sheeting angle of the minimal-overlap headsail limits pointing ability.
Deck Layout and Equipment
Wide side decks make fore-and-aft movement easy. Other deck details include a wooden toerail and gunwale strong-points for barber-haulers or spinnaker guys.
At the bow, a double stemhead roller sits beside a good anchor well with room for a windlass. A stainless framework supports the arrangement, though its fastenings warrant occasional checks. Chunky stainless cleats at the bow, stern, and amidships can accept thick warps, while lockers in the cockpit coamings provide stowage close to the helm.
Accommodation
Below, the Maxi 1100 is finished in mahogany rather than the teak common to many of her contemporaries. Headroom is above average, helped in part by a good window area and a center hatch. The overall joinery feels considered rather than lavish.
A wet locker sits abaft the heads. The lifting sole boards have anti-rattle fabric around their edges, a small detail that reflects the builder’s attention to detail. Tankage is placed aft, a concession to cruising convenience that keeps weight out of the midbody.
Not every element is traditional. The drawers have plastic sides, and a tray moulding forms the lower interior—a pragmatic approach that some purists note.
Engine and Maintenance
The Volvo Penta MD2030 is a saildrive unit based on a Perkins engine. It is smooth and quiet when serviced, but the drive leg’s rubber gator seal should be renewed about every seven years.
Keel-fastening torque is worth checking on a fifteen-year cycle. Any loose deck fastenings also deserve close attention because of the cored deck. The foam-cored structure has proven generally reliable, but the short production run means finding a Maxi 1100 may take patience.
The Verdict
The Maxi 1100 is a Petterson thoroughbred with the fundamentals of a proper sailor’s boat: direct steering, a sensible rig layout, and a quiet, well-finished interior. She’s no lightweight rocket and won’t win a light-air pointing contest. In a breeze, however, she is quick, comfortable, and forgiving.
For a buyer who values build integrity and helm feel over headline speed, the Maxi 1100 is worth a look.
Pros
- Lead bulb keel and directly bonded bulkheads provide structural cohesion
- Clear wheel feedback and well-placed winches make her easy to handle short-handed
- Mahogany interior offers above-average headroom and thoughtful details
Cons
- Wide headsail sheeting limits upwind performance in light airs
- The short production run makes boats hard to find
- Saildrive-seal and keel-fastening intervals require disciplined maintenance
