Design and Construction
Petterson gave the 1300 a light, shallow, slippery hull with modest beam by modern standards—12 feet 6 inches—and a relatively low wetted area that helps explain her liveliness underfoot. The 37-foot 2-inch waterline is long for the length, and the short overhangs speak to a modern hull form rather than a throwback. A keel-stepped mast rises from a generous fractional rig, and the deck carries twin wheels mounted on mouldings that also house the primary winches. A permanent bathing platform closes the aft end of the cockpit via a hinged gate, and a short bowsprit projects the anchor clear of the stem above a large locker. The low wetted area and modest beam keep her easily driven without resorting to extreme breadth.
Rig and Handling
The 1300’s sail plan carries 961 square feet under a powerful yet manageable fractional rig, with in-mast reefing and vertical battens giving the main some roach. Electric roller-reefing serves the headsail, and a German-style mainsheet runs on a track across the cockpit sole forward of the wheels. Long genoa tracks paired with inboard rigging would theoretically permit an overlapping headsail, though the standard setup favors short-handed ease. Testers found her on the light side and quite lively; on a return leg from Ireland she did not need more than 14 knots of breeze to feel willing, and Yachting Monthly clocked 7 knots on the wind in those conditions. A 55-horsepower Volvo Penta D2 diesel turning a Darglow Featherstream prop pushed the hull at 7 knots with only 2,300 rpm.
Accommodations
Below, the 1300 departs from the earlier 1100 with a linear galley to port opposite a centerline saloon bench. The bow holds a master cabin with its own heads and shower, an arrangement Yachting Monthly notes as an early adoption of the forepeak owner’s suite. Aft, a double cabin occupies the port quarter, while starboard offers a single cabin whose berth converts to a double plus a pipe cot. The interior is mahogany, with a proper chart table among the details. Stowage for larger items sits beneath the sole abaft the wheels—where the generator and diesel tank live—and under the helm seats, while a 9-foot 6-inch inflatable rides in davits, sparing the crew a locker drag.
Equipment and Deck Detail
Beyond the rig, the reviewed 2008-spec boat carried electric primary and coachroof winches, Lewmar 54 primaries, a bow thruster, and furl/unfurl buttons at the wheels for the headsail. The permanent platform and wide side decks make movement forward safe, and the anchor locker with bowsprit reflects a considered approach to ground tackle. A cockpit shower is a period expectation, but the kit centers on reducing effort: electric winches, in-mast reefing, and a feathering prop that sips fuel at speed.
The Verdict
The Maxi 1300 is a refined closing statement from Petterson: a light, easily driven 41-footer with a low wetted surface and a rig that rewards a small crew. Her accommodations are practical for a couple with guests, and the build shows the detail of a maturing Swedish performance cruiser. The modest beam and slippery hull trade some interior volume for liveliness, and the deep bulb keel limits thin-water access.
Pros
- Easily driven hull reaching 7 knots in modest breeze
- Generous fractional rig with in-mast reefing and electric headsail roller-reefing
- Forepeak master suite with private heads, plus convertible aft cabins
- Twin wheels and bow thruster ease close-quarters handling
Cons
- Modest beam by modern standards limits interior volume
- 7-foot 5-inch draft restricts shallow anchorages
- Light, lively motion may not suit those wanting a heavy-displacement ride
