Yachting Monthly found her fast, easily handled, and nicely finished. Her light, relatively narrow hull, deep L-bulb keel, and generous fractional rig support that assessment.
Design and Construction
Petterson gave the 1300 a light, shallow, slippery hull with a relatively low wetted area. At 12 feet 6 inches, her beam is modest by modern standards, helping to keep her easily driven without resorting to extreme breadth. The low wetted area and modest beam also help explain her liveliness underfoot.
The 12.70-meter hull displaces 18,298 pounds and carries 7,363 pounds of ballast. Draft is 7 feet 5 inches beneath a low-center-of-gravity L-bulb keel. The 37-foot 2-inch waterline is long for the overall length, while short overhangs mark the hull as a modern form rather than a throwback.
A keel-stepped mast supports the generous fractional rig. On deck, twin wheels sit on mouldings that also house the primary winches. A permanent bathing platform closes the aft end of the cockpit through a hinged gate. At the bow, a short bowsprit projects the anchor clear of the stem above a large locker.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 1300 carries 961 square feet of sail under a powerful but manageable fractional rig. In-mast reefing simplifies mainsail handling, while vertical battens provide some roach. The headsail has electric roller-reefing, with furl and unfurl controls at the wheels. Long genoa tracks and inboard rigging would theoretically allow an overlapping headsail, although the standard setup favors short-handed ease.
A German-style mainsheet runs to a track across the cockpit sole forward of the wheels. The reviewed 2008-spec boat also carried electric coachroof winches and electric Lewmar 54 primary winches.
Testers found the boat light and quite lively. On a return leg from Ireland, she needed no more than 14 knots of breeze to feel willing, and Yachting Monthly recorded 7 knots on the wind in those conditions.
Under power, a 55-horsepower Volvo Penta D2 diesel drove a Darglow Featherstream propeller. The boat reached 7 knots at only 2,300 rpm.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The twin wheels and bow thruster help with close-quarters handling. Wide side decks make movement forward safe, while the permanent bathing platform provides straightforward access aft. The anchor locker and bowsprit form a considered ground-tackle arrangement, keeping the anchor clear of the stem.
A cockpit shower meets period expectations, but the deck equipment chiefly reflects an effort to reduce the crew’s workload. Electric winches, in-mast reefing, electric headsail roller-reefing, and the feathering prop all contribute. The feathering prop contributes to the effort-saving equipment and sips fuel at speed.
Larger-item stowage is beneath the sole abaft the wheels, where the generator and diesel tank are located, and beneath the helm seats. A 9-foot 6-inch inflatable is carried in davits, sparing the crew the effort of dragging it from a locker.
Accommodations
Below, the 1300 departs from the earlier 1100 by placing a linear galley to port, opposite a centerline saloon bench. The interior is finished in mahogany and includes a proper chart table.
The bow contains the master cabin, with its own heads and shower. Yachting Monthly describes this as an early adoption of the forepeak owner’s suite. Aft, a double cabin fills the port quarter. To starboard is a single cabin with a berth that converts to a double, plus a pipe cot.
The layout is practical for a couple with guests, though the modest beam and slippery hull trade some interior volume for liveliness.
Verdict
The Maxi 1300 is a refined closing statement from Petterson: a light, easily driven 41-footer with low wetted area and a rig that suits a small crew. Her accommodations are practical, and the build displays the detailing of a maturing Swedish performance cruiser.
That performance-oriented shape brings clear compromises. Her modest beam limits interior volume, the deep bulb keel restricts access to shallow water, and her light, lively motion won’t suit sailors looking for the feel of a heavy-displacement yacht.
Pros
- Easily driven hull that reached 7 knots in modest breeze
- Generous fractional rig with in-mast reefing and electric headsail roller-reefing
- Forepeak master suite with private heads, plus adaptable aft cabins
- Twin wheels and a bow thruster for easier close-quarters handling
Cons
- Modest beam by modern standards limits interior volume
- 7-foot 5-inch draft restricts access to shallow anchorages
- Light, lively motion may not suit sailors who prefer a heavy-displacement ride
