Design and Construction
Maxi Yachts built both the hull and deck in fiberglass, using sandwich laminates to improve the indoor climate below. The keel is iron rather than lead, and buyers could choose either a wing keel or a fin keel with bulb. Draft ranges from about 4.92 to 5.22 feet, depending on load, keeping the boat within reach of most marinas.
The Maxi 35 displaces 11,684 pounds and carries 5,071 pounds of ballast. Its 43 percent ballast ratio and 240.44 displacement-to-length ratio—often rounded to 241—put it among moderate racers rather than heavy cruisers. A beam of 10.66 feet and a length-to-beam ratio of 3.26 give the hull reasonably balanced proportions. Wetted surface is roughly 322 square feet, while an immersion rate of 1,036 pounds per inch describes a hull that responds predictably to trim and loading.
Rig, Machinery, and Handling
The Maxi 35 carries a masthead sloop rig, with well-documented standing and running geometry. Jib and genoa sheets are specified at 34.8 feet and 0.55 inch in diameter. The mainsheet is 86.9 feet long, and the spinnaker sheet is 76.5 feet; all use the same 14-millimeter line size.
A single 28-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel drives through a saildrive transmission, simplifying the drivetrain compared with a conventional shaft. Theoretical hull speed is 7.1 knots, with a quoted top speed of 8.0 knots. A capsize screening value of 1.88 and Motion Comfort Ratio of 25.6 frame the Maxi 35 as a stable, comfortable coastal performer rather than an offshore expedition vessel.
Accommodations and Tankage
Below, the interior is finished in teak, in keeping with the period norm for Maxi Yachts cruisers. Cabin volume supports the boat’s role as a family cruiser, while the sandwich construction of the hull and deck contributes to a steadier interior temperature than a solid laminate would allow.
Tankage comprises 36 gallons of water and 21 gallons of diesel, supporting weekend and coastal cruising without frequent replenishment.
The Verdict
The Maxi 35 is a compact, limited-production Petterson design that combines a moderate-racer hull with a practical cruising interior. Its sandwich construction, choice of keels, and documented sail-plan dimensions make it a knowable, well-defined boat. With only twenty built, however, prospective owners will need to search carefully for an example.
Pros
- Pelle Petterson design with documented moderate-racer proportions, including a 43 percent ballast ratio and a displacement-to-length ratio of 241
- Sandwich hull and deck for an improved interior climate
- Choice of wing keel or fin keel with bulb to suit different draft requirements
- Masthead sloop with fully specified sheet lengths, simplifying rig renewal
Cons
- A production run of only twenty boats limits availability
- The iron keel, rather than lead, calls for vigilance against corrosion
- The saildrive transmission requires careful seal inspection
