Design and Construction
At 27.07 feet overall with a 9.35-foot beam, the Maxi 800 is compact but beamy. Her length-to-beam ratio of 2.94 makes her roomier in that respect than 62 percent of comparable designs.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, which keeps off-season maintenance light through the sailing season. Her iron wing keel draws a modest 4.43 feet when lightly loaded, increasing to roughly 4.7 feet under load and allowing access to shallow marinas.
Displacement is 4,409 pounds, including 1,653 pounds of ballast. Her 39 percent ballast ratio is higher than that of 46 percent of similar sailboats. A displacement-length ratio of 188 puts her among “moderate racers” and makes her lighter than 73 percent of her peers.
The wing keel rewards speed work, but the YachtDatabase review notes that it’s prone to snagging fishing nets and debris in the water anchor.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The Maxi 800 carries a fractional 7/8 sloop rig with a reported 312 square feet of sail. The database comparison is blunt: she is more heavily rigged than 99 percent of similar sailboats, making her significantly overrigged for her size.
Combined with her light displacement, that sail plan gives her a Relative Speed Performance of 86, meaning she is faster than 86 percent of comparable designs. Theoretical hull speed is 6.4 knots.
Her comfort ratio places her above only 31 percent of similar boats, suggesting a firm, athletic motion rather than a soft ride. The capsize screening value is 2.12, which would exclude her from ocean-racing acceptance. An immersion rate of about 732 pounds per inch indicates how little she settles under the weight of crew and stores.
Auxiliary power comes from a 9-horsepower Volvo Penta 2001 diesel driving through a saildrive. Calculated maximum speed under power is around 4.6 knots.
Accommodation and Capacities
Below deck, the Maxi 800 is arranged to sleep six in a 4+2 berth layout. Headroom is 5.75 feet, described as near average for the class.
Freshwater capacity is 21 gallons, while the fuel tank holds 13 gallons—modest capacities, but consistent with a 27-foot coastal cruiser. Her beamy proportions translate into useful interior volume for a boat of this length, even if the comfort ratio points to a firm motion in a seaway.
Verdict
The Maxi 800 is a scarce, purposefully light and overrigged Pelle Petterson design. She suits sailors looking for speed and shallow draft in a low-maintenance fiberglass package. The trade-offs are a firm motion in a seaway and a capsize screening value that excludes her from ocean-racing acceptance.
Pros
- Wing keel and spade rudder, with a shallow 4.43-foot draft for marina access
- Significantly overrigged fractional sloop; faster than 86 percent of similar designs
- Solid-fiberglass hull and deck requiring minimal seasonal maintenance
- Beamy layout; roomier in that respect than 62 percent of comparable sailboats
Cons
- Capsize screening value excludes her from ocean racing
- Wing keel readily catches fishing nets and submerged debris
- Comfort ratio better than only 31 percent of similar designs, indicating a firm ride
- Only 43 built, limiting fleet support and familiarity with spares
