The design came from the D&S Yacht Design office, comprising Jacek Daszkiewicz and Krzysztof Smaga. Rather than an evolution of an earlier boat, the resulting 35-foot hull is a complete novelty in its segment.
Design and Construction
The Maxus 35 has a modern hull line, with a pronounced upturned aft section, an elevated bow, and heightened freeboard that is especially prominent forward. Its elevated cabin superstructure extends forward with a continuous window strip reminiscent of a deck saloon. A deckhouse surrounded by a long black porthole protected by a small cap adds to the contemporary profile.
Northman builds the hulls and decks meticulously by hand in solid fiberglass. The construction also includes an iron ballast.
The Maxus 35 measures 35.04 feet overall, with an 11.15-foot beam and a displacement of 13,669 pounds. It carries a 45.93-foot mast and 629.69 square feet of sail area on a fractional sloop rig. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 17.62, and its capsize ratio is 1.87.
Rig, Steering, and Keels
The mast has two spreaders, with the shrouds attached directly to the outside of the hull. The rigging mechanisms are concealed beneath a double canopy that hides most of the ropes, keeping the deck arrangement clean.
The cockpit has two steering wheels and a dual steering system. Jefa supplies the steering wheel and rudder assembly, while a very deep rudder blade is fitted to the spade rudder. The stern folds down to create a swimming platform, and a delphiniere is integrated into the forward deck.
The standard 29-horsepower diesel may be installed with either a shaft line or saildrive. Keel choices include a long L-shaped keel with 1.95-meter immersion and a short L-shaped keel at 1.50 meters. Alternative chine keels are available to make dry berthing and land storage easier. However, the twin-keel version remained under study at launch rather than being offered.
Accommodations
The Maxus 35 comes with either two or three cabins. In the two-cabin version, the shower has its own dedicated compartment, separate from the toilet—a notable arrangement on a boat of this size.
The saloon is spacious, with good headroom, a lighted mess, and a minimalist chart table raised to free space for a berth. Natural light fills the interior, while LED lighting throughout gives it a cosy, modern feel.
The fully functional kitchenette includes an induction hob, refrigerator, sink, and ample storage. A hatch in the shower provides access to a large hold, with the aft locker separated from it by an opening panel.
Verdict
The Maxus 35 is a purpose-built, ocean-category cruiser that combines a distinctive modern hull with a flexible interior and a twin-wheel cockpit whose lines and rigging are largely concealed. Its range of keel and cabin configurations makes it adaptable to coastal or offshore plans, although its high freeboard and novel styling won’t appeal to every traditionalist.
Pros
- Category-A ocean-class cruiser with modern, hand-laid solid-fiberglass construction
- Two- or three-cabin layouts, with separate shower and toilet compartments in the two-cabin version
- Concealed rigging, twin wheels, and Jefa steering for a clean, controlled cockpit
- Long, short, and chine-keel options for draft flexibility and dry storage
Cons
- Elevated bow and heightened freeboard create a non-traditional profile
- Twin-keel version remained under study at launch rather than being offered
