Considering to buy a Maxi 1000

[D&T]

I am relatively new to the forums, but have been an regular reader of views and boating issues and have found peoples responses very informative.

I have been a dinghy sailor for many years and friends have gradually moved over to cruisers and have loved cruiser life when invited. I am now looking to purchase a cruiser and have been very tempted with a Maxi 1000. The reason for this post, is to see what views there on these boats and any recommendations or alternative boats. Our criteria is , a good stable boat, good cruising performance, point well, will hold value, reliable, well built.
We will sail short handed, East Coast rivers, Thames, Medway, Orwell.

Have looked at the AWB, but build quality does not seem as good and I beleive do not sail aswell, but I may be wrong. Ideal age would be mid nineties to early 2000's, budget 60K ish. Have been looking at 30-38', like rear cabin. We have looked at Moodys , most have been late 80's and seem dated, or requiring updating.

Lastly, whats the view on the current market state?, are boats in this size and price selling?

Thanks for any advise

 

[Racecruiser]

Maxis look like nice boats and I expect you'll have seen this but just incase:

http://www.maxiowners.org/maxi-yachts/maxi-1000.html

Quite a big boat to have a fractional rig with just one set of spreaders but then again so did the Sigma 36 although they had runners. The 362 (same hull) has a masthead rig and a good 362 may be a good choice.

Might be worth looking at an Elan 333 similar size I think to the Maxi 1000 probably better performance. Others I expect will make some suggestions too.

Just noticed you said east coast rivers - shallow although not my area. Maybe look for something with a shoal keel so long as the sailing performance is not compromised too much.

Not much idea on the market currently but I tend to think the right boat at the right price well presented will sell - I imagine now may be a good time to buy as owners contemplate winter lay up and storage costs and an iffy stock market.

 

[photodog]

Maxi 1000 is a real nice quick boat... I would be inclined for the east coast towards a Starlight 35 wing keel myself based on that sort of price and preformance..

 

[davidwf]

Sailed in a friends quite a few times, my only reservation is the heavy rudder I find it really excessive. If buying a tiller steered boat try to have a sail in it to make sure you are happy with the load. Not sure if some later ones have a balanced rudder or not his definately does not seem to be.

Apart from that very well built if a bit dark down below.

 

[billmacfarlane]

The Maxi 1000 is a good bet if you like a well built, good performance boat with a sensible layout. I've always had my doubts about the single spreader rig but I've not heard of any problems with it on the Maxi owner's web site. You might want to look at a well looked after Moody 336 or Westerly Storm both having bilge keel options. SD Marine have 3 Maxi 1000's for sale.

 

[D&T]

I would like to say thank you for the replies I have received so far

the Elan 333 looks very interesting and have heard good reports of Elan Boats . The Sigma, also looks good, but a bit older, and I am concered with on going maintainence. I note two concerns of a fractional rig with only one set of speaders, but I also have not heard of any problems....has anyone? My knowledge is not that great, so I ask, why the concern and why would a well respected manufacturer use this set up? I believe the Maxi does not have a balanced rudder, is this correct?

I can fully understand the reasoning for a shallow keel in the East Coast rivers, but is a keel of 1.7m a real disadvantage (seems to be many boats with fin keels)? Would it make the passage to other rivers, eg Crouch to Thames or Orwell restricted to high tide etc

Thanks for any info

The current situation is that we love the Maxi, but the million dollar question is ....Is it the right boat for us?, as it be an expensive mistake if not, and may find selling and buying something else not a real prospect in the current climate

 

[AliM]

"I can fully understand the reasoning for a shallow keel in the East Coast rivers, but is a keel of 1.7m a real disadvantage (seems to be many boats with fin keels)? Would it make the passage to other rivers, eg Crouch to Thames or Orwell restricted to high tide etc "

No problem if you go the long way round, but with a deep(ish) keel you could not nip through Havengore (Crouch to Thames) at all. You'd be restricted to closer to HW for Raysand (Crouch to Blackwater). More restrictions for the Spitway (Crouch northwestwards) and into the Walton Backwaters, into the Deben and Alde/Ore than if you had a shallower draft. The Orwell is OK. Plenty of deep draft boats sail in the east coast rivers - they just have to be more careful to get the tide right, especially if they can't dry out upright and pretend they were there deliberately when they get it wrong! 1.7m would be OK for all but the real creek-crawling.

 

[mobeydick]

I had a Maxi 1000 for a few years, and loved it. Very nice boat. I had tiller steering, which I much prefered to wheel. Seemed well made, and sailed well. Wife loved the self tacking jib (we also had a full jennoa we used sometimes). Only two drawbacks spring to mind:

- Small fresh water tank
- Fairly tender

Both probably due to the fact that the Maxi 1000 is classed as a cruiser/racer, I think. If you need any specifics, let me know.

MD

 

[xyachtdave]

I would like to say thank you for the replies I have received so far

I can fully understand the reasoning for a shallow keel in the East Coast rivers, but is a keel of 1.7m a real disadvantage (seems to be many boats with fin keels)? Would it make the passage to other rivers, eg Crouch to Thames or Orwell restricted to high tide etc

Thanks for any info

The current situation is that we love the Maxi, but the million dollar question is ....Is it the right boat for us?, as it be an expensive mistake if not, and may find selling and buying something else not a real prospect in the current climate

I have sailed on a Maxi 34 which impressed. I would have had a 1050 if funds allowed.

The East Coast depth thing. Don't worry about anything under 1.8m. A mate draws 2.4m and has no problems. You will just need to be a little more careful with tide time and entry into places like Brightlingsea, Bradwell etc. Also if you draw 0.5m more than another boat and you are tacking up a river, how many people wait until there is no water under until tacking? More likely to tack on 2m depth under the boat (0.2 when racing!)

The passage out of Burnham for example is going to be affected most by the Swin spit (the depth to cross it) and the tides are difficult to get in the right direction in both the river you leave and the one you enter. You will just be a bit more careful.

You should also take a look at X332 and X362 for that price range.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Looked at Maxis (1000, 1050, 1100) before buying different. Only one comment for this discussion - don't recall much stowage space below for stores and gear. Doesn't matter for day/weekend sailing, but might be important if you plan longer trips?

 

[D&T]

thanks Mobeydick, we have sent you a PM

 

[D&T]

Thanks Twister Ken, was not aware of the storage issue, but will re look

Just wondering what you did buy? and what reasons over the Maxi, any information would be great

 

[robmurray]

Owned a Maxi 1000 for 3 years. Lovely boat, beautifully built. Quite tender and not as roomy as more modern designs but lovely to own. Will hold its value well. SD Marine are the guys for these.

 

[dunedin]

Maxi 1000 and Élan 333 both excellent performance cruisers.
Performance wise a league ahead of most

 

[dt4134]

I seriously considered a Maxi 1000. I'd chartered a Maxi 34 a few times and liked the performance and handling. The older Maxi 1000s were more racey and had less wood, which is something worth taking into account when looking at the difference in prices between examples.

As others have said, boats in the same general category are the X332, Elan 333, Sigma 33 (older), Dehler 34 (not quite as old as the Sigmas).

I suspect the single spreader thing is driven by some rating rule or other. IRC certainly seems to penalise extra spreaders. As the Maxi 1000 was designed as a cruiser racer and appears to have had no (or few) problems when racing, and transferring the extra weight of half a dozen crew on the rail to the rig, you're unlikely to have a problem cruising.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Thanks Twister Ken, was not aware of the storage issue, but will re look

Just wondering what you did buy? and what reasons over the Maxi, any information would be great

Arcona 340. Goes like stink. Plenty of storage. Well built.