Maxi 77 what pitfalls

[Trevethan]

Hi,

After three months landlocked in Singapore, finding I need to be on the water. SWMBO has kyboshed going back to living aboard -- threee months with a three bed apartment, proper kitchen dishwasher, pool, well the Vagabond 47 I had my eye on is a lost cause... but I have found a little Maxi 77 for sale mid-late 1970s and well priced.

No idea about the engine condition, but what should I look out for when we go take a peak? Do they suffer from particular problems?

Cheers

Nick

 

[stevebirch2002]

They iz ugly!

 

[johnalison]

Ok if you're on a mooring but hard to board from a pontoon.

 

[jonic]

Can you sail the Vagabond singlehanded? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Trevethan]

Steve -- I know what you mean -- they kinda look like those trendy Nike running shoes with the big velcro flaps..

Jon as for the single-handed -- ummm possible but I think probably love my wife more than boats -- shocking I know -- besides Singapore has some very strict boat and skipper licencing laws -- and they won't give a licence to someone who is colourblind -- effing silly if you ask me -- I can tell red from green and usually white from green, except at great distance - so SWMBO is going to have take the power certificate!

Back on the Maxi front a few more details -- she is an early 80's model. The inboard has been junked and a new 15 hp mercury long shaft fitted. No charging circuit so will need solar panels.Should do us fine in the tropics

For some reason the gearbox was left in situ.

No osmosis. sails are newish. No electronics to speak of other than depth sounder

 

[Bajansailor]

I will be controversial, and say that I think they are really quite nice boats, from what I have seen and heard about them.

OK, they are not as aesthetically pleasing as (say) a Folkboat, but the coloured sheer stripe (usually blue) does a pretty good job of reducing the apparent freeboard, and they certainly do have a lot of accomodation for their length.

I have seen a few that have arrived here over the years after crossing the Atlantic, so they must be pretty good sea boats (yes, I know that the Atlantic passage from the Canaries is usually a doddle - am thinking more about the trip down from high latitudes, and going across Biscay especially).