Maxi yachts are sailboats used for racing or recreation, with a maximum length allowed as per race guidelines. The IOR system originally set the limit at 70 feet, but modern supermaxis can be up to 82 feet. Customizations can affect a ship’s speed, and controversial methods have been used. The Maxi Yacht brand, designed by Pelle Petterson, measures from 34 to 42 feet and comes in three models.
A maxi yacht is a type of sailboat used mainly for racing, although there are also recreational models. The term maxi refers to the maximum length allowed as decreed by the race guideline system in current use. It originated with the International Offshore Rule (IOR), a system that was later essentially superseded by the CHS and International Measurement Systems (IMS). This measurement is slightly less than the actual length of the boat and takes into account other elements that affect speed, such as the age and condition of the boat. There is also a Swedish brand of boats known as Maxi Yacht.
Under the IOR system, the original measurement of the maxi yacht was 70 feet (21 meters). Modern ships, often referred to as supermaxis, can be 75 to 82 feet (23 to 25 meters). Maxi yachts used for racing are usually assigned a number intended to encompass a small range of possible lengths, rather than indicating the specific size. For example, 47 to 52 feet (14 to 16 meters) in actual length might be classified as 40 feet (12 meters).
The approximate maximum length of the yacht may be the only common feature between the boats that are used for racing. Occasionally other specifications may be required for a particular race so that each ship’s muzzle speed capabilities are similar. Otherwise, the ships are often customized for optimal speed and performance. Factors that can affect a ship’s speed include the material and configuration of the sails and the resins and fibers used to build the ship. Some of these customization methods have been controversial in racing circles, as they are sometimes believed to give an unfair advantage.
The maxi yacht has been a popular racing vessel since the 1970s. It has both been part of races with various types of boats, as well as events created specifically for the maxi. Over the years, the overall size of the ship has increased, with new models up to 90 to 100 feet (27 to 30 meters). This new generation of boats is often referred to as a supermaxi.
Olympic medalist and world champion sailor Pelle Petterson is the designer of the Maxi Yacht brand. These vessels tend to measure from 34 to 42 feet (10 to 13 meters). They come in three models, the Maxi 1300, Maxi 1060 and Maxi SM 40. The ship is built on the island of Gotland in Sweden.
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