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Barnett Max
Designer: John Barnett  ·  Builder: Barnett Boat Co.
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About the Barnett Max

Designed by John Barnett and built by Barnett Boat Co., this compact 11-foot dinghy represents a thoughtful approach to small boat sailing. The Max features a daggerboard configuration with an unstayed catboat rig, creating a simple yet effective sailing platform that's particularly well-suited for protected waters, small lakes, and coastal areas with moderate conditions. The fiberglass construction ensures durability while keeping maintenance requirements minimal, making this an attractive option for sailors seeking a low-maintenance boat. At just 80 pounds displacement, the Max is easily car-topped and launched single-handedly, opening up sailing opportunities across multiple venues. The generous sail area of 60 square feet provides spirited performance despite the boat's modest size, with the SA/Displacement ratio of 51.71 indicating lively sailing characteristics in light to moderate winds. The unstayed cat rig simplifies sailing and reduces setup time, making this dinghy ideal for day sailing, sailing instruction, or as a tender for larger vessels. The 3.83-foot beam provides reasonable stability for the length, though the capsize screening formula of 3.56 confirms this boat's suitability for protected waters rather than open ocean sailing. This design appeals to sailors wanting straightforward, responsive sailing in an easily managed package.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 11.17 ft / 3.40 m
Beam 3.83 ft / 1.17 m
Min Draft 1.17 ft / 0.36 m
Displacement 80.00 lb / 36 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 60.00 ft² / 5.57 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Dbrd. Dinghy
Rigging Type Cat (unstayed)
Construction FG
Designer John Barnett
Builder Barnett Boat Co.
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Performance Ratios
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
41.73
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
2.06
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 4.13 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 0.78 pounds/inch
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