The Maxi 35 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.9′, the Maxi 35 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.9′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
15.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
25.8
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.88
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
25.8
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.88
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Maxi 35 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Jeanneau One Design 35
84s/nm
Baltic 35
117s/nm
Ericson 34 2
144s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (15.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Maxi 35 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Maxi 35.
|
Maxi 35 |
Baltic 35 |
Cc 35 3 |
Ericson 34 2 |
Jeanneau One Design 35 |
Malo 106 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.7 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
| LWL |
27.9 |
28.7 |
28.0 |
29.0 |
29.7 |
28.2 |
| Beam |
10.7 |
11.5 |
11.2 |
11.3 |
11.5 |
10.7 |
| Displacement |
11 |
9 |
10 |
13 |
8 |
14 |
| Ballast |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
495 |
— |
— |
— |
588 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
117 |
— |
144 |
84 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.4 |
— |
— |
— |
23.5 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
42.0 |
41.6 |
40.0 |
34.1 |
37.9 |
| Comfort |
25.8 |
— |
— |
— |
15.5 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.88 |
— |
— |
— |
2.29 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
— |
— |
— |
7.3 |
— |