On show at Boot Düsseldorf in Hall 15, Stand B 40
Just under ten metres long and three and a half metres wide. Roughly speaking, these are the dimensions of boats that many sailors want - even those who would like to become one. Even beginners can cope well with the manageable size, a mooring is easier to find and, in addition to the purchase costs, the operating costs are also kept within limits. There is also a wide range of sizes on offer, from family cruisers with up to three cabins for weekends and holidays to elegant daysailers and sporty regatta boats.
Ten metres is also a format to which the large series manufacturers pay particular attention and always have done. In this attractive category of cruising boats, it is not just about high unit numbers, but above all about attracting new customers and those switching to the brand and retaining them for larger models. For the manufacturers, this means Building boats that meet the high demands of an accurately comparative clientele on the one hand and represent the typical brand values on the other. So it's no wonder that leading manufacturers such as Bavaria, Beneteau, Dufour, Hanse and Jeanneau are meeting demand with up-to-date and competitive models and revising their programmes at short intervals.
Similar, but not the same: this is the competition
And, of course, pricing plays an important role. The ten-metre class is exposed to fierce competition, which only the large and powerful series producers can face. Smaller manufacturers hardly dare to tackle the format - for good reasons. The exception is now the Northman shipyard in Poland, which is venturing into the competitive market with a new Maxus 35. In return, it can look forward to coveted support; the new boat has been nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2024.
The design comes from the D&S Yacht Design office (Jacek Daszkiewicz and Krzysztof Smaga), which has previously worked for Northman Shipyard, including on their motorboat programme. A striking feature of the Maxus 35 is the rather hard upturned hull in the aft section and the raised bow. Overall, the freeboard is significantly higher at the front than at the rear over the entire length of the hull, which characterises the appearance. The design of the high cabin superstructure, which is pulled far forward and has a continuous window strip in the style of a deck saloon yacht, is also unique. The new Maxus 35 is striking, not elegant, a matter of taste.
Production method and rig structure
L-keels with a draught of 1.95 metres and 1.50 metres are available for the boat, and the shipyard can also offer two chine keels as an alternative, with the option of falling dry and easy parking on land. At Northman, the decks and hulls are built by hand from GRP. The hull is a full laminate, the deck a sandwich construction with a foam core.
The rig is supplied by the French company Sparcraft. The mast with two spreaders and the shrouds connected directly to the outside of the hull is quite far forward in comparison. This means that the J dimension, i.e. the distance from the forestay jib to the mast, remains relatively short. Although a self-tacking jib is offered by the shipyard as an option, it makes little sense in this case because the sail area would be very small. The standard is therefore a genoa with an overlap of around 106 per cent, with a hollow point on deck to the side of the cabin superstructure. But even in this case, the size of the headsail remains rather modest with a share of only 41 per cent of the total sail area on the wind. The sail carrying capacity is 4.1, making the Maxus 35 a pure cruising boat without great performance potential.
The boat is noticeably under-rigged in light winds
During the YACHT test off La Rochelle in western France, the boat struggled to get going quickly in the initially light wind. The boat initially appears sluggish downwind and noticeably under-rigged. A rollable Code Zero would be a good choice for use on inland waterways where there is little wind. However, the Maxus 35 is already equipped with a fairly long bow nose with a water stay, to which a gennaker can also be attached.
However, with increasing wind in the YACHT test, the Maxus 35 still gets moving well. At ten knots, the Polish yacht is already travelling quite well, logging 5.5 knots at an angle of 45 degrees to the true wind direction. For a pure touring boat with no sporting ambitions, the performance values are well within the appropriate range. However, it should be mentioned that the test boat has been upgraded with better, dimensionally stable sails made of laminated material, which should have provided a performance boost. As standard, the Maxus 35 is supplied with a simple Dacron upwind wardrobe.
With more heel, the underwater appendages also provide a light, pleasant rudder pressure, making it easy to steer the yacht optimally on the windward edge. The high-quality steering system from Jefa operates the quadrant of the single rudder from both steering columns with a continuous cable. Although this does not provide redundancy, the entire steering mechanism is easily accessible through a flap in the cockpit floor, making it easier to rectify a fault in an emergency. A very good and well thought-out installation.
Active trimming possible
The mainsheet is run via a sheet triangle in front of the companionway, a very simple and equally good solution because the main boom can be trimmed to the centre of the ship without much sheet pull. As with the test boat, the mainsheet can be split and deflected back into the cockpit on both sides via the mast foot (German Cupper System). In this case, the shipyard installs a second pair of secondary winches on the aft cockpit coaming so that the helmsman can reach the mainsheet directly on both sides. This arrangement is only available as an option and is recommended for sailors who like to trim actively or who often sail single-handed. In the standard version, the mainsheet is operated via the halyard winches on the roof to the side of the companionway.
Incidentally, the equipment is of a pleasingly high quality and very generously dimensioned right from the start. Northman only installs fittings from premium manufacturer Harken on its 35s in the Maxus line. The self-tailing 40 mm winches are large enough to handle the load of the sheets without any problems, even without electric drives, which are available as an option.
All boats in the competition in the ten-metre class have the two or three-cabin layout in common. There is also a toilet room and galley. The Maxus 35 is no exception to the competition in terms of its general layout. What sets it apart, however, is the wide technical channel between the aft cabins and the forecastle.
Maxus 35 with advantages and disadvantages below deck
The central area in the extension of the engine room is ideal for additional technical installations. The diesel tank and the mechanics of the control system are also installed there. The disadvantage: the width of the berth in the aft cabin is greatly reduced. At shoulder height, the berth is just 1.17 metres wide, which is clearly too narrow for two adults. This means that only one person can sleep comfortably in the aft cabin. On the other hand, the forward berth offers plenty of space for double occupancy, even if the berth is built very far into the bow and is just 36 centimetres wide at the feet. However, the length of the sunbathing area of 2.10 metres puts this into perspective. An adult can also sleep comfortably on the port side in the saloon. The sofa on the opposite side is slightly shorter, but can still be used as a bunk for a child.
In the standard twin-cabin, the already very generously planned wet room aft is extended by a separate shower compartment. In addition, you can reach the large locker in the bathroom through a watertight hatch. If the boat is equipped with a total of three cabins, both the large aft storage space and the separate shower compartment are of course omitted.
The fit-out standard is better than average
The interior components not only look very robust, but are also well and harmoniously installed. This includes the fact that the cut edges of all wooden parts are beautifully sanded and additionally sealed. The technical elements on board for the power and water circuits are also perfectly and clearly installed and are also very easy to access. All in all, the Maxus 35 surprises with an exemplary, solid and high-quality finish and even outperforms its competitors from the larger product series in this respect.
Nevertheless, there is also criticism. For example, the companionway is very narrow and steep and therefore difficult to walk on. This is mainly because the sliding hatch can only be opened to a limited extent. Anyone going in and out here has to be able to bend over and put their head down. The ventilation options in the boat could also be better. In the saloon in particular, the only options are the hatch in the deck and the companionway.
Maxus 35 is priced in the mid-range
With a base price of around 160,000 euros, the Maxus 35 is positioned roughly in the middle of the price range within the competitive environment. A fair price considering the good, high-quality and also quite extensive basic equipment from the shipyard. By the way: The flagship of the Northman shipyard is available under the name Maxus 34 in a greatly reduced version and for a basic price of just under 115,000 euros. In this version as a daysailer for inland waters, the boat comes without an engine, with a significantly simpler interior and reduced basic equipment. The 34 is also available as a centreboard or as a lifting keel with flexible draught.
With the new Maxus 35, Northman is positioning a boat that is a strong competitor for established brands and does not need to shy away from comparison. The boat will be on show as a novelty at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf in January 2024. Anyone interested in the ten-metre class should definitely take a look at the Maxus there.
The measured values for testing the Maxus 35
The Maxus 35 in detail
Technical data of the Maxus 35
- Designer: D&S Yacht Design
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 9,96 m
- Total length: 10,68 m
- Waterline length: 9,60 m
- Width: 3,40 m
- Deep draught fixed keel: 1,95/1,50 m
- Mast height: 14,0 m
- Theor. torso speed: 7.5 kn
- Weight: 6,3 t
- Ballast/proportion: 1,80 t/28 %
- Mainsail: 34,30 m2
- Furling genoa (106 %): 24,20 m²
- Gennaker: 60,0 m²
- machine (Yanmar): 21 kW/29 hp
- Fuel tank (PVC): 54 l
- Fresh water tanks (PVC): 170 l
- Holding tank (PVC): 50
Hull and deck construction
Hull: GRP full laminate with hand lay-up. Deck: GRP sandwich laminate in hand lay-up with Airex foam core. Laminated with polyester resin
Equipment and prices
- Base price ex shipyard: 160.530 €
- Standard equipment included: sails, engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, sails, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, sailcloth (lazybags), fire extinguisher, electric coolbox
- For an extra charge: Anchor with chain € 1,655, fender/mooring € 490, holding tank with suction € 1,300, antifouling € 2,380, clear sailing handover € 1,500
- Price ready to sail: 2167.855 €
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/2 years
Surcharge for comfort equipment
- Hole points: incl.
- Traveller with line guide: n. raised.
- Electric windlass: 1.330 €
- Tube kicker: 650 €
- Backstay tensioner: incl.
- Jumping cleats: incl.
- Sprayhood: 6.190 €
- Teak in the cockpit: 6.000 €
- VHF radio: 1.010 €
- Log and echo sounder: E-package
- Wind measuring system: E-package
- Electrical package: 2.400 €
- Autopilot: 4.225 €
- Charger: 1.190 €
- Shore connection with RCD: incl.
- 230 volt socket (one): 130 €
- 12-volt socket in the sat nav: incl.
- Heating: 5.760 €
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot water boiler: incl.
- Shower WC room: incl.
- Cockpit shower: 870 €
- Comfort price 2: 197.610 €
Included in the price:
Folding cockpit table on both sides, stainless steel swim ladder, laminated bow platform, traveller for self-tacking jib, real glass panoramic window
Rig
From the shipyard, the Maxus 35 will be equipped with an aluminium rig with two Sparcraft spreaders. The shipyard offers a mast-laying device as an option
Sail
A simple Dacron wardrobe (genoa and main) is supplied as standard. Better sails like those on the test boat and a gennaker or code zero are available from the shipyard
Motorisation
Built-in diesel from Yanmar (3YM30) with Saildrive, optionally with shaft drive. An electric drive is possible as a variant from the manufacturer
Batteries
AGM batteries in the standard configuration. 1x 75 Ah (starter battery), 1x 180 Ah (service)
Shipyard
Northman Shipyard, Wegorzewo (Poland); www.northman.pl
Distribution
Sportboothandel M. Johannsen; 04509 Delitzsch; www.brodauer-bootshaus.de
YACHT rating
The Maxus 35 complements and enriches the well-stocked class by ten metres hull length with a strong, functional overall package. The quality of workmanship and finish is impressive, and the price is acceptable.
Design and concept
- + Coherent overall concept
- + Very robust construction
- - Short J-measure, jib too small
- - Looks take some getting used to
Sailing performance and trim
- + Sails balanced in windy conditions
- + Single-handed as an option
- + Functioning layout
- - Under-rigged in light winds
Living and finishing quality
- + Beautifully built interior
- + Wet room with shower possible
- - Aft berth very narrow
- - Decline restricted
Equipment and technology
- + Control perfectly accessible
- + Good equipment ex shipyard
- + Perfectly installed technology
- - Few ventilation options
