Early starts are an annoying affair at regattas. As tussles with others often provoke the premature crossing of the line, superyachts rarely come into contact with it. They are usually sent across the line one after the other for safety reasons and their position is calculated using the corrected time after crossing the finish line. The race organisers of the Superyacht Cup Palma also sent the participants onto the course using a start sequence. It seemed that "Maximus" could not wait for her first regatta in the Mediterranean and was too early. However, the 330-tonner did not have to return behind the line. It incurred a time penalty, which meant second place in the first race. In the end, the super ketch took the overall victory - and attracted a lot of attention with its over-rigged appearance in all black.
The scene reflects well the ambitions of the 59 aluminium metres. A few weeks later, the team set a record for the distance between Ibiza and Mallorca, which participants in the Ibiza Joy Sail were able to attempt 30 days before the start of the event. A crew of "only" 24 people completed the 48 nautical miles in three hours and 31 minutes, at an average speed of 14 knots. The urge to race was satisfied immediately after delivery at the end of 2023. The captain and the 15-strong crew immediately set course for the Caribbean to compete in the St. Barths Bucket Regatta in March. With only moderate success. The name alone suggests that the owner wanted a lot: There is a long list of superlatives for "Maximus" in Latin.
The owner had Vitters build it for the second time
There was no doubt about the choice of building site. They knew each other from a previous project. The customer came back to Vitters, true to the credo: If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much! The design, which is ideal for complex one-off sailing boats such as "Aquijo", portrayed hereThe shipyard, known as "Anatta", not far from the southern IJsselmeer, gladly accepted the challenge. The owner approached Vitters with the dream of sailing the most beautiful and fastest ketch. It was almost a logical consequence that Germán Frers was engaged as the designer, who was able to realise his dream with the 20-metre-long "Recluta", here in portraithimself sails a beautiful and fast ketch. But made of wood and 20 metres long. The basis for "Maximus" was a crack that the Argentinian maestro drew back in the 1990s and which materialised in the 42-metre ketch "Rebecca". In 1999, it was presented with a fixed keel and bomb as well as a half-skeg rudder.
The "Maximus" client wanted it to be even sportier, but similarly elegant and with the same classic features: a pronounced, positive deck planing, yacht stern, protected cockpits, high-gloss dorado vents and teak-clad deckhouses. Deviating fixes on the list of requirements were a higher freeboard, a flatter underwater hull with a less wetted surface and pre-balanced twin rudders made of carbon. On the other hand, the inclination of the stem was adopted, which wonderfully expresses the blend of today and yesterday: it is neither vertically modern nor classically angled à la spoon bow. An intermediate dimension that Germán Frers is able to define like hardly anyone else.
One special feature concerned the keel, as Vitters' project manager Erik Bos reveals: "The owner's specification: a minimum draught of no more than five metres, meant a lift of three metres for the 87-tonne lifting keel." The shipyard's own designers had to think one step further: "We also had to be able to bring the ship into dry dock with the keel raised. It was quite a challenge for us to properly transfer the load from the keel shaft to the surrounding hull structure."
The salon takes up the concept of the Circus Maximus
If you make your way below deck via the companionway of the main deckhouse, you will immediately find further inspiration: a bust of the young Marcus Aurelius. Weighing 82.5 kilograms, the effigy of the Roman emperor stands in front of the shaft of the lift keel on a lifting platform that takes it deep into the lower locker at sea. "The Maximus theme goes back to the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome and refers to the size and scale of the place," explains Erik Bos.
Of course, it's not far from the hero Maximus Decimus Meridius from Ridley Scott's epic film "Gladiator". A gladiator's mask, as worn by Russell Crowe during his battles, is emblazoned on the black gennaker and has found its way into the owner's cabin in the form of an iron replica.
Other parts of the salon are dedicated to the theme of the Circus Maximus with entertainment and dining. Marcus Aurelius watches over the ethanol fireplace and console on the port side and the Baby Grand Piano by Steinway & Sons opposite. "We craned the Steinway through a hatch in the roof of the shipyard hall, which was specially built for craning large parts. The piano was then lowered through a maintenance opening in the main deckhouse before the teak was laid," says Erik Bos about the unusual equipment logistics.
De Ruiter was responsible for the interior design, which is dominated by high-gloss lacquered Anigré wood. The design was entrusted to Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, who, together with her team from Woodstock in the UK, specialises in Georgian interior design. Curves in the beds, wardrobes and walls are reminiscent of the late Baroque period and also prevent bruising in the event of heavy seas. Only the bathrooms of the owner's suite - located aft with its own deckhouse - stand out with their blue marble shower wall and fittings in the style of Fabergé eggs. The construction does not match the visual weight of the furniture, even if no "slavish" lightweight construction was used: "The interior fittings were made of lightweight plywood. A light and stable material that gives the interior the right feel without making it too heavy. This fits perfectly with the feel, look and finish," reveals Bos. In addition to the master suite, charter guests can choose from three double cabins.
The mounted bowsprit indicates the sport mode
"Maximus" has a good chance of success on the charter market, which rewards unique features. The captain has two aces up his sleeve: In cruising mode, historic signalling cannons are stored under the helmsman's benches, which the crew can roll up to the bulwark through doors in the coaming. Shroud tensioners attached to generously dimensioned deck eyes provide information about the expected recoil. What could be better suited to the pirate waters of the Bahamas? This summer or winter in the Caribbean, anyone who pays Burgess 203,000 euros per week can stay on the super ketch.
If you want to know whether "Maximus" is in race mode, take a look at the stem: a mounted bowsprit is synonymous with a flipped "Sport" switch. "It was clear from the outset that the owner wanted a high-performance yacht that would be pushed to its limits," reveals Project Manager Erik Bos. More than 50 people are on board for the race, as many as two similarly sized sloops need hands on deck - even though flying sails such as gennakers or Code Zero run into the forepeak via hydraulic drums.
The clews of the flat headsails nestle against the deck and the trimmers optimise their sails from any position thanks to remote control. In addition to the main mast, which rises almost 65 metres into the sky, and the 48-metre mizzen mast, the shrouds and stays are also made of carbon fibre. Up to 1,650 square metres of Doyle sails tug at the wind. In a stern breeze, up to 3,980 square metres of cloth need to be tamed. With a code and mizzen staysail, speeds of just under 20 knots are achieved.
Erik Bos says of the sailing systems: "They were developed entirely by Vitters. It is a 700-volt hydraulic system that feeds a 100-kWh battery bank. During regattas, the system has proven that it supplies all sail systems with sufficient power, even when the race crew has pushed 'Maximus' to its limits."
Roman emperors would love the crow's nest
When not racing, the impressive fleet of tenders is on show. A seven-metre-long RIB rests below the foredeck and above the crew quarters. Opposite each other amidships are a 4.20 metre Zodiac and a five metre long Preziose, based on a design by Alfred Mylne, which is powered by electric pod drives or sail power. Water skiing, wakeboarding and SUP boards are also available. Guests can work on their fitness in the fully equipped gym, which has been given its own room opposite the galley. In addition to pleasure, sport and entertainment, "Maximus" has even more in store: a crow's nest, which can also be dismantled, which guests can raise up to 31 metres above the deck on the main mast - a position that would be suitable for both emperors and fighters.
Technical data
- Overall length: 59.00 m
- Length waterline: 48.73 m
- Width: 10.17 m
- Draught: 5-8 m
- Displacement (empty): 330 t
- Material: Aluminium
- Engines: 1 x MAN
- Engine power: 1 x 894 kW
- Main mast height: 64.85 m
- Height of mizzen mast: 48.00 m
- Sail area upwind: 1,650 m²
- Sail area downwind: 3,980 m²
- Sails: Doyle Sails
- Mast: Southern Spars
- Guests: 8
- Crew: 9
- Construction: Vitters, Germán Frers
- Exterior design: Germán Frers
- Interior design: Spencer-Churchill Designs
- Shipyard: Vitters Shipyard, 2024
- Charter: Burgess, 203.000 Euro p. week
