Maxi 1000 — a practical cruiser for Nordic passages
Alexandra
Stern-to mooring, a webbing reel with snap hook, and a stout stern anchor are standard practice in the Stockholm Archipelago; cruisers should also carry a bag of bergskils, long shore lines, and a heavy-duty shore-power cable because bollards and electricity points are often far from the tying position. Supplement navigation with the three-volume Swedish Båtsportkort for North, Central and South Stockholm and keep a stern buoy configuration and single-line bow-to technique drilled with your crew before arrival.
Key specifications of the Maxi 1000
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| LWL | 8.20m / 26ft 11in |
| Beam | 3.25m / 10ft 8in |
| Displacement approx | 4,500kg / 9,921lb |
| Total sail area approx | 45.9m² / 494ft² |
| Built | 1985–1992 |
| Typical used asking prices | £36,000–£64,000 |
Design, performance and practical fit for the archipelago
Designed by Swedish Olympic medallist Pelle Petterson, the Maxi 1000 occupies a deliberate balance between sailing performance and cruising comfort. With a 7/8 fractional rig, ample sail area and quality deck gear, the boat accelerates well in the archipelago’s lighter airs, especially under genoa. Reports from owners describe a comfortable motion upwind and modest weather helm when trimmed correctly, a direct benefit when threading rocky channels and short fetches common to Nordic waters.
Deck geometry supports practical passage-making: wide side decks and a semi-open bow pulpit simplify ladder and dinghy handling, while a cockpit arranged around a centrally-run mainsheet and a traveller provides ergonomic control for short-handed crews. Most examples are tiller-steered, but a wheel was offered as an option, altering cockpit ergonomics and appeal for different charter or rental markets.
📚 You may also like
Interior layout and liveaboard considerations
Wide companionway steps descend into an interior finished with a mix of solid teak and veneer. The galley is L-shaped with twin sinks to port and the navigation station forward-facing to starboard. Saloon seating includes a shallow U-shaped settee to port that converts to a double berth and a single settee to starboard, with a central drop-leaf table.
- Headroom: approximately 1.9m / 6ft 3in aft, reducing forward.
- Aft cabin: around 1.83m / 6ft headroom at the entrance.
- Heads: aft to starboard with shower fitting and wet locker draining to bilge.
Storage is abundant, an advantage when provisioning for extended archipelago cruises where shops are sporadic. The vee-berth is long but narrow at shoulder height, so plan for bedding and clothing storage if expecting multiple adults to sleep forward.
Construction and systems notes
The Maxi 1000 uses a solid GRP hull with a Divinycell-cored deck. A bolt-on, cast-iron keel is supported by transverse GRP floors and the mast is deck-stepped with an internal compression post. Typical maintenance items reported by owners include resealing cabin windows, regular replacement of the anode on the Volvo saildrive to avoid leg corrosion, and careful inspection of any teak decks for delamination or wear.
Buying a Maxi 1000 — market and expectations
Prices start around £36,000 for examples requiring upgrading and can rise to roughly £64,000 for well-maintained boats fitted with modern electronics and rigging. There are no systemic design faults reported widely, but the usual caveats for boats built in the 1980s and early 1990s apply: check teak, window seals, sail condition and the saildrive leg closely. For buyers seeking a platform suitable for both club racing and family cruising, the Maxi 1000 remains a sound used-market choice.
Practical pilotage for Scandinavian cruising
Successful navigation in the Stockholm Archipelago depends on preparation: use the Båtsportkort alongside up-to-date electronic charts, fit a stern anchor for bow-to moorings, and carry hammerable bergskils for creating ad-hoc shore moorings. Expect stern buoys and short rocky fingers where boats are secured bow-in; many local skippers use webbing reels mounted on the stern for fast, reliable connection to harbour gear.
- Carry long lines to run ashore and a selection of fenders sized for narrow rock landings.
- Store a long power cable and tested adapters; shore power points can be distant.
- Train crew in stern-to approaches and the use of a stern anchor under moderate conditions.
For pilotage reading in English, "Stockholm Archipelago: The 50 Best Harbours" by Anders Hellberg, Kerstin Benckert and Gustaf Hannar is highly recommended for planning safe stops and understanding local services.
Bay Cruiser 26: space, pace and practicality
Smaller trailerable cruisers such as the Bay Cruiser 26 target sailors who need performance, trailability and surprising liveaboard comfort. For operators offering short-term rentals, a 26-footer offers a low-barrier entry to coastal cruising while remaining nimble in confined anchorages and shallow bays.
GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, as we truly understand what it means to enjoy great leisure and love the ocean. The GetBoat service values freedom, energy, and the ability to choose your own course, placing no limits on a good life and helping clients find a vessel that suits their preferences, budget, and taste.
If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com
Forecasting impact: this kind of used-boat market story has modest global significance for tourism, but strong local influence where archipelago cruising is a major leisure activity. However, it remains relevant to customers because GetBoat aims to stay abreast of developments and keep pace with a changing world. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.
Summary: the Maxi 1000 blends manageable size with capable sailing and sensible cruising ergonomics for Nordic waters; its construction and deck layout suit the islands’ short hops and tight harbours, but buyers should inspect teak decks, window seals and the saildrive anode. For charter operators and renters, the Maxi’s balance of performance and comfort makes it attractive for couples and small groups exploring bays, gulfs and marinas. GetBoat.com supports these choices with a transparent, user-friendly platform to book or buy yachts, boats and sailboats — displaying make, model, ratings and full details so you can plan the right charter, sale or rental with confidence.
Final wrap-up: whether you seek a cruiser for calm fjords, a platform for fishing and island-hopping, or a yacht for family trips to clearwater bays, the Maxi 1000 remains a practical and affordable option on the used market. Use thorough pilotage resources, equip for stern-to moorings and prepare for region-specific logistics. With options for charter and sale across destinations, GetBoat helps match skippers and holidaymakers to the right boat — from small boat rentals and day charters to larger yachts and superyacht listings — making planning for sunseeker dreams, lake and ocean adventures, gulf cruises and marinas exploration smoother for every captain and crew.
