Maxi Fenix

1981–1989 · designed by Pelle Petterson · built by Maxi Yachts

Designed by Pelle Petterson as a compact family cruiser for the Scandinavian production market, built by Maxi Yachts in the 1980s. Intended as an easily-handled, well-mannered coastal and weekend cruiser rather than a long-distance passage-maker, trading on Petterson's racing-design pedigree for better sailing manners than typical mass-production boats of her size and era. Reputation in the used Scandinavian/European market is as a solid, honestly built small cruiser, though she is far less documented and far lower-volume than contemporaries like the Maxi 77/84/95 line or mainstream Catalina/Beneteau competitors of the same period.

This is a general read on the Maxi Fenix class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

At a glance

Hull form: Fin Keel
Ballast type: Bolt On Lead
Rudder: Spade
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1981–1989
Built in: Sweden

What the Maxi Fenix is known for

Petterson design pedigree gives noticeably better sailing manners and hull lines than typical mass-production cruisers of the same 28-29ft class and era.
Scandinavian build standards of the period generally mean above-average lamination schedules and hardware specification versus volume competitors.
Small, simple bolt-on fin-keel size makes for easy singlehanding, haul-out, and marina/trailer logistics compared to larger classmates.

Known trade-offs

Small size and 1980s-era tankage and stowage limit her for serious offshore passages or full-time liveaboard use without modification.
At 35-40+ years old, original engine, standing rigging, tanks, and plumbing are near or past end-of-service-life industry-wide for the era, independent of any individual hull's history.
Low production volume and thin documentation versus Catalina/Beneteau/Hunter classmates mean parts, class resources, and comparable sales data are scarce.

Age-related quirks to expect

Standing rigging and chainplates at or past typical 20-25 year replacement interval given the hull's age, regardless of individual maintenance history. severity: High affects: all production years

Original diesel engine (if never replaced) is a strong repower candidate purely on age; parts and service support for period-correct small marine diesels can be thin. severity: Medium affects: all production years

Gelcoat crazing and print-through typical of early-to-mid-1980s hand-laid GRP hulls; cosmetic in most cases but worth distinguishing from structural moisture. severity: Low affects: early-to-mid 1980s hulls

Deck core moisture around stanchion bases, chainplates, and deck hardware, common to production GRP decks of this era. severity: Medium affects: all production years

Systems to check before you buy

Standing rigging and chainplates priority: offshore, coastal

Original or first-replacement standing rigging is likely at or past typical 20-25 year service life; inspect swages, terminals, and chainplates for crevice corrosion given the hull's age.

Engine and drivetrain priority: offshore, liveaboard, motor

Original small diesel (if not already replaced) is very likely past a reasonable rebuild/repower interval; check hours, maintenance records, and cooling/exhaust condition closely.

Keel bolts and keel-hull joint priority: offshore, coastal

Bolt-on fin keel joint should be checked for weeping, stress cracking, or movement after four decades of groundings and passage loads.

Deck core and hardware priority: offshore, liveaboard

Deck core and hardware penetrations (stanchions, chainplates, deck fittings) are a common moisture-intrusion point on GRP boats of this vintage; sound the deck and check backing plates.

Fuel and water tankage priority: liveaboard, offshore

Original fuel and water tanks are approaching or past typical service life; check for corrosion (metal tanks) or fitting degradation and confirm current capacity matches the boat's intended use.

How it fits your plans

Coastal: A good match: compact, well-balanced, and easy to handle for day sailing and coastal cruising.
Liveaboard: Tight at 28-29ft for full-time liveaboard; workable for a minimalist single-hander or couple but not spacious by modern standards.
Offshore: Undersized and under-tanked for serious bluewater passage-making; capable of short coastal-hop offshore legs in settled conditions but not a dedicated passage-maker.
Racing: Petterson's racing background gives respectable PHRF/club-racing performance for her size, though she was built as a cruiser, not a one-design racer.
Weekending: Excellent fit: easy to singlehand, simple systems, and a size well suited to weekend and short-trip sailing.

This guide is the class. A report is that hull. Paste the listing you're looking at and FairKeel grades every claim in it against what's known about the Maxi Fenix — where the evidence is thin, the red flags worth a second look, the costs likely to land in your first season, and whether the boat suits the plans you describe in a few short questions.

It won't read the photos or put a number on the boat — that's the $249 Deep-Dive, and for the real answer, a surveyor. It will tell you when a Deep-Dive isn't worth buying. Free, no account, usually a minute or two.

Run a free report on your listing →

See something that doesn't look right? We'd love to know — email us about the Maxi Fenix →

Browse all used-boat buyer's guides →