BoatsMaxi Yachts 84

Maxi Yachts 84

Masthead Sloop · Fin w/transom Hung Rudder · 1977–1983

A 8.5-metre fin-keeler with a 45% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal sailing

Designed by Pelle Petterson.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/transom Hung Rudder

See her sail

The Maxi Yachts 84, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from practicalboatowner

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 20 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 20
CoastalBluewater

2.07 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.07
LightHeavy

224 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 224
EasygoingPowered-up

16.0 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.0
TenderStiff

45% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 45%

A balanced, easily-driven cruiser — comfortable and forgiving for coastal work.

What the fleet has seen

The Maxi Yachts 84, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Maxi Yachts 84 is a 8.5-meter masthead sloop designed by Pelle Petterson and built by Maxi Yachts and Borjesson Brothers from 1977 to 1983. It features a fin keel with a transom-hung rudder, a 1.5-meter draft, and a displacement of 3000 kg. A taller rig and a 1.3-meter draft option were available. Aboard *practicalboatowner*, the project boat, a Maxi 84 Maximus, received new sails.0:16 Sailmakers measured the rig for a two-reef mainsail and a roller-furling genoa, recommending a 130–135% LP for the genoa to perform across a 5 to 25-knot wind range.8:30 The crew chose a crosscut polyester mainsail and a radial-cut polyester-Vectran hybrid headsail.19:57 Sailmakers advise measuring to the maximum available space for new sails, as retrofit furling gear can alter luff length from original plans.1:39

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 2 times across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Maxi Yachts 84 on video

What broke, what changed

Gear aboard, as the crews told it

Moments from individual boats of this model that the fleet has filmed — one crew, one piece of kit, one day on the water. Not a review of the class, and not a count of anything.

  • ComparedHarkenweighed against Seldon

    The speaker compared Harken furling gear to Seldon furling gear, noting that either could be a retrofit.

    aboard practicalboatownerseen August 20231:26

  • ComparedSeldenweighed against Harken

    The speaker compared Seldon furling gear to Harken furling gear, noting that either could be a retrofit.

    aboard practicalboatownerseen August 20231:26

Each line is one crew's account of their own boat. Another Maxi Yachts 84 may be fitted out entirely differently.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
45.0%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.0
Displacement / length
224.1
Comfort ratio
19.9
Capsize screening
2.07
Hull speed
6.5 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
817
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/transom hung rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Iron
Production
Years built
1977–1983
Units built
1350
Designer
Pelle Petterson
Builder
Maxi Yachts, Borjesson Brothers

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Bristol Yachts 288.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn IOR Half Ton racer with reduced stern overhang, serving as the performance-oriented predecessor to the Bristol 29.9
TOP 3 Small Sailboats You Can Sail AROUND THE WORLD! Ep 331 - Lady K sailing10:23from Lady K Sailing
Pearson Yachts 28-28.67 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA William Shaw-designed masthead sloop featuring a fin keel and spade rudder, built as a modern successor to the original Pearson
Acorn to Arabella - Journey of a Wooden Boat - Bonus Content: The Good, The Bad and The Bronze0:04from Acorn To Arabella
Ranger Yachts 29 (Mull)8.71 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 1970s masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a balanced 1.98 capsize screening for coastal cruising
EP#328 San Diego Sailing with Justin14:43from Sailing Into Oblivion
San Juan 288.74 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA 1977 masthead sloop with a 50% ballast ratio and fin keel, designed for balanced performance in a compact 28-foot hull
A little bonus episode14:04from Sailing Magic Carpet
Islander Yachts 288.51 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Robert Perry-designed masthead sloop with over 400 built, favored by the designer himself for her balanced performance
How To Buy Sailboats On Facebook Marketplace6:20from Practical Sailor
Sabre Yachts 28-18.53 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Roger Hewson-designed masthead sloop featuring a skeg-mounted rudder and a stiff 42% ballast ratio for coastal cruising
Dragon Dancing for a Happy New Year - Episode 330 - Acorn to Arabella: Journey of a Wooden Boat11:12from Acorn To Arabella

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Maxi Yachts 87A 1970s masthead sloop with a fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder, designed for predictable handling in a compact 8.7-metre frameMaxi Yachts 108A 10.75-metre masthead sloop with a 38% ballast ratio, designed for steady coastal cruising and predictable handlingMaxi Yachts RacerA lightweight 7.95-metre fractional sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited racingMaxi Yachts 68A compact 6.8-metre fin-keeler with a 42% ballast ratio, built for stable coastal cruising in a manageable sizeMaxi Yachts 77The most popular model in the builder's history, offering both inboard and outboard engine options for versatile cruisingMaxi Yachts 800A lightweight 8.25-metre cruiser featuring a shallow-draft wing keel designed for easy handling in coastal waters

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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