Alex Smal / Glynn Buckle and their team at Maxim have done a really good job, adapting the yacht to the ever changing market demands, while not losing side of the original taste and feel of the Maxim yachts.

The new 38 has a number of important enhancements to deal with the ever increasing loading and space demands. So have the hulls not only been changed to have more length but they have also been redesigned to offer more space and weight carrying capacity in the aft sections in order to deal with bigger engines, more equipment and the bimini structure, pretty much regarded as a standard feature on today's serious cruising catamaran.

From here on the features and enhancements are not as striking but maybe just as important. Construction techniques and methods have been adapted to follow the latest methods, resulting in a lighter and stronger structure, General plumbing and electrical layouts have been refined and everything has been brought in line with the most recent requirements for CE certification to which all Maxim products comply.

From a practical perspective, the extra length has allowed bigger engines (2 x 29 HP) which are also situated further back, enhancing the interior volume available for storage as well as further reducing the noise impact on the interior while running under power.

The extra beam also allows for a wider double aft berth, bringing it in line with the two spacious fwd cabins.

On the exterior, the targawing and bimini have greatly improved the functionality of the cockpit which now becomes much more part of the permanent living space, under sail as well as at mooring. The enhancement on the rig where the caps and intermediates have been brought further inboard greatly enhances the walk through on the side deck to the front, a feature often ignored in other catamarans of this size.

Overall it has made this new Maxim such a pleasure to be on, and with the excellent track record of the earlier models it comes with the reassurance that it will do it job perfectly anytime and anywhere.

Alexander Simonis

Sept 2004

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