MAXI FENIX 8.5
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 27.9 ft |
| LWL | 24.28 ft |
| Beam | 9.35 ft |
| Draft | 4.92 ft |
| Displacement | 6,173 lb |
| Ballast | 7,495.7 lb |
| Material | 40’ 5”12.3 m |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.6 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 29.85 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.17 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 32.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.81 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.2 ft |
| Mainsail | 361 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 151.8 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 258 sq ft |
Accommodation
| Cabins | 2 |
| Berths | 5 |
| Heads | 6 |
| Water | 158.5 L |
| Fuel | 31.7 L |
| CE category | N/A€ |
About the MAXI FENIX 8.5
The Maxi Fenix 8.5 is a compact, performance-oriented sloop designed by Pelle Petterson and built by Maxi Yachts / Börjesson Brothers between 1981 and 1988. With a production run of 1300 hulls, it represents a significant volume of well-documented, high-quality Scandinavian construction from that era.
- Best for:
- This boat is ideally suited for coastal cruisers and club racers who prioritize speed and handling over heavy offshore comfort, particularly those seeking a manageable 27.9 ft LOA package with fractional sloop rigging.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low D/L ratio of 192.53 and a capsize ratio of 2.04, the Fenix 8.5 is primarily a coastal cruiser rather than a heavy bluewater passage-maker, though its robust construction allows for protected offshore passages.
- Comparables:
- It competes directly with other late-1970s to mid-1980s Scandinavian performance cruisers like the Hallberg-Rassy 35 and Nauticat 363, sharing similar fractional rigs and a focus on sailing dynamics over heavy displacement.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(1 certificate)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 3.4 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.3 |
| 60° | 3.6 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.6 |
| 75° | 3.8 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| 90° | 3.6 | 4.9 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| 110° | 3.5 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| 120° | 3.3 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 7.8 | 8.4 |
| 135° | 2.9 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 8.6 |
| 150° | 2.4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 6.4 | 6.7 | 7.3 | 8.1 |
| Beat VMG | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Run VMG | 2.1 | 3.0 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 5.4 | 5.9 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.4 |
Estimated Value
Limited DataEstimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 27.9ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the MAXI FENIX 8.5yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a MAXI FENIX 8.5? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your MAXI FENIX 8.5?
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Used sails that fit the MAXI FENIX 8.5
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