MaxFun

One of the most interesting new keelboats at London Boat Show is the Simonis Voogd designed MaxFun 35. "The designers decided they wanted a fun boat for themselves," explains Andy Hind for importers Tangent Yachting. And the boat certainly looks the part with a large retractible prodder at the bow, full width spreaders like an Open 60 and a reasonable beam on a displacement of 3 tonnes (half of it in the keel). On deck the MaxFun sports a carbon fibre mast and boom made by Hallspars. The headsail is fractional while there is also the ability to fly the Code O and genniker from the masthead. The typical sail wardrobe will include mainsail, 104% all round headsail, heavy headsail and two kites. Sails for the first boat were made by Hyde, but for the boat at the show they will be by Quantum. The mast is stayed with the aid of full width spreaders and rod shrouds that terminate at stainless steel chainplates. Hence the genoa is 104% of the foretriangle. Aside from the bowsprit there is track on the mast for a conventional pole. The rig has no runners, but a single backstay on a generous purchase. The concept of the rig is for easy handling and so the forestay is fitted with a Harken roller furler with the drum neatly concealed in a foredeck well for improved windage. "The idea is that you can gybe it from the cockpit," says Hind. To date seven MaxFun 35s have been built - four have gone to Roy Heiner's sailing school in Holland. In the UK the first is now called Hooligan V and belongs to Ed Broadway, who bought it as a replacement for his JOD35. The MaxFun in time will develop as a one design hopes Hind, but in