The fun I had on Maximus

Last month, features editor Ali Wood became the proud owner of Maximus, the new PBO Project Boat. The 28ft Maxi 84 had been on the hard standing for over two years and was in need of some repairs. Her owner, Daniel Kirtley, had two young children and, combined with his work as a corporate financier, was finding it hard ‘to do right by her.’

“I’ve compiled the list of projects needed to bring her up to scratch and it’s just too long for me,” he said. “I don’t have the time!” He generously offered the boat to PBO. Here’s Daniel’s story:

How long have you owned the boat?

I’ve owned Maximus for 10 years. She’s been brilliant. I bought her in Ipswich after a year of searching for the right boat. I was living in London at the time and planned to keep her in Southampton.

I’d done a fair amount of sailing – had read all the books and crewed a lot but I didn’t know much about boats.

What was it about her that appealed to you?

I liked that she was a fin-keeler. She spins around her centre when manoeuvring in a marina – I was a bit worried about that – but Maxi 84s are well built and have a good reputation. She has a saildrive and, from