Maxi yacht

This number was approximately equal to the sailing waterline length in feet, plus or minus speed enhancing or reducing factors in the design.

They were sufficiently fast and seaworthy to cross oceans and became the craft of choice of pioneers of the Whitbread Round the World Race.

The maxis were also prominent as line honour contestants in the Whitbread Round the World Race from 1973 to 1993.

Modern maxi yachts are usually custom-designed and built to the IRC rule but regardless of handicap in order to achieve line honour victories.

In order to achieve higher speeds, maxi yachts were early adopters of modern materials and technologies such as carbon fibre, thermoformed sails, rotating wingmasts, water ballasts, canting keels, and hydrofoils.