The term maxi originated with the International Offshore Rule (IOR) rating system, which in the 1970s and 1980s measured offshore racing yachts and applied a single-number rating to each boat. This number was approximately equal to the sailing waterline length in feet, plus or minus speed enhancing or reducing factors in the design. A yacht with a rating of 40 feet (12 m) was generally about 47 to 52 feet (14 to 16 m) in length overall. The IOR had upper and lower rating limits of 16 feet (4.9 m) and 70 feet (21 m), so a yacht designed and built to exceed the maximum limit of 70 feet (21 m) rating was known as a maxi.
For the 2009 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia increased the IRC rating upper limit for length of hull from 98 ft to 100 ft, and most 98 ft yachts have been lengthened to this size. In order to achieve higher speeds, Maxi yachts were early adopters of modern materials and technologies such as carbonfiber, thermoformed sails, rotating wingmasts, water ballasts and canting keels. Previous smaller Maxi yachts are still raced with corrected time class victories in mind whilst the 72 ft “mini-maxi” yachts now have a class of their own.
Ben & Rob Hartnett were fortunate enough to have a tour of Jim and Kristy's 100ft weapon "Comanche". Here is Ken taking them around the boat and showing Comanche in a perspective that isn't seen by most. It's a long video, one of the longest Ben has made, however this is because everything Ken sa...
The Transatlantic Race 2015 is a 2,800-mile race from Newport, R.I., to The Lizard on the southwestern corner of England. This is the 30th transatlantic race since three New York Yacht Club members sponsored the first one in 1866. A fleet of 38 boats—ranging in size from 40 to 140 feet and in age...
Take a look at the 100ft carbon sloop Comanche built for Jim and Kristy Clark. From the first layers of carbon being layed in to the hull at Hodgdon's yard in Maine to her first offshore passage from Newport to Charleston, SC. Ken Read tells the Comanche story just days before the boat takes on t...
Onne talks about the video gear he uses in the air and on the water to shoot boats. Obviously a tripod is out of the question when flying or on the deck of a bouncy chase boat. Onne explains how he uses the Canon XF300, the EasyRIg and Kenyon KS-8x8 to get that illusive steady clip!
Video Pro...
Preview of the 2015 RORC Caribbean 600: Records are predicted to tumble for the 7th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600, which has one of the most spectacular line ups of high performance boats racing anywhere in the world. Interviews with participating crews and practice action prior to the race s...
Highlights from Day One of the RORC Caribbean 600, with incredible aerial footage of the high performance yachts in spectacular ocean racing conditions.
Video Producer: Acquafilms
2015 RORC Caribbean 600 Wrap Up: Stories from the race. 66 Boats from, 14 Different countries, 600 Nautical Miles, 11 Caribbean Islands, 1 Amazing Race. The 600nm course circumnavigates 11 Caribbean Islands starting from Fort Charlotte, English Harbour, Antigua and heads north as far as St Martin...
Antigua Sailing Week 2015 hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club - Phaedo breezes round the course in the Pearns Point Round Antigua Race setting a new race record.
Video Producer: Acquafilms
Antigua Sailing Week 2015 hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club - there's a great spread of boats at this iconic regatta, split between more cruising style yachts and the out-and-out racers. Four crews are all-women. Louay Habib caught up with two of them.
Video Producer: Acquafilms
Antigua Sailing Week 2015 hosted by the Antigua Yacht Club - take a ride on the boat bringing foiling technology from the Americas Cup to the masses - Gunboat G4 Foiler. Watch out for the shake down capsize at 30 knots - they found their limit...
Video Producer: Acquafilms
Yida International Antigua Special Economic Zone Race Day 5, Youth Sailing in Antigua, the final duel and wrap up of Antigua Sailing Week 2015. On the final race day of Antigua Sailing Week 2015 there are three contenders in the running. Who will take the Lord Nelson Trophy? Have a look and find ...
The multiclass Caribbean yacht regatta combining extreme competitive racing with the best hospitality St Barth has to offer - Les Voiles de St Barth is growing into the premier French West Indies super yacht event. Celebrating it's 5th anniversary take a look at Day One of the racing.
Video P...
The multiclass Caribbean yacht regatta combining extreme competitive racing with the best hospitality St Barth has to offer - Les Voiles de St Barth is growing into the premier French West Indies super yacht event. Celebrating it's 5th anniversary take a look at Day Three of the racing.
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The multiclass Caribbean yacht regatta combining extreme competitive racing with the best hospitality St Barth has to offer - Les Voiles de St Barth is growing into the premier French West Indies super yacht event. Celebrating it's 5th anniversary take a look at Day Four and it's time to have som...
The multiclass Caribbean yacht regatta combining extreme competitive racing with the best french hospitality St Barth has to offer - Les Voiles de St Barth is growing into the premier West Indies super yacht event. Celebrating it's 5th anniversary take a look at final day with sparkling condition...
