Scuttlebutt Photos: Maximus

(Monday, February 14, 2005) A slick silver-coloured yacht aptly named Maximus was launched in Auckland today, its owners Bill Buckley and Charles Brown confident they have built the fastest and most innovative supermaxi in the world. A staggering 30m (100ft) long with an estimated worth of between $6 million to $10 million, it is the biggest racing yacht built in New Zealand.

Designed by Greg Elliot and Clay Oliver and built by Cookson's boat yard, two of the yacht's distinguishing features are its retractable canting keel and revolutionary rotating wing mast, the first of its kind on a maxi yacht. The boat's name originated from the design brief which stated maximum power to weight ratio. Maximus will be shipped to Antigua in mid March for Antigua race week which kicks off a tough schedule that will culminate with the Sydney to Hobart in December. - Complete story