NaCzarter Team
Maxus in Masuria: what kind of yacht is it, and who is it for?
If you're planning a week-long cruise with your family and wondering which yacht to pick, the Maxus should be right at the top of your list. Maxus yachts are spacious, stable sailboats from the Polish Northman shipyard, built with crew comfort in mind: a wide hull, a surprising amount of room below deck, and calm, predictable behaviour on the water. In our fleet in Giżycko you'll find three models: the Maxus 28, Maxus 33 and Maxus 33.1 RS. The same philosophy in three sizes. First the comfort of the people on board, then everything else.
Over 25 years in the charter business I've seen hundreds of crews coming back from a week on the water. The happiest ones were always those who didn't have to squeeze themselves onto the boat. And that's exactly what the Maxus is all about.
A yacht from Masuria, sailing in Masuria
Northman is a shipyard from near Węgorzewo. Which means the Maxus you sail on Kisajno, Niegocin or Mamry was built practically on the spot, a stone's throw from the trail. And that's not just a nice bit of trivia. A shipyard that designs yachts right by the Masurian lakes knows these waters: short waves, shifty squalls coming off the woods, shallow bays and crowded harbours in season. You can see it in the design, for instance in the lifting ballast keel that lets you go where a yacht with a classic fixed keel wouldn't even get close.
If you're in the shipyard's neighbourhood, check out the ports of Węgorzewo. It's the quieter, northern part of the trail and a good overnight stop on the way to Mamry.
Maxus 28: smaller, nimble, for a smaller crew
The smallest of the three. For a couple, a couple with a child or a small family it's often a bullseye. A smaller sailboat means simpler manoeuvres in harbour, less stress when approaching the jetty and a lower charter price. And below deck there's still more room than the hull length suggests, because Northman has been building wide, chunky yachts with tall interiors for years.
The Maxus 28 also works well for crews just starting out with independent chartering. Everything is within easy reach, and the boat forgives mistakes.
Maxus 33: spacious, family-friendly, built for a full week
The middle model is the classic family choice for a week-long cruise. A big saloon where the whole crew can sit down to dinner at the table, separate cabins, a proper galley and a toilet you can actually use like a normal human being. Up top there's a wide cockpit where sitting out in the evening feels like being on a terrace.
It's a yacht where a week with kids doesn't turn into a test of patience. Everyone has their own corner, there's somewhere to stow luggage and provisions, and in bad weather nobody is sitting on top of anyone else.
Maxus 33.1 RS: numbers you can check
The newest take on the thirty-three. Here are the specific, verified specs:
| Specification | Maxus 33.1 RS |
|---|---|
| Length | 9.95 m |
| Beam | 3.20 m |
| Draft | 0.45–1.70 m |
| Ballast keel | lifting |
Take a look at the draft. With the keel raised it's just 0.45 m. In practice that means you can anchor overnight in a shallow wild bay, get closer to the reeds and stay relaxed over shoals where fixed-keel yachts have to watch out. With the keel down you get 1.70 m of draft and a boat that honestly holds its course in the wind.
Nearly 10 metres of length and 3.20 m of beam make a difference below deck too. This is a boat where a week-long cruise for a bigger family is simply comfortable, not merely possible.
Maxus or Twister?
We hear this question in the office all the time. The answer depends on why you're coming to Masuria. The Twister is a fast, sporty yacht for people who want to race every sail on the horizon. The Maxus is a yacht for crews who want to relax. Stable and spacious. Less adrenaline sailing close-hauled, more comfort in the evening in port.
If sailing on the edge is your thing, read our Twister 26 guide. If you're comparing the Maxus with other family yachts, a good reference point is the Antila 33, the other spacious thirty-three in our offer. And for a full rundown of classes and types, see which sailing yacht to choose for Masuria.
What does chartering a Maxus with us look like?
Our base is Port Royal in Giżycko, on Lake Kisajno, right in the middle of the trail. You pick up the yacht, do your shopping in town, and within an hour you're on the water. From Kisajno it's a short hop both north, to Mamry and Węgorzewo, and south, through Niegocin towards Mikołajki and Śniardwy.
Our charter Maxus yachts carry the standard Masurian sail setup: a furling jib on the forestay and a mainsail that can be reefed. Anchor on a rope, and in harbours you moor to dolphins or mooring lines. Nothing exotic, and we show you everything at the yacht handover.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Maxus difficult for a beginner? No, quite the opposite. It's a stable, predictable yacht that forgives mistakes. You can furl the jib in seconds and reef the main when the wind picks up. For a freshly-minted sailor it's one of the safest choices on the trail.
What licence do I need for a Maxus? A sailboat with a hull length over 7.5 m requires a yacht sailor licence (Polish: patent żeglarza jachtowego). All three Maxus models in our offer exceed that limit, so a licence is required. Without a licence you can sail as crew, but the person in charge must have one.
How many people can a Maxus realistically take on a week-long cruise? The number of berths is one thing, comfort is another. For a week with luggage, count on fewer people than the yacht's spec sheet says. The Maxus 28 is a comfortable option for a couple or a small family, while the 33 and 33.1 RS will easily take a family with kids or two befriended couples without any squeeze.
Maxus or Twister, which one should I pick? Maxus, if your priorities are comfort, space and relaxed sailing with the family. Twister, if you want sporty thrills and a fast boat, and treat sleeping below deck as an add-on to the sailing.
Cover photo: NaCzarter.pl
