Investec LOYAL is a racing supermaxi yacht, with a length of 100 feet. Originally named Maximus, she was built by TP Cookson for Charles St. Clair Brown; the boat was designed by Greg Elliott and Clay Oliver and launched in Auckland[1] in February 2005.[2]
Investec LOYAL's carbon-fibre design has a very high power-to-weight ratio, she is rigged with a carbon-fibre rotating mast and has a canting keel.[1] Due to the unprecedented performance of the boat when built, the design includes several safety features including crash bars and a high deck sides to reduce high-speed deck wash. She can function without any auxiliary power.[3]
For the 2005 summer sailing season in the UK, Maximus was sponsored by ICAP. She won line honours in the Fastnet Race with a time of 68 hours 2 minutes 7 seconds, though Iromiguy won on corrected time. Despite the very calm conditions, her tall rotating rigging allowed higher wind speeds some distance above the water's surface to be accessible, giving her an advantage over rivals.[4]
ICAP sponsored Maximus again for the 2006 season.[5]
Maximus was put up for sale in 2006 for $6,152,355.[2] She was acquired by accountant Anthony Bell in collaboration with Sean Langman[6] and renamed Investec LOYAL. She underwent modifications by Greg Elliott. In a performance described as "off the pace" by Bell, she finished fourth in the 2009 Sydney to Hobart Race, came second to Wild Oats XI in 2010[6] and won line honors in the 2011 Sydney to Hobart[7] in a very close race.