SY CANNONBALL - German Frers 78 ft Maxi - A Legend Reborn
The IMS Mini Maxi 78 is now up for auction online. Bidding is open until October 27, 2025.
CANNONBALL is more than a yacht, she is a piece of sailing history. Designed by the world-renowned German Frers and launched in 1987 by Williams & Manchester (Newport, RI), she is a 78 ft IMS Mini Maxi built in aluminium for strength, speed, and beauty.
Her racing heritage is exceptional: winner of the Newport-Bermuda Race (1988), a strong contender at the Maxi Worlds, and sailed by some of the most iconic skippers and tacticians of her time. She even starred in the Hollywood movie Masquerade.
After her competitive career, CANNONBALL was transformed into a fast, comfortable, ocean-going yacht. Over the past decade, she has completed two circumnavigations and proven her capability as a safe and exhilarating bluewater cruiser.
Continuous investment and major refits ensure she remains in pristine condition: • 2015 (Netherlands): Engine repositioning for perfect balance, hydraulic winches, new electrics, repaint of hull and rig • 2020 (Netherlands): New Sikafloor Marine teak deck, new rudder, custom bowsprit, Jet bow thruster, repaint • 2024 (Australia): New through-hull fittings, shaft seal, silicone antifouling, and a full set of Rolly Tasker sails
The Yanmar engine was fully refitted in 2019 for ultimate reliability, complementing a robust technical setup designed for ease of maintenance offshore. Every system reflects her owner’s philosophy: safety, simplicity, and performance.
CANNONBALL is equally at home competing in classic yacht regattas or offering luxury cruising and charter experiences. Her combination of heritage, power, and comfort is rare in today’s market.
Key Features: ✔ German Frers design – timeless lines, superior hull strength ✔ Aluminium construction – light, strong, and seaworthy ✔ Proven world cruiser – two circumnavigations, effortless ocean passages ✔ Modern rigging, new sails (2024) ✔ Ready for private cruising, racing, or charter
This is a unique chance to own an icon, a true Maxi yacht reborn for the modern era.
Owner’s Comments Looking back over the last 12 years ownership, I realise putting her up for sale is not an easy decision. I hope to sell her as an ‘ongoing business’ opportunity. She has all the equipment and supplies necessary for sailing into a new ownership. She is ready to go.
In 2023 I sailed CANNONBALL effortlessly from her home base Amsterdam, to Australia, crossing the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. In 2025 we set sail for Indonesia, South Africa and onwards to the Caribbean and back home to Amsterdam. An epic journey with memories for a lifetime.
CANNONBALL is a joy to sail, always assuring of her strength and reliability. Over the past 12 years I have cruised, chartered and raced her.
With this in mind I have continuously re-fitted CANNONBALL taking particular care of the rudder, mast, boom and rigging. Not taking any chances. I did not want to have it otherwise.
She has a very reliable Yanmar engine that was completely refitted in 2019 and has never let me down. Reliability is what I have chosen. The other technical systems have instead been replaced with modern techniques. All with the same intention, that they are easy to repair and maintain.
I left Sint Maarten in 2025 and set sail for our next adventures heading back to Europe. We are now in Amsterdam having sailed her effortlessly across the Atlantic. She never let us down and we have, although we have encountered many challenges, never felt uncomfortable. She truly is a great yacht. We are looking for a passionate buyer, that we can pass all our knowledge onto. From one sailor to the next.
