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Dawn 41
Designer: German Frers  ·  Builder: Kong & Halvorsen (Hk)  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Dawn 41

Designed as a capable offshore cruising yacht, the Dawn 41 represents solid construction and traditional sailing virtues from an era when boats were built to handle serious ocean passages. This mid-sized cruiser strikes a practical balance between comfort and seaworthiness, making it an appealing choice for sailors seeking adventure beyond coastal waters. With its moderate displacement hull form and conservative sail plan, the Dawn 41 prioritizes stability and predictable handling over outright speed. The boat's reputation centers on its ability to carry a cruising load while maintaining reasonable performance in varied conditions. Its construction quality reflects the attention to detail typical of boats intended for extended voyaging, where reliability becomes paramount. The cockpit and deck layout emphasize functionality and safety, with well-positioned hardware that allows for efficient sail handling. Below decks, the accommodation plan maximizes livability within the 41-foot length, providing the essential comforts needed for extended cruising or coastal exploration. For sailors prioritizing dependability and ocean-going capability over racing performance, the Dawn 41 offers a proven platform that has earned respect among serious cruising enthusiasts who value substance over flash.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.75 ft / 12.73 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
Beam 13.17 ft / 4.01 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 18,000.00 lb / 8,165 kg
Ballast 8,700.00 lb / 3,946 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/Airex core for deck.
Designer German Frers
Builder Kong & Halvorsen (HK)
First Built 1985
Number Built 2
Related Sailboats Swan 42 · Sabre 42 · Niagara 42 · Baltic 42 Dp · Catalina 42
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
99
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
48.33
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
204.45
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 9.6 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.89
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.42 ft / 5.00 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 808.00 ft² / 75.07 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 58
Fuel Capacity 60 gals / 227 L
Water Capacity 140 gals / 530 L
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 42 Dp, Catalina 42, Niagara 42, Sabre 42, Swan 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dawn 41 ★
41.8 ft
Baltic 42 Dp
41.9 ft
Catalina 42
41.9 ft
Niagara 42
42.0 ft
Sabre 42
41.8 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Dawn 41 ★
34.0 ft
Baltic 42 Dp
34.4 ft
Catalina 42
36.0 ft
Niagara 42
32.5 ft
Sabre 42
34.0 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Beam
Dawn 41 ★
13.2 ft
Baltic 42 Dp
13.3 ft
Catalina 42
13.8 ft
Niagara 42
12.8 ft
Sabre 42
12.7 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Displacement
Dawn 41 ★
18 lbs
Baltic 42 Dp
18 lbs
Catalina 42
20 lbs
Niagara 42
19 lbs
Sabre 42
18 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Ballast
Dawn 41 ★
8 lbs
Baltic 42 Dp
8 lbs
Catalina 42
8 lbs
Niagara 42
8 lbs
Sabre 42
7 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
797 sq ft
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
755 sq ft
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dawn 41 ★
99 s/nm
Baltic 42 Dp
72 s/nm
Catalina 42
96 s/nm
Niagara 42
111 s/nm
Sabre 42
96 s/nm
Swan 42
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
17.1
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
17.2
Swan 42
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dawn 41 ★
48.3 %
Baltic 42 Dp
43.8 %
Catalina 42
40.5 %
Niagara 42
40.9 %
Sabre 42
41.5 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
25.4
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
27.2
Swan 42
30.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
2.03
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
1.91
Swan 42
1.85
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dawn 41 ★
204
Baltic 42 Dp
201
Catalina 42
196
Niagara 42
257
Sabre 42
213
Swan 42
253
Hull Speed
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
8.0 kts
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
7.8 kts
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dawn 41 ★
Baltic 42 Dp
Catalina 42
2.8
Niagara 42
Sabre 42
2.6
Swan 42
2.1
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