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Rival 41
Designer: Peter Brett  ·  Builder: Southern Boatbuilding Co.  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Rival 41

Regarded as one of Britain's finest bluewater cruising yachts, the Rival 41 has earned a devoted following among serious offshore sailors since its introduction in the 1970s. Built by Rival Bowman in the UK, this vessel embodies the traditional values of seaworthiness, solidity, and long-passage capability that defined an era of purposeful ocean cruising design. Designed with the ocean voyager firmly in mind, the Rival 41 is well suited to extended offshore passages and bluewater circumnavigation. Its reputation rests heavily on build quality, with hulls known for their robustness and ability to handle challenging conditions at sea. The boat carries a loyal community of owners who frequently praise its sea-keeping abilities and the confidence it inspires in open water. For prospective buyers, the Rival 41 represents a classic approach to cruising — prioritising safety and endurance over speed or modern styling. While examples vary in age and fit-out, well-maintained boats remain highly sought after on the secondhand market. Buyers drawn to traditional offshore cruising design and British craftsmanship will find the Rival 41 a compelling and time-tested choice.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.58 ft / 12.37 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.67 ft / 9.96 m
Beam 12.17 ft / 3.71 m
Max Draft 5.90 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 22,046.00 lb / 10,000 kg
Ballast 9,800.00 lb / 4,445 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 788.00 ft² / 73.21 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Peter Brett
Builder Southern Boatbuilding Co.
First Built 1973
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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
 156
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 16.1
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 34.86
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.74
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.66
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.81
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 53.4
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.2
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.7
SA Fore 405.84
SA Main 382.3
Find a Rival 41 For Sale
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