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Serendipity 41
Designer: Nelson / Marek  ·  Builder: Geraghty Marine  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Serendipity 41

Designed with serious offshore cruising in mind, the Serendipity 41 is a capable bluewater sailboat that has earned a following among sailors seeking a dependable vessel for extended passages. Built during an era when production cruising boats were pushing toward greater range and self-sufficiency, the Serendipity 41 reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes seakeeping ability and comfortable liveaboard accommodations over pure racing performance. The boat carries a reputation for being well-balanced under sail and suitably sturdy for ocean passages, making it an appealing option for couples or small crews planning coastal cruises or longer blue-water adventures. Its hull form and overall proportions suggest a design focused on tracking well in open water and handling a variety of sea conditions with confidence. For prospective buyers, the Serendipity 41 tends to attract those drawn to classic cruising aesthetics combined with practical offshore capability. As with any vintage production cruiser, a thorough survey is essential, but examples that have been well maintained offer genuine value for sailors with ambitious cruising plans and an appreciation for purposeful, no-nonsense design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.00 ft / 12.50 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
Beam 11.90 ft / 3.63 m
Max Draft 7.30 ft / 2.23 m
Displacement 15,300.00 lb / 6,940 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 782.00 ft² / 72.65 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Nelson / Marek
Builder Geraghty Marine
First Built 1982
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Performance Ratios
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
20.38
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
24.92
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
1.92
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. 7.64
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
3.1
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) 54.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.5
SA Fore 432.0
SA Main 350.18
How It Compares

vs. Contest 41, Sweden Yachts 41, Sydney 41

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Serendipity 41 ★
41.0 ft
Contest 41
41.0 ft
Sweden Yachts 41
41.0 ft
Sydney 41
41.0 ft
LWL
Serendipity 41 ★
32.5 ft
Contest 41
32.5 ft
Sweden Yachts 41
32.7 ft
Sydney 41
35.8 ft
Beam
Serendipity 41 ★
11.9 ft
Contest 41
12.7 ft
Sweden Yachts 41
12.8 ft
Sydney 41
12.1 ft
Displacement
Serendipity 41 ★
15 lbs
Contest 41
27 lbs
Sweden Yachts 41
18 lbs
Sydney 41
14 lbs
Ballast
Serendipity 41 ★
Contest 41
9 lbs
Sweden Yachts 41
8 lbs
Sydney 41
5 lbs
Sail Area
Serendipity 41 ★
782 sq ft
Contest 41
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
867 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Serendipity 41 ★
20.4
Contest 41
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
23.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Serendipity 41 ★
Contest 41
33.5 %
Sweden Yachts 41
43.5 %
Sydney 41
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Serendipity 41 ★
24.9
Contest 41
40.8
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
21.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Serendipity 41 ★
1.92
Contest 41
1.69
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
2.00
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Serendipity 41 ★
Contest 41
354
Sweden Yachts 41
239
Sydney 41
Hull Speed
Serendipity 41 ★
7.6 kts
Contest 41
7.6 kts
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
8.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Serendipity 41 ★
3.1
Contest 41
Sweden Yachts 41
Sydney 41
4.4
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