Blue 41 (Beneteau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Beneteau Blue 41 in 1987 emerged during a period of significant innovation for Beneteau. Having pioneered the "Fiberglass Revolution" in the 1960s, the company, under the leadership of Benjamin Bénéteau's grandsons, André and François, was actively diversifying its offerings beyond traditional monohulls to cater to a growing leisure market. This era saw Beneteau embrace the design freedoms offered by fiberglass construction, leading to more efficient production and a broader appeal for recreational yachts. The Blue 41, alongside its smaller sibling, the Blue II, represented Beneteau's venture into cruising catamarans, a segment that would later see them become a dominant force through their ownership of Lagoon Catamarans.

Given its description as a "larger version of the Blue II," the design philosophy for the Blue 41 would likely have mirrored that of the Blue II, which was intended as a family cruiser. This aligns with Beneteau's broader aim during the 1980s to balance performance with comfort and affordability, producing well-built, thoughtfully designed yachts. The Blue 41's construction with a solid fiberglass hull and deck, coupled with a fractional sloop rig and twin keels, speaks to Beneteau's commitment to robust build quality and practical design for offshore cruising, even for its early multihull designs. Due to its extreme rarity, there is no documented information regarding significant variations or different marks during its production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

While anecdotal accounts of the Beneteau Blue 41's specific sailing performance are exceedingly rare, its design specifications offer insights into its likely characteristics as a cruising catamaran. With a reported sail area of 1011 square feet and a displacement of 15,000 pounds, the Blue 41 boasts a Sail Area to Displacement Ratio of approximately 26.55. This relatively high ratio for a multihull suggests that the Blue 41 would be a capable performer in lighter winds, able to generate good speed with modest breeze. Its Displacement to Length Ratio, calculated at approximately 119.38 (using a waterline length of 38.25 feet), indicates a lighter, more performance-oriented vessel for its size, typical of catamarans designed for efficient cruising.

Unlike monohulls that rely on lead or iron ballast for stability, the Beneteau Blue 41, as a catamaran, derives its impressive initial stability from its wide stance and twin hull form. Its generous beam of 23.17 feet would contribute significantly to a stable and level sailing platform, reducing heel and providing a comfortable motion in a seaway. The twin keel configuration, typical for cruising catamarans of its era, would offer good tracking and reduce leeway, while also allowing for shallower draft compared to many monohulls, enabling access to more anchorages. As a fractional sloop, it would likely offer a balance of sail plan efficiency and ease of handling, suitable for family cruising.

Accommodations and Layout

Detailed information regarding the interior accommodations and layout of the Beneteau Blue 41 is exceptionally scarce due to the model's limited production and rarity. However, extrapolating from Beneteau's design philosophy of the era, particularly for their cruising ranges like the Oceanis line, it is reasonable to expect that the Blue 41 would have prioritized comfortable and practical living spaces.

The substantial beam of 23.17 feet inherent to its catamaran design would afford significant interior volume, allowing for potentially expansive salon areas, multiple private cabins, and ample heads, a hallmark of multihull layouts that often appeal to cruisers seeking more space than comparable monohulls. Typical of Beneteau's construction during the late 1980s, the interior finishes would likely have featured a blend of fiberglass liners and practical wood trim, designed for durability and ease of maintenance in a marine environment. While specific headroom figures are not available, the Blue 41's overall dimensions suggest comfortable standing room throughout much of the main living areas. Given its cruising intent, adequate storage and ventilation would also have been design considerations.