US 41 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the US 41 traces back to a collaborative period for Grampian Marine, a Canadian pioneer in fiberglass yacht construction founded in 1962. During the mid-1960s, Grampian Marine entered a significant partnership with US Yachts, a company co-founded by Bob Larsen and Warren Dellenbaugh. This collaboration led Grampian to construct the US Yachts line, including the US 41, which was in production from 1963 to 1967. The vessel was designed by William H. Tripp Jr., a naval architect known for creating "winning and weatherly sailboats," suggesting a design philosophy that blended performance with seakeeping ability. The US 41 features a masthead yawl rig and a distinctive keel/centerboard hull, an option that likely offered versatility in varying depths while maintaining offshore stability. A notable evolution of the design was the later, stretched version known as the US 46, also referred to as the Grampian 46.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of just under 42 feet and a waterline length of 31.25 feet, the US 41 presents as a substantial cruiser of its era. Its displacement of 24,500 pounds, when combined with its waterline length, yields a displacement-to-length ratio (D/L) of approximately 358.4. This high ratio firmly places the US 41 in the category of a "heavy cruiser," indicating a boat designed for comfortable motion in a seaway rather than light-air racing performance. The sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) for the US 41 is approximately 15.46, further supporting its designation as a heavier cruising boat with moderate sail carrying capacity, suggesting it performs best with a breeze rather than in very light conditions. While the exact ballast weight is not readily available, its lead ballast and keel/centerboard configuration indicate a design focused on stability. The yawl rig, with its divided sail plan, contributes to balanced sailing, particularly downwind or on a broad reach, enhancing comfort and stability. The retractable centerboard, allowing for a minimum draft of 4.92 feet and a maximum draft of 9.67 feet, provides both access to shallower anchorages and increased lateral resistance for improved upwind performance when deployed.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed interior layouts for the US 41 are not widely documented in available information, the design would have reflected the typical cruising yacht arrangements of the mid-1960s. Grampian Marine, as a builder, was known for producing vessels with "livable interiors" and robust construction. As a 41-foot center cockpit yawl, the US 41 likely featured a practical layout often associated with offshore cruisers of that period. This typically included a spacious main salon, a functional galley, a navigation station, and multiple berths, often with a large aft cabin separated from the main living area, taking advantage of the center cockpit configuration. Construction would have relied on solid fiberglass for the hull and deck, consistent with Grampian's pioneering approach to fiberglass boatbuilding, and interiors would likely have featured a blend of fiberglass liners and wood trim, prioritizing durability and function.