Design and Construction
The Concordia 41 was built by Abeking & Rasmussen in Germany between 1950 and 1966, with 103 Concordia yawls completed in total and 99 of those at that yard. The 41-foot version was not an entirely new boat: the original yawls measured 39 feet 10 inches on the deck, and the longer model retains the same proportions while adding a single plank that increases interior volume and headroom below. Of the fleet, only 24 were built to the 41-foot overall length, making the model a distinct minority within the broader Concordia yawl family. The hull carries 21,450 pounds of displacement balanced by 8,250 pounds of iron ballast, and her flat, hard bilges give her real form stability when the puffs come.
Rig and Handling
A yawl rig was chosen not for looks but for rating and for steadier behavior riding at anchor. The 41 carries a sail area of 740 square feet under that rig. Steering runs through a wheel that turns a special triangular-shaped rudder designed by Ted Hood for more efficiency, and a huge emergency tiller is lashed to the main bulkhead down below as backup. Owners have noted that the original 39-footers and the 41s could race each other without handicap, a testament to how closely the enlarged hull preserved the earlier boat's character.
Accommodations
Belowdecks the 41 feels bigger than her 39-foot sister because of the added plank that lifts volume and headroom. The saloon has fold-down bunks that were designed to fold up lest they become storage areas for wet sails during racing. The galley stove was installed to starboard to suit right-handed users, with a manual water fixture in the sink, and the custom cabin stove carries a crescent moon and star motif. Hunt and Howland tucked the head into a closet on the port side so it becomes a midships bathroom when the doors are opened. Water tanks were made removable for easier inspection and maintenance, and a separate head was specified from the start. Forward, a workbench in the fo'c's'le gains utility from a fitted vise, and a flag locker sits behind the companionway ladder.
Known Issues
The butterfly-wing skylight on the foredeck is an attractive feature but is prone to leaks when green water comes on deck, a point worth weighing for any boat worked in seas where the bow buries.
Refits and Ownership
The built-in auxiliary was a Yanmar 30 PS diesel, paired with a separate head and the wheel steering noted above. Period upgrades seen on individual boats include larger Barient primary winches and an electric anchor windlass, while Ray Hunt's own 41, Harrier, experimented with a bowsprit and sloop rig. The flip-up backrests at the aft end of the cockpit and the foredeck skylight speak to a design tuned for both racing and anchored comfort.
The Verdict
The Concordia 41 is a thoughtful enlargement of a classic yawl, preserving the handling and rating logic of the original while adding room and steadiness. She rewards an owner who values craftsmanship and a seamanlike deck plan, though the skylight leak path demands respect in heavy weather.
Pros
- Enlarged hull keeps the original's proportions and racing parity
- Form-stable flat bilges and efficient Hood rudder
- Removable tanks and clever head arrangement ease upkeep
- Built by a highly reputable German yard
Cons
- Butterfly-wing skylight leaks under green water
