The Oceanlord is 40 feet 6 inches overall, with a 35-foot 3-inch waterline and a 13-foot 6-inch beam. Displacement is 20,878 pounds. It has earned a solid reputation as a sturdy, reliable and seaworthy cruiser.
Design and Construction
The Oceanlord 41 was built in fiberglass, with high-quality joinery and fittings. Its sleek, elegant hull was conceived for both performance and comfort.
Freeboard is moderate and not excessive for a boat of this size. That reduces windage, improves visibility from the cockpit and means the boat is not prone to being wind-rode at anchor. A flared bow helps keep the deck dry in choppy seas, while wide, flat side decks with molded nonskid provide secure footing. Several hatches, portholes and dorade vents bring light and ventilation below, and the low-aspect coachroof preserves a good view forward.
Rig, Steering and Handling
The Oceanlord carries a masthead sloop rig on a deck-stepped mast. The rig includes a single pair of spreaders, cap shrouds, aft lowers and a backstay that divides into two lengths 12 feet above deck level. Sail area is a moderate 702 square feet, and the boat can reach a hull speed of 9.3 knots.
Steering is through a semi-balanced spade rudder. Together with the 3.5-ton fin keel, it allows the boat to tack through 90 degrees.
All halyards and running rigging lead aft through clutches to winches on the coachroof. The helmsman can reach the sheet winches from the wheel, while the mainsheet traveler is mounted on the aft-cabin coachroof. This close-coupled control layout, combined with a comfortable motion at sea, makes the boat manageable for short-handed coastal sailing while retaining the capability for a circumnavigation.
Bernard Clarke demonstrated that capability in 2005, when he sailed his Oceanlord, Golden Eye of Chichester, around the world. He described her design, rugged strength and sea-kindliness as superb.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
The deep, long center cockpit has two-meter benches that can be used for lounging or sleeping. A rigid windscreen topped by a sprayhood provides protection, and the binnacle carries the wheel, engine panel, autopilot, compass and a folding table. A large locker to port holds sails and other gear.
At the bow, a large anchor locker with an electric windlass and bow roller is paired with a stern anchor option. The bow also carries a stainless-steel pulpit, bowsprit and roller-furling forestay for the genoa.
At the stern, the pushpit has a split backstay and boarding ladder. Standard equipment also includes a transom-platform shower and dinghy davits.
Accommodations
The extended stern gives the Oceanlord a spacious, practical interior with good privacy for the crew. The owner’s cabin aft has a centerline double berth, dressing table, hanging locker, drawers and shelves. Its ensuite head includes a marine toilet, sink and shower.
The aft cabin can be reached through a corridor from the saloon or directly from the cockpit through a hatch. A well-placed door in the corridor provides access to the engine.
Forward is a double cabin with a V-berth. A separate twin-bunk cabin has two single berths, one above the other.
Large windows and hatches make the saloon bright and airy. An L-shaped settee to port converts into a double berth, while the straight settee to starboard can be used as a single. The navigation station is also to starboard and includes a large chart table, instrument panel and swivel seat.
Opposite, the port-side galley has an L-shaped counter, double sink, three-burner stove with oven, refrigerator and freezer. The space between the sink and refrigerator units provides very good bracing for the cook at sea.
Throughout the interior, there is ample storage, water capacity and headroom. High-quality joinery gives the furniture a warm, inviting glow.
Known Issues
Bernard Clarke identified one important drawback in the aft cabin: he found the double berth far too large to sleep in safely once the boat began moving, even gently.
Separately, Nigel reported disappointment with the amount of wet-locker space behind the companionway steps. Neither concern undermines the Oceanlord’s broader reputation for structural soundness, but both are worth considering for buyers planning extended passages.
The Verdict
The Oceanlord 41 is a thoughtfully stretched Sealord. Its enlarged stern, led-aft rigging and protected center cockpit make it a capable coastal cruiser, while its round-the-world voyage provides documented blue-water credentials.
The joinery, storage and cockpit ergonomics are notable strengths. The security of the oversized aft berth at sea and the modest wet locker are the principal compromises.
Pros
- Sturdy, reliable and seaworthy reputation, with proven round-the-world capability
- Led-aft rigging and sheet winches within reach of the helm suit short-handed sailing
- Roomy three-cabin layout with an ensuite aft cabin
- Galley provides excellent bracing for the cook at sea
- Moderate freeboard reduces windage, while the flared bow helps keep the decks dry
Cons
- One circumnavigator considered the aft-cabin double berth unusable in even slight seas
- Wet-locker space behind the companionway steps has been described as disappointing
