Retro 41

Launched in Slovenia for a U.S. client, this performance design combines the casual elegance of an east coast daysailer with the power and speed of a dedicated racer to produce the ultimate weekender.  Laid out for shorthanded daysailing the light displacement, large sailplan, and deep keel can deliver raceboat levels of performance when desired, but will always give fast smooth good manners.  Bringing the high quality prediction tools we have developed on our successful raceboats to a performance cruiser/racer gives owners a level of assurance regarding handling and performance that modern classic designs have not seen before.

Drawn with one eye on the classic daysailers of the U.S. east coast, we blended the styling with a modern hull shape derived from our latest racing designs, and emphasised the basic components of high performance, starting with the longer waterline provided by a plumb bow, improving the speed potential by around 15% for the same LOA relative to an overhanging bow.  The hull shape maintains low wetted surface at smaller angles of heel for good light-air speed, but gains stability quickly when heeled.  This combines with the deep lifting keel to ensure high stability without heavy displacement.  Bringing in engineering partner SDK to produce high quality composite engineering was key to ensuring a stiff light structure.

The distribution of space on board reflects the weekender brief from the client: a focus on comfortable high performance daysailing combined with the ability to spend a few nights on board, perhaps in a scenic anchorage.    This inspired the large open cockpit with a 4 winch layout allowing two to sail the boat easily, many more to cruise and socialise comfortably, or when racing with friends to compete successfully even offshore.  The svelte coachroof offers the necessary headroom over the sizable saloon and galley, without visually compromising the sleek simplicity of its daysailer heritage.

The carbon mast and park avenue boom ensure the lightest weight and lowest VCG, which with the long fixed bowsprit carries a balanced yet powerful sail plan.  Bob Perry reviewed the design in Sailing Magazine and was kind enough to say “I’ve been looking
at this boat for a week and there is nothing I don’t like about it.  I’ve looked hard but I don’t see anything I’d change. Mark Mills gives us a totally modern design that pays tribute to the classic yachts of the past. This is a boat I would very much like to sail.”