Sigma 41 ?

[Stevie_T]

I am on the point of beginning my search to finally buy my own yacht. Or at least to begin viewing with a serious aim at purchase. I am an ex instructor and delivery skipper and so am not totally naieve (?).
I have recently become interested in the Sigma 41 as a possible vessel though have no practical experience of this model. I am familiar with the 38 and 362.

My aim is to use her for extended holidays for my wife and I, sailing to (say) Atlantic Spain and Portugal for the summer and back. After a few years we may wish to use her on a semi liveaboard basis, in the Med or Carribean or maybe even further afield.

I am sure she will be a great boat for the shorter term stuff but was curious if any forum user has extensive experience of the 41 and any opinions of them over the long term?

Steve

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[PeteMcK]

I'd been thinking along similar lines but I was giving warnings about the bigger Sigmas (36 and up). Since these since came from a builder/repairer and a surveyor I don't take them lightly. I was told that the hulls are stiffened by so-called spider frames, explained to me as large moulded GRP inserts bonded to the shell. It appears that these can unzip themselves rather too easily. Inspection of the bonding is nearly impossible and repair of any damage is complicated. I had assumed that, as they were built alongside the Moodys by Marine Projects, the quality of construction would be similar, i.e., solid: unfortunately, it seems 't ain't so. I'd like to assured to the contrary as they're otherwise great boats at attractive prices.

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[jamesjermain]

I think you can make too much of the risks of this method of construction - it is, after all, now almost universal in production building.

Clearly if there is a failure of the bond between the framing and the hull you have an expensive repair on your hands. It is a rare occurance. I have not heard that the Sigma 41 was particularly prone to this but others with more experience may advise.

This apart, I have always rated them highly as a no-nonsense, fast offshore cruiser with racing potential. I have to say, though, that she may be less suited to long term live-aboard use, although at that size, there should be plenty of space.

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[Talbot]

I have no real personal experience of these boats other than short term use of a Sigma 362. I do know that 36s, a 362, and several 38s have been used as establishment yachts by RN, and thus have been subject to much harder lifes (i.e. raced, used extensively, and sailed in bad weather when normal people put on their slippers and curl up with a good book), AFAIK there has been no trouble with any of them in the area that you are concerned.

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[john_morris_uk]

Don't know the rig of the 41, but as an ex Sigma sailor (33's and 38's) I know we discounted the 38 as being not very user friendly for short handed cruising. All the runners and sheets not always in the right place for short handed tacking.

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[Talbot]

dont think short handed cruising was ever a serious problem for a service yacht, mind you today with all the recent defence cuts that may no longer be true /forums/images/icons/crazy.gif

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[Sunnyseeker]

I know two couples who have them, one completed an atlantic circuit last year and live in Holland, theirs was a tired Ex sailing school boat, they're very happy with her, they still had hank on headsails which they found hard work, being a mast head rig. Another couple headed off last year and are now in Spain (with two dogs as well), again very happy no negative comments at all. Nice boats, and a lot stronger than some I can think of.

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[Stevie_T]

Thanks for all the comments, which I shall take on board (forgive the pun).
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Nice boats, and a lot stronger than some I can think of.

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A stronger boat is what I am looking for, one that can take it when the **** hits the fan.
I am not a fan of the French yachts or the popular German ones though don't wish to get into a slanging match about them and want a solid cruiser but am trying to avoid a long keel to make marina berthing a little less fraught and so SWMBO can do the driving.

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[Peppermint]

Re: Magazine back issue search

I remember a guy who wrote some articles for an IPC mag about his cruises in a Sig 41. He was quite adventurous and positive about the boat.

I suspect that you would only find boats that were sorted, ie all building defects fixed, hanging around. I can't remember any big problems with this model. I think it was a smaller one had the keel drop off.

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[axismatt]

I met a German in Lanzarote of at least 60 years who had retired from the Oil industry and had been a Marine engineer of some kind. He had a Sigma 41 set up for short handed cruising (usually on his own) he had crossed the Atlantic on numerous occasions and sailed all over the med etc. He chose the boat because of its strengh and build quality, I think he had visited the yard during the build to inspect the process. He had some kind of Obsmosis shield on the inside of the hull as well as the outer so was obviously fussy about the build etc.

In short he had nothing bad to say about the boat at all and was very happy with it.

Hope this helps.

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[charles_reed]

Reported comment

by the RAF Sigma's top skipper.

"Nice boat.. tough as old boots.. not as competitive as the 38... needs a strong crew".

I suppose the crew needs could be met by modifications to deck-gear and sail-handling and that the "not as competitive as the 38" could be construed as a being a more solid boat.

Marine Projects had excellent lay-up facilities so the mouldings would be good and Thomas allegedly designed the 41 for Med cruising (larger hatches etc) and to get over the keel-bolt problems of the 38.

Bags of room for two, the only concerns I'd have would be about electrics and the motor - most Sigmas were designed to be sailed not motored.

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[Stevie_T]

Re: Reported comment

Been away, thanks for all the comments on this thread, very helpful

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