Trident Warrior 38/40

Dino

Dino

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Hi,
I'm seriously heading off cruising for a year or two. I've been doing lots of planning and online window shopping. The plan would be cruise the Spanish/Portuguese coast down to the Canaries, ARC to the Caribbean and then take it from there - either sail home or head to the Pacific.
One boat that really stands out as a good cruising boat is the Trident Warrior 38 or 40. Is this a good boat for this type of trip? Are they good in warm climates? Suitable for short handed use?
I'd love to hear from anyone who has sailed a similar trip on one or if there are any good blogs of cruising on a Warrior.
Finally, does anyone know if anyone in the UK operates a Warrior as a charter or sea school boat?
Thanks!
 
No. Don't think anybody would operate one as a charter or sailing school boat. Not really suitable and too old.

As to the boat. Yes, they were sold for exactly the sort of use you envisage and many have done just that. However by today's standards they are heavy and probably slow. Like many boats of the time they major on being suitable to handle bad weather so have small cockpits, flush decks and cave like interiors.

Many were home completed so may be variable in quality of fit out and now, as most are well over 20 years old and had a hard life, will vary in condition. This will be reflected in price, and generally they seem to sell for less than some other boats of the type.

If you are looking for that type of boat in that price range (sub £100k) there is seemingly a lot of choice - Oysters, Moody, Westerly, Bowman, Rival, Tradewind, HR, Malo, Contest etc. However in reality such boats were only built in relatively small numbers and focusing on finding one model might mean a long search!
 
Much as Tranona suggests, we've been for drinks on an acquaintances 38-footer a few times and it looks a lovely livaboard/ocean-crosser and have a Trident 35 ourselves - the stern cockpit Challenger. They are built like the proverbial masonry-outhouse, so not fast, but sea-kindly, a whole lot tougher than the crew and every bit as capable as those yachts on Tranona's list, but likely to be available without the premium price that some of those still seem to attract.
 
I have owned a Warrior 40 for twenty years (built 1996). I think it is a fabulous boat to sail long distance. Although I have not sailed further than Europe in mine I have sailed something in the region of 30,000 miles in her. Someone once told me that 50% of all Warrior 38/40s have sailed around the world. I think 160 or thereabouts were built.
 
I remember the original ads where an owner wrote congratulating the builders on the boat's performance in a Biscay storm.

Another boat to consider is the Amel Sharki 39'. Solid build with the ability to bring you comfortably and rested to your destination. And sometimes faster given their ability to keep going when a lighter boat begins to pound.
 
Sybarite said:
I remember the original ads where an owner wrote congratulating the builders on the boat's performance in a Biscay storm.

Another boat to consider is the Amel Sharki 39'. Solid build with the ability to bring you comfortably and rested to your destination. And sometimes faster given their ability to keep going when a lighter boat begins to pound.
Click to expand...

Here are a series of references (more than are necessary but it keeps them together for my own future info):

http://www.hisse-et-oh.com/forums/forums-techniques/messages/1069783-amel-sharki-en-bretagne
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f47/amel-sharki-36163.html
http://sailmistytoo.blogspot.fr/2012/07/this-beautiful-amel-sharki-is-sold.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NMJSGPnnDQ
http://dougle.heoblog.com/index.php?post/2010/09/30/Le-projet-le-choix-du-bateau
http://dougle.heoblog.com/index.php?post/2010/11/11/Arrivee-aux-Canaries-:-premier-bilan
 
I owned a Warrior 40 for a few years built 1994, with the intention of sailing away indefinitely, unfortunately life got in the way as it sometimes does.
I sold the boat to a lovely couple who are now doing just that, they have an interesting blog, check out Court Short ( life on Ocean Rainbow)
Might be of interest to you..
 
dherraghty said:
Hi,
I'm seriously heading off cruising for a year or two. I've been doing lots of planning and online window shopping. The plan would be cruise the Spanish/Portuguese coast down to the Canaries, ARC to the Caribbean and then take it from there - either sail home or head to the Pacific.
One boat that really stands out as a good cruising boat is the Trident Warrior 38 or 40. Is this a good boat for this type of trip? Are they good in warm climates? Suitable for short handed use?
I'd love to hear from anyone who has sailed a similar trip on one or if there are any good blogs of cruising on a Warrior.
Finally, does anyone know if anyone in the UK operates a Warrior as a charter or sea school boat?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/reviews/yacht-reviews/warrior-40
 
As a Warrior owner I don't agree with the comments about the Warrior being a bit of a slow coach. As long as the hull is clean and the wind is over 8knots I find her to be absolutely fine speedwise.
A folding/variable pitch prop also helps as the fixed prop is three bladed and 17inches in diameter.
 
Well I've sailed one from Lanzarotte to Antigua and back so don't listen to the rumours. Sea kindly, robust and with a fair turn of speed in anything but a light breeze is how I would describe my experience. Enjoyed both trips.

Would give the engine a good going over, won't be in the first flush of youth. Top tip, replace the sea water exhaust elbow. Guess how I know....

:encouragement:
 
Thanks for all the tips, they seem like a good seaworthy bluewater cruiser. I like the flush deck for the ability to carrying dinghy on deck and the deep aft cockpit. A lot of the centre cockpit boats have a feeling that you are sitting up very high when At the helm.
I've been a keen racer for years so I'd be keen to have a boat that performs well but a Warrior kitted out with a heavy spinnaker and cruising chute looks like a good option.
I've noticed a lot of 80's & 90's cruising boats on the market that have had extensive refits carried out and that's what really appeals to me. As long as it was done properly.
The Wauquiez 38-40 footers also look very appealing and I also like the look of some of the early Jeanneaus.
I think I'll have to take a road trip soon to see some of these boats in the flesh.
Thanks!
 
Last edited:
As above they are good strong boats with a lot of volume. A well fitted out and maintained one would make a great cruising boat.

Might also be worth looking at/reasearching:

Vancouver 36 (much bigger internally than the length suggests)
Dawn 39 (old Contessa 38)
 
I finally bought a warrior 40 in January and am bringing her up to spec in anticipation of going blue water sailing, have spent the last four months refurbishing her by degrees and can only confirm that she is built to last and ought to to easily outlast me.

Hardly a day goes by without a new person at the yard stopping by to say that were either associated with her build, her sailing life or to comment on her lines and seaworthiness, I never had a boat that generated so much interest before. Still a couple of weeks from launch but very much looking forward to that day! I hope that we continue to meet such interest.

I have already had the pleasure meet a few, but If there are any other Warrior owners out there I would be happy to setup a liaison for best practices just send me a PM and I will add you to my distribution list.

Seascape - Warrior 40 Hamble
http://seascape2016.blogspot.com
 
Great blog Ian. I've just read the whole blog and it's very interesting. I've noticed a big variance in asking prices of Warrior 40's. In some ways I'd like to buy a ready to go bluewater equipped boat but it might be a better option to buy a cheaper boat and refitting the way I want it. Id like to be able to fit some uptodate nav kit like the new touchscreen Raymarine units and AIS, etc. There's also a lot of valuable learning in what you are doing as you'll get to know your boat and it's systems very well.
Best of luck with the rest of the work.
What are your cruising plans?
 
Hi,

Sorry for the delay, it appears that notification is turned off.

Cruising plans

1. Buy butter
2. Head south towards Portugal, Spain and canaries
3. According to butter turn right

All above hopefully before the Autumn

Good luck with your search and thanks for the feedback
Cheers
Ian
 
We have a Warrior 38 (underwater hull and rig identical to Warrior 40) and are about to change prop. We changed from the original fixed 3 blade to a Bruntons Autoprop. It has been good in most ways but a great disappointment when it come to motor sailing in a chop hard on the wind. We only motor when we really have to, and then you want the prop to come up with the goods. We are proposing to change to a Featherstream 18". Would be very interested you hear your review.
 
I remember reading the reviews of the Warrior 40 when she first came out, and this boat has remained in my top 5 wish list if I ever seek a blue water cruiser.

Don't listen to people who try to justify their Average White Boat flimsy job by decrying any proven design over 5 years old !

Warrior 40 - :encouragement:
 
mainsail1 said:
As a Warrior owner I don't agree with the comments about the Warrior being a bit of a slow coach. As long as the hull is clean and the wind is over 8knots I find her to be absolutely fine speedwise.
A folding/variable pitch prop also helps as the fixed prop is three bladed and 17inches in diameter.
Click to expand...

Sail drive?
 
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