1981 Newport 41

Season after season the major builders snatch up the rights to prize-winners, conduct focus groups, and expend marketing dollars on racer/cruisers, and cruiser/racers, in hopes of making the twain of racing and cruising meet. When we checked with owners of the venerable Newport 41, we found her to be not only a widely traveled cruiser but a boat that, though designed in the '60s, can still gather some silver on the PHRF and Beer Can circuits.

The Newport 41 makes an excellent case for the fact that a boat that was designed intelligently and built well in the first place has a good chance of standing the tests of time.

Speed and maneuverability are significant virtues in a cruising boat, and the Newport 41 has retained them. Sailors who enjoy racing but are less happy about the expense, discomfort, and "to the edge" design of today's racing boats will find the Newport 41 to their liking.