The 41’ Commander is actually one of the most popular and most functional models in the entire lineup. It is small enough to remain easily handled by one man, but it’s large enough inside to get into the “yacht” category. They’re just great boats all the way around. They’re very tall in the water, at a forward 79” of freeboard, compared to the forward freeboard on a 38 Commander at 62”. This tall design makes the boat look a lot bigger, and it also provides a huge amount of room inside. Earlier models received the venerable race-hardened Ford based 427 solid lifter motors, and later series received the somewhat easier to maintain (hydraulic valve) 454 GM motors. All are good performers with big block power. As we know, some were also furnished with diesel power as well.
Early models had a 300-gal fuel capacity, while later models have 350 gallons. The model first evolved during the 9th year of Chris Craft Commander production, in 1972. The first hulls were called the 41’ Commander. During the next three years the boat was called the 41’ Flush Deck, in 1976 the name was changed to the 41’ Yacht, while subsequent models were known as the 410 Motor Yacht.
Cruising speeds in this boat (with big block power) range from 14-16 knots and around 24 knots top speed. Weight is around 22,000 pounds for the early Flush Deck models, and 27,000 pounds for the late model 410 Motor Yacht with flybridge.
In 1980 the addition of a restyled and enlarged flybridge was offered, giving the model a lot more room up top, and allowing it to remain competitive in the marketplace. 1989 was the last year of production for this great Chris Craft Yacht, and there are many sailing the lakes, rivers, and saltwater seas of the world. We have several notable 41’ Commanders here on the Forum. Here are a few photos of this great model:
Here is CHALLENGER, belonging to Bill Mulvey on Seneca Lake, New York, powered by 427 gasoline motors. CHALLENGER is the Commander Flagship of Seneca Lake.
Here is NO REGRETS, belonging to Doug Trotter, which is a 1986 410 Commander Motor Yacht, at Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie. This boat is powered by 300-hp Volvo-Penta diesels with less than 1000 hours. This boat shows off the later design of the flybridge.
Here is LEGENDE, belonging to Sonja and Oliver Oelgart on the Mediterranean Sea out of Peniscola, Spain, powered by diesels. LEGENDE is our Commander Flagship of the Mediteranean Sea. The following link outlines how LEGENDE was discovered in a German warehouse, retrofitted, and campaigned on many exciting vacation cruises. http://www.network54.com/Forum/424840/message/1126565754
In case you have not seen what a 41 can do out on the open water, take a look at this great video sent in by Sonja Oelgart. I think you can see these boats are more than just good looks! This takes a moment to load, but in the video you’ll see the bow of the boat pointed at the sky! Yes, it was rather rough that day, crossing the Baltic en route to a rendezvous with a freighter, prior to being shipped to Spain. Here is that spectacular video.
This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Dec 13, 2006 11:54 AM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Dec 13, 2006 11:37 AM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Dec 13, 2006 11:30 AM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Dec 13, 2006 11:27 AM
