The new prize-winning Linssen 40 Sedan, named the European Power Boat of the Year in the Displacement category at the Düsseldorf boat show in January, is a Dutch-built, salty-looking, steel-hull cruiser. It was designed for cruising Europe’s coast and vast inland waterway system, but it would be equally at home in the U.S., cruising on the Intracoastal Waterway or along the Great Loop. It will be introduced to the U.S. at the Annapolis Powerboat Show in October.
The Linssen 40 comes in an aft cabin and a flybridge version, but the basic sedan version has a large forward stateroom, with an en suite head (and separate shower), and a guest cabin with double berths with access to the head from a door in the central hallway. The Düsseldorf judges were unanimous in their praise of the sedan: “A modern interior coupled with the virtues of classic steel boat construction are its outstanding features. In the final analysis, it is the combination of many little practical details that distinguishes the Grand Sturdy 40.0 Sedan from its predecessors. With a range of up to 500 nm, safe and reliable performance and excellent workmanship, the GS 40.0 is the epitome of a comfortable powerboat.”
You enter the boat via hinged stainless steel gates on either side midships, or from a center door in the transom leading to the cockpit from the large teak swim platform. The cockpit has an integrated bench seat, and is protected from the weather by an overhead extension of the cabin top.
Moving forward, double doors open to the salon, all on one level, with an L-shaped convertible sofa to port. The helm station, with a seat for two, is forward to port. The galley, with an integrated TV and dinette, is on the starboard side.
The Linssen 40 is designed to cruise at 8 knots, powered by a highly efficient, light weight, 110-hp Volvo D3 common-rail diesel The hull has a hard chine. A bow thruster is standard for help with docking.
Linssens are made in Maasbracht, The Netherlands, where the company was started in 1949. All the boats’ components are made in house. The company says that many Americans buy the boats and keep them in Europe as second homes and to enjoy cruising there. But with their fuel efficiency, sturdy build and low profiles, they certainly would be appealing on the ICW or the Great Loop as well.
LOA: 42’0″; Beam: 14’1”; Draft: 4’0″: Disp.: 36,376 lbs.; Fuel: 216 gals.; Water 116 gals. Power: 1×110-hp Volvo D3.
