The striking, minimalist Fjord 41 XP, made in Germany, now comes with twin 600-hp Mercury Verado V12 outboards, aimed at the U.S. market. Top speed is more than 40 knots.
But wherever you go, the new Fjord 41 XP will turn heads and draw attention. For good reason. It’s an eye-catching blend of style, luxury and performance, with room for 12 people on board if you want it as a day boat, and a nice owner’s cabin for two below, with an extra sleeping space tucked under the helm, for overnight or weekend cruising.
The first Fjords were built in Norway in the 1950s, but Germany’s Hanse Yachts bought the company in 2007. The fleet now runs from 38 to 53 feet, and they all have Fjord’s iconic plumb bow, post-modern lines, low profile, and aggressively styled windshield and hardtop. Teak walkaround decks and high, safe bulwarks mark the brand.
About ten years ago, I cruised on a Fjord 40 from Key West to Miami. We stopped to check in at Little Palm Key along the way, and the dockmaster wanted us to stay; the Fjord was a welcome attraction at that five-star resort. When I was driving, I was impressed by how solid and dry the boat was; maneuvering was simply fun.
The 40 was a home run for Fjord; the company has sold more than 500 of them. The 41 XL is the latest iteration, and it’s available for heavy customization, inside and out.
You can order it with an entirely open aft deck, if you’re interested in water sports, say, or want to haul a dinghy there. But the basic boat has two large sun pads facing aft, and they’re large enough to hold four people. The transom is open, and two large teak platforms flank the outboards, providing easy boarding or access to the water.
Moving forward, you can order two plush chairs facing tables and protected by the hardtop overhead. They’re next to a galley module with a fridge and cooktop. Two seats face the helm on the starboard side, and two more are to port.
A supersized sun pad is on the foredeck. An automatic retractable anchor system is integrated into the hull. The 41 XP is 43’ 5” LOA. Read more:
