We task Nick Burnham with finding a fantastic used boat bargain, this time it's a three-cabin flybridge cruiser
Rodman 41
Rodman 41
2006 – £169,950
After success in the commercial and sportsfisher markets, the Rodman 41 was the yard’s first venture into luxury flybridge cruisers – the precursor of
the Muse range that now stretches from 44-74ft. But, like the Tonka Toy tough range of pilot and patrol boats, the 41 is absolutely rock solid.
Interior
For a first venture into the luxury market, the Rodman 41 was quite avant-garde. Maybe the company realised that in order to gain market share in an arena dominated by big names it would need to create something a little different. Well, it succeeded, creating a genuinely excellent three-cabin sub-45-footer.
As you’d expect, the master cabin and second cabin incorporate a double and twin beds respectively. And that the third cabin has bunks is entirely predictable. What is clever however, is the way that Rodman staggered the beds so that the lower berth extends further into the cabin, creating a far less claustrophobic lower bunk. High-gloss cherry or oak interior set the tone.
Exterior
Functional rather than fancy, as befits a yard more used to business contracts. Wide, safe side decks, a large bathing platform and decent flybridge cover all the bases though.
Performance
Rodman was one of the first to offer Volvo Penta’s pod drive system when IPS launched in 2005, mirrors beneath the London Boat Show vessel proudly flashing its bare legs to the world. The 41 actually dates back to 2000; earlier boats were available with Volvo or Yanmar diesels on shafts.
It’s worth noting that Rodman created a new hull mould with completely different aft sections for the IPS-driven boats. Despite weighing 12 tonnes, twin IPS500 (2x370hp) offer an impressive 30 knots.
Seakeeping
It’s the boat’s rock-solid demeanour that impresses most at speed, closely followed by just how very quiet it is on the flybridge – a corollary of those super-smooth IPS drives.
Data
Length 44ft 11in (13.7m) Beam 13ft 10in (4.2m) Draught 2ft 9in (0.8m) Displacement 11.9 tonnes Fuel capacity 344 gallons (1,564 litres) Engines Twin Volvo Penta IPS500 370hp diesel Contact Norfolk Yacht Agency
