Cal 43 vs Newport 41

[woodysca]

I'm partnered in a Catalina 34 here in San Diego, and it serves me well for sails of a few days at a time. I'm narrowing my search to purchase a sailboat to take to Mexico and live on for periods of 1 to 2 months. I've found a 1970 Cal 43 and a 1981 Newport 41. Both appear well cared for. I'd like to hear from anyone with personal knowledge of one or teh other. What are the pros and cons of each?

thanks in advance,
Woody

[roverhi]

There are two flavors of the Newport 41. The early ones are the same as the C&C Redline 41. An extremely successful racer from the early '70s whose molds were sold to Capital Yachts by C&C. The Mark II version has a better rudder design and supposedly better rudder control. Don't know who was responsible for the redesign or exactly when it went into use. Really like the Newport galley layout and the reputation of the boat but no personal experience. IIRC, the 41 has an encapsulated keel and a decent sump. A big plus to keep things dry in the real ocean world.

Don't know anything about the Cal 43 other than it didn't meet with much success in the market place and few were built.

[Ericson38]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ews-34641.html