Since no E41 owner has fielded this one, I will pass on what I saw when I once looked at buying a 1970 E41. I am not a licensed surveyor, but I do know enough to really annoy a broker who doesn't like potential customers taking over an hour to poke into every nook and cranny bow to stern.
The main chainplates were originally glassed into the bulkhead, which in this boat had caused significant rot. The previous owner had moved them and bolted them to the hull, there was some discussion here as to whether that had been a good idea.
There were soft spots in the deck around the mast. Although keel stepped, water appeared to have entered the deck there.
There were the usual upgrades required of that vintage Ericson - they were built well, but not perfectly. Wiring obsolete, through hulls and gate valves to spoil your sleep, flimsy hand rails, and other items I am guessing you can figure out for yourself based on your last boat (lovely picture).
Overall, I thought the boat was very well built and doing well for the age (2004) despite some neglectful owners. Nice layout for sailing rather than dockside socialising, ample room for storage, comfortable berths for underway, and a nice area for the galley and salon, although the stove/fridge/plumbing etc needed upgrading. The bulkheads seemed solid, and no structural problems at all. Maybe I should have bought her, but I decided that was a few feet too many for me - everything becoming bigger, heavier, and more expensive to me would make it less enjoyable.
That is about all I can remember, I hope it is somewhat useful.
As for sailing, there has not been much talk of the E41 here, but I have yet to hear any Ericson owner say a bad word about handling characteristics under sail. Under power, sometimes, but never under sail.
I hope it works out for you.
Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972
