The Sigma 41 is widely regarded as one of the most capable racer-cruisers of her generation — a design that combines lessons learned in the toughest offshore races, with refined performance for ocean passagemaking. Kahu is an exceptional example, refitted from stem to stern by experienced owners and proven on the family’s Atlantic crossing from Europe to Brazil, then subsequent cruise north to the Caribbean. Her build quality, balance under sail, and seaworthiness are hallmarks of David Thomas’s designs, while her deep fin keel and fractional rig deliver the performance and handling that make the Sigma 41 a success in offshore races and passagemaking alike.
Below decks, Kahu is smartly laid out for bluewater voyaging, with two private cabins, two heads, real sea berths, and an efficient galley and nav area. Her systems were comprehensively upgraded between 2023–2025 for reliability, comfort, and self-sufficiency — including all-new rigging, electricals, through-hulls, batteries, and monitoring systems.
The New Zealand–flagged owners have enjoyed Kahu as a safe, powerful, and comfortable cruiser capable of excellent daily mileage. Their Atlantic and South American voyage confirmed her as a yacht that handles ocean conditions with ease and remains well-mannered and quiet at anchor. Now offered for sale as they cruise the Caribbean.
Kahu represents an unbeatable combination of strength, recent investment, and proven bluewater ability that you can rely on to take you further, having more fun and getting their faster too!
Additional Information
Accommodation
Forward cabin with V-berth convertible to large storage area when not required, with adjacent forward head fitted with Jabsco manual toilet, basin, and shower sump. Opposite the head is a wardrobe and locker space.
Main saloon features a U-shaped settee to port with a folding dining table and a straight settee to starboard, both with pilot berths outboard for offshore passages. Aft to port is a secure U-shaped galley beside the companionway, and to starboard is a half-size navigation station with a quarter berth behind, currently converted to a technical and storage area.
The aft cabin, to port, offers a large double berth and ample storage. A second head compartment lies to starboard with basin and shower sump.
All berths fitted with lee cloths. Headroom approximately 190 cm. New mattresses and settee squabs (2023).
The Starboard Cockpit Locker is an absolutely massive, a true Tardis — nearly standing room with space for ALL your cruising gear and toys.
Cabins: 2
Heads: 2
Bunk Lengths:
- Fwd Cabin – 190cm length x 210cm width at head / 80cm width at foot
- Aft Cabin – 190cm length x 130cm/70cm
- Stbd Settee – 190cm
- Port Settee – 180cm
- Pilot Berths – 190cm
Headroom:
- Fwd Cabin – 175cm
- Fwd Head – 185cm
- Main Cabin – 190cm min throughout
- Galley – 190cm
- Aft Head – 175cm
- Aft Cabin – 180cm
Interior Comforts and Amenities
- Two manual Jabsco heads (fully serviced 2024)
- Saltwater/deck wash outlets in cockpit and galley (2024)
- Freshwater cockpit shower (2024)
- Techimpex 2-burner hob (needs repair/replacement)
- Magma BBQ
- (3) Hella 12V fans (2023)
- Top-loading fridge with Frigoboat K35 water-cooled compressor (controller replaced 2024)
- Sealarm gas solenoid control (needs replacing)
- New freshwater tap (2023)
- Pressurized freshwater system with 1L accumulator
- Foot pump backup
- 40L QL water heater (engine/AC heated)
- (3) Campingaz 2.7kg propane tanks
- CO & smoke alarms
- Warm, practical interior with solid wood joinery and excellent ventilation from six hatches (two new in 2024)
Electronics and Navigation
- Airmar DST810 Speed/Depth Transducer (2023)
- B&G WS310 Wind Sensor (2023)
- NMEA2000 Barometer (2023)
- Digital Yacht AIS with splitter
- Shipmodul Miniplex 3Wi N2K multiplexer
- NASA cockpit displays (wind, close-hauled wind, log, depth)
- B&G HALO 20+ radar (2023)
- Digital Yacht router
- NASA depth transducer (backed up to NMEA2000 cockpit unit)
- Precision 9 Compass (2023)
- Iridium GO with spare SIM cards
- ICOM IC-M302 fixed VHF
- Standard Horizon HX870 GPS handheld VHF
- Ocean Signal EPIRB1
- Raymarine Linear Drive autopilot with ST6002 controller
- Loudhailer/horn (functioning but disconnected)
- Plastimo Offshore 135 compass (2024)
- Sidepower wireless remote for anchor windlass and bow thruster
- DualNav GPS antenna
Electrical Systems
- (4) 100W Renogy rigid solar panels on stainless liferails (2023)
- Superwind wind generator
- Victron Multiplus Compact 1600/70 charger/inverter (2023)
- Renogy 50A DC-DC dual-input charger with MPPT and remote display (2023)
- (2) 100Ah Renogy lithium service batteries (2023)
- (1) start battery (2024)
- (2) bow thruster/windlass batteries (2023)
- Renewed fusing and cabling throughout
- 70A alternator (new 2024)
- Remote battery monitors for house and engine banks
Deck and Hull Equipment
- (4) forward keel bolts (replaced 2022)
- All underwater through-hulls replaced with Trudesign (2024)
- Six ventilation hatches (aft head and aft cabin new 2024)
- Foredeck re-cored 2023
- Antifoul: Micron 350 (2024)
- Flexiteek decking (2012)
- Windows re-bedded (2025)
- Hero 4 Person ISO 9650-1 Life raft (next service 09/26)
- Aries wind vane
- Anchors: 20kg Rocna (2017), 15kg Delta, 15kg Bruce 80m 8mm chain (2023)
- Katadyn Powersurvivor 80E watermaker (serviced 2025; new membrane 2019)
- Extensive spares and consumables
- Quick horizontal anchor windlass with extended fairlead
- Simpson dinghy davits (interchangeable with windvane)
- Pasarelle and outboard davit
- Jerry cans: (5) diesel, (1) gasoline
- Whitlock Cobra steering system
- Solid fiberglass hull, balsa sandwich deck with plywood reinforcement
- Cast iron keel with lead shoe
- Swim ladder
- Twin biminis (can stay up while sailing), with insert panel for shade at anchor
- Spray dodger, reversible side curtain (fits either side), mosquito nets, and multiple covers
Sails and Rigging
- Standing rigging (replaced 2023)
- 2-spreader Selden ¾ fractional mast (serviced 2023): spreader end caps and halyard sheaves replaced, fittings removed and reinstalled with anti-corrosion coatings
- Solid vang and adjustable backstay
- Selden Type C headsail furler
- Inner chainplates removed and inspected 2023
- (3) 10mm Dyneema halyards (2023)
- Dyneema running backstays and lifelines (2023)
- Webbing jacklines (2023)
- Mainsail (2012, serviced 2024) with 3 reefs and flattening reef
- Genoa (2012, serviced 2024)
- (2) spinnakers (one recut as cruising chute, unused by current owner)
- Storm jib and trisail (original, unused)
- Ronstan Ballslide sail track system (2012) for smooth reefing
- Spinnaker pole and Spinlock jammers
- (2) Lewmar Evo 50 electric primaries (2012)
- (6) Lewmar 40 self-tailing winches + 4x Lewmar 40 control line winches
- Stackpack functional (needs repair)
- Bimini/spray dodger (2016)
- Various lines, fenders, spare blocks, winch handles, and hurricane lines
Mechanical Equipment
- Beta Marine 45T turbo diesel (built 2021, installed 2024)
- 100 hrs since installation, 350 hrs total
- Deluxe cockpit control panel (oil pressure, temp, voltage, tachometer)
- New 60mm Vetus exhaust system
- New Morse control cables (2024)
- New shaft (2023)
- MaxProp 2-blade Classic with Spur rope cutter
- R&D flexible coupling (2024)
- Shaft coupling and mounts (2024)
- Engine compartment fan (2024)
- Sidepower SP75 bow thruster with remote
- Extensive spares: turbo, starter, (4) injectors, belts, filters, anodes, fixed-pitch spare prop
- Fuel lines and filters replaced 2024 (Delphi primary + separator)
- 1100 GPH electric bilge pump (2024)
- (2) manual bilge pumps (cockpit and cabin)
- Automatic engine compartment fire extinguisher (2023)
- (2) Firex lithium extinguishers (2023)
- NASA Marine exhaust temperature alarm
Engine Info
The engine was bought from the owner of a TP52 raceboat who was changing all systems onboard. The engine had 250 hrs when purchased. Installation on Kahu involved total renewal of all systems. This included replacement and rerouting of the exhaust system for greater efficiency and increased diameter to 60mm.
All sound and heat insulation was replaced, as were through-hulls, strainers, and hosing. Fuel lines and primary filter were replaced. Electrical cabling was renewed, and a “Deluxe” engine panel was installed in the cockpit so all engine gauges are visible from the helm.
A new flexible coupling was installed, and the shaft was replaced in 2023, which runs to a MaxProp 2-blade Classic with Spur rope cutter.
There are extensive spares for long-term cruising, including a new turbo unit, starter motor, (4) injectors with associated o-rings, fixed-pitch propeller, belts, filters, and anodes.
Tankage
- Fuel: 159L (35 gal) stainless steel, with separator before primary filter
- Water: (2) aluminum tanks, total 386L (85 gal)
- Watermaker: Katadyn Powersurvivor 80E (serviced 2025)
Owners Comments and Boat History
In purchasing Kahu, we found a boat which was an excellent fit for our criteria of safety, sparkling performance and comfortable accommodation for our family of three.
Since purchasing her and conducting a refit in Spain we have had an incredible adventure across the Atlantic and along the South American coast where we very quickly appreciated her heavy construction and great performance. While fast enough for impressive daily mileage (we crossed from Cape Verde to Brazil in nine days) she was also reassuring and rock solid when we needed it most and a real bonus was that we would actually look forward to sailing to windward- her deep forefoot gave her a smooth motion in a seaway and the stiffness of her deep keel gave the power to maintain excellent upwind angles even in a cruising configuration. At anchor her low freeboard and centre of gravity means she will not sail around, we have enjoyed her good manners in very high winds where neighbours at anchor were very much struggling.
We are salling her now due to a change in our circumstances and are sure she will give the new owners as much enjoyment as we gained from her.
Kahu was built in 1984 and launched in 1986 by Marine Projects in Plymouth, England. Designed by David Thomas as a racer cruiser strong enough to the harsh conditions in British waters. Her interior is hard to beat for its practical voyaging layout and the design is notable for her manners under sail with her lightness and balance of the helm especially notable in heavy weather and to windward.
This particular example was refitted and sailed to Galicia, Spain in 2012 where she was lightly used in the summer and dry stored for the remaining 10 months of the year.
This refit included the laying of custom flexiteak decking, new canvas and installation of electric primary winches among other upgrades.
The current owners purchased her in 2023, conducted another refit in preparation for offshore sailing. New Standing Rigging, Engine, and Electronics were among the many features she offers as exceptional value.
She then crossed the Atlantic to Brazil, and onwards along the South American coast to the Caribbean. Family circumstances have made her available on the market in the Caribbean - currently in Grenada. She is VAT paid in the EU and registered under the New Zealand Flag.
Disclaimer
The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.