The "Cariad", a 1978 Rival 41C is a legendary blue-water sailing yacht that will take a couple or family to exotic anchorages, cross oceans or cruise a coast in comfort. She would also be a comfortable live-aboard for a couple or individual. She is elegant, comfortable, safe and a joy to sail. Repowered in 2002 with a Volvo 55 hp that delivers efficient economy and low noise when Cariad is under power. Call 804-878-9097.Owner is Motivated! Recent Price Adjustment!

Exceptional Sailing Yacht – Cariad (1978 Rival 41C)

This is an incredible boat at a fantastic value! Professionally appraised at $85K, Cariad offers an unbeatable opportunity. A new yacht of this size, specification, and equipment would cost well over $300K.

Cariad, a 1978 Rival 41C, is a legendary sailing yacht built for adventure—whether crossing oceans, cruising coastlines, or anchoring in exotic destinations. She’s equally suited as a comfortable liveaboard for an individual or couple. Elegant, safe, and a joy to sail, she embodies classic craftsmanship with modern upgrades.

Designed by Peter Brett, Rival yachts are renowned for their sea-kindly motion, excellent passage-making speed, and sturdy construction. The center cockpit enhances security and comfort, while the easily managed sloop rig adapts seamlessly to changing weather. A powerful, reliable, and quiet powertrain ensures smooth motoring when the winds are light.

Built to Lloyds 100A1 standards, Rival Yachts were engineered for the North Sea and the world’s oceans. With an intelligently designed lay-up schedule and well-placed strengthening stringers, Cariad is solid yet not overly heavy, offering exceptional durability without compromising speed. Below deck, she provides comfortable accommodations and extensive storage, ideal for extended cruising.

Cariad, which means “Sweetheart” in Welsh, has been cherished by her current owners for 34 years. She spent 25 years in the fresh waters of the Great Lakes before making her way to New England, cruising from Maine to Virginia. She is now ready for her next adventure with a new owner.

Over $120,000 and thousands of hours have been invested in maintaining and upgrading her, including:

• New powertrain

• Upgraded electrical systems & electronics

• Enhanced ground tackle

• Refinished cabin woodwork & new cushions

• Four-burner stove/oven & refrigerator

• New stereo system

• Dinghy & outboard motor

Currently located in Norfolk, VA, Cariad is ready to sail with her next captain. If you’re looking for a classic, well-maintained yacht with modern comforts, this is the perfect opportunity.

The sails and rig - The Rival’s easily driven and well-balanced hull is served by a simple sloop rig with moderate sized mainsail and headsail. The headsail is on a Harken roller-furler and the fully-battened mainsail is in a Doyle Stackpack with jack stays.

The Mainsail was made by Doyle/Boston ca 1993 to very high cruising specs. It has been regularly serviced by Doyle and North lofts. In spit of it’s age, it holds shape well and is in good condition. It should be serviceable for many seasons.

The Doyle custom made Dacron headsail is a high-cut 110% cruising sail with reefing point markers. It was made in 2012 and has been regularly serviced. It was checked out and a new UV strip applied in May 2023 by a Doyle loft.

There is a undersized spinnaker that we sometimes set as a genaker. The cover of the 2010 Good Old Boat annual calendar is of Cariad flying that sail.

Generally, we find that the main and moderate jib on Cariad covers a wide range of cruising situations well. With all plain sail flying, Cariad moves at approximately 1/2 of wind speed up to about 15 kn over the deck on most points of sail. She carries full sail up to about 20 kn at which point we usually put in the first mainsail reef and furl the headsail to the first reef point, which is good up to about 25kn. At that point, we put in another reef in the main and jib or douse one or the other depending on conditions. She balances well with only the jib or a reefed mainsail. With proper sail setting, Cariad sails swiftly with little heal and an easy helm.

LOA - 41 ftLWL - 32.7 ftBeam - 12’3”Draft - 5’ 11”

6'4" headroom on saloonDisplacement (approx) - 11 tonsBallast - 4.5 tonsSloop RigBridge clearance - 56’Bunks - 6-7Headroom 6’ plus from forward cabin to aft cabin. 6’ 4” to 6’6” in saloon / galley

Speed & Distance

Cruising Speed:6kn

Max Speed:8kn

Dimensions

Nominal Length:41ft

Length Overall:41ft

Max Bridge Clearance:56ft

Beam:12.5ft

Tanks

Fresh Water Tanks:1 × 80gal

Fuel Tanks:2 × 65gal

Holding Tanks:1 × 15gal

Propulsion

Engine Make:Volvo

Engine Model:D2-55

Total Power:55hp

Engine Hours:1250

Engine Type:inboard

Fuel Type:diesel

Propeller 4 Blade folding

The auxiliary engine is a Volvo D2-55 four cylinder 55 HP diesel coupled to a ZF mechanical shift transmission which then connects to the prop shaft via an Aqua Drive system. Cariad is remarkably quiet under power. Hours 1250

Mechanical Equipment

Drive train - The auxiliary engine is a Volvo D2-55 four cylinder 55 HP diesel coupled to a ZF mechanical shift transmission which then connects to an Aqua Drive system that couples to the prop shaft.

The AquaDrive unit transfers prop thrust directly to the hull and frees the engine from direct alignment with the prop.

A four bladed 22 inch Volvo folding propeller provides outstanding thrust in forward or reverse and quiet, efficient operation underway.

The D2-55 is the product of a joint venture between Volvo Marine and Perkins Engines, therefore with a legendary pedigree and world-wide support. It is a more modern design with lower emissions, high efficiency, lower noise and vibration. Once running, it requires no electricity and therefore won’t fail due to electrical system problems.

The D2-55 was installed in 2002 and has been flawless. We service it with the best oil and filters. As of July 2023, there were about 1250 hours on it.

The engine and everything in the engine compartment is easily accessible from the starboard side. Important engine access items including fuel and oil filter, oil dipstick, oil removal tube and raw water impeller are on the starboard side of the D2-55 within easy view and reach.

The engine itself is relatively quiet for a diesel. She sits on soft mounts, made possible by the AquaDrive. The engine compartment is well sound insulated and the oversize two stage exhaust system reduces exhaust noise, so overall, noise is very low under power.

Port and starboard 65 gallon fiberglass fuel tanks connect through valves to dual Racor 500 fuel filters. Valves makes it possible for the engine to draw from either tank and either fuel filter and a built-in electric fuel pump makes it very easy to scrub the fuel in place and transfer fuel from one tank to the other.

Forecastle - Single bunk to port. Sunbrella covered quality foam mattress. Storage bin to starboard for sails, tools, life jackets, boarding ladder, lines, etc. Teak environment. 12V outlet for fan, phone charging port. Large opening hatch.

Head - Lavac toilet (simple, reliable, easy to maintain). Stainless basin with hot and cold water with pull out wand for shower. 110 VAC outlet, 12V exhaust fan and shower pump. Teak woodwork with louvered doors. Generous storage to port and starboard including hanging locker for foul weather gear.

Salon - Comfortable, stylish and utilitarian. U shaped settee to port surrounds a solid teak table. There is a full length settee to starboard. There is very substantial storage port and starboard for cooking utensils, food, charts, navigation gear, entertainment, safety gear, etc. 6'4" Headroom.

All woodwork in the salon has been updated. A light wood was chosen for a lighter living space. Sole and cabinetry are solid American white ash accented with teak. Cupboard doors have woven cane inserts to allow good air flow. The cabin sole is solid 3/8” ash accented with black walnut. The ceiling is white Formica.

The salon cushions are made of 3” high quality medium density foam and the seats are topped with 1 inch of thermo foam and covered with tan Ultraleather. They are extremely comfortable for sitting or sleeping. The Ultraleather covering (very expensive) is remarkably soft and stain resistant. There are no stains, tears or blemishes.

A large double-door locker to port is ideal for guest sea bag and personal items. To starboard, there is a locking wine and liquor locker.

An opening deck hatch to starboard opens for air flow and has a sliding panel to block light.

Navigator Berth - moving aft from the galley on the starboard side there is a comfortable full- length and width bunk in the passage way to the aft cabin.

Aft Cabin - The aft cabin is finished in teak with white formica ceiling. There is a single berth to starboard and a double berth to port. The port double berth easily converts to a single, leaving more floor space. There’s a hanging locker with and a locker with shelves to starboard and a full length hanging locker with shelves to port. A second toilet and sink could be installed here.

The AC switch panel and charger / inverter display are located here along with an AC outlet.

The bunk cushions are high quality medium density foam covered with thermo foam and wrapped in grey Sunbrella. There are custom made mattress covers and sheets for both bunks

A six-fan assembly fits in the hatch to move air in or out or circulate air. It is removable and is nearly silent when set on low, great for keeping air flowing gently over you while sleeping.

Cockpit - The deep, safe and comfortable cockpit serves several functions; wheelhouse and bridge under way, relaxation space at the dock or on the hook, dining and entertaining space or a personal space when docked or anchored.

The high seat backs and padded cushions makes for comfortable sitting.

Cariad is set up for convenient navigation from the cockpit on a port forward area with a full array of instruments including chart plotter / MFD with radar display and autopilot display and control. There is space for a chart book by the instrument displays and access to the VHF and to switches for running, and underway lights, all within easy reach.

Cockpit canvas provides full coverage in foul weather and sun protection in good weather. The aft sections of the cockpit cover has built-in screens. All sections are removable.

There is a fold-up table made of Starboard for dining and drinks. The galley is at arm’s length making it easy to pass food up to the cockpit. There is fold-out drinks holder under the engine control panel.

Dimmable LED lights lite the cockpit for evening dining or a soft lit cocktail hour.

The Harken self tailing primary winches are mounted on the cockpit coaming within easy reach and the mainsheet winches are mounted on the cabin top at the back of the cockpit, also within easy reach.

The cockpit is a separate living space when in port, regardless of the weather. Our kids liked to sleep in the cockpit. We’ve had many a musical evening with guitars, fiddles and accordion, even in foul weather.

With the cockpit space, there are four separate spaces on Cariad; focsle, salon, aft cabin and cockpit. When weathered in place for several days, each family member has their own space to read, play games, sleep or whatever they please.

The ground tackle. A 55 lb Rocna anchor is connected by a swivel to 200 feet of 3/8” Peerless G43 high test chain. The Rocna has worked reliably for us in a range of conditions, so it is now the only anchor that we carry. There are provisions of for a second anchor on the bow. And plenty of anchor rode aboard.

A Lofrans Tigress 1,200 watt windlass lowers and retrieves the chain and anchor. The windlass is controlled by foot switches at the windlass or a switch in the cockpit.

Steering - The Whitlock Cobra torque-tube steering system is ultra-reliable, low maintenance, low friction and precise.

The 12 volt electrical system was designed by the electrical engineer owner to support comfortable life aboard for several days without running the engine. We like quiet. Cariad has a large (450 amp-hour) 12 VDC battery bank, charged by a 150 Amp alternator on the diesel managed by a smart charge controller. Consumption is kept low by a very efficient fridge, efficient LED lighting and very efficient fan banks. Battery level, 12 V power consumption and charging status is monitored by a Link 1000 battery monitor.

There is a solar panel on the cockpit cover that keeps the batteries topped up when boat is left on a mooring. (The Renege 100 watt panel needs replacing).

At the dock, the batteries are charged by a Xantrex HF 1800 charger/inverter with 40 Amp three stage charging.

A separate starting battery with a dedicated alternator assures diesel starting regardless of the state of the house batteries.

The 110 volt electrical system. At the dock, an AC power control panel routes shore power to the smart inverter/charger, hot water heater and air conditioner. Power flows from the shore power connection through the inverter/charge to six AC outlets from the aft cabin to the head. Power is maintained to the AC outlets by the 1,800 watt inverter when shore power is not available.

The AC power system is to US specs, 110VAC, 60 Hz. There is a single 30Amp shore power connection.

Galley Equipment

Cariad’s first mate and many of our regular crew were gourmet cooks and the galley was designed for gourmet cooking. The gimbaled Force 10 propane stove has four burners, a temperature controlled oven and a grill. All burners have flame-out protection.

There is a built-in microwave oven which works in port and at anchor. There are mini-drawers under for spices.

A deep fridge to starboard keeps fresh food and beverages cold for long periods of time. Fridge top doubles as a chart table.

There is substantial storage in and around the galley for pots and pans and cooking devices and food.

The stainless steel single basin galley sink has pressurized hot and cold fresh water and hand pumped sea water.

One of the best comfort features on Cariad are the hatch fan assemblies that fit into the galley and aft cabin hatches. A teak frame holding six power-efficient 12V computer-type fans can be inserted into the hatches to move air out or in, or hung from the hatch to circulate air. A two speed switch selects between high volume air movement or extremely quiet low volume air circulation. The fan bank over the galley stove is very effective at removing heat and cooking odors from the boat interior. Placing one bank to exhaust and one to draw air in creates pleasant air flow for sleeping in the aft cabin.

There’s a built-in trash bin with foot operated opener and pump on the fridge that pumps from a jug of cold water in the fridge

Refrigeration is fundamental to quality of life aboard but also a challenge to energy management. Cariad’s custom refrigerator box is extremely well insulated with 5 to 6 inches of foam. The refrigerator is cooled by an remarkably efficient Isotherm marine refrigeration system. A large temperature-controlled holding plate is cooled by a 12 volt Danfoss compressor which removes heat from the holding plate and transfers it directly to a through-hull heat exchanger. It’s an elegantly simple and efficient system with no fans or water pumps.

The low energy consumption of the refrigerator system is a major reason that Cariad can go several days without recharging the house batteries

Fresh Water A Sureflow pump draws from the 110 gallon fiberglass tank and provides pressurized water to the galley and head. An accumulator tank reduces pump cycling and a large water filter removes impurities.

Water is heated by the engine or shore power. Capacity is 6 gallons.

The navigation electronics - The Raymarine-based system integrates an e7 MFD (multi-function display / chart plotter), color radar, full Raymarine 60 series instruments, AIS receiver built into the ICOM VHF and the autopilot.

There are individual displays in the cockpit for wind, depth, speed and autopilot. A repeater in the salon can display data from the instruments and MFD in a range of formats.

The 24 mile range color Raymarine radar displays on the e7 MFD, either as a radar display (with AIS overlay) or as a radar image overlay on charts

The ICOM 506-21 VHF has a built in AIS receiver. No antenna splitter is required. Features include: AIS display, DSC signaling. Distress button, last message audio recording and more. It is mounted on a swivel bracket so it can be used below or from the cockpit.

Autopilot - Cariad’s amazingly capable and reliable Navman G-Pilot frees the skipper and crew to focus on navigation, sail trim and enjoying life under way. The G-Pilot system with a color graphic display in the cockpit, remote compass sensor, inertia and rudder angle sensors and a powerful B&G rotary drive below decks holds a very accurate compass course, wind angle, or sails to a GPS waypoint. The narrow aft sections of the Rival resists the yawing affect from following seas and the autopilot with its inertial sensor, intelligent processor and powerful drive motor keeps Cariad on course even in fairly heavy following seas.

The AP will auto tack or gybe the boat at the push of button.The cockpit control / display shows magnetic course, autopilot course, rudder position and other useful data.

The G-Pilot provides magnetic heading to the Raymarine e7 MFD and it in turn provides course to steer data to the G-Pilot. You can simply touch a spot on the e7 and the AP will take you to it, compensating for currents or leeway.

The dingy and motor - The Mercury 300 Ocean Runner PVC inflatable RIB dingy and the 9.9 Mercury 4 stroke outboard are great for bringing groceries or crew from and to the dock, visiting other boats or exploring creeks and anchorages. The dingy nests on the fore deck when underway. It can be hoisted to the deck using the spare foresail halyard and the electric anchor winch. The motor is easily lifted from the dingy by a lifting arm and tackle on the radar mast and stowed on a pad on the pushpit.

Note that while the dingy is relatively new (2016), it is leaking air and is therefore sold as-is.

The 9.9 Mercury motor has very few hours on it and is in excellent condition and runs beautifully from idle to full power.

A seat pack attaches to the dingy seat and includes tiller extension, pump, spares, lines, tools and lights. There is a dingy anchor.

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.