[1][2][3] Henderson explained the design goals, "I wanted a boat that would have all the systems and conveniences you'd expect in a house and also be capable of long-distance offshore passages.
[1][2] Factory standard equipment included a 110% roller furling genoa, four two-speed self tailing winches, marine VHF radio, knotmeter, depth sounder, AM/FM radio and CD player, dual anchor rollers, hot and cold water cockpit shower, laminate cabin sole, two fully enclosed heads with showers, private forward and aft cabins, a dinette table that converts to a berth, complete set of kitchen dishes for six, microwave oven, dual stainless steel sinks, two-burner gimbaled liquid petroleum gas stove and oven and six life jackets.
Factory options included a Bimini top, dodger, freezer, a double aft cabin, air conditioning, spinnaker and rigging, mast furling mainsail, a flat panel TV and DVD player and leather cushions.
He wrote that "it seems only natural that the Hunter 41DS takes advantage of a deck-saloon layout to achieve a more open and airy accommodations plan.
I was visibly surprised when the boat-with a modest 17.2 sail area-to-displacement ratio--responded dramatically, accelerating as the optional Selden in-mast furling main and Furlex roller-furling genoa filled.