I do not think you will find any weakness in the design. Bristol 41.1 are a commonly entered yacht in the Marion / Bermuda race. They are offshore capable and extremely capable for coastal cruising. I would not hesitate to take my 35.5 to the caribe from Boston. Obviously, the condition of the specific boat really determines seaworthyness. The 41.1 is a big boat. The 35.5 is easier for 2 to handle. Specific to the centerboard, the cable that raises and lowers the board needs to be inspected each year and replaced every 5 (conservative) years. Replacing the cable before it breaks is an easy task. Some serious offshore sailors will secure a centerboard in the up position to eliminate the possibility of problems, but near shore I would have no concerns. The trick to securing a centerboard if the cable breaks and you have to raise the board to access shallow waters is to take a
line, start at the bow and work it back until it comes to the board and then use the
line as a strap to pull the board up and
cleat off. Hope my description is clear enough.