The Burns 40 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.8′, the Burns 40 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.8′ LWL = 7.8 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
86s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
23.4
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
47.6%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
121
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
18.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.07
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Burns 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
X 402
78s/nm
Burns 40
86s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Hunter 40
108s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.4 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.4 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.0 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (23.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Burns 40 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Burns 40.
|
Burns 40 |
Cc 40 2 |
Hunter 40 |
Islander 40 |
J39 |
X 402 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
39.6 |
39.6 |
39.6 |
39.5 |
39.4 |
39.7 |
| LWL |
33.8 |
31.5 |
32.5 |
30.8 |
32.5 |
33.2 |
| Beam |
11.3 |
12.7 |
13.4 |
11.8 |
12.4 |
12.9 |
| Displacement |
10 |
17 |
17 |
17 |
12 |
13 |
| Ballast |
5 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
699 |
743 |
787 |
734 |
799 |
703 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
86 |
— |
108 |
— |
— |
78 |
| SA/Disp |
23.4 |
18.1 |
18.8 |
17.8 |
23.3 |
20.2 |
| Bal/Disp |
47.6 |
46.5 |
— |
— |
— |
51.7 |
| Comfort |
18.0 |
26.3 |
24.5 |
29.3 |
20.1 |
19.2 |
| Capsize |
2.07 |
1.97 |
2.08 |
1.84 |
2.12 |
2.19 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.4 |
7.6 |
7.7 |