Home/ Boats/ Jensen Marine (Usa)/ Cal 40/ Sails
Sail Specifications

Cal 40 Sails

Rigging dimensions, sail areas, and replacement sail reference for the Cal 40 (C. William Lapworth design).

+ Add to Compare

Rigging Dimensions

The four foretriangle measurements sailmakers need to quote a new suit.

I ?
18.48 ft
J ?
15.17 ft
P ?
700.00 ft
E ?
ft

Sail Area Breakdown

Calculated from rigging dimensions. Use these as your starting point when ordering a new suit.

SailArea (ft²)Area (m²)
MainsailP × E ÷ 2
100% ForetriangleI × J ÷ 2 140.2 13.0
150% GenoaTypical light-air headsail 210.3 19.5
Storm Jib~50% of foretriangle, high-cut 70.1 6.5
Symmetric SpinnakerEstimated from I, J 504.6 46.9
Total Working Sail AreaMain + 100% foretriangle

Foretriangle Diagram

Scale diagram unavailable — I, J, P, and E measurements are not all published for the Cal 40.

Performance Ratios

How the Cal 40 carries its sail relative to its displacement.

SA/D Ratio
18.5
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early in a blow.
Mast Height (above DWL)
ft
Air draft not published — measure yours before any bridge transit.
Ballast Ratio
40%
Stiff enough to carry a 150% genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.

Typical Sail Inventory

What Cal 40 owners usually carry and what's worth buying used vs. new.

Mainsail — ft²
Dacron cross-cut with 2 reef points is standard. Full-batten is a common upgrade.
Replace new
150% Genoa 210.3 ft²
The workhorse headsail. Most boats have one on a furler by now.
Replace new
110% Working Jib ~154 ft²
Good secondary sail for breezy days — used market is strong.
Buy used
Storm Jib 70.1 ft²
Bright orange recommended. Rarely used, hard to justify new.
Buy used
Asymmetric Spinnaker ~505 ft²
Popular downwind upgrade — easier than symmetric for shorthanded sailing.
Optional

Replacement Cost Estimator

Get a rough price range for a new mainsail and genoa for the Cal 40 — Dacron, laminate, and cruising performance tiers.

Estimate Cost →