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Cape Dory 40
Designer: Carl Alberg  ·  Builder: Cape Dory Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Cape Dory 40

Built during Cape Dory's heyday from 1984 to 1990, this substantial cruiser represents the culmination of designer Carl Alberg's traditional approach to offshore sailing yachts. With only 16 hulls completed, the Cape Dory 40 remains one of the more exclusive entries in the builder's celebrated lineup of heavy-displacement cruising boats. Alberg's signature design philosophy shines through in the long keel configuration and robust 19,500-pound displacement, creating a seakindly platform that excels in offshore conditions. The cutter rig provides excellent sail handling options for varying weather conditions, while the generous beam of nearly 12 feet ensures comfortable accommodations below. At over 40 feet overall with a 30-foot waterline, she offers impressive interior volume without sacrificing the traditional proportions that made Cape Dory famous. The impressive comfort ratio of 34.57 reflects this yacht's suitability for extended cruising, while the conservative capsize screening formula of 1.74 indicates excellent stability for ocean passages. Hull speed potential of 7.34 knots provides respectable performance under sail. This fiberglass construction combines Alberg's time-tested design principles with Cape Dory's reputation for solid construction, making it an excellent choice for serious cruising sailors seeking a capable, traditional yacht.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.17 ft / 12.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 11.67 ft / 3.56 m
Max Draft 5.70 ft / 1.74 m
Displacement 19,500.00 lb / 8,845 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 778.00 ft² / 72.28 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Carl Alberg
Builder Cape Dory Yachts (USA)
First Built 1984
Last Built 1990
Number Built 16
Associations Cape Dory Sailboat Owners Association
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
High Hull/Deck
The deck hardware on Cape Dory boats of this era was typically through-bolted into balsa-cored deck sections. Water intrusion around chainplates, stanchion bases, and cleats causes balsa core rot that can be extensive before it becomes visible. Compression failures around stanchion bases are a known problem.
Medium Hull/Deck
The hull-to-deck joint on Cape Dory vessels uses an outward-turning flange secured with bolts and bedding compound. This joint is known to develop leaks over time, particularly in the bow and stern areas, and should be carefully inspected and re-bedded as needed.
High Keel
The long keel attachment uses a series of keel bolts that are prone to weeping rust stains in the bilge, indicating corrosion. The bilge sump area around the keel stub should be closely inspected for soft spots or cracking in the laminate, as this junction bears significant stress.
High Rigging
Chainplate knees on the Cape Dory 40 are glassed into the hull liner and can develop stress cracks or delamination at the attachment point, particularly on the cap shroud chainplates. The backing structure behind the liner should be inspected, as access is limited and problems are often hidden.
Medium Hull/Deck
The teak toerail and teak deck trim common on Cape Dory boats of this period is fastened with screws into the fiberglass, and the fastener holes are a persistent source of deck leaks. Many owners have had to remove, rebed, and re-fasten the entire toerail assembly.
Medium Accommodations
The interior hull liner system used by Cape Dory creates hidden voids between the liner and the hull where moisture and standing water accumulate unseen, promoting mold growth and potentially masking hull damage or delamination. Inspection ports should be added or existing ones used to assess these voids.
Medium Engine
The Cape Dory 40 was typically fitted with a Perkins 4-108 diesel. These engines are generally reliable but the raw water impeller housing and heat exchanger are prone to corrosion on older units, and the engine mounts in this installation are known to deteriorate and allow engine movement affecting alignment.
Medium Electrical
Cape Dory's wiring from this production era used undersized wire runs and non-tinned copper wire in some areas, which corrodes in the marine environment. The DC panel and bilge wiring in particular should be inspected for corrosion, chafe, and potential fire hazard from aging insulation.

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 120
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.25
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 322.42
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 34.57
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.74
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.34 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.6
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,250.95 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 17.26
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.80 ft / 14.87 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.46 ft / 5.32 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.30 ft / 13.20 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.29 ft / 4.97 m
SA Fore 426.02 ft² / 39.58 m²
SA Main 352.68 ft² / 32.77 m²
SA Total (100%) 778.70 ft² / 72.34 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.83 ft / 15.80 m
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