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Carter 40
Designer: Dick Carter  ·  Builder: Storebro Bruks Ab  ·  First built: 1970
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About the Carter 40

With limited specifications available, the Carter 40 represents one of the more elusive entries in the 40-foot sailboat category, making detailed research challenging for prospective buyers. What information does exist suggests this vessel was likely designed as a cruising sailboat, given the naming convention and size class typical of boats intended for comfortable coastal and potentially offshore passages. The scarcity of readily available data may indicate either limited production numbers or a boat that didn't achieve widespread market penetration during its production years. This obscurity can work both ways for buyers – while it may mean fewer boats to choose from and potentially limited parts availability, it could also present opportunities for finding unique vessels at attractive prices. For sailors considering a Carter 40, thorough individual inspection becomes even more critical given the limited collective knowledge base. The 40-foot length suggests adequate space for extended cruising with family or crew, while remaining manageable for experienced couples. Potential buyers should focus on finding examples with complete documentation and maintenance records, as the limited available specifications make each boat's individual history and condition particularly important in the evaluation process.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.53 ft / 12.05 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.35 ft / 9.25 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 6.46 ft / 1.97 m
Displacement 16,535.00 lb / 7,500 kg
Ballast 5,952.00 lb / 2,700 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 570.49 ft² / 53.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dick Carter
Builder Storebro Bruks AB
First Built 1970
Last Built 1974
Owner Reviews

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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
135
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
14.12
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
30.73
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
1.77
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. 7.38
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
1.76
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 44.6
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.6
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.6
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.7
SA Fore 347.88
SA Main 219.96
How It Compares

vs. Alc 40 Le Comte, Cc 40 1, Swan 40 Ss

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Carter 40 ★
39.5 ft
Alc 40 Le Comte
39.5 ft
Cc 40 1
39.6 ft
Swan 40 Ss
39.3 ft
LWL
Carter 40 ★
30.4 ft
Alc 40 Le Comte
30.2 ft
Cc 40 1
28.7 ft
Swan 40 Ss
28.5 ft
Beam
Carter 40 ★
11.3 ft
Alc 40 Le Comte
11.7 ft
Cc 40 1
11.8 ft
Swan 40 Ss
10.8 ft
Displacement
Carter 40 ★
16 lbs
Alc 40 Le Comte
15 lbs
Cc 40 1
18 lbs
Swan 40 Ss
19 lbs
Ballast
Carter 40 ★
5 lbs
Alc 40 Le Comte
7 lbs
Cc 40 1
7 lbs
Swan 40 Ss
7 lbs
Sail Area
Carter 40 ★
570 sq ft
Alc 40 Le Comte
597 sq ft
Cc 40 1
756 sq ft
Swan 40 Ss
709 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Carter 40 ★
135 s/nm
Alc 40 Le Comte
Cc 40 1
Swan 40 Ss
126 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Carter 40 ★
14.1
Alc 40 Le Comte
15.5
Cc 40 1
17.2
Swan 40 Ss
16.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Carter 40 ★
Alc 40 Le Comte
Cc 40 1
42.1 %
Swan 40 Ss
41.6 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Carter 40 ★
30.7
Alc 40 Le Comte
27.4
Cc 40 1
34.1
Swan 40 Ss
38.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Carter 40 ★
1.77
Alc 40 Le Comte
1.88
Cc 40 1
1.77
Swan 40 Ss
1.63
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Carter 40 ★
Alc 40 Le Comte
Cc 40 1
354
Swan 40 Ss
364
Hull Speed
Carter 40 ★
7.4 kts
Alc 40 Le Comte
7.4 kts
Cc 40 1
7.2 kts
Swan 40 Ss
7.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Carter 40 ★
1.8
Alc 40 Le Comte
2.0
Cc 40 1
1.4
Swan 40 Ss
1.3
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