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Cartwright 40
Designer: Jerry Cartwright  ·  Builder: Buzzards Bay Boats Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Cartwright 40

Designed by Jerry Cartwright and built by Buzzards Bay Boats Inc. beginning in 1975, this substantial 40-footer represents classic American cruising yacht design from the mid-1970s. The fiberglass construction features a traditional long keel configuration that provides excellent directional stability and a smooth, comfortable motion in seaway conditions. With a displacement of 23,500 pounds and ballast of 10,500 pounds, this cutter-rigged vessel demonstrates the robust build quality typical of serious offshore cruising boats from this era. The long keel design, while not offering the quick tacking ability of modern fin keel boats, excels in tracking straight on long passages and provides reassuring steadiness in heavy weather conditions. The cutter rig configuration offers excellent sail handling flexibility, allowing crews to balance the boat effectively across varying wind conditions. With a comfort ratio of 43.2, the boat prioritizes seaworthiness and interior volume over pure performance, making it well-suited for extended coastal and offshore cruising rather than racing applications. The capsize screening formula of 1.57 indicates good stability characteristics for ocean passages, while the generous beam of 11.25 feet provides ample interior space for comfortable long-term cruising accommodations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.67 ft / 9.35 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 23,500.00 lb / 10,659 kg
Ballast 10,500.00 lb / 4,763 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 789.00 ft² / 73.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Jerry Cartwright
Builder Buzzards Bay Boats Inc. (USA)
First Built 1975
Related Sailboats ["Valiant 40 101 199" · "Panda 40" · "Tashiba 40" · "Baba 40" · "Island Packet 40"]
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
 153
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
 15.45
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 44.68
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
 363.65
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
 43.2
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
 1.57
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. 7.42 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
 1.23
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. 1,232.86 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. 15.44
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.83 ft / 14.88 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.75 ft / 5.41 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.50 ft / 13.26 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.33 ft / 4.98 m
SA Fore 433.37 ft² / 40.26 m²
SA Main 355.18 ft² / 33.00 m²
SA Total (100%) 788.55 ft² / 73.26 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.96 ft / 15.84 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Water Capacity 120 gals / 454 L
How It Compares

vs. Baba 40, Panda 40, Tashiba 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cartwright 40 ★
40.0 ft
Baba 40
39.8 ft
Panda 40
39.9 ft
Tashiba 40
39.9 ft
LWL
Cartwright 40 ★
30.7 ft
Baba 40
34.5 ft
Panda 40
34.5 ft
Tashiba 40
34.5 ft
Beam
Cartwright 40 ★
11.3 ft
Baba 40
12.8 ft
Panda 40
12.8 ft
Tashiba 40
12.8 ft
Displacement
Cartwright 40 ★
23 lbs
Baba 40
29 lbs
Panda 40
29 lbs
Tashiba 40
29 lbs
Ballast
Cartwright 40 ★
10 lbs
Baba 40
12 lbs
Panda 40
12 lbs
Tashiba 40
10 lbs
Sail Area
Cartwright 40 ★
789 sq ft
Baba 40
864 sq ft
Panda 40
859 sq ft
Tashiba 40
865 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cartwright 40 ★
153 s/nm
Baba 40
179 s/nm
Panda 40
164 s/nm
Tashiba 40
138 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cartwright 40 ★
15.5
Baba 40
14.7
Panda 40
14.6
Tashiba 40
14.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cartwright 40 ★
44.7 %
Baba 40
—
Panda 40
—
Tashiba 40
34.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cartwright 40 ★
43.2
Baba 40
41.5
Panda 40
41.5
Tashiba 40
41.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cartwright 40 ★
1.57
Baba 40
1.67
Panda 40
1.67
Tashiba 40
1.67
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cartwright 40 ★
363
Baba 40
—
Panda 40
—
Tashiba 40
315
Hull Speed
Cartwright 40 ★
7.4 kts
Baba 40
7.9 kts
Panda 40
7.9 kts
Tashiba 40
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cartwright 40 ★
1.2
Baba 40
1.5
Panda 40
1.5
Tashiba 40
1.5
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