The Cartwright 40 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
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 30.7′, the Cartwright 40 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.7′ LWL = 7.4 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
153s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
15.5
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
44.7%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
364
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
43.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.57
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
43.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.57
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cartwright 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tashiba 40
138s/nm
Island Packet 40
141s/nm
Cartwright 40
153s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Panda 40
164s/nm
Baba 40
179s/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° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.4 kts),
SA/D (15.5), 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 Cartwright 40 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 Cartwright 40.
|
Cartwright 40 |
Baba 40 |
Island Packet 40 |
Panda 40 |
Tashiba 40 |
Valiant 40 101 199 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.0 |
39.8 |
40.0 |
39.9 |
39.9 |
39.9 |
| LWL |
30.7 |
34.5 |
34.0 |
34.5 |
34.5 |
34.0 |
| Beam |
11.3 |
12.8 |
12.9 |
12.8 |
12.8 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
23 |
29 |
22 |
29 |
29 |
23 |
| Ballast |
10 |
12 |
10 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
| Sail Area |
789 |
864 |
907 |
859 |
865 |
810 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
153 |
179 |
141 |
164 |
138 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.5 |
14.7 |
18.1 |
14.6 |
14.7 |
15.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
44.7 |
41.4 |
43.9 |
— |
34.5 |
35.7 |
| Comfort |
43.2 |
41.5 |
32.6 |
41.5 |
41.5 |
35.8 |
| Capsize |
1.57 |
1.67 |
1.83 |
1.67 |
1.67 |
1.72 |
| Hull Speed |
7.4 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.9 |
7.9 |
7.8 |