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Fast 40

Designer: Alan Adler  ·  Builder: North End Marine  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Fast 40

Designed as a high-performance racing yacht, this sleek 40-footer represents the evolution of modern competitive sailing. Fast 40s emerged from the desire to create an accessible yet sophisticated racing platform that could deliver thrilling performance without the extreme costs associated with larger racing circuits. Built with lightweight construction and contemporary hull forms, these boats feature fine entries and clean underwater profiles optimized for speed. The design typically incorporates modern fractional rigs with large, powerful sail plans that reward skilled crews while remaining manageable for weekend warriors stepping up from smaller keelboats. Racing pedigree runs deep in the Fast 40 concept, with these boats forming competitive one-design or handicap fleets at yacht clubs worldwide. The class strikes an appealing balance between serious performance sailing and relative affordability, making it popular among ambitious club racers and former offshore campaigners seeking spirited competition closer to home. While primarily conceived for racing, the Fast 40's seaworthy design and solid construction make it capable of coastal cruising and longer passages. However, accommodations remain purposefully spartan, reflecting the boat's racing DNA. For sailors prioritizing speed, competitive sailing, and the pure joy of performance under sail, the Fast 40 delivers an intoxicating blend of accessibility and genuine racing excitement.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$29,000 – $29,000
typical asking price
Median $29,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$29,000 – $29,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.83 ft / 12.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Displacement 4,100.00 lb / 1,860 kg
Ballast 2,000.00 lb / 907 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Divinicell sandwich
Designer Alan Adler
Builder North End Marine
First Built 1982
Last Built 1983
Number Built 18
Related Sailboats J/39 · X 1 Ton · Swan 391 · Nordic 40 · Pearson 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
93
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
48.78
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
39.23
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. 6.17 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 468.00 ft² / 43.48 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 39.23
How It Compares

vs. J/39, Nordic 40, Pearson 40, Swan 391, X 1 Ton

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Fast 40 ★
39.8 ft
J/39
39.8 ft
Nordic 40
39.7 ft
Pearson 40
39.9 ft
Swan 391
39.9 ft
X 1 Ton
39.8 ft
LWL
Fast 40 ★
36.0 ft
J/39
33.5 ft
Nordic 40
32.5 ft
Pearson 40
31.3 ft
Swan 391
33.1 ft
X 1 Ton
33.1 ft
Beam
Fast 40 ★
8.0 ft
J/39
13.0 ft
Nordic 40
12.4 ft
Pearson 40
12.5 ft
Swan 391
12.4 ft
X 1 Ton
12.9 ft
Displacement
Fast 40 ★
4 lbs
J/39
16 lbs
Nordic 40
18 lbs
Pearson 40
22 lbs
Swan 391
18 lbs
X 1 Ton
13 lbs
Ballast
Fast 40 ★
2 lbs
J/39
6 lbs
Nordic 40
7 lbs
Pearson 40
12 lbs
Swan 391
6 lbs
X 1 Ton
Sail Area
Fast 40 ★
J/39
720 sq ft
Nordic 40
756 sq ft
Pearson 40
Swan 391
767 sq ft
X 1 Ton
818 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Fast 40 ★
93 s/nm
J/39
45 s/nm
Nordic 40
105 s/nm
Pearson 40
117 s/nm
Swan 391
90 s/nm
X 1 Ton
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Fast 40 ★
J/39
16.9
Nordic 40
17.7
Pearson 40
Swan 391
17.4
X 1 Ton
23.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Fast 40 ★
48.8 %
J/39
39.4 %
Nordic 40
39.4 %
Pearson 40
53.5 %
Swan 391
X 1 Ton
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Fast 40 ★
J/39
33.7
Nordic 40
28.0
Pearson 40
Swan 391
29.0
X 1 Ton
19.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Fast 40 ★
J/39
1.61
Nordic 40
1.90
Pearson 40
Swan 391
1.87
X 1 Ton
2.19
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Fast 40 ★
39
J/39
168
Nordic 40
234
Pearson 40
333
Swan 391
X 1 Ton
Hull Speed
Fast 40 ★
J/39
9.4 kts
Nordic 40
7.6 kts
Pearson 40
Swan 391
7.7 kts
X 1 Ton
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Fast 40 ★
J/39
Nordic 40
2.4
Pearson 40
Swan 391
2.4
X 1 Ton
4.0
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