The Fast 40 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.0′, the Fast 40 tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.0′ LWL = 8.0 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
93s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
48.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
39
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
8.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Fast 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
J/39
Swan 391
Fast 40
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Nordic 40
Pearson 40
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Fast 40.
| Fast 40 | J/39 | Nordic 40 | Pearson 40 | Swan 391 | X 1 Ton | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.8 | 39.8 | 39.7 | 39.9 | 39.9 | 39.8 |
| LWL | 36.0 | 33.5 | 32.5 | 31.3 | 33.1 | 33.1 |
| Beam | 8.0 | 13.0 | 12.4 | 12.5 | 12.4 | 12.9 |
| Displacement | 4 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 18 | 13 |
| Ballast | 2 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 6 | — |
| Sail Area | — | 720 | 756 | — | 767 | 818 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 93 | 45 | 105 | 117 | 90 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.9 | 17.7 | — | 17.4 | 23.5 |
| Bal/Disp | 48.8 | 39.4 | 39.4 | 53.5 | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 33.7 | 28.0 | — | 29.0 | 19.2 |
| Capsize | — | 1.61 | 1.90 | — | 1.87 | 2.19 |
| Hull Speed | — | 9.4 | 7.6 | — | 7.7 | 7.7 |