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Fc 40
Designer: German Frers  ·  Builder: Frers & Cibils (Arg)  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Fc 40

Designed by renowned naval architect German Frers and built by Frers & Cibils in Argentina starting in 1987, this 40-footer represents classic South American craftsmanship applied to serious offshore sailing. The Fc 40's substantial 18,000-pound displacement and conservative comfort ratio of 31.03 mark it as a true cruising yacht built for ocean passages rather than weekend racing. The boat's traditional proportions—with a waterline length of nearly 32 feet and moderate beam of 11.58 feet—create a seakindly hull that tracks well in challenging conditions. A deep 6.80-foot draft houses 6,500 pounds of ballast, providing the stability needed for confident offshore work. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration offers good maneuverability while maintaining directional stability. With a masthead sloop rig carrying 638 square feet of sail area, the Fc 40 delivers respectable performance without sacrificing the sturdy construction and conservative design philosophy that defines Frers' work. The capsize screening value of 1.77 falls well within accepted limits for offshore cruising, while the hull's potential speed of 7.57 knots makes for reasonable passage times. This is a yacht for serious cruisers who prioritize seaworthiness and comfort over pure speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.92 ft / 9.73 m
Beam 11.58 ft / 3.53 m
Max Draft 6.80 ft / 2.07 m
Displacement 18,000.00 lb / 8,165 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 638.00 ft² / 59.27 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer German Frers
Builder Frers & Cibils (ARG)
First Built 1987
Related Sailboats Frers 39 · Catalina 390 · Catalina 380 · Irwin 40 Mkii · Pearson 39 2
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
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
 14.92
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
 36.11
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
 247.08
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
 31.03
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. 7.57 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
 2
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. 1,320.74 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. 14.94
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.60 ft / 14.81 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.85 ft / 4.83 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 43.00 ft / 13.11 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.80 ft / 3.60 m
SA Fore 385.16 ft² / 35.78 m²
SA Main 253.70 ft² / 23.57 m²
SA Total (100%) 638.86 ft² / 59.35 m²
Est. Forestay Length 51.12 ft / 15.58 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
Fuel Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
Water Capacity 260 gals / 984 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 380, Catalina 390, Frers 39, Irwin 40 Mkii, Pearson 39 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Fc 40 ★
40.0 ft
Catalina 380
38.4 ft
Catalina 390
38.7 ft
Frers 39
38.8 ft
Irwin 40 Mkii
40.8 ft
Pearson 39 2
39.3 ft
LWL
Fc 40 ★
31.9 ft
Catalina 380
32.4 ft
Catalina 390
32.4 ft
Frers 39
31.5 ft
Irwin 40 Mkii
31.2 ft
Pearson 39 2
31.3 ft
Beam
Fc 40 ★
11.6 ft
Catalina 380
12.3 ft
Catalina 390
12.3 ft
Frers 39
12.5 ft
Irwin 40 Mkii
12.2 ft
Pearson 39 2
12.4 ft
Displacement
Fc 40 ★
18 lbs
Catalina 380
19 lbs
Catalina 390
19 lbs
Frers 39
17 lbs
Irwin 40 Mkii
16 lbs
Pearson 39 2
16 lbs
Ballast
Fc 40 ★
6 lbs
Catalina 380
6 lbs
Catalina 390
6 lbs
Frers 39
8 lbs
Irwin 40 Mkii
6 lbs
Pearson 39 2
6 lbs
Sail Area
Fc 40 ★
638 sq ft
Catalina 380
723 sq ft
Catalina 390
725 sq ft
Frers 39
638 sq ft
Irwin 40 Mkii
737 sq ft
Pearson 39 2
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Fc 40 ★
—
Catalina 380
120 s/nm
Catalina 390
126 s/nm
Frers 39
78 s/nm
Irwin 40 Mkii
—
Pearson 39 2
132 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Fc 40 ★
14.9
Catalina 380
16.3
Catalina 390
16.4
Frers 39
15.3
Irwin 40 Mkii
18.0
Pearson 39 2
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Fc 40 ★
36.1 %
Catalina 380
35.8 %
Catalina 390
35.8 %
Frers 39
49.1 %
Irwin 40 Mkii
38.5 %
Pearson 39 2
40.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Fc 40 ★
31.0
Catalina 380
30.2
Catalina 390
30.2
Frers 39
27.5
Irwin 40 Mkii
27.5
Pearson 39 2
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Fc 40 ★
1.77
Catalina 380
1.85
Catalina 390
1.85
Frers 39
1.94
Irwin 40 Mkii
1.90
Pearson 39 2
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Fc 40 ★
247
Catalina 380
248
Catalina 390
248
Frers 39
247
Irwin 40 Mkii
248
Pearson 39 2
245
Hull Speed
Fc 40 ★
7.6 kts
Catalina 380
7.6 kts
Catalina 390
7.6 kts
Frers 39
7.5 kts
Irwin 40 Mkii
7.5 kts
Pearson 39 2
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Fc 40 ★
2.0
Catalina 380
2.1
Catalina 390
2.1
Frers 39
2.0
Irwin 40 Mkii
2.3
Pearson 39 2
—
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