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Hinckley 41 Competition
Designer: H. Hinckley  ·  Builder: Henry R. Hinckley & Co.(Usa)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Hinckley 41 Competition

Representing Hinckley's foray into performance-oriented design during the late 1960s, this masthead sloop stands apart from the yard's traditional cruising aesthetic. Built between 1968 and 1975 with only nine hulls completed, the Competition remains one of the rarer examples of Hinckley's willingness to prioritize speed over comfort. The design philosophy becomes clear through its specifications: a relatively aggressive sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.44 paired with a fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive performance characteristics. At 19,000 pounds displacement with 8,000 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a balance between stability and nimbleness that suits both competitive racing and spirited coastal cruising. Henry Hinckley's design emphasizes sailing performance while maintaining the build quality associated with the Southwest Harbor yard. The moderate comfort ratio of 39.81 suggests accommodations prioritize function over luxury, appropriate for a boat intended for active sailing rather than extended liveaboard cruising. The hull's 7.32-knot theoretical hull speed and favorable capsize screening value of 1.54 indicate seaworthy offshore capabilities when properly handled. Today, these boats appeal to sailors seeking a rare combination of Hinckley craftsmanship with genuine racing pedigree, making them particularly attractive for those who value both performance and provenance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.17 ft / 12.55 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.83 ft / 9.09 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 6.16 ft / 1.88 m
Displacement 19,000.00 lb / 8,618 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 729.00 ft² / 67.73 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer H. Hinckley
Builder Henry R. Hinckley & Co.(USA)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1975
Number Built 9
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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
 16.44
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
 42.11
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
 319.56
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
 39.81
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
 1.54
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. 7.32 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
 1.56
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. 1,092.51 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. 16.44
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 41.80 ft / 12.74 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.50 ft / 5.03 m
SA Fore 384.00 ft² / 35.67 m²
SA Main 344.85 ft² / 32.04 m²
SA Total (100%) 728.85 ft² / 67.71 m²
Est. Forestay Length 50.60 ft / 15.42 m
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