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Kettenburg 40
Designer: Paul Kettenburg  ·  Builder: Kettenburg Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1959
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About the Kettenburg 40

Designed by Paul Kettenburg and built by the renowned Kettenburg Marine from 1959 onward, this classic 40-footer represents the finest in West Coast yacht building traditions. With only 40 hulls constructed, the Kettenburg 40 stands as an exclusive example of mid-century American craftsmanship, featuring mahogany planking over oak frames that exemplifies the builder's commitment to quality construction. The yacht's moderate displacement of 14,250 pounds and substantial ballast ratio create a well-balanced platform suitable for both coastal cruising and offshore passages. Her masthead sloop rig and 631 square feet of sail area provide respectable performance while maintaining manageable handling characteristics. The fin keel configuration offers good windward ability without sacrificing the traditional sailing qualities Kettenburg designs are known for. With a comfort ratio of 31.6, this boat strikes an excellent balance between seaworthiness and livability, making her particularly appealing to serious cruising sailors. The capsize screening formula of 1.71 indicates solid stability characteristics appropriate for ocean sailing. Her hull speed of 7.01 knots reflects the era's emphasis on seakindly motion over pure speed, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 17.24 suggests moderate performance with predictable handling in various conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.83 ft / 12.14 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.33 ft / 8.33 m
Beam 10.33 ft / 3.15 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 14,250.00 lb / 6,464 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 631.00 ft² / 58.62 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Mahogany planked on Oak
Designer Paul Kettenburg
Builder Kettenburg Marine (USA)
First Built 1959
Number Built 40
Associations Kettenburg Boats & Owners Association
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
 17.24
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
 35.09
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
 311.64
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
 31.6
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
 1.71
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. 7.01 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
 1.68
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. 1,008.76 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. 17.25
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.00 ft / 13.11 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.67 ft / 4.47 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.08 ft / 5.21 m
SA Fore 315.41 ft² / 29.30 m²
SA Main 315.98 ft² / 29.36 m²
SA Total (100%) 631.39 ft² / 58.66 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.43 ft / 13.85 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Graymarine
Engine Type Gas
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