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Morgan 40 Cruising Ketch
Designer: Charles Morgan/Henry Scheel  ·  Builder: Morgan Yachts  ·  First built: 1969
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About the Morgan 40 Cruising Ketch

Built during Morgan's heyday in the 1970s, this 40-foot ketch represents the yard's commitment to creating affordable yet seaworthy cruising vessels for the growing recreational sailing market. Morgan Yachts earned a solid reputation for producing practical boats that prioritized comfort and reliability over racing performance, making them popular among coastal cruisers and weekend sailors. The ketch rig configuration offers excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crew to easily balance the boat in varying wind conditions by adjusting the mizzen sail. This setup proves particularly valuable for shorthanded sailing or when weather conditions require reduced sail area. The divided sail plan also provides redundancy and multiple options for sail combinations. While detailed specifications remain limited, Morgan's design philosophy typically emphasized spacious interiors, stable sailing characteristics, and robust construction suitable for extended coastal cruising. These boats were engineered for comfort rather than speed, featuring generous beam and moderate displacement that translates to steady, predictable handling in offshore conditions. The Morgan 40 Cruising Ketch appeals to sailors seeking a traditional sailing experience with practical accommodations for extended voyaging along coastlines and to nearby cruising grounds.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.16 ft / 12.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 4.18 ft / 1.27 m
Displacement 21,000.00 lb / 9,525 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 700.00 ft² / 65.03 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Sheel Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Charles Morgan/Henry Scheel
Builder Morgan Yachts
First Built 1969
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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
 14.77
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
 39.1
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
 1.63
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. 7.34
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
 1.19
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.8
P (Mainsail Luff) 40.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.6
SA Fore 347.8
SA Main 294.19
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