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Nautilus 40
Designer: Henri Adriaanse  ·  Builder: Niagara Nautic/Aztec Yachts  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Nautilus 40

Designed with serious bluewater cruising in mind, the Nautilus 40 is a capable offshore sailboat that appeals to sailors seeking a reliable passage-maker for extended voyages. With a hull length in the 40-foot range, this boat sits comfortably in the sweet spot for liveaboard cruising couples or small crews looking to tackle coastal passages and open ocean sailing alike. While detailed specifications on the Nautilus 40 remain limited in published records, boats bearing this name have generally been associated with sturdy construction and practical cruising layouts below decks. The 40-foot range typically offers enough volume for comfortable accommodations without becoming unwieldy for a shorthanded crew to manage at sea. Prospective buyers researching this vessel would be well advised to seek out individual boat surveys and owner accounts, as production history and builder details can vary. Independent inspection is especially important when specification data is scarce. For sailors prioritizing seaworthiness and livability over racing performance, the Nautilus 40 warrants a closer look as a foundation for an offshore cruising program.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.75 ft / 12.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 19,300.00 lb / 8,754 kg
Ballast 9,300.00 lb / 4,218 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 696.00 ft² / 64.66 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Henri Adriaanse
Builder Niagara Nautic/Aztec Yachts
First Built 1979
Related Sailboats ["Irwin 39 Citation" · "North American 40" · "Allied 39" · "Mistress 39 Allied" · "Nordic 40"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 132
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
 15.54
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
 37.54
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
 1.62
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. 7.4
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
How It Compares

vs. Allied 39, Mistress 39 Allied, North American 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nautilus 40 ★
39.8 ft
Allied 39
39.8 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
39.7 ft
North American 40
39.7 ft
LWL
Nautilus 40 ★
30.5 ft
Allied 39
28.8 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
29.8 ft
North American 40
32.0 ft
Beam
Nautilus 40 ★
10.8 ft
Allied 39
10.5 ft
Mistress 39 Allied
12.0 ft
North American 40
12.6 ft
Displacement
Nautilus 40 ★
19 lbs
Allied 39
17 lbs
Mistress 39 Allied
20 lbs
North American 40
17 lbs
Ballast
Nautilus 40 ★
9 lbs
Allied 39
6 lbs
Mistress 39 Allied
5 lbs
North American 40
7 lbs
Sail Area
Nautilus 40 ★
696 sq ft
Allied 39
680 sq ft
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nautilus 40 ★
132 s/nm
Allied 39
—
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
90 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nautilus 40 ★
15.5
Allied 39
16.5
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nautilus 40 ★
—
Allied 39
39.4 %
Mistress 39 Allied
26.9 %
North American 40
45.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nautilus 40 ★
37.5
Allied 39
35.7
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nautilus 40 ★
1.62
Allied 39
1.64
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nautilus 40 ★
—
Allied 39
316
Mistress 39 Allied
349
North American 40
238
Hull Speed
Nautilus 40 ★
7.4 kts
Allied 39
7.2 kts
Mistress 39 Allied
—
North American 40
—
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