Back to Search
Nevins 40
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Henry Nevins Inc.  ·  First built: 1955
+ Add to Compare
About the Nevins 40

Crafted by the renowned Henry B. Nevins yard in City Island, New York, the Nevins 40 represents a chapter in American sailing heritage that continues to attract the attention of classic boat enthusiasts and discerning sailors alike. Nevins was celebrated throughout the mid-twentieth century for producing exceptionally well-built yachts, and boats bearing the yard's name carry with them a reputation for quality craftsmanship and careful construction. As a vessel from this distinguished lineage, the Nevins 40 is generally regarded as a capable and seaworthy cruiser, well suited to coastal passages and offshore sailing where reliability and solid construction matter most. The design reflects the elegant, traditional aesthetics characteristic of the era in which Nevins yachts were built, blending purposeful performance with timeless lines that hold strong appeal at any dock or anchorage. For those researching a Nevins 40, the focus of due diligence should center on the condition of the hull, deck hardware, and any original systems, as these classic boats reward attentive ownership. Sailors drawn to heritage vessels with genuine pedigree will find the Nevins 40 a compelling and rewarding subject for further investigation.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Min Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 22,000.00 lb / 9,979 kg
Ballast 5,100.00 lb / 2,313 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 739.00 ft² / 68.66 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction Wood
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Henry Nevins Inc.
First Built 1955
Last Built 1960
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Nevins 40? Submit a known issue

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
177
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
15.12
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
43.31
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
1.61
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. 7.03
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
0.71
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) 44.8
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.7
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.75
E (Mainsail Foot) 17.0
SA Fore 351.68
SA Main 337.88
How It Compares

vs. Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley, Block Island 40, Dickerson 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Nevins 40 ★
40.0 ft
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
40.0 ft
Block Island 40
40.0 ft
Dickerson 40
40.0 ft
LWL
Nevins 40 ★
27.5 ft
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
28.8 ft
Block Island 40
27.5 ft
Dickerson 40
30.4 ft
Beam
Nevins 40 ★
11.3 ft
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
11.8 ft
Block Island 40
11.8 ft
Dickerson 40
12.0 ft
Displacement
Nevins 40 ★
22 lbs
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
20 lbs
Block Island 40
21 lbs
Dickerson 40
18 lbs
Ballast
Nevins 40 ★
5 lbs
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
6 lbs
Block Island 40
5 lbs
Dickerson 40
5 lbs
Sail Area
Nevins 40 ★
739 sq ft
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
681 sq ft
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
600 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Nevins 40 ★
177 s/nm
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
197 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Nevins 40 ★
15.1
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
14.8
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
14.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Nevins 40 ★
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
32.5 %
Block Island 40
23.8 %
Dickerson 40
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Nevins 40 ★
43.3
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
36.1
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
30.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Nevins 40 ★
1.61
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
1.73
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
1.83
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Nevins 40 ★
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
372
Block Island 40
450
Dickerson 40
Hull Speed
Nevins 40 ★
7.0 kts
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
7.2 kts
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
7.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Nevins 40 ★
0.7
Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley
1.2
Block Island 40
Dickerson 40
1.5
Find a Nevins 40 For Sale