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Nordic 40
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Nordic  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Nordic 40

Robert Perry's Nordic 40 stands as a testament to thoughtful cruising yacht design from the 1980s. Built by Nordic between 1982 and 1991, this masthead sloop represents a limited production run of just 32 hulls, making it a relatively rare find in today's market. With its moderate displacement of 18,000 pounds and generous beam of 12.43 feet, the Nordic 40 strikes an appealing balance between performance and comfort. The fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides reliable directional stability while maintaining good sailing characteristics. Perry's design philosophy shines through in the boat's proportions, creating a yacht equally suited for coastal cruising and extended offshore passages. The comfort ratio of 27.98 suggests a motion that's neither too quick nor too sluggish, while the capsize screening value of 1.9 indicates good stability for blue water sailing. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio contributes to confident performance in a variety of conditions. Built with fiberglass single laminate construction, these boats have proven their durability over four decades. The Nordic 40's reputation centers on its seaworthiness and practical layout, making it an attractive option for serious cruising sailors seeking a proven design from a respected designer.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.70 ft / 12.10 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
Beam 12.43 ft / 3.79 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 18,000.00 lb / 8,165 kg
Ballast 7,091.00 lb / 3,216 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 756.00 ft² / 70.23 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG single laminate
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Nordic
First Built 1982
Last Built 1991
Number Built 32
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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
 105
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
 17.68
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
 39.39
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
 234.09
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
 27.98
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
 1.9
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. 7.64 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
 2.4
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. 1,443.45 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. 17.68
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 52.50 ft / 16.00 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.00 ft / 4.88 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
SA Fore 420.00 ft² / 39.02 m²
SA Main 336.00 ft² / 31.22 m²
SA Total (100%) 756.00 ft² / 70.23 m²
Est. Forestay Length 54.88 ft / 16.73 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 44
Fuel Capacity 55 gals / 208 L
Water Capacity 140 gals / 530 L
Find a Nordic 40 For Sale
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