Back to Search
North American 40
Designer: Dick Carter  ·  Builder: Morgan Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
+ Add to Compare
About the North American 40

Designed as a capable and versatile sailing yacht, the North American 40 occupies a comfortable space in the world of mid-size cruising and coastal sailing. Built to handle a range of conditions, this vessel appeals to sailors who want a reliable platform for extended coastal passages or relaxed bluewater adventures without sacrificing comfort or manageability. While detailed specifications for this model are limited in available records, the North American 40 carries the hallmarks typical of thoughtfully designed production sailboats of its era — balanced hull lines, a sturdy build, and accommodations suited to both liveaboard and passage-making use. Sailors researching this boat often highlight its practical layout and seaworthy character as key attractions. For buyers considering a vessel in this class, the North American 40 represents an approachable option that doesn't demand an expert crew to sail confidently. Whether you're planning weekend coastal cruising or longer offshore passages, this boat offers a solid foundation. As with any used sailing yacht, a thorough survey is strongly recommended to assess the individual vessel's condition and confirm it suits your specific sailing goals.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.73 ft / 12.11 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 12.58 ft / 3.83 m
Max Draft 7.08 ft / 2.16 m
Displacement 17,477.00 lb / 7,927 kg
Ballast 7,900.00 lb / 3,583 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Dick Carter
Builder Morgan Yachts (USA)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1981
Number Built 45
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 North American 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
90
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
45.2
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
238.11
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. 8.63 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.51
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 776.00 ft² / 72.09 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Perkins
How It Compares

vs. Allied 39, Irwin 39 Citation, X 402

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
North American 40 ★
39.7 ft
Allied 39
39.8 ft
Irwin 39 Citation
39.8 ft
X 402
39.7 ft
LWL
North American 40 ★
32.0 ft
Allied 39
28.8 ft
Irwin 39 Citation
31.2 ft
X 402
33.2 ft
Beam
North American 40 ★
12.6 ft
Allied 39
10.5 ft
Irwin 39 Citation
12.2 ft
X 402
12.9 ft
Displacement
North American 40 ★
17 lbs
Allied 39
17 lbs
Irwin 39 Citation
16 lbs
X 402
13 lbs
Ballast
North American 40 ★
7 lbs
Allied 39
6 lbs
Irwin 39 Citation
6 lbs
X 402
6 lbs
Sail Area
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
680 sq ft
Irwin 39 Citation
769 sq ft
X 402
703 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
North American 40 ★
90 s/nm
Allied 39
Irwin 39 Citation
132 s/nm
X 402
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
16.5
Irwin 39 Citation
18.8
X 402
20.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
North American 40 ★
45.2 %
Allied 39
39.4 %
Irwin 39 Citation
X 402
51.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
35.7
Irwin 39 Citation
27.7
X 402
19.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
1.64
Irwin 39 Citation
1.90
X 402
2.19
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
North American 40 ★
238
Allied 39
316
Irwin 39 Citation
X 402
161
Hull Speed
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
7.2 kts
Irwin 39 Citation
7.5 kts
X 402
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
North American 40 ★
Allied 39
1.6
Irwin 39 Citation
2.3
X 402
3.6
Find a North American 40 For Sale