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North Wind 40
Designer: Angus Primrose  ·  Builder: North Wind Yachts  ·  First built: 1981
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About the North Wind 40

Designed for sailors who want a capable and seaworthy bluewater cruiser, the North Wind 40 carries a reputation as a sturdy offshore passage-maker well suited to long-distance voyaging. Built with an emphasis on stability and dependability at sea, this vessel appeals to experienced cruisers who prioritize safety and comfort over outright speed when venturing far from home ports. While detailed specifications for the North Wind 40 are limited in availability, the boat's name and class suggest a design philosophy oriented toward handling demanding conditions — the kind of open-ocean sailing where a reliable, well-found hull makes all the difference. Sailors drawn to this model typically value traditional cruising virtues: a comfortable motion in a seaway, thoughtful interior layout, and the confidence to tackle challenging passages. For anyone researching the North Wind 40 as a potential bluewater cruiser, tracking down existing owners and checking dedicated sailing forums would be a worthwhile step. First-hand accounts from those who have lived aboard or sailed her offshore will offer the most meaningful insight into how she truly performs when the conditions get serious.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.49 ft / 12.34 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.38 ft / 10.48 m
Beam 13.12 ft / 4.00 m
Max Draft 6.07 ft / 1.85 m
Displacement 18,739.00 lb / 8,500 kg
Ballast 7,496.00 lb / 3,400 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 914.93 ft² / 85.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Angus Primrose
Builder North Wind Yachts
First Built 1981
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
20.83
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
25.95
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
1.98
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. 7.86
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
2.27
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) 47.9
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.42
P (Mainsail Luff) 42.32
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.65
SA Fore 369.31
SA Main 246.51
How It Compares

vs. Cheoy Lee 41, Irwin 40, Tartan 41

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
North Wind 40 ★
40.5 ft
Cheoy Lee 41
40.8 ft
Irwin 40
40.8 ft
Tartan 41
40.6 ft
LWL
North Wind 40 ★
34.4 ft
Cheoy Lee 41
32.5 ft
Irwin 40
31.2 ft
Tartan 41
32.7 ft
Beam
North Wind 40 ★
13.1 ft
Cheoy Lee 41
12.5 ft
Irwin 40
12.2 ft
Tartan 41
12.3 ft
Displacement
North Wind 40 ★
18 lbs
Cheoy Lee 41
22 lbs
Irwin 40
16 lbs
Tartan 41
17 lbs
Ballast
North Wind 40 ★
7 lbs
Cheoy Lee 41
8 lbs
Irwin 40
Tartan 41
9 lbs
Sail Area
North Wind 40 ★
914 sq ft
Cheoy Lee 41
Irwin 40
738 sq ft
Tartan 41
725 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
North Wind 40 ★
Cheoy Lee 41
159 s/nm
Irwin 40
147 s/nm
Tartan 41
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
North Wind 40 ★
20.8
Cheoy Lee 41
16.7
Irwin 40
18.0
Tartan 41
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
North Wind 40 ★
Cheoy Lee 41
39.6 %
Irwin 40
Tartan 41
51.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
North Wind 40 ★
26.0
Cheoy Lee 41
Irwin 40
27.5
Tartan 41
28.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
North Wind 40 ★
1.98
Cheoy Lee 41
Irwin 40
1.90
Tartan 41
1.88
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
North Wind 40 ★
Cheoy Lee 41
286
Irwin 40
Tartan 41
228
Hull Speed
North Wind 40 ★
7.9 kts
Cheoy Lee 41
Irwin 40
7.5 kts
Tartan 41
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
North Wind 40 ★
2.3
Cheoy Lee 41
Irwin 40
2.3
Tartan 41
2.4
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