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Ocean Cruising 40
Designer: Hank Hinckley  ·  Builder: Ocean Cruising/Hinckley  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Ocean Cruising 40

Designed with bluewater passages in mind, the Ocean Cruising 40 is a sailboat built for serious offshore adventurers who prioritize seakeeping ability and long-range capability over coastal day sailing. As the name suggests, this vessel is oriented toward extended ocean voyaging, making it a compelling option for sailors planning extended passages or circumnavigations. With limited specification data readily available, the Ocean Cruising 40 remains something of a niche vessel, which itself speaks to a dedicated following among experienced bluewater sailors who tend to favor function and reliability over mainstream appeal. Boats in this category typically emphasize robust construction, a comfortable below-decks layout for living aboard during long passages, and a sail plan that balances performance with ease of short-handed sailing. For those researching a capable offshore cruiser, the Ocean Cruising 40 warrants a closer look, particularly for buyers willing to dig deeper into owner communities and first-hand accounts to uncover the full picture. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out a thorough survey and connect with current owners to better understand this boat's real-world performance and long-term cruising credentials.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.16 ft / 12.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
Beam 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Max Draft 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Displacement 20,200.00 lb / 9,163 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Hank Hinckley
Builder Ocean Cruising/Hinckley
First Built 1979
Number Built 40
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
135
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
32.18
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
295.5
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. 8.2 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 4.33 ft / 1.32 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 721.00 ft² / 66.98 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 37
Fuel Capacity 60 gals / 227 L
Water Capacity 190 gals / 719 L
How It Compares

vs. Cs 395, Gulfstar 40 Hood, Tartan 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
40.2 ft
Cs 395
40.2 ft
Gulfstar 40 Hood
40.2 ft
Tartan 40
40.3 ft
LWL
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
31.3 ft
Cs 395
31.1 ft
Gulfstar 40 Hood
32.3 ft
Tartan 40
31.6 ft
Beam
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
12.3 ft
Cs 395
12.7 ft
Gulfstar 40 Hood
11.3 ft
Tartan 40
12.7 ft
Displacement
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
20 lbs
Cs 395
12 lbs
Gulfstar 40 Hood
24 lbs
Tartan 40
17 lbs
Ballast
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
6 lbs
Cs 395
5 lbs
Gulfstar 40 Hood
12 lbs
Tartan 40
7 lbs
Sail Area
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
933 sq ft
Gulfstar 40 Hood
766 sq ft
Tartan 40
727 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
135 s/nm
Cs 395
Gulfstar 40 Hood
113 s/nm
Tartan 40
105 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
27.4
Gulfstar 40 Hood
14.8
Tartan 40
17.5
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
19.8
Gulfstar 40 Hood
42.2
Tartan 40
26.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
2.18
Gulfstar 40 Hood
1.57
Tartan 40
1.97
Hull Speed
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
7.5 kts
Gulfstar 40 Hood
7.6 kts
Tartan 40
7.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Ocean Cruising 40 ★
Cs 395
3.4
Gulfstar 40 Hood
1.5
Tartan 40
2.3
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