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Panic 40
Designer: Robert Nickerson  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Panic 40

Relatively little documentation has survived about the Panic 40, leaving this vessel somewhat shrouded in mystery for today's researchers. What the name and size class suggest, however, is a performance-oriented sailboat likely designed with spirited offshore or coastal racing in mind — a 40-foot hull sits squarely in the competitive range favored by serious amateur and club racers looking for a capable, responsive platform. Without detailed specifications on hand, prospective buyers would be well advised to seek out original builder documentation, class association records, or owner communities who may hold valuable firsthand knowledge about the boat's handling characteristics, construction quality, and typical maintenance demands. Boats in this size range from comparable eras often offer a compelling blend of racing capability and passagemaking practicality, making them attractive to sailors who want versatility without sacrificing performance. If you're researching the Panic 40 as a potential purchase, connecting with previous owners or surveyors familiar with the design will be essential to understanding its true strengths and weaknesses. As more information becomes available, Keel Index will update this profile accordingly.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.03 ft / 12.20 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.43 ft / 10.80 m
Beam 9.84 ft / 3.00 m
Max Draft 6.89 ft / 2.10 m
Displacement 7,716.00 lb / 3,500 kg
Ballast 1,543.00 lb / 700 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Nickerson
First Built 1981
Last Built 1983
Number Built 8
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

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Performance Ratios
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
20.0
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
77.45
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. 7.47 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 23.31
P (Mainsail Luff) 567.00 ft² / 52.68 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 77.45
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 40, Intrepid 40, Lancer 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Panic 40 ★
40.0 ft
Endeavour 40
40.0 ft
Intrepid 40
40.0 ft
Lancer 40
40.0 ft
LWL
Panic 40 ★
35.4 ft
Endeavour 40
32.0 ft
Intrepid 40
32.8 ft
Lancer 40
33.7 ft
Beam
Panic 40 ★
9.8 ft
Endeavour 40
13.0 ft
Intrepid 40
12.6 ft
Lancer 40
12.0 ft
Displacement
Panic 40 ★
7 lbs
Endeavour 40
25 lbs
Intrepid 40
20 lbs
Lancer 40
15 lbs
Ballast
Panic 40 ★
1 lbs
Endeavour 40
9 lbs
Intrepid 40
7 lbs
Lancer 40
4 lbs
Sail Area
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
788 sq ft
Intrepid 40
749 sq ft
Lancer 40
689 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
147 s/nm
Intrepid 40
125 s/nm
Lancer 40
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
14.8
Intrepid 40
16.3
Lancer 40
17.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Panic 40 ★
20.0 %
Endeavour 40
36.0 %
Intrepid 40
Lancer 40
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
36.9
Intrepid 40
30.5
Lancer 40
24.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.78
Intrepid 40
1.86
Lancer 40
1.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Panic 40 ★
77
Endeavour 40
340
Intrepid 40
Lancer 40
Hull Speed
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
7.6 kts
Intrepid 40
7.7 kts
Lancer 40
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Panic 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.3
Intrepid 40
2.1
Lancer 40
3.0
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