Back to Search
Ross 40
Designer: Murray Ross  ·  First built: 1981
+ Add to Compare
About the Ross 40

Designed by Murray Ross and first launched in 1981, this 40-foot sailboat represents a thoughtful approach to performance cruising from the early 1980s. With its fin keel and spade rudder configuration, the Ross 40 delivers responsive handling while maintaining the stability needed for serious offshore work. The boat's proportions tell an interesting story: a moderate displacement of 10,600 pounds paired with 4,500 pounds of ballast creates a reassuring 42% ballast-to-displacement ratio, while the sail area-to-displacement ratio of 26.18 indicates spirited performance potential. The fractional sloop rig with 787 square feet of sail area provides excellent sail handling characteristics and the ability to achieve optimal sail shape across varying wind conditions. Perhaps most telling are the boat's seaworthiness indicators. The comfort ratio of 16.15 suggests quick motion in a seaway—typical of performance-oriented designs—while the capsize screening formula of 2.19 falls well within acceptable parameters for offshore sailing. This combination makes the Ross 40 particularly well-suited for coastal cruising and club racing, appealing to sailors who want both comfort and competitive capability without sacrificing blue water credentials.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.67 ft / 12.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 10,600.00 lb / 4,808 kg
Ballast 4,500.00 lb / 2,041 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 787.00 ft² / 73.11 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Murray Ross
First Built 1981
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 30
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
 26.18
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
 42.45
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
 105.77
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
 16.15
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
 2.19
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. 7.98 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
 5.52
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. 1,522.14 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. 26.16
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 45.75 ft / 13.94 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.40 ft / 4.08 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.50 ft / 15.39 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
SA Fore 306.53 ft² / 28.48 m²
SA Main 479.75 ft² / 44.57 m²
SA Total (100%) 786.28 ft² / 73.05 m²
Est. Forestay Length 47.67 ft / 14.53 m
Find a Ross 40 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace