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Ross 40 Tm
Designer: Murray Ross  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Ross 40 Tm

Designed by Murray Ross and first launched in 1981, this 40-footer represents a thoughtful approach to performance cruising from the early 1980s. The Ross 40 Tm features a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and good upwind performance, while her fractional sloop rig provides excellent sail control and versatility across varying conditions. With a displacement of 10,600 pounds and 4,500 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass yacht strikes a balanced compromise between stability and performance. Her sail area to displacement ratio of 26.98 indicates spirited sailing ability without being overly aggressive, making her well-suited for both coastal cruising and offshore passages. The comfort ratio of 16.15 suggests she'll provide a relatively easy motion at sea, while the capsize screening value of 2.19 falls within acceptable parameters for blue water sailing. The Ross 40 Tm's 35.50-foot waterline length contributes to her theoretical hull speed of nearly 8 knots, while her 12-foot beam provides adequate interior volume and initial stability. This design appeals to sailors seeking a capable cruising yacht that doesn't sacrifice sailing performance for comfort, making her suitable for extended coastal cruising and select offshore adventures.

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) 811.00 ft² / 75.34 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Murray Ross
First Built 1981
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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
 26.98
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
 5.63
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. 27
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.67 ft / 4.17 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 52.25 ft / 15.93 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
SA Fore 328.08 ft² / 30.48 m²
SA Main 483.31 ft² / 44.90 m²
SA Total (100%) 811.39 ft² / 75.38 m²
Est. Forestay Length 49.91 ft / 15.21 m
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