The Ross 40 Tm is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 35.5′, the Ross 40 Tm tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √35.5′ LWL = 8.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
27.0
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
42.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
106
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
16.2
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.19
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Ross 40 Tm sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Schock 41
65s/nm
Frers 41
72s/nm
Swan 411
87s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.8 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.4 |
6.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.6 |
7.0 |
7.9 |
8.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.2 |
6.5 |
7.3 |
7.9 |
| Run150–180° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts),
SA/D (27.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Ross 40 Tm — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Ross 40 Tm.
|
Ross 40 Tm |
Cc 41 |
Farr 40 One Design |
Frers 41 |
Schock 41 |
Swan 411 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.7 |
40.8 |
40.7 |
40.5 |
40.8 |
40.8 |
| LWL |
35.5 |
33.3 |
35.3 |
31.6 |
32.2 |
33.6 |
| Beam |
12.0 |
12.9 |
13.2 |
13.1 |
12.9 |
11.9 |
| Displacement |
10 |
17 |
10 |
15 |
15 |
23 |
| Ballast |
4 |
8 |
4 |
6 |
7 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
811 |
812 |
1 |
775 |
802 |
873 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
72 |
65 |
87 |
| SA/Disp |
27.0 |
19.4 |
36.2 |
19.6 |
20.5 |
17.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
42.5 |
45.7 |
45.5 |
41.4 |
47.5 |
40.8 |
| Comfort |
16.2 |
25.2 |
14.7 |
23.4 |
23.3 |
37.9 |
| Capsize |
2.19 |
1.99 |
2.39 |
2.08 |
2.06 |
1.66 |
| Hull Speed |
8.0 |
7.7 |
8.0 |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.8 |