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Scanmar 40
Designer: Rolf Magnusson  ·  Builder: Börjesson Brothers (Swe)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Scanmar 40

Built by Sweden's Börjesson Brothers between 1986 and 1991, this Rolf Magnusson-designed 40-footer represents thoughtful Scandinavian cruising yacht engineering from an era when quality often trumped quantity. With only 20 hulls produced during its five-year production run, the Scanmar 40 remains a relatively rare find on today's market. The yacht's moderate displacement of 16,536 pounds paired with a substantial 7,716-pound ballast package creates a stable platform well-suited for serious coastal and offshore cruising. Her fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling while maintaining the directional stability valued by passage-making sailors. The masthead sloop rig with 773 square feet of sail area provides adequate power without being overly demanding for a small crew. Performance-oriented cruisers will appreciate the boat's SA/Displacement ratio of 19.13, which strikes a good balance between sailing ability and comfort. The low capsize screening value of 1.99 and moderate comfort ratio of 24.26 suggest a yacht designed more for spirited sailing than heavy-weather slugging, making her ideal for experienced sailors seeking a responsive, well-built cruiser capable of handling extended coastal passages and offshore adventures with confidence.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.16 ft / 12.24 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.15 ft / 10.41 m
Beam 12.63 ft / 3.85 m
Max Draft 6.56 ft / 2.00 m
Displacement 16,536.00 lb / 7,501 kg
Ballast 7,716.00 lb / 3,500 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 773.00 ft² / 71.81 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Rolf Magnusson
Builder Börjesson Brothers (SWE)
First Built 1986
Last Built 1991
Number Built 20
Associations Scanmar Yacht Owners
Owner Reviews

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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
 102
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
 19.13
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
 46.66
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
 185.36
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
 24.26
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
 1.99
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. 7.83 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
 3.14
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. 1,541.13 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. 19.13
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 53.50 ft / 16.31 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.80 ft / 5.12 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 46.90 ft / 14.30 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.80 ft / 4.21 m
SA Fore 449.40 ft² / 41.75 m²
SA Main 323.61 ft² / 30.06 m²
SA Total (100%) 773.01 ft² / 71.81 m²
Est. Forestay Length 56.08 ft / 17.09 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model 2003T
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 34 gals / 129 L
Water Capacity 106 gals / 401 L
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