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Stevens 40
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Grand Harbour Yachts (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Stevens 40

Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens firm in 1982, this Taiwan-built 40-footer represents classic ocean cruising design principles at their finest. The Stevens 40 combines traditional styling with proven seaworthiness, making it an excellent choice for serious coastal and offshore cruising. Built by Grand Harbour Yachts in Taiwan during the early 1980s, the Stevens 40 features robust fiberglass construction with a comfortable 31.6 comfort ratio that speaks to its seakindly motion in challenging conditions. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crews to easily adjust sail combinations for varying wind conditions during extended passages. With a displacement of 24,000 pounds and 7,530 pounds of ballast, this design prioritizes stability and load-carrying capacity over racing performance. The moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 14.81 indicates a boat that will perform well in moderate to fresh conditions while maintaining manageable power in heavy weather. The capsize screening formula of 1.7 falls well within the range considered suitable for offshore work. The keel/centerboard configuration offers an intriguing blend of deep-water performance and shoal-draft accessibility, making this boat equally at home crossing oceans or exploring shallow cruising grounds. This versatility, combined with Sparkman & Stephens' reputation for creating dependable cruising designs, makes the Stevens 40 a compelling choice for experienced sailors seeking a capable long-distance cruiser.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.58 ft / 12.37 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.92 ft / 9.73 m
Beam 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Min Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 24,000.00 lb / 10,886 kg
Ballast 7,530.00 lb / 3,416 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 767.00 ft² / 71.26 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Grand Harbour Yachts (TAIWAN)
First Built 1982
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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
 14.81
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
 31.38
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
 329.44
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
 38.2
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
 1.7
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. 7.57 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
 1.38
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. 1,397.16 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. 14.84
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 52.00 ft / 15.85 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.45 ft / 5.01 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 45.45 ft / 13.85 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
SA Fore 427.70 ft² / 39.73 m²
SA Main 340.88 ft² / 31.67 m²
SA Total (100%) 768.58 ft² / 71.40 m²
Est. Forestay Length 54.54 ft / 16.62 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 44
Fuel Capacity 72 gals / 273 L
Water Capacity 156 gals / 591 L
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