The Taylor 40 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.7′, the Taylor 40 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.7′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
60s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
59.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
213
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Taylor 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Santa Cruz 40
X 40
Taylor 40
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Intrepid 40
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Taylor 40.
| Taylor 40 | Intrepid 40 | Lancer 40 | Santa Cruz 40 | Taylor 40 2 | X 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 |
| LWL | 30.7 | 32.8 | 33.7 | 36.0 | 30.7 | 35.1 |
| Beam | 12.4 | 12.6 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 12.4 | 12.5 |
| Displacement | 13 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 14 | 16 |
| Ballast | 8 | 7 | 4 | 5 | — | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 749 | 689 | 734 | 735 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 60 | 125 | — | 48 | — | 48 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.3 | 17.8 | 24.6 | 19.5 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 59.7 | 36.9 | — | — | — | 43.0 |
| Comfort | — | 30.5 | 24.6 | 15.9 | 24.1 | — |
| Capsize | — | 1.86 | 1.93 | 2.20 | 2.02 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.4 | — |