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Three Seas 40
Designer: Ted Brewer  ·  Builder: Tree Seas/Cc Chen  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Three Seas 40

Designed for serious bluewater passagemaking, the Three Seas 40 is a capable offshore cruising sailboat built to handle demanding conditions far from shore. With a name that evokes voyaging across open ocean, this vessel was conceived with the long-distance sailor in mind, offering the kind of seakeeping ability and structural integrity that blue-water passages demand. While detailed specifications for this model remain limited in public records, the Three Seas 40 falls within a size range widely regarded as a sweet spot for shorthanded offshore cruising — large enough to carry meaningful provisions and gear for extended passages, yet manageable for a couple or small crew. Boats of this type typically emphasize stability, comfortable motion in a seaway, and practical below-deck layouts suited to life aboard during lengthy voyages. Prospective buyers researching the Three Seas 40 would do well to seek out owner forums and survey reports, as firsthand accounts often reveal the nuances of a lesser-documented model. If you're drawn to a capable, purpose-built cruiser that prioritizes seaworthiness over flashy performance numbers, the Three Seas 40 is worth a closer look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
Beam 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 22,175.00 lb / 10,058 kg
Ballast 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 813.00 ft² / 75.53 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Brewer
Builder Tree Seas/CC Chen
First Built 1986
Owner Reviews

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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
16.54
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
31.38
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
1.83
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. 7.93
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. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Hunter 40 1, Irwin 38 2, Lancer 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Three Seas 40 ★
40.0 ft
Hunter 40 1
40.0 ft
Irwin 38 2
40.0 ft
Lancer 40
40.0 ft
LWL
Three Seas 40 ★
35.0 ft
Hunter 40 1
34.6 ft
Irwin 38 2
32.5 ft
Lancer 40
33.7 ft
Beam
Three Seas 40 ★
12.8 ft
Hunter 40 1
13.5 ft
Irwin 38 2
12.3 ft
Lancer 40
12.0 ft
Displacement
Three Seas 40 ★
22 lbs
Hunter 40 1
18 lbs
Irwin 38 2
20 lbs
Lancer 40
15 lbs
Ballast
Three Seas 40 ★
8 lbs
Hunter 40 1
7 lbs
Irwin 38 2
7 lbs
Lancer 40
4 lbs
Sail Area
Three Seas 40 ★
813 sq ft
Hunter 40 1
762 sq ft
Irwin 38 2
771 sq ft
Lancer 40
689 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Three Seas 40 ★
16.5
Hunter 40 1
17.4
Irwin 38 2
16.8
Lancer 40
17.8
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Three Seas 40 ★
31.4
Hunter 40 1
24.5
Irwin 38 2
31.6
Lancer 40
24.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Three Seas 40 ★
1.83
Hunter 40 1
2.05
Irwin 38 2
1.81
Lancer 40
1.93
Hull Speed
Three Seas 40 ★
7.9 kts
Hunter 40 1
7.9 kts
Irwin 38 2
7.6 kts
Lancer 40
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Three Seas 40 ★
Hunter 40 1
Irwin 38 2
2.1
Lancer 40
3.0
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