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Tripp 40
Designer: William Tripp, Iii  ·  Builder: Carroll Marine  ·  First built: 1990
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About the Tripp 40

Designed by the respected American naval architect Bill Tripp Jr., the Tripp 40 represents a thoughtful approach to performance cruising that has earned a loyal following among sailors who refuse to compromise between speed and comfort. Tripp's design philosophy consistently favored clean, efficient hull forms with strong offshore capability, and the Tripp 40 reflects that sensibility throughout. Well-suited for bluewater passages and extended coastal cruising, this boat carries a reputation for being both capable in challenging conditions and rewarding to sail in lighter air. The hull lines suggest a balanced performer that tracks well offshore while remaining manageable for short-handed crews — a combination that appeals to liveaboards and serious passage-makers alike. While detailed specifications are limited in available records, the Tripp 40 is generally regarded as a refined and seaworthy design that benefits from the attention to detail Tripp brought to all his work. Prospective buyers researching this model would do well to inspect individual examples carefully, as build quality and outfitting can vary. Overall, it remains a compelling option for sailors seeking a capable, elegant bluewater cruiser with genuine pedigree behind its design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.25 ft / 12.27 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
Beam 12.08 ft / 3.68 m
Max Draft 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Displacement 12,450.00 lb / 5,647 kg
Ballast 5,600.00 lb / 2,540 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 804.00 ft² / 74.69 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Tripp, III
Builder Carroll Marine
First Built 1990
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
45
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
24.03
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
19.05
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
2.09
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
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
4.7
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
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 51.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.5
SA Fore 332.5
SA Main 471.75
How It Compares

vs. Farr 1220, J/122, Olson 40

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tripp 40 ★
40.3 ft
Farr 1220
40.0 ft
J/122
40.1 ft
Olson 40
40.3 ft
LWL
Tripp 40 ★
35.0 ft
Farr 1220
33.6 ft
J/122
34.0 ft
Olson 40
36.0 ft
Beam
Tripp 40 ★
12.1 ft
Farr 1220
12.5 ft
J/122
12.8 ft
Olson 40
11.3 ft
Displacement
Tripp 40 ★
12 lbs
Farr 1220
13 lbs
J/122
15 lbs
Olson 40
10 lbs
Ballast
Tripp 40 ★
5 lbs
Farr 1220
5 lbs
J/122
6 lbs
Olson 40
5 lbs
Sail Area
Tripp 40 ★
804 sq ft
Farr 1220
J/122
780 sq ft
Olson 40
720 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tripp 40 ★
45 s/nm
Farr 1220
81 s/nm
J/122
33 s/nm
Olson 40
51 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tripp 40 ★
24.0
Farr 1220
J/122
19.2
Olson 40
24.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tripp 40 ★
Farr 1220
43.9 %
J/122
42.8 %
Olson 40
53.1 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tripp 40 ★
19.1
Farr 1220
J/122
28.7
Olson 40
16.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tripp 40 ★
2.09
Farr 1220
J/122
1.59
Olson 40
2.08
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tripp 40 ★
Farr 1220
157
J/122
149
Olson 40
99
Hull Speed
Tripp 40 ★
7.9 kts
Farr 1220
J/122
9.6 kts
Olson 40
8.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tripp 40 ★
4.7
Farr 1220
J/122
Olson 40
5.4
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