The Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 36.1′, the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 tops out around 8.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √36.1′ LWL = 8.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
14.0
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
32.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
209
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
28.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.89
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
28.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.89
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Centurion 40
111s/nm
Wauquiez 33
143s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.1 kts),
SA/D (14.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40.
|
Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 40 |
Centurion 32 Wauquiez |
Centurion 40 |
Wauquiez 33 |
Wauquiez 43 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.7 |
32.0 |
39.6 |
33.0 |
— |
| LWL |
36.1 |
— |
32.8 |
27.3 |
— |
| Beam |
13.3 |
— |
13.4 |
11.0 |
— |
| Displacement |
22 |
— |
20 |
11 |
— |
| Ballast |
7 |
— |
7 |
4 |
— |
| Sail Area |
686 |
— |
1 |
514 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
111 |
143 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
14.0 |
— |
23.4 |
16.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
32.0 |
— |
37.9 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
28.7 |
— |
29.3 |
24.1 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.89 |
— |
1.95 |
1.98 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.1 |
— |
7.7 |
7.0 |
— |