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Wilderness 40
Designer: Gary Mull  ·  Builder: Wilderness Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1980
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About the Wilderness 40

Designed as a capable bluewater cruiser, the Wilderness 40 is a sailboat built with serious passage-making in mind. Though detailed specifications remain limited in the broader sailing community, the boat carries a reputation as a sturdy and seaworthy offshore cruiser suited to sailors who prioritize dependability over flashiness. With its name suggesting rugged adventure, the Wilderness 40 appeals to those drawn to extended coastal and offshore voyaging, where comfort, structural integrity, and steady performance in a range of conditions matter most. The design leans toward the traditional end of the spectrum, favoring a solid, sea-kindly hull that inspires confidence when conditions deteriorate far from shore. For prospective buyers, the Wilderness 40 is worth investigating as a potential long-range cruising platform, particularly for sailors seeking a vessel that can handle demanding passages without demanding constant upgrades. As with any older or less-documented design, a thorough survey is especially important. Connecting with current owners through sailing forums and cruising communities can uncover valuable firsthand insight into the boat's real-world strengths and any recurring maintenance considerations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 40.00 ft / 12.19 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.00 ft / 9.75 m
Beam 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
Max Draft 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Displacement 9,000.00 lb / 4,082 kg
Ballast 3,969.00 lb / 1,800 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gary Mull
Builder Wilderness Yachts (USA)
First Built 1980
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
80
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
44.1
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
122.62
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. 8.23 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 22.15
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.00 ft / 4.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 597.00 ft² / 55.46 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 40, Intrepid 40, Lancer 40, Santa Cruz 40, Tartan 40 Offshore

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Wilderness 40 ★
40.0 ft
Endeavour 40
40.0 ft
Intrepid 40
40.0 ft
Lancer 40
40.0 ft
Santa Cruz 40
40.0 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
40.0 ft
LWL
Wilderness 40 ★
32.0 ft
Endeavour 40
32.0 ft
Intrepid 40
32.8 ft
Lancer 40
33.7 ft
Santa Cruz 40
36.0 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
36.0 ft
Beam
Wilderness 40 ★
12.0 ft
Endeavour 40
13.0 ft
Intrepid 40
12.6 ft
Lancer 40
12.0 ft
Santa Cruz 40
12.0 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
13.3 ft
Displacement
Wilderness 40 ★
9 lbs
Endeavour 40
25 lbs
Intrepid 40
20 lbs
Lancer 40
15 lbs
Santa Cruz 40
10 lbs
Tartan 40 Offshore
26 lbs
Ballast
Wilderness 40 ★
3 lbs
Endeavour 40
9 lbs
Intrepid 40
7 lbs
Lancer 40
4 lbs
Santa Cruz 40
5 lbs
Tartan 40 Offshore
10 lbs
Sail Area
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
788 sq ft
Intrepid 40
749 sq ft
Lancer 40
689 sq ft
Santa Cruz 40
734 sq ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
788 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Wilderness 40 ★
80 s/nm
Endeavour 40
147 s/nm
Intrepid 40
125 s/nm
Lancer 40
Santa Cruz 40
48 s/nm
Tartan 40 Offshore
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
14.8
Intrepid 40
16.3
Lancer 40
17.8
Santa Cruz 40
24.6
Tartan 40 Offshore
14.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Wilderness 40 ★
44.1 %
Endeavour 40
36.0 %
Intrepid 40
Lancer 40
Santa Cruz 40
Tartan 40 Offshore
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
36.9
Intrepid 40
30.5
Lancer 40
24.6
Santa Cruz 40
15.9
Tartan 40 Offshore
34.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.78
Intrepid 40
1.86
Lancer 40
1.93
Santa Cruz 40
2.20
Tartan 40 Offshore
1.80
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Wilderness 40 ★
122
Endeavour 40
340
Intrepid 40
Lancer 40
Santa Cruz 40
Tartan 40 Offshore
Hull Speed
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
7.6 kts
Intrepid 40
7.7 kts
Lancer 40
7.8 kts
Santa Cruz 40
8.0 kts
Tartan 40 Offshore
8.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Wilderness 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.3
Intrepid 40
2.1
Lancer 40
3.0
Santa Cruz 40
5.4
Tartan 40 Offshore
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