The Wilderness 40 is and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.0′, the Wilderness 40 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ LWL = 7.6 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
80s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Ballast / Displacement
44.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
123
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Wilderness 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Santa Cruz 40
Wilderness 40
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Intrepid 40
Endeavour 40
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Wilderness 40.
| Wilderness 40 | Endeavour 40 | Intrepid 40 | Lancer 40 | Santa Cruz 40 | Tartan 40 Offshore | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 |
| LWL | 32.0 | 32.0 | 32.8 | 33.7 | 36.0 | 36.0 |
| Beam | 12.0 | 13.0 | 12.6 | 12.0 | 12.0 | 13.3 |
| Displacement | 9 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 26 |
| Ballast | 3 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| Sail Area | — | 788 | 749 | 689 | 734 | 788 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 80 | 147 | 125 | — | 48 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 14.8 | 16.3 | 17.8 | 24.6 | 14.4 |
| Bal/Disp | 44.1 | 36.0 | — | — | — | — |
| Comfort | — | 36.9 | 30.5 | 24.6 | 15.9 | 34.3 |
| Capsize | — | 1.78 | 1.86 | 1.93 | 2.20 | 1.80 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.0 |