The Bayfield 40 Sailboat

Published Specification for the Bayfield 40

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 45'6" (13.9m) including bowsprit

Waterline Length: 30'6" (9.3m)

Beam: 12'0" (3.7m)

Draft: 4'11" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Staysail ketch

Displacement: 21,000lb (9,526kg)

Designer: Hayden Gozzard

Builder: Bayfield Boatyard (Canada)

Year First Built: 1982

Published Design Ratios for the Bayfield 40

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.9

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 35.1

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 291

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 30.7

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

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Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bayfield 40

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.9 suggests that the Bayfield 40 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 35.1 means that unless the bulk of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, the Bayfield 40 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 291, tells us the Bayfield 40 is clearly a heavy displacement cruising boat. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 30.7 suggests that crew comfort of a Bayfield 40 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Bayfield 40 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.