The Caliber 40 LRC Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Caliber 40 LRC (Long Range Cruiser) was designed by Michael McCreary and built in the USA by Caliber Yachts.

'Lost Loon', a Caliber 40 LRC SE (Special Equipment)

Published Specification for the Caliber 40 LRC

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 40'11" (12.5m)

Waterline Length: 32'6" (9.9m)

Beam: 12'8" (3.9m)

Draft: 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 21,600lb (9,798kg)

Designer: Michael McCreary

Builder: Caliber Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1995

Published Design Ratios for the Caliber 40 LRC

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.3

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 44.0

Displacement/Length Ratio: 281

Comfort Ratio: 32.4

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Caliber 40 LRC

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.3 suggests that the Caliber 40 LRC will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 44.0 means that the Caliber 40 LRC will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 281, tells us the Caliber 40 LRC just makes it into the heavy displacement cruising boat category. 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 32.4 suggests that crew comfort of a Caliber 40 LRC 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 Caliber 40 LRC would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.

The Caliber 40 LRC Sailboat: A Well-Built Cruiser for Long-Distance Voyages

If you are looking for a sailboat that can take you across oceans in comfort and safety, you might want to consider the Caliber 40 LRC. This boat, designed by Michael McCreary and built by Caliber Yachts since 1995, is a sturdy and spacious cruiser that has earned a reputation for its quality and performance. In this article, we will give you an overview of the Caliber 40 LRC sailing boat, its accommodation, hull and deck, mast and rigging, keel and rudder, and some of the options and features that make it a versatile and attractive choice for recreational sailors.

Overview
The Caliber 40 LRC is a 40.92-foot cutter with a moderate displacement of 21,600 lbs. and a ballast of 9,500 lbs. It has a relatively fine entry, a straight sheer, a reverse transom, and a flat coachroof. The bowsprit and bobstay add some extra length to the waterline and provide a good anchor platform. The boat has a long cruising fin keel with a cutaway forefoot and a large "Brewer bite" that reduces wetted surface and improves maneuverability. The skeg-mounted rudder provides protection and tracking. The boat has a displacement/length ratio of 281, indicating that it has enough hull volume to carry the necessary cruising stores. It also has a high limit of positive stability of 138 degrees, well above the minimum of 120 degrees for offshore sailing.

The Caliber 40 LRC has a projected cruising range of 1,484 miles when motoring at 7 knots with a Yanmar 50 diesel running at 2,500 rpm. The boat has expanded tankage for fuel and water, with 212 gallons of fuel and 179 gallons of water in four tanks each. The tanks are integrated into the hull structure to increase stiffness and reduce noise. The boat also has ample storage space in lockers, cabinets, drawers, and bins throughout the interior.

The Caliber 40 LRC is designed to sail well in various wind and sea conditions. It has a sail area/displacement ratio of 16.4, indicating that it is slightly underpowered but still capable of decent speeds. It has a cutter rig with in-mast furling for the mainsail and roller furling for the genoa and staysail. The shrouds are led to chainplates mounted inboard of the toerail, allowing for narrow sheeting angles and better upwind performance. The genoa track is close to the cabin for easy trimming. The mast is deck-stepped and supported by double spreaders and a B&R rig that eliminates the need for a backstay. The spars are made of aluminum.

The Caliber 40 LRC is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat that can handle long passages and heavy weather. It can also be used for coastal cruising or island hopping, but it may not be as agile or responsive as lighter boats in light winds or tight spaces. The boat can sail upwind at about 5-6 knots and reach up to 8 knots on a beam reach or downwind. It can tack through about 96 degrees, which is typical of moderately heavy cruising boats. It may need to be motorsailed on long coastal trips to weather.

Accommodation
The Caliber 40 LRC has a spacious and comfortable interior that can accommodate up to six people in three separate cabins. The layout is traditional and practical, with an emphasis on functionality and durability. The interior is finished in teak woodwork with white laminate surfaces and vinyl headliners. The cabin sole is teak and holly. The upholstery is blue fabric with white piping. The lighting is LED with dimmers. The ventilation is provided by opening ports, hatches, dorades, and fans.

The forward cabin has a V-berth with an insert that converts it into a double bed. There are shelves along the hull sides, drawers under the berth, lockers above the berth, and a hanging locker to starboard. There is also an access door to the anchor locker at the bow.

The forward head is located to port of the forward cabin. It has a manual marine toilet, a molded sink with hot and cold water, a shower with a curtain and sump pump, a mirror, storage cabinets, and an opening port.

The main saloon has an L-shaped settee to port that can be converted into a double berth with an insert cushion. There is a drop-leaf table in the center that can seat six people comfortably. There are shelves and lockers behind the settee and above the table. There is also an entertainment center with a TV/DVD player and stereo speakers.

The starboard settee is a straight bench that can be used as a single berth. There is a shelf behind it and a locker above it. There is also a navigation station at the aft end of the settee, with a large chart table, an electrical panel, a VHF radio, and a swivel seat.

The galley is located to port of the companionway. It has a U-shaped counter with a double stainless steel sink, a three-burner propane stove with oven, a microwave oven, a top-loading refrigerator and freezer, and plenty of storage cabinets and drawers. There is also a trash bin, a cutting board, and a spice rack.

The aft cabin is located to starboard of the companionway. It has an athwartships double berth with an access door to the engine compartment. There are shelves along the hull side, lockers above the berth, and a hanging locker to port. There is also an opening port and a hatch for ventilation.

The aft head is located to port of the aft cabin. It has a manual marine toilet, a molded sink with hot and cold water, a shower with a curtain and sump pump, a mirror, storage cabinets, and an opening port.

Hull and Deck
The hull of the Caliber 40 LRC is made of solid fiberglass with vinylester resin and gelcoat. The hull is reinforced with longitudinal stringers and transverse frames. The deck is made of balsa-cored fiberglass with vinylester resin and gelcoat. The deck is bonded to the hull with 5200 adhesive and through-bolted every six inches. The deck hardware is backed by aluminum plates.

The deck layout of the Caliber 40 LRC is simple and functional. The cockpit is large and comfortable, with high coamings, long seats, and good drainage. The cockpit has a single wheel steering system with an Edson pedestal, a Ritchie compass, and engine controls. The cockpit also has an instrument pod with Raymarine electronics, including wind, speed, depth, autopilot, GPS, and radar. There is also a folding cockpit table, cup holders, speakers, and cockpit cushions.

The cockpit has two large lockers to port and starboard for storage of sails, lines, fenders, etc. There is also a lazarette locker at the stern for storage of propane tanks, dinghy motor, etc. There is also an access hatch to the steering quadrant and rudder post.

The cockpit has a dodger and bimini with connector for protection from sun and rain. There are also side curtains and screens for added comfort. The cockpit has a stern rail with seats and lifeline gates for easy boarding. There is also a fold-down swim ladder at the transom.

The deck has wide side decks with molded-in nonskid for safe movement forward. The deck has stainless steel handrails along the cabin top and lifelines along the toerail. The deck has six mooring cleats and four chocks for docking lines. The deck also has two dorade vents for ventilation.

The foredeck has an anchor locker with an electric windlass and two anchors: a 45-lb CQR with 200 feet of chain and 150 feet of rode, and a 35-lb Danforth with 50 feet of chain and 200 feet of rode. The foredeck also has two bow rollers for easy anchoring.

The cabin top has two primary winches: two electric Lewmar 48 ST for the genoa sheets. The cabin top also has two secondary winches: two manual Lewmar 30 ST for the mainsail sheet and traveler control lines. The cabin top also has two line clutches: one Spinlock XTS for the mainsail furling line and one Spinlock XAS for the staysail furling line.

Mast and Rigging
The mast of the Caliber 40 LRC is made of aluminum with double spreaders. It is deck-stepped on a compression post that transfers the load to the keel. The mast has in-mast furling for the mainsail.

The mast has two halyard winches: one electric Lewmar 40 ST for the mainsail halyard and one manual Lewmar 16 ST for the staysail halyard. The mast also has two cleats for securing the halyards.

The boom of the Caliber 40 LRC is made of aluminum with internal reefing lines for the mainsail. The boom has an outhaul line that leads to the cockpit.

The rigging of the Caliber 40 LRC is made of stainless steel wire with swaged terminals. The rigging includes upper shrouds, lower shrouds, intermediate shrouds, forestay, inner forestay, running backstays, checkstays, vang, topping lift, bobstay, whisker pole lift, and whisker pole downhaul.

Keel and Rudder
The keel of the Caliber 40 LRC is a long cruising fin with a cutaway forefoot and a large "Brewer bite" that reduces wetted surface and improves maneuverability. The keel is made of lead and encapsulated in fiberglass. The keel has a draft of 5.08 feet and a ballast of 9,500 lbs. The keel provides stability and lift for the boat.

The rudder of the Caliber 40 LRC is skeg-mounted that provides protection and tracking. The rudder is made of fiberglass with a stainless steel stock and a bronze shoe. The rudder has a balanced design that reduces the helm pressure. The rudder is connected to the wheel by a cable and chain system.

The keel and rudder of the Caliber 40 LRC are designed to work together to provide good performance and handling in various wind and sea conditions. The boat can point well upwind, turn easily, and track steadily downwind. The boat can also handle heavy weather and waves with confidence and comfort.

Conclusion
The Caliber 40 LRC sailboat is a well-built cruiser that can take you on long-distance voyages in comfort and safety. It has a sturdy and spacious hull and deck, a cutter rig with in-mast furling, a long cruising fin keel with a skeg-mounted rudder, and a spacious and comfortable interior with three separate cabins. It has expanded tankage for fuel and water, ample storage space, and quality equipment and fittings. It is designed to sail well in various wind and sea conditions, and to handle heavy weather and waves with confidence and comfort. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat, but it can also be used for coastal cruising or island hopping.

If you are looking for a sailboat that can take you across oceans in comfort and safety, you might want to consider the Caliber 40 LRC yacht. It is a versatile and attractive choice for recreational sailors who want to explore the world on their own terms.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.