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.

A Caliber 40 LRC sailboat at anchor'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

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.3

  • 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: 44.0

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 281

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 32.4

  • 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

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Caliber 40 LRC

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. 

Other sailboats in the Caliber range include:


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