The Pacific Seacraft 40 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Pacific Seacraft 40, a canoe-sterned heavy-displacement cutter, was designed by Bill Crealock and built in the USA by Conyplex Pacific Seacraft.

'Salacia', a Pacific Seacraft 40 cruising yacht

A Pacific Seacraft 40 cutter

Published Specification for the Pacific Seacraft 40

Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & Skeg-hung Rudder

Hull Material: GRP

Length Overall: 42'2" (12.85 m)

Waterline Length: 31' 3" (9.53 m)

Beam: 12'5" (3.79 m)

Draft: 6' 1" (1.85 m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 24,000 lb (10,886 kg)

Designer: Bill Crealock

Builder: Conyplex Pacific Seacraft (USA)

Year First Built: 1997

Published Design Ratios for the Pacific Seacraft 40

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 16.3

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: 35.8

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 351

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 37.5

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: 1.7

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

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Pacific Seacraft 40

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.3 suggests that the Pacific Seacraft 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 35.8 means that the Pacific Seacraft 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 351, tells us the Pacific Seacraft 40 is in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 37.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Pacific Seacraft 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 1.7 tells us that a Pacific Seacraft 40 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.