Top Five 40 Foot Sailboats - Ep 213 - Lady K Sailing 

Tim Tim Tim…I don’t think anyone minds at all the vids lasting 20 min…as for me, I could watch an hour of your very well researched opinions. Well done! Thank you!

Nordic 40, Baltic 40, Sabre 38, Bermuda 40, swan 42 MKII

The best 40-footer is the one that you actually own and have put some sweat equity into.

We found our 40ish in 2019. We saw her in the spring on the hard as we were driving into the boat yard prepping our boat for the season. We both had the same reaction……I could live on that boat! We wondered what it was? Well, we discovered it was an Islander Freeport 41 Ketch, 1978. Holy crap, it’s a floating condo! We bought it in the fall, she wasn’t for sale, have been fitting her out for us, and am leaving for the Bahamas summer 23.

Your similes and metaphors rock! There's nothing wrong with you doing a video this long because you get right to it and, with one neat, solid, declarative sentence after the other combined with a nice cadence; deliver a lot of informative, interesting, reasonable content without resorting to fast-talking or hyperbole. I think it would be a good idea to do a Part Two with several honorable mentions of very good boats that do not crack the top 5.

The legend looks perfect for my size family! Now to convince them this is what we need to do 😆

We have and love a Hunter 430 legend. This is a bit bigger and wider (14) and provides lots of room, but can still be single handed and has a 4'11" draft. I know you have shown pictures of the the interior, it's striking.

Freedom 40/40. A remarkable boat that no one knows for $100K

I always look forward to your videos, informative, entertaining and from an point of experience.

I enjoy your videos and your passion comes across so well. Keep up the good work! It's good for folks to know that sometimes "you get what you pay for" and be prepared to replace and fix stuff for an older boat. For me, I prefer the new innovations of boats designed after 2000.

Really happy you put the Passport in there. I drool every time I see one for sale. Great offshore lay out but look like they still offer all the comfort you would want to live aboard. Also offer a nice Pullman berth set up 👍

My family had a 42 ft. Christ Craft when I was a kid. Dad had a plaque on the bull head that read. Definition of a boat……it a hole in the water you through money into! LOL!!

Great channel and advice for those new to sailing Thanks for posting

Perfect timing. We’re researching the next step….upgrading from 32ft to become full time live aboard circumnavigates in next few years. Thinking 38-45ft

Valiant 42 and PSC 40 should definitely be on this list.

I have a buddy and he owned a legend. The interior layout was great but the cockpit had the most uncomfortable seating I've ever sat apon. There's no back support and after awhile it started to hurt. Also it was a chore to load anything into the boat with that awkward step up before the hatchboards, so It was a multi step process to get groceries into. A great boat for sailing and weekends but not a choice I'd make for permanent cruising. My favourite 40 footer is my boat. There's a lot I love about my Hughes 40 ketch, deep comfortable centre cockpit, shallow keel, blue water boat, every seat is comfortable...not to mention it's heavily modified with a layout change, lots of solar and electric propulsion 😉.

thanks Tim for the very insightful video... was researching this exact topic before picking the Hunter 40.5 Legend. The updated design to the 40 legend has a lot of important upgrades (bulb led keel vs steel, better quality construction and still maintains the backstay as the last generation of Hunters that did so). on top of that offers 6' 8" headroom, 5' draft yet a hull speed going almost 9kn (did +10kn surfng...).

You do a Awsome job breaking these boats down. I've lived aboard 37 yrs. 53 foot Spencer Ketch.. Winter/ summer . You know your boats thank you for your insight .. always lots to learn.

Great video. I did the Delmarva on an IP 40 with the Maryland School of Sailing and was fortunate enough to be with Capt. Tom Tursi. Got into some rough weather coming back up the Chesapeake and it was solid. It would be great if you could do a video on 40-45' Cats.

Thank you for your professional choice, Sir. It helps Europans like me, to get a first orientation about American boats. All five are beautiful ships, that make you feel home at once.

I have a Beneteau 393 that I really like! Fast, great layout and under 40 feet to keep cost very reasonable.

I had a 1997 Hunter legend 40.5 that I sailed on during Covid. Sold it and moved to Thailand when the borders opened a couple of years or so back. But I miss that boat very much. Super comfortable and easy to solo sail. Very beamy and a shallow draft. It was pretty quick too and great to spend a couple of years sailing the Aussie east coast on.

I think we're all enjoying you lining up boats based on any criteria at all. I was talking with Kyle my fellow Hunter 45 compadre in my harbor. We just love our boats, the more time we spend on them, the more we love them. Nevertheless we'd go out in the rain to look at just about any other boat. I think I've noticed a trend in your videos, as much as the model of a boat, it's those from he 80s where you gush about wood work. I noticed this too. 2021 Annapolis, all new boats... looked like Ikea -- even the ones I really liked. (The wood work I remember from Anapolis? just the few simple but nice, and real wood details, on my friend George's Hunter (not in the show). It's obvious why the older boats are nicer. Computer cutting and milling machines do great with complex shapes (every part of a boat) and Ikea materials. When I was doing carpentry, I've custom cut things to fit in odd places, but not boat shape odd -- always took 4 times longer and still never came out right. (I know all the tricks, but I've never figured out how boat cabinetmakers did it so well.) I'd suggest buying the best newest boat you can, but go crawl around a boat grave yard, find some doors and details incorporate them into your boat. The big new cat I wanted to buy I knew I'd have to do at least one thing-- get the dimensions for the table, a sheet of that light weight structural foam some veneer and solid wood for the edges and make my own table, or hire a good cabinetmaker. (And always round the corners even if they fold leaving V -shaped voids in the folded top. It'll never be a problem, and you'll never jab yourself sliding in.)

In the late 1970's I was a yacht Broker in MDR, CA. I was a Morgan dealer and owned a 38 Morgan. Loved the boat. It was a great boat for cruising the west coast of the US and Mexico. It was easy to single-hand and a forgiving boat in heavy weather.

I totally agree that Island Packet is the Rolls Royce of sail boats. I've owned 2 in my life and if someone has the means to do so I strongly recommend the IP-40. If I ever win the lotto I would buy the 50 footer. These boats out live many of their owners.

ALL of these boats are in another universe when it comes to their pricing. Wait a year.

Great video! The Passport 40 is unarguably one of the best blue water cruiser’s ever made

Living on a Columbia 41 for 13 years now, easy sailing by myself, and plenty of room. Very solid boat, although she does always need elbow grease. I'm always looking for ways to improve her. She is pretty old being a 1972 model, so the work that has been done by previous owners needed to be undone or finished. And as you sail along new things always come up. Southward direction is my dream, way too many winters up here...sure is nice in the summer though.

Thanks again Tim I really love your format and channel

Thank you. Now I’m facing the right direction pursuing my sailboat. 👍

Yeahhhhhhhhh, finally a Morgan and can you believe, my favorite Morgan. Love your work. Keep them comming.

The Morgans make excellent affordable cruisers. I have met many friends cruising on boats 36 to my own 461, and ALL were happy...especially those who had the funds to upgrade to a new engine. The majority are Bamamas friendly, all are unabashedly cruiser oriented and forgiving boats with good displacement equalling comfort and storage. Some even surprise, like the late 41 out island "classic" with an improved fin keel for upwind clawing. An excellent, budget friendly group of boats for cruisers on a tighter budget. Also of note, although rare, is the smaller Islander Freeport 36/38, with a pullman double and forward head plus a gorgeous raised salon and views...I got my son to buy this as his cruiser and we both love it. Safe deep cockpit with surprising sailing performance...again though best to find one with an updated motor.

Thanks for the consideration of the Hunter 40 legend. I love my 1988 for east coast cruising. Hope to see you out here.

Another great video! Thanks again for assistance during our consult last month. Sadly, we didn’t buy the any of the boats we talk about. We are going for a Hunter Legend 37 or 40; just need to find the right one.

Valiant 40,is my favorite

Woo hoo Tim! That’s Joann’s boat at 6:48. She and I are working together in boot key harbor, marathon, fl. For this cruising season. I hope to go to the Bahamas again this fall. It’s a small world! Take a cruise from CA and come down south again. Peace love and adventure. Wes. Albin Vega 27.

Love the long vids mate!!!! Keep them coming thick and fast

Good for you, Tim, for wrestling the bear. I am certain you will hear from "what about-ers", and I see you have! I think your choices here are well-informed and well-founded. How about a segment on "small production run" boats? We sailed N and S America for 7 years in our Contessa 38. Only 9 were built, and we had to do a lot of research prior to purchasing, but she came through the toughest challenges on earth unscathed. Now, we have a Gilbert 30+, also tiny production run of 9 (Canadian-made), for coastal cruising the WA/BC/Alaska waters. We had never heard of the boat prior to finding her, and we are certain there are other smaller-run production boats out there, which folks might consider.

The 2001 Benetuae 411 was a favorite of mine , Did a lot of miles with NO down time ,A folding kiwi prop & good sails , Clean bottom no slouch to , If you can get a 2 cabin version even better & same goes for the earlier Januaes 2000 era .

1990 Endeavour 42 Center Cockpit, ..... Sugar scoop stern... Amazing boat! Edit: If you can find 1 for sale!

Thanks again!

I have been looking in the 35 - 40’ range. If one is going to use marinas more than rarely and you aren’t going to have guests then a well laid out 35’ would do. However, alot of 35’s are not suited for a couple to spend the winter in the islands on. Liveability also depends on the size of the tanks as well as layout. Maybe you could do a video on 35’ - 38’ livable cruisers for those who want to save a bit on dockage and haul out fees.

I like my ‘22 Beneteau Oceanis 40.1, but (depending how shaky the global economy gets) I suspect it will will still be a bit until the criteria about budget friendliness applies to getting one. If you want to test it in the San Juan’s, it’s in a charter fleet there. I book it 6 weeks owner use, which seems about right for me while I’m still working for a living😊

Well done. Thank you.

The very best is a 42' colvin gazelle junk rig schooner built in aluminum i lived on one for over 20 years had her in 50 kt head winds with 24 ' seas and she handled awesome

too funny, just saw this the day after I moved onto "Bristol Cream" now "Resfeber" (boat #2 the Bristol 43.3) - Good Luck and thanks for your efforts and hope to see you out there!

Love this guy!

As long as you're going into the upper $100s, I'd suggest the J42 for its combination of speed, seaworthiness, build quality, interior, short-handed capability, and available shoal draft. Would easily be the fastest in your group. J40 too for less money.

I have owned a 44 ft vatelina Morgan for 20 years. Love her.

I had a Whitby 42, which is well under 100k. A great vessel, that is found in harbours all over the world. My neighbour solo circumnavigated his W42

Excellent video Tim. I actually like the Hunter Legend.

Great vid. I think I was a solo sailor in another life -- I love getting the stats and deets!

nailed the subject

Looking forward to your next video.

Love my 386 Pearson. Easy to sail and affordable.

thanks!

I am really liking this video format. Maybe do them on sub 28, 28 - 38, etc.

Always good material for further conversation. Would love to see you do same for those ONLY looking to cross oceans. My eyes are feasting on 3 and would love to hear your take on them. I'm refering to Tayana, yes, I.P., and Cabo Rico.

Outstanding !!!! 😎👍

The drafts. I wanna go out the Erie canal. Canada Smh. I love my Canadian neighbors. I had a 43" c&c landfall. I have seen nice Chryslers around the lakes too.

I had to laugh at " you dont want to have to invent the wheel every time you have to do something ...". Thats exactly what i have to do every time !

thanks, tim. always fun to watch your videos. are you going cruising anytime soon?

I find your videos informative and entertaining. Would love to see one about Capital Yachts Neptune 24 as I am in the process of restoration on one. Very little info about this boat.

have you reviewed Wauquiez sailboats, well built and good in high seas, a robust tested platform

I have drooled over that Passport 40AC for a few years now.....out of my price.

I have a 1977, Morgan OutIsland 41' center cockpit sloop (not ketch) Mine is called "the weekender" different below than the charter ketch. 64 perkins with 4 blade prop-its a tow boat. 220 gals fuel; 220 gals water.

Great to learn about yacht brands I’m not familiar with eg Bristol and passport

Hunter legend 40 took me by surprise!

Here we are in class at CIT, Tim! 🎬📽🙂

Freedom 40/40 Dave Pedrick design. I've had 3 different size Freedoms and won't own any other boat. Great boats.

Groovy video

I'll spot you the sailing ability of the Legend series. I found it interesting that the Passport didn't have the Pullman berth that seems most common on those. And more surprised at the swim step. I've sold a number of 382,383,384s over the years. Selling quarter berth boats is a challenge. Great cruising boat along with the Tartan 37s. I seem to have an awful lot of tall guys looking at boats. You have thoughts about that. Headroom always seems to be a secret. Always enjoyed your episodes even if I don't agree on some things.

Most inspiring. Find a boat that is manageable short and single handed, and ticks all the desired creature comfort is a full time job. What about insurance then? Most insurers hesitate insure older vessels.

This was NOT a long video. I could listen to hours of these reviews.

Really surprised you didn't talk about Catalina more. The 380 (top of my list) and the Oh so wonderful Catalina 42 MKII, which even you Tim said you'd love to have. Cheers.

What a great channel. I subscribed

I think the HR 42e definitely needs to be on this list.

Would love to see a best of TLC needed 35 to 45 boats which is sold base but needing such things as new through hulls and Standing rigging.

My favorite in the "affordable" range is the Pearson 424.

A few boats that come to mind is the Tartan 37 or the Pearson 38.

Thanks for making the video. Truly do like the Hunter 40 legend. For the price is hard to beat. My very experienced sailing friend to his to Bulgaria from the Dominican Republic. The boat performed well for its weight and size.

This may ruffle some feathers, but what about the Hunter 41DS?! This boat really appeals to me as a retiring gentleman who would like to sail the gulf/Caribbean with comfort and a bit of speed?! And yes, I’m considering the 40 legend as well as the 420 passage. Which would you recommend?!

We have an Acapulco 40 and love it .

I might add a Pacific Seacraft to this list (37 or 40), but also in the $150-200k range...

I agree with reo below, the Pearson 422 or 424 is worth considering. So much available for under $100k-ish.

Sadly Charlie Morgan passed this week. He was very involved in the local Tampa Bay sailing scene.including the Morgan Round up out of Davis Islands Yacht Club.

I sailed a Morgan 382 from Seattle to La Paz MX - lived on it for 7 years. Wonderful boat, good sailor. I miss it! Thanks for the reminder. Greg

Great channel. I must subscribe. 👍

As always Tim ... Well said.

Thanks, buddy for the ideas…

I grew up on a hinckley 41, but the bermuda 40s were very nice.

Your videos are not as long as you think they are, actually, they should be a tiny bit longer to SHARE your knowledge. keep the good work up and thank you, thinking in booking a session with you in the near future.

I love all the gorgeous woodwork on these older boats. I recall hearing that by around 2000 the gorgeous woodwork began giving way to white and bright interiors that seem to give up way too much character for my taste. You feel like you’re looking at an IKEA showroom. Just not for me. These look really very nice.

As a small point, the Passport 41 is a rare (9 made) variant of the 40. It features a sugar scoop instead of a conventional transom and a taller rig. I would be more than happy to have either donated to me. PM if interested.

Enjoyed the content . I am in New Zealand and looking for a nice live aboard 40 to 45 footer. I am new to the sailing life so all the tips are good to get . I have subscribed . Cheers

Varies depending on what your plans are. Passport 40 shown here is about the top of my list, but I might go for a Valiant 40 instead. If interior space is not an issue, but shoal draft is, and near ultimate build quality is valued, then Hinckley Bermuda 40 is my ultimate choice.

Nice video

Cheers

Rival Bowman 40, one of the best!

Had a Perry 41 for 20 years.Very solid blue water yacht worthy of recommending in my opinion. No osmosis (Taiwan lay-up). Would lay-a-hull well in big seas. Only dislike was Perkins 4108. Robert Perry put his name on this one only!