Designed by the legendary C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine for just two years in the early 1970s, this rare Cal represents a brief but notable chapter in California yacht building. With only 14 hulls ever produced, the Cal 43 stands as one of the more exclusive entries in the Cal fleet, embodying Lapworth's signature approach to performance-oriented cruising designs. The boat's specifications reveal a well-balanced platform suited for serious coastal and offshore sailing. Her moderate displacement of 20,000 pounds combined with 8,000 pounds of ballast creates a stable foundation, while the fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling characteristics typical of Lapworth's racing-influenced designs. The masthead sloop rig provides versatile sail handling options for various conditions. With a comfort ratio of 33.62, she falls into the moderate range that appeals to sailors seeking a blend of performance and livability. The capsize screening value of 1.7 indicates good stability for offshore work, making her suitable for extended coastal cruising and capable blue water passages. Her fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, though finding parts or sister ships for comparison may prove challenging given the limited production run.
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What is the Cal 43's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Cal 43 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 18.14. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Cal 43's comfort ratio?
The Cal 43 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.62. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Cal 43 safe for offshore sailing?
The Cal 43 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.7. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Cal 43?
The theoretical hull speed of the Cal 43 is 7.64 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Cal 43 weigh?
The Cal 43 has a displacement of 20,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.65 ft.
Who designed the Cal 43?
The Cal 43 was designed by C. William Lapworth, first built in 1971.