The Gulfstar 40 Hood is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a gentle bluewater motion, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.3′, the Gulfstar 40 Hood tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.3′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
113s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
14.8
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
52.1%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
317
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
42.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Capsize Screening
1.57
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
42.2
Very comfortable in a seaway — a genuine bluewater motion.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.57
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Gulfstar 40 Hood sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tartan 40
105s/nm
Gulfstar 40 Hood
113s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Cape Dory 40
120s/nm
Bristol 40
132s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
6.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (14.8), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Gulfstar 40 Hood — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Gulfstar 40 Hood.
|
Gulfstar 40 Hood |
Bristol 40 |
Cape Dory 40 |
Cs 395 |
Morgan 40 Cruising Ketch |
Tartan 40 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
40.2 |
40.2 |
40.2 |
40.2 |
40.2 |
40.3 |
| LWL |
32.3 |
27.5 |
30.0 |
31.1 |
30.0 |
31.6 |
| Beam |
11.3 |
10.8 |
11.7 |
12.7 |
11.3 |
12.7 |
| Displacement |
24 |
17 |
19 |
12 |
21 |
17 |
| Ballast |
12 |
6 |
— |
5 |
8 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
766 |
694 |
778 |
933 |
700 |
727 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
113 |
132 |
120 |
— |
— |
105 |
| SA/Disp |
14.8 |
16.5 |
17.3 |
27.4 |
14.8 |
17.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
52.1 |
37.0 |
— |
44.1 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
42.2 |
36.7 |
34.6 |
19.8 |
39.1 |
26.4 |
| Capsize |
1.57 |
1.66 |
1.74 |
2.18 |
1.63 |
1.97 |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
7.0 |
7.3 |
7.5 |
7.3 |
7.5 |