Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.0′, the Sovereign 40 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ 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.
Ballast / Displacement
40.2%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
264
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
9lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Sovereign 40 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
X 40
Hunter 40 1
Bavaria 40
Island Packet 40
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sovereign 40.
| Sovereign 40 | Bavaria 40 | Hunter 40 1 | Island Packet 40 | Sun Odyssey 40 Jeanneau | X 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 | 40.0 |
| LWL | 32.0 | 35.8 | 34.6 | 34.0 | — | 35.1 |
| Beam | 12.8 | 13.0 | 13.5 | 12.9 | — | 12.5 |
| Displacement | 19 | 17,420 | 18 | 22 | — | 16 |
| Ballast | 7 | 6,265 | 7 | 10 | — | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 790 | 762 | 907 | — | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 114 | 102 | 141 | — | 48 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.9 | 17.4 | 18.1 | — | — |
| Bal/Disp | 40.2 | 36.0 | 40.0 | 43.9 | — | 43.0 |
| Comfort | — | 23.7 | 24.5 | 32.6 | — | — |
| Capsize | — | 2.01 | 2.05 | 1.83 | — | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.0 | 7.9 | 7.8 | — | — |