Tartan 40 Offshore Performance & PHRF

The Tartan 40 Offshore is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

8.0 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 36.0′, the Tartan 40 Offshore tops out around 8.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √36.0′ LWL = 8.0 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement

14.4

Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.

Comfort Ratio

34.3

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.80

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

8.0kts

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

34.3

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.80

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 Tartan 40 Offshore sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Intrepid 40 125s/nm

Endeavour 40 147s/nm

Freedom 40 Cc 170s/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°	3.0	3.7	4.2	4.4
Close Reach60°	3.6	4.5	5.1	5.3
Beam Reach90°	4.4	5.6	6.2	6.5
Broad Reach120–135°	4.1	5.1	5.7	6.0
Run150–180°	3.3	4.1	4.6	4.8

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.0 kts), SA/D (14.4), 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 Tartan 40 Offshore — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts

Ghosting

0–7 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

7–20 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

20–28 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

28+ 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 Tartan 40 Offshore.

	Tartan 40 Offshore	Bermuda 40 3 Hinckley	Endeavour 40	Freedom 40 Cc	Intrepid 40	Nicholson 40 Ac
Dimensions
LOA	40.0	40.0	40.0	40.0	40.0	40.0
LWL	36.0	28.8	32.0	35.0	32.8	30.5
Beam	13.3	11.8	13.0	12.0	12.6	11.5
Displacement	26	20	25	20	20	24
Ballast	10	6	9	5	7	—
Sail Area	788	681	788	784	749	940
Performance
PHRF	—	—	147	170	125	—
SA/Disp	14.4	14.8	14.8	17.1	16.3	17.9
Bal/Disp	—	32.5	36.0	27.7	36.9	—
Comfort	34.3	36.1	36.9	30.9	30.5	43.8
Capsize	1.80	1.73	1.78	1.77	1.86	1.59
Hull Speed	8.0	7.2	7.6	7.9	7.7	7.4