Borsaw 40 Information, Review, Specs

The Borsaw 40's lineage traces back to the wooden Owens Cutter, a design conceived by Norman Owens of Owens Boat Builders in Maryland in the early 1940s. The Allen Boat Company, renowned for its precision craftsmanship and championship-winning Lightning class sailboats under founder Tom Allen Sr., undertook the construction of the Borsaw 40 in fiberglass starting in 1968. At this time, Allen Boat Company was transitioning from wood to fiberglass construction, a shift aimed at achieving greater consistency and efficiency while maintaining high standards.

The Borsaw 40 itself was a short-lived model, with only six units produced. Its design was a collaborative effort, attributed to Owens, and for the later Allied 39, George Owens and Robert Harris. Following its brief production run, the molds were sold to Allied Boat Company, leading to the creation of the Allied 39, which shared its fundamental design but incorporated some modifications. The Allied 39 also came in different versions, including an aft and center cockpit, and was even offered as a cruising ketch, sometimes referred to as the Allied Mistress 39. This evolution suggests a strong, adaptable design at its core, aimed at comfortable and capable cruising.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of 40 feet and a waterline length of 29 feet, the Borsaw 40 features a long keel hull type, a characteristic often associated with good directional stability and a comfortable motion in a seaway. The boat has a displacement of 17,000 lbs, giving it a displacement-to-length ratio of approximately 311.17. This high ratio indicates a heavy displacement vessel, suggesting a solid, sea-kindly cruiser rather than a light-air racer. Her calculated hull speed is 7.22 knots.

The sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) for the Borsaw 40 is approximately 15.28, which, while not exceptionally high, indicates reasonable performance, particularly for a heavy cruiser. This ratio suggests the boat will perform adequately in moderate to strong winds, favoring comfort and stability over blistering speed in light air. The Borsaw 40, like its successor the Allied 39, is known for being stable and stiff, offering excellent righting capability. Owners of the related Allied 39 praise its reassuring stability in all conditions and generous sail plan that delivers good light-air performance for a vessel of its type. The design is often described as "comfortable," surpassing many similar sailboat designs in this regard.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior details for the limited-production Borsaw 40 are scarce, its close relationship and shared design with the Allied 39 provide insight into its likely accommodations. The Allied 39 was built for serious cruising, featuring layouts that prioritize comfort and liveability. Typically, these boats offer a well-arranged interior with various amenities for extended periods aboard. For example, some versions of the Allied 39, such as the Mistress 39, offered a center cockpit design, which often allows for two private staterooms and two heads with showers, along with an engine room and work bench.

Given the Borsaw 40's heritage and its evolution into the Allied 39, it likely featured a traditional interior, emphasizing robust construction and practical living spaces. While specific headroom figures are not available, boats of this era and type generally offered ample interior volume, utilizing wood trim and solid construction typical of quality builds of the time. The emphasis would have been on functional galleys, comfortable saloon areas, and private sleeping berths, suitable for coastal and potentially offshore cruising.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Allied 39, the direct descendant of the Borsaw 40, frequently commend the boat for its solid construction, stability, and comfortable motion in a seaway. The heavy displacement and long keel contribute to a sea-kindly ride, making it a favored choice for those seeking a secure and dependable cruising platform. The design's inherent stiffness means it stands up well to wind, instilling confidence in challenging conditions. While specific owner feedback for the rare Borsaw 40 is limited, the enduring positive reputation of the Allied 39, including its ability to retain value due to superior building and a devoted owner base, suggests a similar satisfaction among the few Borsaw 40 owners. Common praise revolves around its robust build and suitability for serious cruising.