Pacific Seacraft Pilothouse 40 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Pacific Seacraft Pilothouse 40 dates back to 1997, when Pacific Seacraft, a builder renowned for "tough bluewater sailboats," decided to integrate a pilothouse into their established and revered 40-foot hull. The original hull, a creation of William Crealock, reflected his philosophy of designing vessels that are inspired, tough, and seakindly, capable of confidently tackling challenging offshore conditions. This design evolution by Crealock further refined Pacific Seacraft's lineage of ocean-going yachts, which also includes other iconic models like the Pacific Seacraft 37 and 34. The construction during this era upheld Pacific Seacraft's commitment to quality, featuring solid fiberglass hulls, often with biaxial tabbing, and balsa-cored decks, with hull-to-deck flanges robustly bedded in polyurethane and through-bolted. The structural interior module is also integrally bonded into the hull with biaxial E-glass, ensuring immense strength and rigidity. While the Pilothouse 40 is a specific variation of the standard 40-foot hull, there was also a shoal draft option available, reducing the draft to 5.16 feet, catering to different cruising grounds.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Pacific Seacraft Pilothouse 40, with its generous length overall of 42.16 feet and a waterline length of 31.25 feet, is a heavily built vessel designed for comfort and capability rather than outright speed. Her displacement of 24,500 pounds, combined with a displacement-to-length ratio (D/L) of approximately 358, places her firmly in the heavy displacement category, indicating a stable and seakindly motion, particularly suited for offshore passages. With 8,800 pounds of ballast, the ballast-to-displacement ratio (B/D) of around 0.36 suggests a solid degree of initial stability, allowing her to stand up to a good breeze. The sail area of 834 square feet results in a sail area-to-displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 15.7, which points to a moderate performer. This ratio indicates she is likely to be adequately powered in light to moderate winds but will not be overpowered quickly when the wind pipes up, reinforcing her role as a comfortable offshore cruiser rather than a light-air racer. The cutter rig design further enhances her offshore credentials by breaking the total sail area into smaller, more manageable sails, which is particularly advantageous for handling in varying wind conditions. The fin keel and skeg-hung rudder configuration contribute to good tracking and control, characteristics highly valued in a blue-water boat.

Accommodations and Layout

The defining feature of the Pacific Seacraft Pilothouse 40 is its eponymous pilothouse, which provides a protected internal steering station. This allows for comfortable watchstanding and steering in inclement weather, a significant advantage for offshore passages. The interior is often configured with a three-cabin layout, typically including a forward V-berth, a main salon, and a quarter berth or aft cabin. Owners report that the midships section of the main cabin can often be customized, offering flexibility in interior arrangement. Details from brokerage listings indicate features such as a forward-placed head with a separate shower. While specific details on interior finishes and materials require individual vessel inspection, Pacific Seacraft is generally known for its high-quality joinery and robust, traditional interiors befitting serious cruising.