Santa Cruz 40 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The genesis of the Santa Cruz 40 traces back to 1982, when Santa Cruz Yachts, under the visionary leadership of Bill Lee, began its production. Lee, known as "The Wizard," established his company with a clear mandate: to build fast, efficient racing yachts that would redefine ocean racing. The Santa Cruz 40 was introduced as part of a successful series that included the SC 27, 33, 50, and 70, all contributing to the company's reputation for speed and quality. Only 15 units of the Santa Cruz 40 were built, making it a relatively rare model.

Lee's design philosophy for Santa Cruz Yachts revolved around the Ultra-Light Displacement (ULDB) concept, which prioritized lightweight fiberglass construction, relatively narrow hulls, deep keels, and generous sail plans to achieve exceptional speed. The Santa Cruz 40, featuring a fin keel with a spade rudder and a masthead sloop rig, was a direct reflection of this ethos, aiming for a competitive edge on the race course while still offering capabilities for fast cruising. While specific documented variations during its production run are not widely publicized, the core design remained consistent with Lee's performance-driven principles.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Santa Cruz 40's design ratios underscore its identity as a high-performance vessel. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 24.5, she boasts a powerful sail plan for her displacement, indicating strong performance potential, particularly in lighter wind conditions where she can accelerate quickly. The ballast to displacement ratio, around 0.52, is quite high, suggesting a stiff and stable boat capable of carrying its canvas well and standing up to a significant breeze. This substantial ballast contributes to a secure and comfortable motion in a seaway.

Further emphasizing its lightweight yet capable nature, the displacement to length ratio of roughly 225.0 positions the Santa Cruz 40 firmly in the performance cruiser category, distinct from heavier, more traditional designs. This ratio, combined with a hull speed of 8.04 knots, speaks to its ability to cover ground efficiently. Anecdotal accounts suggest the Santa Cruz 40 performs best when it has sufficient wind to engage its hull form, with one sailor noting it "really needed a breeze to unstick it," which can be a characteristic of performance-oriented designs aiming to reach planing speeds. Previous Search Result 6 Overall, the Santa Cruz 40 is engineered for an exhilarating sailing experience, known for its balance and responsive handling in a variety of conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

While detailed interior diagrams specific to the Santa Cruz 40 are not extensively documented in available public records, the general layout of a 40-foot performance cruiser from the early 1980s would typically prioritize functional living spaces within a performance-oriented hull. Owners comparing the Santa Cruz 40 to similar models have suggested it offers a "bit more room" than some of its contemporaries.

Given Santa Cruz Yachts' reputation for building performance vessels that also offered exhilarating cruising, the interior would likely include essential cruising amenities. This would generally encompass a V-berth forward, a salon with seating and a dining area, a functional galley for meal preparation, and a head compartment. The use of lightweight yet durable materials would have been consistent with the builder's philosophy, likely featuring a blend of fiberglass and some wood trim. The emphasis would have been on creating a comfortable, albeit perhaps not overly luxurious, living space that aligns with the boat's primary purpose as a fast cruiser and racer.