Carter 40 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The production of the Carter 40 spanned from 1970 to 1974, with a total of 20 units built. During this era, Dick Carter was a prominent figure in yacht design, known for revolutionizing sailing in the late 1960s with innovative concepts for racing yachts. His designs established new looks and ingenious technological concepts, which became routine in subsequent years. The Carter 40 exemplified Carter's approach, featuring an additional trim fin on the keel, an outstanding design characteristic for its time.

The Swedish builder, Storebro Bruk AB, primarily celebrated for its luxury powerboats, ventured into sailboat manufacturing from 1957 until 1984. The company adopted fiberglass construction around 1969, transitioning from its renowned mahogany boats to hand-laid fiberglass with ISO-polyester for its hulls. This technological progression meant the Carter 40 was among Storebro's fiberglass-hulled sailboats, marking a shift in their manufacturing ethos toward modern materials while maintaining their commitment to quality and robust construction. The vessel was sold by both Carter Offshore and Storebro directly.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Carter 40 is rigged as a masthead sloop, boasting a total calculated sail area of 567.84 square feet. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 13.99, the Carter 40 leans towards a moderate to heavy cruiser, suggesting it is a capable performer, particularly in stronger breezes, rather than a light-air flyer.

The boat's ballast to displacement ratio of about 0.36 (5952 lbs of lead ballast for a 16535 lb displacement) indicates a stable and stiff vessel, capable of standing up well to wind and providing a comfortable motion in a seaway. Its displacement to length ratio of approximately 264 places it firmly in the category of a moderate to heavier cruising boat, implying a solid and forgiving ride rather than a lightweight, twitchy performance boat. The fin keel with a skeg-hung rudder further contributes to its directional stability and control, particularly important for offshore passages.

Anecdotal evidence suggests the Carter 40 offers strong sailing characteristics for its size and era, with the design satisfying demanding racing sailors. Its design features, like the trim fin, were aimed at enhancing its sailing performance.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific interior dimensions are not provided in detail, the Carter 40, with its nearly 40-foot length overall and a beam of 11.25 feet, typically offers a comfortable and practical interior layout suitable for coastal cruising and extended voyages. Based on common designs of its era, one would expect a traditional interior arrangement featuring a V-berth forward, followed by a head compartment. The main salon would likely include settees that double as berths, often with a folding table. A functional galley and navigation station would be situated midships, leading to quarter berths or an aft cabin. The use of materials would likely reflect Storebro's reputation for quality, with a combination of fiberglass liners and warm wood trim, offering a classic and durable finish characteristic of Scandinavian boatbuilding.