Wilderness 40 Information, Review, Specs

The Wilderness 40 began its production run in 1980. It emerged from Wilderness Boat Works, a builder that operated from 1977 to 1986, known for its focus on practical and robust monohull sailboats crafted from hand-laid fiberglass. The company's ethos centered on solid construction and seaworthy characteristics, a philosophy that aligned well with its collaboration with professional naval architects like Gary Mull. Gary Mull himself was celebrated for designing well-built, light-displacement boats, making him one of the most prolific and successful U.S. sailboat designers of his era. The Wilderness 40 is believed to be an extended version of the earlier Wilderness 38 design, and later iterations of the 40-footer notably featured a taller rig, suggesting a commitment to enhancing its sailing performance.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Wilderness 40, designed as a racer/cruiser, exhibits performance characteristics indicative of a responsive and capable yacht. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 21.9, she suggests strong performance in lighter air conditions, capable of getting underway with minimal breeze. Her ballast to displacement ratio of 0.441 points to a stiff and stable platform, allowing her to stand up well to a breeze and maintain an upright stance, even when pressed. Furthermore, with a displacement to length ratio of around 122.6, the Wilderness 40 falls into the lighter end of the displacement spectrum for her size, which contributes to her reputation as a "very fast" vessel for her era. This combination of attributes suggests a boat that is both rewarding to sail and well-behaved in various sea states.

Accommodations and Layout

While detailed interior layouts of the Wilderness 40 are not widely publicized, its design as a performance cruiser suggests a focus on functional and comfortable living spaces suitable for extended voyages. Given her generous beam of 12 feet and a length overall of 40 feet, the Wilderness 40 would typically feature a well-appointed interior for her size, aimed at providing sufficient room for crew and amenities. However, without specific interior diagrams, it is difficult to detail the exact arrangement of the V-berth, salon, galley, or head.