Sailing Performance & Handling
The Wright 40 is a heavy-displacement cruiser that prioritizes stability and sea-kindliness over raw speed. With a displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio typically in the high 300s, it possesses a massive amount of momentum, allowing it to power through heavy chop where lighter modern boats might hobby-horse or lose speed. The hull features a long fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration that offers a superior balance between directional tracking and maneuverability. Owners frequently report that the boat "sails on rails," requiring minimal input from a windvane or autopilot once the ketch rig is properly balanced.
The sail area-to-displacement (SA/D) ratio is relatively conservative, meaning the Wright 40 requires a decent breeze to get moving. However, the ketch rig provides immense versatility for short-handed crews. In building winds, sailors can easily drop the mainsail and sail comfortably under "jib and jigger" (mizzen), keeping the boat balanced and the center of effort low. While it is not a "pointing" machine and will struggle to match the upwind angles of a modern fin-keel sloop, it excels on a reach, where its long waterline and heavy hull provide a predictable, dry ride even in Gale Force conditions.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The center-cockpit layout of the Wright 40 allowed Arthur Edmunds to create a highly functional "split-level" living arrangement. The hallmark of this design is the private aft cabin, which, unlike many 40-footers of the era, is typically accessed via an internal walk-through corridor rather than a separate cockpit entrance. This corridor often serves as a dedicated navigation station or additional storage area, enhancing the vessel's utility as a liveaboard.
Inside, the joinery reflects Allied’s reputation for high-quality craftsmanship, featuring extensive use of teak and mahogany. The salon is spacious, often featuring a U-shaped dinette to port and a longitudinal settee to starboard. Headroom is generous throughout, usually exceeding 6'4" in the main cabin, which was a significant selling point for taller sailors. The galley is typically located in the "pass-through" to the aft cabin or tucked into the aft corner of the salon, providing a secure, braced position for cooking at sea.
The Wright 40 is the direct sibling to the Mistress 39 and the Mistress Mark II. The primary difference lies in the transom treatment and overall length; the Wright 40 effectively utilized a modified mold to provide a slightly longer waterline and more buoyancy aft, addressing some of the "squatting" tendencies noted in the original 39-foot design.
Popular Mentions & Media
While the Wright 40 itself is a rarer find in modern media, its predecessor, the Allied Mistress, gained fame through various circumnavigations and as a preferred choice for serious cruisers. The Wright 40 specifically gained recognition in the 1970s and 80s within the "Good Old Boat" community, often cited as a premier example of American-built fiberglass excellence from the "plastic classic" era.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should approach a Wright 40 with a focus on its age and the specific construction methods of the 1970s.
- Chainplate Inspection: Like many Allied models, the chainplates are robust but can suffer from crevice corrosion where they pass through the deck. Because they are often glassed into the bulkheads or hidden behind cabinetry, inspection is difficult but essential.
- Fuel and Water Tanks: The original tanks were often made of black iron or aluminum and were frequently "built-in" before the deck was joined to the hull. Replacing these tanks can be a major structural project involving the removal of the cabin sole or interior furniture.
- Deck Core: Allied used balsa-coring for the decks. Buyers should use a moisture meter around the cockpit coamings, stanchion bases, and the mizzen mast step, as these are common points for water intrusion and subsequent delamination.
- Rudder Support: The skeg-to-rudder connection should be checked for "slop" or wear in the bronze gudgeons. Any play in the rudder can lead to vibration and potential failure under the heavy loads this boat generates.
Community & Resources
Owners of the Wright 40 benefit from a dedicated community of Allied enthusiasts. The Allied Seawind Owners Association and various Allied-specific technical groups provide a wealth of shared knowledge regarding refits, original blueprints, and hardware sourcing. Because the Wright 40 shares so much DNA with the Mistress 39, documentation for the earlier model is often applicable to the 40.
The Verdict
The Allied Wright 40 is a quintessential "tank" of a sailboat, built for the sailor who values safety and comfort over race-course performance. It remains an excellent candidate for a couple planning to cross oceans or live aboard in high latitudes.
Pros:
- Exceptionally strong, hand-laid fiberglass hull.
- Versatile ketch rig is ideal for short-handed offshore cruising.
- Excellent interior volume with a true walk-through aft cabin.
- Predictable and stable handling in heavy weather.
Cons:
- Sluggish performance in light air (under 10 knots).
- Deep-draft and heavy displacement make it less suitable for shallow coastal gunkholing.
- Maintenance of two masts and extra rigging increases standing rigging costs.
- Potential for "big ticket" repairs like tank replacement or deck re-coring due to age.
