The model is now out of production. It belongs to a marque that had built fiberglass boats since 1954 and maintained a long-term partnership with Joubert-Nivelt.
Design and Construction
The A40 has a plumb stem, an open reverse transom, a fixed fin keel, and an internally mounted spade rudder with wheel steering. It measures 39 feet 3 inches overall, with a 12-foot-4-inch beam and a standard draft of 8 feet 1 inch. The hull is built predominantly of fiberglass.
A review of the A40RC described a laminate made with PVC foam core and vinylester resin. However, its testers raised a concern about balsa coring in high-load areas.
The A40RC carries 6,834 pounds of ballast on a displacement of 14,660 pounds, giving it a ballast ratio of 0.51. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 157 points to a light, easily driven hull rather than a heavy cruiser.
Rig and Handling
Both the A40 and A40RC use fractional sloop rigs. On the RC, the mainsheet and long traveler sit just forward of the twin helms, while almost all running rigging leads aft to clutches beside the companionway.
Period reviews reported that the steering never loads up. The hull behaves “like a big dinghy,” accelerating in a straight line as the breeze builds without requiring helm correction. In 8 to 11 knots of true wind, the A40RC sailed upwind at 7 to 8 knots. With a masthead asymmetric kite in 11 knots, it skimmed along at close to 9 knots.
Its light loads and easily driven hull mean that an experienced couple could manage the boat with an autopilot.
Cockpit and Deck Hardware
The A40RC’s raceboat intent is clearest in its long, expansive cockpit. Beam carried aft and an open stern make the space wider, while short seats and twin titanium or carbon wheels complete the layout.
The hardware is serious: Navtec, Lewmar, Ronstan, and Spinlock fittings; a suite of husky Lewmar winches; and top-notch hydraulics for headsail and spinnaker work. A stylized, bulbous coachroof defines the deck profile.
Accommodations
The A40 sleeps eight. There’s a “V”-berth in the bow, two saloon settees around a drop-leaf table, and two aft cabins with double berths. The L-shaped galley sits to port, forward of the companionway, and includes a two-burner stove and sink. Opposite, to starboard, is the navigation station. The head is aft of the bow cabin on the starboard side and includes a shower.
The A40RC’s arrangement differs slightly. It has two huge aft doubles, each with an overhead pipe berth, plus a good owner’s stateroom forward. In the saloon, the galley is to port, the navigation station is to starboard, and long settees provide additional accommodation. The layout can handle a racing crew of eight or a family of four with ease.
Known Issues
One professional assessment flagged balsa coring in high-load areas as a concern.
The Verdict
The Archambault 40 is a genuine cruiser-racer: light, quick, and dinghy-like in feel. Its cockpit and rig suit short-handed sailing, while the interior can accommodate either a family or a racing crew. The A40RC sharpens that formula with an I.R.C.-optimized hull and hardware.
The only noted caveat is the balsa core in loaded areas, which is worth a surveyor’s attention. Its shallow tankage and race-oriented ergonomics also make it less suitable for sailors seeking a pure cruiser.
Pros
- Light, easily driven hull with strong upwind and downwind pace
- Cockpit and rig arranged for short-handed sailing or an experienced couple
- Interior adaptable to a racing crew or a family of four
- Serious deck hardware from recognized manufacturers
Cons
- Balsa coring in high-load areas was noted as a concern
- Shallow tankage and race-oriented ergonomics won’t suit pure cruisers
