The boat makes no apology for its traditional character. It has a clipper bow with trailboards, a raised counter transom, and a “shippy” appearance. Richard Sherwood later described it as having traditional hull lines. Beneath that styling is a full-keeled, heavy-displacement cruiser intended to cross oceans securely rather than win buoy races.
Design and Construction
The Bayfield 40 has a long, full keel with encapsulated lead ballast, so there are no keel bolts to worry about. The rudder hangs from the keel’s trailing edge.
The hull is a solid laminate of polyester resin and fiberglass. The deck is typically balsa-cored for stiffness and weight savings, while the cabin-trunk windows are usually through-bolted rather than simply bonded. Gozzard’s aim was a boat with character that combined traditional styling with modern fiberglass construction. That approach continues below, where wood trim and plentiful warm teak set the tone.
The boat displaces 21,000 pounds and carries 8,200 pounds of lead ballast. With a 12-foot beam, a high comfort ratio, and a ballast-displacement figure of 39 percent, it has a safe, predictable motion.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
Most Bayfield 40s left the yard as staysail ketches. The rig divides the sail area among a yankee, staysail, mainsail, and mizzen, keeping each sail smaller and more manageable—a genuine advantage for short-handed crews. The clipper bow and long bowsprit aren’t merely decorative; they balance the sail plan against the heavy hull.
Under sail, the Bayfield 40 is a stately performer. It struggles in light air but excels on a reach, while its upwind angle is rarely tighter than 45 to 50 degrees. The staysail-ketch rig is particularly effective in heavy weather: with the mainsail and jib lowered, the boat can sail comfortably under staysail and mizzen alone. At anchor, the mizzen can also serve as a riding sail, helping hold the bow into the wind.
With a clean hull and a standard 40 to 50 horsepower diesel, the boat cruises under power at 6 to 6.5 knots. In reverse, prop wash typically makes it walk to one side.
Accommodations
The interior differs markedly from many contemporary boats. In the aft arrangement Sherwood described, it has a midships galley and no vee berths.
There are berths for six. Two double berths lie aft, with optional raisable privacy panels between them. In the main cabin, a U-shaped settee and drop-down table convert into another double berth.
Forward on the port side, the U-shaped galley provides a secure workspace for cooking at sea. Its equipment includes a two-burner propane stove, an electric refrigerator, and a sink with deep basins, along with generous provision storage. The navigation station is aft of the galley to port. The head, just aft of the forepeak, includes a shower.
Ventilation is generous, with ten opening ports, four hatches, a large skylight aft of the mainmast, and ports or hatches in each aft cabin. The forepeak contains sail and anchor lockers that are accessible from the deck.
Cruising Range and Ownership
Fuel capacity is 100 gallons, while the water tanks hold 120 gallons, supporting extended cruising. The cockpit is small for the boat’s length, reinforcing its emphasis on bluewater passagemaking rather than day sailing.
Owners moving up to a Bayfield 40 should allow for the maintenance that comes with its traditional styling. The exterior teak requires diligent care. Its numerous chainplates, which are often bonded and laminated into the hull structure, also deserve inspection during any survey.
The Verdict
The Bayfield 40 is a rugged, full-keeled staysail ketch that favors balance and manageable handling over outright speed. It is a predictable, safe platform for offshore work, and its shallow 4-foot-11-inch draft has made it legendary for exploring the Bahamas and Caribbean.
Its divided sail plan, secure galley, and voluminous storage suit a cruising couple or small family planning long passages, while its traditional aesthetic rewards owners who embrace teak maintenance and rig complexity. In return, owners need to embrace the maintenance demands of the exterior teak and the complexity of the rig.
Pros
- Encapsulated lead ballast in a long keel, with no keel bolts to monitor
- Staysail-ketch rig divides the sail area into manageable parts for short-handed sailing
- Shallow draft and heavy-weather stability suited to coastal and ocean voyaging
- Secure U-shaped galley and generous ventilation for living aboard
Cons
- Sluggish performance in light winds and modest upwind pointing ability
- Considerable exterior-teak upkeep and complex standing rigging
- Relatively small cockpit for a 45-foot hull
