Borsaw 40 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Borsaw 40 is a product of the "Cruising Club of America" (CCA) and early IOR design era, which prioritized heavy displacement and a high ballast-to-displacement ratio for stability. On the water, the boat exhibits the classic "Tripp feel"—it is exceptionally stiff and tracks with remarkable precision. With a displacement likely exceeding 18,000 pounds, the hull utilizes its momentum to punch through Great Lakes chop or Atlantic swells without the jarring motion found in lighter, modern fin-keel designs.

Handling is defined by a deep-draft fin keel and a spade rudder, a configuration that was relatively progressive for the late 1960s. This allows the Borsaw 40 to maneuver more nimbly in tight quarters than full-keel contemporaries like the Alberg 37. While the boat requires a fair amount of wind to "wake up" due to its wetted surface area, it excels on a reach. Sailors often note that the boat feels "over-built," providing a sense of security when the anemometer climbs above 20 knots. The original sail plan featured a large high-aspect-ratio mainsail and a significant overlapping genoa, necessitating a strong crew or modern winch upgrades for efficient short-handed sailing.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Borsaw 40 reflects a transitional period in yacht design where fiberglass hulls were still being fitted with extensive, high-quality wood joinery. The typical layout follows a traditional offshore arrangement: a forward V-berth with a private head, followed by a main salon featuring a U-shaped settee and a drop-leaf table. Because Borsaw was a smaller builder, many units were finished with customized cabinetry, often utilizing premium mahogany or teak.

Headroom is generous for a 40-foot boat of this vintage, typically hovering around 6'2" in the main cabin. The galley is almost always located aft near the companionway for optimal ventilation and proximity to the cockpit during passages. A notable variation in the Borsaw 40 line is the treatment of the aft section; while most were built as standard sloops, some owners opted for customized navigation stations or additional pilot berths. The Borsaw 40 also has a smaller sibling, the Borsaw 30, which shares the same design DNA but in a much more compact, five-berth configuration.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Purchasing a Borsaw 40 today requires a discerning eye for the structural realities of 50-year-old fiberglass construction. Prospective buyers should focus on the following high-signal areas:

• Deck Core Integrity: Like many boats of this era, the Borsaw 40 utilized balsa-coring in the decks. Over decades, moisture can penetrate through improperly bedded stanchions, cleats, or tracks, leading to delamination. Large "soft spots" on the side decks are a common find in neglected examples.
• Chainplate Anchors: The chainplates on Tripp designs of this period often pass through the deck to fiberglass knees or wooden bulkheads. These should be inspected for signs of weeping or rot, as the original sealant often fails over time.
• Original Powerplants: Many Borsaw 40s were originally equipped with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine. While reliable if maintained, many have been repowered with Yanmar or Westerbeke diesels. A boat still carrying its original gasoline engine or an early-generation diesel will require a significant budget for mechanical updates.
• Osmotic Blistering: Early hand-laid fiberglass hulls are prone to osmosis. While the hulls are thick and rarely suffer structural failure from blisters, a survey should include a moisture meter test to determine the extent of any "pox" below the waterline.

Community & Resources

While there is no formal national class association for Borsaw Yachts due to their limited production run, owners generally find community within broader William Tripp design groups. The Buffalo Yacht Club maintains historical records of the Borsaw Yacht Corporation, as the company was a fixture of the local maritime industry. Technical data is frequently exchanged among owners of "Tripp Classics," which includes siblings like the Columbia 40 and the Hinckley 38, which share similar design philosophies and mechanical systems.

The Verdict

The Borsaw 40 is a "sailor’s sailboat," offering a level of pedigree and aesthetic beauty that is rarely found at its typical used-market price point. It is an ideal vessel for a buyer who appreciates classic lines and heavy-weather capability but is prepared for the maintenance demands of a vintage yacht.

Pros:

• Classic Bill Tripp styling with elegant, timeless lines.
• Robust, hand-laid fiberglass construction that provides a secure "big boat" feel.
• Excellent tracking and heavy-weather stability.
• High-quality interior joinery compared to mass-market production boats of the same era.

Cons:

• High maintenance requirements for exterior teak and aging systems.
• Heavy displacement makes it less competitive in light-air club racing.
• Potential for significant deck core issues if hardware was not re-bedded regularly.
• Rare model with limited specific manufacturer support or replacement parts.