Cal 40 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Cal 40 is a "downwind machine" that feels most at home in heavy air off the wind. Its hull form, characterized by flat bilges and a long 30.33-foot waterline, facilitates early planing and exceptional tracking when running or reaching. With a displacement-to-length (D/L) ratio of approximately 240, it was significantly lighter than its contemporaries, such as the Columbia 40, which allowed it to accelerate through waves rather than plow through them.

Handling is characterized by the high-aspect spade rudder, which provides precise control even when surfing. While many 40-footers of this age were retrofitted with wheels, the Cal 40 was originally designed for a large tiller to provide the helmsman with maximum feedback. According to editorial analysis from Practical Sailor, the boat is remarkably well-balanced, though its flat forward sections can lead to "pounding" when punching into a short chop upwind. It is not the driest boat in a head-sea, making a dodger a necessary addition for coastal or offshore cruising. Under sail, the masthead sloop rig is easily managed, and while its upwind pointing ability does not match modern high-performance fin keels, its overall sea-kindliness and "lack of bad habits" make it a favorite for shorthanded sailors.

Interior Comfort & Variations

While built primarily for racing, the Cal 40 offers a surprisingly functional interior that accommodates up to eight people in a traditional offshore layout. The configuration typically includes a V-berth in the bow, followed by a head to port and a hanging locker to starboard. The main salon features two straight settee berths with two pilot berths above them—a hallmark of 1960s offshore design intended to keep the crew in secure bunks during heavy weather. The galley is located to port at the companionway, balanced by a navigation station to starboard.

There are very few hull-sharing siblings for the Cal 40, as it was a highly specialized racing platform. While Jensen Marine produced the Cal 36 and Cal 39, these were built on different hull molds. A "raised-deck" version of the Cal 40 was designed to provide more interior volume, but despite initial interest, only one was ever built before the project was shelved. Consequently, the standard low-profile cabin trunk remains the definitive silhouette for the fleet. Many hulls have been extensively modified by owners; some have been gutted for "grand prix" racing, while others, like Liz Clark’s famous Swell, have been reinforced and customized for solo circumnavigation.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Cal 40’s cultural footprint is solidified by its dominance in the world’s most prestigious ocean races. It achieved a "triple crown" of sorts in 1966, taking overall honors in the Transpac, the Bermuda Race, and the Southern Ocean Racing Circuit (SORC). Famous owners include world-class navigator Stan Honey and America's Cup legend Dennis Conner.

In modern literature, the boat gained significant attention through Liz Clark’s book Swell: A Sailing Surfer's Voyage of Awakening, which chronicles her decade-long journey through the Pacific on her Cal 40. The model also remains a mainstay in nautical media; Sail Magazine frequently highlights the boat as a "Classic Plastic" benchmark, noting its continued competitiveness in the modern Transpac, where Cal 40s often still form their own one-design class.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers must contend with the aging of early fiberglass technology and the stresses of decades of offshore racing.

• The Mast Beam: One of the most critical inspection points is the steel beam located under the cabin sole that supports the mast compression load. In many boats, this beam has suffered from corrosion due to standing bilge water, potentially leading to structural settlement.
• Bulkhead Tabbing: The original tabbing (the fiberglass bonding of the bulkheads to the hull) was relatively light to save weight. It is common to find "oil-canning" or flexing in the hull if these bonds have failed or have not been reinforced with modern laminates.
• Rudder Integrity: The original spade rudders were built with internal steel or wood structures that are prone to delamination and moisture ingress. Many owners have replaced the entire assembly with modern carbon-fiber or reinforced fiberglass rudders to prevent catastrophic failure at sea.
• Deck Core: Like most boats of its era, the Cal 40 uses a plywood or balsa core in the deck. Areas around the chainplates and stanchion bases are notorious for water intrusion, which can lead to widespread soft spots and rot.

Community & Resources

The Cal 40 Class Association remains one of the most active owner groups for a vintage production boat. They maintain a comprehensive technical archive that includes original Bill Lapworth blueprints, mast beam repair guides, and a database of hull histories. The community is centralized in Southern California and San Francisco, though active racing fleets exist in the Pacific Northwest and on the East Coast.

The Verdict

The Cal 40 is a rare example of a racing thoroughbred that has transitioned gracefully into a legendary cruiser. It is a boat for the purist who values historical significance and downwind performance over the voluminous "condominium" interiors of modern cruisers.

Pros:

• Legendary downwind surfing capabilities and high speed potential.
• Extremely strong community support and high resale value for restored examples.
• Simplicity of systems makes it an excellent candidate for DIY restoration.
• Proven seaworthiness for serious ocean crossings.

Cons:

• Flat-bottomed hull leads to uncomfortable pounding in upwind conditions.
• Prone to significant structural issues (mast beam and bulkhead tabbing) if neglected.
• Interior is Spartan and lacks the amenities (e.g., large heads, swim platforms) of modern 40-footers.
• The original tiller steering can be physically demanding in heavy following seas.