Design and Construction
The Concordia 40 has a traditional solid-wood hull, a wood deck, a long keel, and an attached rudder. The hull measures 39.83 feet overall, with a 28.5-foot waterline, 10.25-foot beam, and 5.67-foot draft.
Displacement is 18,000 pounds, including 7,700 pounds of iron ballast. That gives the boat a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 43 percent and contributes to its settled, seakindly character. The combination of a 39.83-foot LOA and 28.5-foot LWL produces a displacement-length ratio of roughly 347, placing the design firmly in the heavy, volume-bearing cruiser tradition rather than among light-displacement racers.
One period assessment described the Concordia yawl as as much a classic as any sailing yacht in the world for its beauty, superb construction, and racing success. The first boat in the line, a 39-foot yawl named Java, had a lean, shapely hull. Its long cove stripe carried a star at the bow and a crescent moon at the stern, establishing the distinctive star-and-moon motif that continued throughout the series.
Rig and Handling
The yawl rig wasn’t merely an aesthetic choice. SAIL Magazine reported that it was necessary for a better rating and helped keep the boat more stable while riding at anchor, serving both racing rules and everyday comfort at a mooring.
The Concordia 40 carries 650 square feet of sail and has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of about 15. By modern numbers, she’s no light-air flyer. When the puffs arrive, however, her flat, hard bilges provide form stability and allow her to stand up to gusts without dramatic heel. A capsize ratio of 1.56 and a comfort ratio near 39 further describe a yacht intended for offshore work rather than coastal sprinting.
Owners have noted that the original 39-foot boats and the later 41-foot derivatives could race each other without handicap, showing how closely the enlarged version retained the original design’s proportions.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the Concordia 40 combines a livable cruising interior with the practical discipline of a racing boat. The galley stove was installed to starboard to make it more convenient for right-handed users. The bunks had to fold up so that they wouldn’t become storage areas for wet sails during races.
The water tanks were removable for easier inspection and maintenance, and the design included a separate head from the outset. Java’s original interior, with knotty-pine cabinetry and corduroy cushions, recalled a New England home; that warmth carried through the class.
Later 41-foot versions gained an additional plank, increasing interior volume and headroom. They consequently felt larger belowdecks without changing the design’s essential proportions.
Known Issues
The best-documented weakness is the butterfly-wing skylight on the foredeck. SAIL Magazine noted that the fitting is pretty but prone to leaking when green water comes aboard.
A buyer or owner should make this skylight a maintenance priority. On a wooden boat, unchecked deck leaks may lead to structural concerns.
Fleet, Variants, and Refits
The class has proved unusually durable: 102 of the 103 boats built are still extant. That survival rate reflects both the quality of the original construction and the devotion of their owners.
Of the 103 boats, 99 were built in Germany by Abeking & Rasmussen. The 41-foot subgroup, built between 1950 and 1966, comprises 24 boats with an overall length of 41 feet.
Upgrades seen on later boats include larger Barient primary winches and an electric anchor windlass. Some examples also received a Yanmar 30 PS diesel in place of the original Gray Marine gasoline engine.
The Verdict
The Concordia 40 is a wooden classic whose reputation rests on documented racing success, a thoughtfully arranged cruising interior, and exceptional fleet survival. She isn’t a modern performance boat, but her form stability, versatile yawl rig, and warm interior make her a singular choice for sailors who value craftsmanship over the convenience of composite construction.
Pros
- Proven offshore-racing pedigree, including major ocean-race wins
- 102 of 103 hulls still extant, indicating durable construction
- Yawl rig aids stability at anchor and rating
- Flat, hard bilges provide reassuring form stability in puffs
- Removable water tanks and folding bunks reflect thoughtful cruising design
Cons
- Wooden hull and deck require constant maintenance
- Butterfly-wing foredeck skylight leaks when green water comes aboard
- The original gasoline engine in many boats is dated and less safe than a diesel
