Hughes 40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Sparkman & Stephens·1975·Hughes Boat Works
Hughes 40 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · fin
Rig
Ketch
LOA
40' · 12.19 m
Displ.
28,000 lbs · 12,701 kg
First year
1975

The Hughes 40 represents the pinnacle of Howard Hughes’s ambition to produce a robust, offshorecapable cruiser with the pedigree of worldclass naval architecture. Originally introduced as the Northstar 80/20 under the ownership of US Steel, the design was penned by the legendary firm of Sparkman & Stephens as Design 2134. When Howard Hughes regained control of his company in 1977, he rebranded the vessel as the Hughes 40, refining the interior and deck layout to better suit the burgeoning market for centercockpit bluewater voyagers. Built during an era when fiberglass laminates were often "overbuilt" by modern standards, the Hughes 40 is a heavydisplacement ketch designed for stability and comfort over long passages rather than outright speed. It remains a significant piece of Canadian maritime history, representing the transition from the CCArule era to the modern cruising age.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 69,900
Ask, not sold · 16 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
11
16 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
0.0%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
1
United States (100.0%)

Recent Listings

12 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Hughes 40 listings span 1 country. United States leads with 14 listings.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

14 listings · 1 country
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 69,900149100.0%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Island Packet 4040'$ 159,0004116
Pacific Seacraft 40$ 242,500276
Caliber 4040.92'$ 169,000188
Hughes 40You are here$ 69,9001611
Rival 4039.92'$ 159,896167
Swan 4039.3'$ 102,387153
Tartan 4040.25'$ 89,900142
Nauticat 4039.37'$ 131,850147
Moody 4039.5'$ 87,261104
Morgan 40 Cruising Ketch40.16'$ 26,00099
Ta Shing 40 Pilot House39.83'$ 100,00075

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Hughes 40 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Hughes 40 over the past 12 months is $69,900. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Hughes 40 sailboats are for sale?+
11 Hughes 40 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 16 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Hughes 40 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Hughes 40 has remained stable over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Hughes 40 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Hughes 40 listings over the past 12 months are United States (100.0%).
05What should I look at instead of a Hughes 40?+
Comparable models include Island Packet 40, Pacific Seacraft 40, Caliber 40. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.