The Hughes 40 represents the pinnacle of Howard Hughes’s ambition to produce a robust, offshore-capable cruiser with the pedigree of world-class 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 center-cockpit bluewater voyagers. Built during an era when fiberglass laminates were often "overbuilt" by modern standards, the Hughes 40 is a heavy-displacement 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 CCA-rule era to the modern cruising age.
Hughes 40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Hughes
- Model
- 40
- Builder
- Hughes Boat Works
- Designer
- Sparkman & Stephens
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1975 - ??
Below are the most recent Hughes 40 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 2 | $41,925 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | $295,000 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | $69,900 |
| Apr 2026 | 6 | $295,000 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 40 | 40' | $159,900 | 33 | 8 |
| Pacific Seacraft 40 | $245,000 | 22 | 2 | |
| Passport 40 | 39.42' | $119,000 | 22 | 8 |
| Tartan 40 | 40.25' | $89,900 | 14 | 0 |
| Rival 40 | 39.92' | $169,508 | 14 | 5 |
| Swan 40 | 39.3' | $117,692 | 14 | 3 |
| Caliber 40 | 40.92' | $169,000 | 14 | 3 |
| Nauticat 40 | 39.37' | $129,900 | 13 | 7 |
| Hughes 40 | $295,000 | 11 | 9 | |
| Moody 40 | 39.5' | $88,356 | 10 | 5 |
| Endeavour 40 | 40' | $49,900 | 7 | 2 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $182,450 | 10 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Hughes 40 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Hughes 40 over the past 12 months is $295,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Hughes 40 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 11 Hughes 40 listings over the past 12 months, with 9 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are 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 average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Hughes 40?
- Comparable models include the Island Packet 40, Pacific Seacraft 40, Passport 40. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.