The Islander 40 MS (Motorsailer) represents a specific era of California yacht design where the boundaries between dedicated sailing hulls and comfortable coastal cruisers began to blur. Introduced in the early 1970s and based on a design by Charles Davies, the 40 MS was engineered for the "live-aboard" cruiser who prioritized interior volume and reliable motoring over light-air racing performance. Built during the height of Islander Yachts’ production in Costa Mesa, this model utilized the same robust fiberglass layup techniques that earned the brand a reputation for durability. While the Islander 36 became the company’s racing-cruising icon, the 40 MS was its more utilitarian sibling, designed to move comfortably through a head-sea under the power of a substantial diesel engine while carrying a versatile ketch or sloop rig.
Islander 40 MS Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Islander
- Model
- 40 MS
- Builder
- Islander / Tradewind Yachts
- Designer
- Charles Davies
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1970 - ??
Below are the most recent Islander 40 MS 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | 3 | $30,000 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | $21,450 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Packet 40 | 40' | $159,900 | 33 | 8 |
| Islander 36 | 36.08' | $29,500 | 23 | 1 |
| Pacific Seacraft 40 | $245,000 | 22 | 2 | |
| Morgan Out Island 41 | 41.25' | $44,250 | 20 | 5 |
| Northshore 34 MS | 34.33' | $70,603 | 17 | 11 |
| Nauticat 40 | 39.37' | $129,900 | 13 | 7 |
| Moody 40 | 39.5' | $88,328 | 10 | 5 |
| Fisher 37 MS | 42.52' | $82,439 | 9 | 4 |
| Endeavour 40 | 40' | $49,900 | 7 | 2 |
| Islander 40 MS | $30,000 | 5 | 2 | |
| Elvström 38 MS | 37.5' | $49,994 | 4 | 1 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $30,000 | 5 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Islander 40 MS cost?
- The median asking price for a used Islander 40 MS over the past 12 months is $30,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Islander 40 MS sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 5 Islander 40 MS listings over the past 12 months, with 2 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Islander 40 MS prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Islander 40 MS has decreased by 28.5% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Islander 40 MS?
- Comparable models include the Island Packet 40, Islander 36, Pacific Seacraft 40. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.