Islander 40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

39.54' · 12.05 m

Displ.

17,000 lbs · 7,711 kg

First year

1979

The Islander 40, specifically the Doug Petersondesigned iteration introduced in the late 1970s, represents the zenith of Islander Yachts’ evolution from a producer of simple coastal cruisers to a builder of serious, performanceoriented offshore yachts. This model was intended to bridge the gap between the legendary Islander 36 and the larger, more traditional cruising designs that preceded it. While an earlier Islander 40 motorsailer existed—designed by Charles Davies in the mid1960s with a heavy displacement and a highvolume hull—it is the Peterson 40 that defined the brand’s reputation for speed and seakindliness during the final decade of the company’s operation. The Petersondesigned Islander 40 utilized a fin keel and a spade rudder, a configuration that signaled a definitive shift toward the modern "performancecruiser" archetype, offering a balanced helm and a hull shape capable of competitive club racing without sacrificing the amenities required for extended liveaboard voyaging.