Kettenburg 40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

39.83' · 12.14 m

Displ.

14,250 lbs · 6,464 kg

First year

1959

The Kettenburg 40 stands as a definitive transition point in West Coast maritime history, marking the evolution of Kettenburg Boat Works from a builder of specialized racing machines to a producer of premier racercruisers. Designed by Paul Kettenburg and introduced in the late 1950s, the "K40" was the yard's response to a growing demand for a vessel that could compete in offshore events like the Transpac while providing the amenities required for family coastal cruising. Unlike the earlier, more Spartan PC and PCC classes, the Kettenburg 40 featured a beamier hull and a more substantial displacement, offering a level of stability and interior volume that was revolutionary for the time. Approximately 40 of these wooden sloops were built between 1958 and 1965, and they remain a fixture of the California coast, particularly within the slips of the San Diego Yacht Club, where the model's heritage is deeply intertwined with the club's history.