Sailing Performance & Handling
The North American 40 is defined by its IOR heritage, which is immediately apparent in its "diamond" hull shape—featuring a wide beam carried amidships that tapers significantly toward the bow and stern. This design was intended to maximize rating advantages, but it resulted in a boat that is exceptionally powerful when sailing upwind. With a displacement-to-length ratio that sits firmly in the moderate category and a high-aspect masthead rig, the NA 40 is known for its ability to point high and maintain momentum through a chop.
According to technical retrospectives and owner accounts often cited by the Dickerson Owners Association, the boat exhibits "point and shoot" handling characteristics. The deep fin keel and large spade rudder provide significant lift and bite, allowing the helm to remain responsive even when the boat is pressed. However, like many IOR-era designs with pinched sterns, the NA 40 requires an active hand on the helm when sailing deep downwind in heavy seas to avoid the "death roll" oscillation common to the period. In moderate air, the boat is a formidable performer, often surprising modern coastal cruisers with its agility and ability to ghost along in light zephyrs thanks to its generous sail area.
Interior Comfort & Variations
Unlike the "condo-on-the-water" philosophy seen in the Morgan Out Island series, the North American 40’s interior is a study in functional seafaring ergonomics. The layout is traditional, featuring a V-berth forward, a central salon with a folding table, and a galley situated near the companionway for optimal ventilation and accessibility during a watch. Because the NA 40 was often used for distance racing, the interior emphasizes secure handholds and sea berths (lee cloths were a standard addition for many hulls).
Materials typically consist of warm teak veneers and solid wood trim, reflecting the high standards of Chesapeake-area craftsmanship associated with the Dickerson lineage. Headroom is ample for a performance-oriented hull, generally clearing six feet in the main cabin. There are few "variations" in the traditional sense, as the hull was optimized for its specific racing class, though some owners have retrofitted the nav station or removed the original pilot berths to create more storage for long-term cruising. Its sibling, the Dickerson 37, shares much of the NA 40’s DNA and aesthetic, though the 40 offers a significantly more stable platform for offshore work.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should approach the North American 40 with a focus on its structural longevity, as many of these vessels were campaigned hard in their early years.
- Keel Bolt Integrity: As a deep-fin keel boat, the stress on the keel sump can be significant. Inspect the fiberglass around the keel bolts for "smile" cracks or signs of movement, which may indicate the need for a re-bedding or structural reinforcement.
- Deck Core Saturation: Like many production boats of the 1980s, the NA 40 used balsa-coring in the decks. Moisture ingress around the stanchion bases, genoa tracks, and chainplates is a common finding. A percussion test (hammer sounding) or moisture meter is essential during a survey.
- Mast Step Corrosion: The aluminum mast is stepped on the keel. Over time, salt water sitting in the bilge can cause galvanic corrosion at the base of the spar.
- Engine Access: While the original Universal or Westerbeke diesels are robust, the engine compartment is tightly packed. Check for signs of deferred maintenance caused by difficult access to the raw water pump or heat exchanger.
Community & Resources
The primary repository for technical data and historical records for this model is the Dickerson Owners Association, which maintains a specialized focus on the North American 40 due to its design roots within the Dickerson yard. They provide access to original brochures and advice on restoring the specific hardware used during the Bethpage and St. Charles production runs.
The Verdict
The North American 40 is a "sailor’s sailboat," offering a level of performance and aesthetic grace that modern, high-volume cruisers often lack. It is an ideal choice for the buyer who wants a classic American lines-and-performance profile without the premium price tag of a Hinckley or a Bristol.
Pros:
- Exceptional upwind performance and pointing ability.
- Timeless, aggressive profile with high-quality interior woodwork.
- Robust construction capable of serious offshore passages.
- Active enthusiast community providing technical support.
Cons:
- IOR hull shape can be temperamental when running downwind in heavy weather.
- Interior volume is significantly less than modern 40-footers or Morgan Out Islands.
- Aging standing rigging and deck cores may require significant capital investment.
