Design and Construction
The Warrior 40 has a fiberglass (GRP) hull with a flush deck, a configuration that favors structural simplicity and weather protection over the airy volume of a raised-saloon profile.
The boat measures 39'4" overall, with a 31'3" waterline, 13'0" beam, and 5'0" draft. That relatively shallow draft for a boat of this size opens up thinner cruising waters. Iron ballast of 8,268 pounds in a displacement of 18,739 pounds produces a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 44.1% and keeps the center of gravity low.
The iron ballast is carried in a fin keel, paired with a skeg-hung rudder that places the steering blade in protected flow behind the keel. A displacement-to-length ratio of 411 puts the Warrior 40 firmly in the heavy-displacement cruiser category. Registered tonnage is 14.83 tons, rising to 16 in cruising mode, which confirms the substance beneath the flush deck.
Rig and Handling
The cutter rig combines an in-mast furling mainsail, a boomless self-tacking staysail, and a large 135% overlapping genoa. The deck-stepped mast has two sets of cross-trees and a pair of forward-facing jumper struts tensioned through an adjustable backstay. This supports the cutter’s inner forestay without the clutter of a permanent babystay.
Lewmar 44 winches handle the sheets, with Lewmar 40s dedicated to the halyards. A moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of about 15.0 provides solid performance in ordinary wind strengths without pushing the boat into performance-cruiser territory. Combined with a ballast ratio above 40%, this makes for a stiff boat that remains very stable under sail.
The comfort ratio of 41.6 indicates a hull shaped to reduce pounding and rolling underway. One owner did, however, report occasionally uncomfortable rolling at anchor—a separate condition from the boat’s behavior under sail.
Accommodation and Equipment
Below deck, the Warrior 40 sleeps six in accommodations described as sensible, roomy, and practical rather than luxurious.
Tankage reflects the boat’s long-distance purpose. Water capacity is 156 gallons, compared with a 50-gallon fuel tank. That balance favors extended self-sufficiency under sail, while the smaller diesel reserve is consistent with a boat expected to make passages under canvas.
A portable 4kW generator stows in a glassfibre pod beneath the skipper’s bunk, delivering 440 amp hours through an inverter. It provides a flexible source of power without requiring a permanent engine-driven installation.
On deck, a double bow roller carries a 45lb CQR anchor with 40 meters of chain and an equal length of warp. A 1,000W electric windlass handles the ground tackle. Many Warrior 40s were delivered without a fixed sprayhood, leaving owners to fit their preferred protection.
Known Issues and Refit Priorities
The main structural concern is the foredeck around the windlass. One owner found the deck flexing under windlass load. Refitting the windlass with substantial stainless steel bearers above and below the deck removed the problem.
Because the original arrangement proved marginal under load on that boat, buyers and surveyors should inspect the windlass mounting and surrounding deck structure closely. Owners who cruise seriously also tend to reinforce the ground-tackle mounting and address the lack of a fixed sprayhood as a matter of course.
Elsewhere, the in-mast furling mainsail and self-tacking staysail reduce crew workload. The deck-stepped mast and jumper-strut arrangement is known and serviceable rather than a hidden complication. Generous tankage and the stowable generator suggest a boat intended for owners who tailor equipment to their own passage plans.
Verdict
The Warrior 40 is a thoughtfully proportioned bluewater cruiser. Its heavy-displacement hull, stiff 44.1% ballast ratio, and practical cutter rig suit long-distance sailing. It isn’t a light-air rocket, but it is stable, roomy, and equipped for distance.
The reported foredeck flex deserves attention. Reinforcement proved an effective fix on the owner’s boat concerned, and the issue is described as a known and fixable item rather than a systemic flaw.
Pros
- Stiff, stable hull with a 44.1% ballast ratio and heavy-displacement seakeeping
- Practical cutter rig with in-mast furling and a self-tacking staysail
- Generous 156-gallon water capacity for long passages
- Sensible, roomy six-berth layout
Cons
- Foredeck flexed under windlass load on at least one owner’s boat
- Occasionally uncomfortable rolling at anchor reported by one owner
- Many boats were delivered without a fixed sprayhood
