Popular Cruising Yachts from 35 to 40 Feet Long Overall

Choosing the right cruising yacht is a significant decision for any sailor, and many are drawn to vessels in the 35 to 40-foot range. This size offers a blend of family cruising and offshore capability, making it an attractive option for a wide range of cruising sailors.

At the top end of this size range, this Wauquiez Centurion 40 is an impressive passage maker

Sailboats at the top of this size range—those above 12m long overall—will find that they are charged considerably more in marinas than those that fall just under 12m LOA. Something worth bearing in mind perhaps?

One of the primary benefits of yachts in this range is their ease of handling. Apart from long-keelers which handle in much the same way as supermarket trolleys, these vessels are generally responsive to the helm and are suitable for solo sailors and short-handed crews alike.

Comfort is another strong point—these yachts typically provide ample space for living aboard. You can expect cozy sleeping quarters, a functional galley and at least one head. While two heads undoubtedly provide a degree of redundancy if one fails, the space could be much better used in boats of this size—in my opinion that is!

A typical accommodation layout for a cruising yacht in this size range. This one's a Beneteau First 375

While most yachts in this size range are Bermudan Sloops, some are rigged as cutters—a cruising rig which, in my opinion, takes some beating...

A well-regarded cutter—the Island Packet 37

This is a popular size range for a reason. These boats offer a great mix of being easy to handle, comfy enough to live on, and versatile enough for all sorts of cruising activity. Think coastal hops, island hopping, maybe even some offshore passages – they can handle it all without being overwhelming.

But, as in all things, there are trade-offs. Space is at a premium, so if you're planning on sailing with a big crew or packing everything but the kitchen sink, things might get a bit cozy. And while they're generally seaworthy, they won't handle rough weather quite as confidently as a larger, heavier boat.

Nevertheless, a 35 to 40-footer could be just the ticket!

Cruising Yachts 35' to 40' featured on this page...

A to K

Allied Princess 36;
Amel Kirk 36;
Amel Sharki;
Bavaria 37;
Bavaria 37 Cruiser;
Bayfield 40;
Beneteau First 35s5;
Beneteau First 375;
Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 361;
Beneteau Oceanis 381;
Beneteau 393;
Biscay 36;
Bolero 35.5;
Bowman 36;
Bowman 40;
C&C 36;
Cabo Rico 38;
Cascade 36;
Catalina 36;
Catalina 380;
Cavalier 39;
Challenger 35;
Columbia 36;
Colvic Countess 37;
Contest 38S;
Dehler 36;
Dehler 37 CWS;
Dehler 38 (Van de Stadt);
Dehler 38 (Judel/Vrolijk);
Dehler 39 CWS;
Dufour 380;
Dufour 385 Grand Large;
Ericson 39;
Etap 38i;
Finnsailor 35;
Frigate 36;
Gozzard 36;
Grand Soleil 37;
Gulfstar 36;
Hallberg-Rassy 37;
Hanse 388;
Hood 38;
Hunter 356;
Hunter 36 Legend;
Hunter 376;
Hunter 39;
Hustler 35;
Islander 37 MS;
Island Packet Estero 36;
Island Packet 37;
Island Packet 38;
Island Packet 380;
Jeanneau Sun Fast 37;
Jeanneau Sun Fast 39;
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35;

Behind each of the cruising yacht images there's a lot more information, including:

Dimensions & Specifications;
Design Ratios;
A summary analysis of the boat's predicted sailing characteristics in terms of performance, stiffness, heaviness, comfort in a seaway and resistance to capsize.

To see it all, just click on the relevant image...

Mariner 40

Undeniably, with her gentle sheer, clipper bow and 'moustache' nameplate, the Mariner 40 ketch is a very attractive cruising yacht. Her long keel and very heavy displacement suggest she'll be a steady, comfortable performer in a seaway but passage times will suffer as a result.

A Mariner 36 cruising yacht moored in Prickly Bay, Grenada

The Mariner 40, a long-keeled ketch, was designed by Clair Oberly and built in Japan by Far East Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Cavalier 39

Many thanks to the owner of 'Kiwa' for this pic of his Cavalier 39 cruising yacht.

The Cavalier 39, a masthead sloop, was designed by Bob Salthouse and built in New Zealand by Export Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Tayana 37

The Tayana 37, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bob Perry and built in Taiwan by Ta Yang Yacht Building.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Malo 50

The Malo 50, a centre-cockpit cruising boat was designed by Olsoners Batbyggen and built in Sweden by Malo Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Vancouver 36

The Vancouver 36, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Tony Taylor and built in the UK by Northshore Yachts Ltd.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Dehler 36

The Dehler 36 CWS, a fractional sloop, was designed by E.G. van de Stadt and built in Germany by Dehler Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Pearson 38

The Pearson 385, a centre-cockpit cutter, was designed by William Shaw and built in the USA by Pearson Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Frigate 36

The Frigate 36, a long-keeled sloop, was designed by C&C (George Cuthbertson & George Cassian) and built in Canada by Belleville Marine Yards.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Bayfield 40

The Bayfield 40, a staysail ketch, was designed by Hayden Gozzard and built in Canada by the Bayfield Boatyard.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Dufour 380

The Dufour 380, a fractional sloop, was designed by Umberto Felci & Patrick Roséo and built in France by Dufour Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Island Packet Estero 36

The Island Packet Estero 36, a long-keeled masthead sloop, was designed by Robert Johnson and built in the USA by Island Packet Yachts.
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Beneteau 393

The Beneteau 393, a masthead sloop was designed by the Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design and built in France by Beneteau.
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Tashiba 40 (aka Baba 40 and Panda 40)

A Tashiba 40 Heavy Displacement Canoe Sterned Cruising Yacht

The Tashiba 40, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bob Perry and built in Taiwan by Ta Shing Yacht Builders.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Oyster Heritage 37

Many thanks to Andy Thomson for this pic of 'Spellbinder', his Oyster Heritage 37 cruising yacht ...

The Oyster Heritage 37, an aft-cockpit masthead sloop, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by Oyster Marine Ltd.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Southerly 115 Mk1

The Southerly 115, a swing-keel cruiser, was designed by Dick Carter and built in the UK by Northshore Yachts Ltd.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Colvic Countess 37

The Colvic Countess 37 centre-cockpit cutter was designed by Ian Anderson and built in the UK by Colvic Craft Ltd.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Shearwater 39

The Shearwater 39 cutter was designed by Dudley Dix and built in South Africa by Nebe Boatworks.
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Island Packet 38

The Island Packet 38, a long-keeled aft-cockpit cutter, was designed by Bob Johnson and built in the USA by Island Packet Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Island Packet 380

The Island Packet 380, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by Bob Johnson and built in the USA by Island Packet Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

S2 11.0

The S2 11.0C, a centre-cockpit sloop, was designed by Arthur Edmunds and built in the USA by S2 Yachts.
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Bowman 36

The Bowman 36, a long-keeled offshore cruiser, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by Bowman Yachts Ltd.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Pearson 39-2

Many thanks to Crystal and Rob Bleecher for this pic of their Pearson 39-2 cruising yacht.

The Pearson 39-2, a masthead sloop, was designed by William Shaw and built in the USA by Pearson Yachts.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Hunter 39

The Hunter 39, a B&R rigged fractional sloop, was designed by Glenn Henderson and built in the USA by Hunter Yachts.
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Swan 40

The Swan 40, a masthead sloop, was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in Sweden by Nautor Swan.
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Valiant 40

Many thanks to Barry Bateman for this great pic of 'New World', his Valiant 40 cruising yacht.

The Valiant 40, a canoe-sterned aft-cockpit cutter, was designed by Bob Perry and built in the USA by Uniflite Inc and Valiant Yachts.
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Westerly Conway 36

'Weohgi', a ketch-rigged Westerly Conway 36 cruising yacht, winter-sailing off the south coast of England. Many thanks to owner Geoffrey Mills for the pic.

The Westerly Conway 36, a centre-cockpit ketch, was designed by Laurent Giles and built in the UK by Westerly Marine Ltd.
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Cascade 36

Reefed down, 'Transcendence' - a Cascade 36 sloop - is making good progress into a short chop. Many thanks to owner Michael McLaughlin for the pic.

The Cascade 36, a masthead sloop, was designed by Robert Smith and built in the USA by Cascade Yachts.
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Warrior 40

The Warrior 40, a sturdy offshore cutter, was designed by Angus Primrose & Bill Dixon and built in the UK by Trident Marine Ltd.
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Tradewind 35

The Tradewind 35, a long-keeled cutter, was designed by John Rock and built in the UK by Blondecell Ltd.
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Wasa 30

Thank you, Han van der Stap, for submitting this pic of your stunning yacht 'SysterSol'. As you say, she is "a beautiful Swedish boat, sure and fast, for long distance cruising."

The Wasa 30, a 36' light displacement fractionally rigged sloop, was designed by Leif Angermark and built in Sweden by Wasa Marin A.B.
More Specs & Key Performance Indicators...

Allied Princess 36

Many thanks to David Humphreys for submitting this great pic of 'Gabriel', his ketch-rigged Allied Princess 36 Mk2. The Mk2 version was introduced in 1980, unlike its predecessor, sporting a bowsprit. Both versions were available as either ketch or cutter rigs.

David tells us that 'Gabriel' (hull #130) has been well maintained and up-graded since her commissioning in 1980. She's based in Annapolis MD and spends her days sailing to local destinations with a few over-nighters.