- Types of Sailboats
- Parts of a Sailboat
- Cruising Boats
- Small Sailboats
- Design Basics
- Sailboats under 30'
- Sailboats 30'-35
- Sailboats 35'-40'
- Sailboats 40'-45'
- Sailboats 45'-50'
- Sailboats 50'-55'
- Sailboats over 55'
- Masts & Spars
- Knots, Bends & Hitches
- The 12v Energy Equation
- Electronics & Instrumentation
- Build Your Own Boat
- Buying a Used Boat
- Choosing Accessories
- Living on a Boat
- Cruising Offshore
- Sailing in the Caribbean
- Anchoring Skills
- Sailing Authors & Their Writings
- Mary's Journal
- Nautical Terms
- Cruising Sailboats for Sale
- List your Boat for Sale Here!
- Used Sailing Equipment for Sale
- Sell Your Unwanted Gear
- Sailing eBooks: Download them here!
- Your Sailboats
- Your Sailing Stories
- Your Fishing Stories
- Advertising
- What's New?
- Chartering a Sailboat
- Cruising Yachts 40' to 45'
The Hughes 40 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators
The Hughes 40, a staysail ketch, was designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in Canada by Hughes Boatworks.
Published Specification for the Hughes 40
Underwater Profile: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hull Material: GRP
Length Overall: 41'6" (13.3m
Waterline Length: 31'6" ( 9.7m)
Beam: 13'4" (4.1m)
Draft: 5'0" (1.5m)
Rig Type: Staysail ketch
Displacement: 24,000lb (10,886kg)
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens
Builder: Hughes Boatworks (Canada)
Year First Built: 1975
Design Ratios
- The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio , calculated by dividing the sail area by the vessel's displacement, predicts the sailboat's speed potential. A higher ratio suggests a speedier ship. The Hughes 40, with its modest rating (16.8), suggests a balanced design that does not compromise stability for speed, making it ideal for cruising.
- The Ballast/Displacement Ratio (38.5%) for the Hughes 40 underscores its durability and stiffness under harsh sea conditions. With a high ratio, the Hughes 40 offers increased stability, an essential trait for a cruising sailboat. The strength of this sailboat not only holds up to the challenges of the sea but also offers a comforting sense of security for seafarers.
- The Displacement/Length Ratio (246) of the Hughes 40 provides insights into its seaworthiness. A lower ratio indicates a lightweight and agile vessel, while a higher ratio signifies a heavy cruiser more suited for long, open water journeys. The Hughes 40 hits a sweet spot, offering an excellent compromise between weight and performance.
- The Comfort Ratio estimates the motion comfort of the boat under various sea conditions, giving potential buyers an idea of how smooth or rough the sailboat's ride will be. The Hughes 40 features a high Comfort Ratio of 34, implying a smooth ride even in rough waves, an asset on long voyages where fatigue from constant motion can set in.
- The Capsize Screening Formula of the Hughes 40 deserves mentioning, considering it to be a significant factor determining a sailboat's seaworthiness. This figure (1.7) suggests that the Hughes 40 is relatively resistant to capsizing, ensuring peace of mind for its users.
The all-important design ratios; what they mean and how they're derived...
The interior layout and design of the Hughes 40 sailboat focuses on practicality and efficiency for extended voyages. Here's a general description of the amenities it typically offers:
- Salon : The main salon features a spacious sitting area with comfortable sitting arrangments, which can also convert into additional berths for sleeping. This area generally accommodates a fold-down table for group meals, navigation tables, or card games.
- Galley : The galley, or kitchen, is typically designed for the economy of movement, with a stove, oven, sink, and storage for food and cooking equipment. Some models also feature a fridge and a microwave.
- Cabins : Hughes 40 usually offers two cabins – one forward and one aft. Both cabins usually have a double berth and are equipped with storage areas and hanging lockers.
- Head : The Hughes 40 offers a single marine toilet or 'head', sometimes with a separate shower area. The space is compact but designed to be easy to clean and maintain.
- Cockpit : On deck, there’s a large cockpit for navigation and outdoor living. It's designed for comfort and safety for both coastal and offshore expeditions.
Remember, each Hughes 40 sailboat might be different, as owners often modify their boats to fit their needs. These are general features and your actual layout and amenities may vary.
Alternatives & Options
Toward the later production years of the Hughes 40, some different versions and modifications were introduced to meet diverse sailors' preferences and requirements. However, details on these variants may not always be clear due to the customizations done by owners over the years.
- Hughes 40 Pilothouse : Some versions of the Hughes 40 were produced with a pilothouse layout, providing an enclosed steering station. Pilothouse boats are popular among cruisers as they combine the security of an inside steering station with the visibility of outdoor navigation.
- Interior Modifications : While the traditional Hughes 40 has a two-cabin layout, some versions might have come with a single-cabin layout that provides more open space in the salon area.
- Rigging Variations : There are some versions of Hughes 40 with cutter rigs, which involve a second, smaller headsail for more sailing versatility, particularly in harsh weather conditions.
Keep in mind that each Hughes boat is unique, regardless of the model, thanks to the company's tradition of encouraging owners to customize their boats to suit personal needs and ambitions. Therefore, it is always recommended to inspect a prospective Hughes 40 carefully to assess modifications and confirm the boat's current condition.
The Competition
The Hughes 40 is a stable and sturdy cruiser, built for long-distance voyages. However, other sailboats in its class also have unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific sailing conditions. Let's compare it with a couple of other similarly sized sailboats.
1. Hughes 40 vs. Catalina 400
- Speed : Hughes 40, with its sleek design and large sail area, tends to be faster in the right conditions. Meanwhile, the Catalina 400 is also fast but it's more reliable at moderate wind speeds.
- Comfort : The Catalina 400 has a more spacious interior, making it more suitable for extended periods of cruising.
- Durability : Hughes 40 is recognized for its robust build, designed to withstand tough weather conditions.
2. Hughes 40 vs. Beneteau 40
- Performance : The Beneteau 40 has a reputation for being more maneuverable due to its fin keel with spade rudder. Hughes 40, however, is known for its cruising stability, especially in high winds.
- Comfort : Once again, the Hughes 40 may be outclassed by the Beneteau 40, which offers a more luxurious interior and better facilities.
- Maintenance : Owners often find the Hughes 40 easier and more affordable to maintain over the long term, due to its simpler design and durable construction.
Take note that each of these sailing yachts has its pros and cons, so the best choice depends on your personal needs, preferences, and sailing conditions. For instance, if you value interior comfort and luxury over everything else, then the Catalina 400 or Beneteau 40 might be more appealing. Conversely, if you are planning long voyages and want a sea-worthy vessel that can withstand harsh weather, the Hughes 40 would be more suitable.
Possible issues...
Common issues and complaints about Hughes 40 sailboats are not widely documented due to the boat's robust and reliable construction. However, no boat is without its quirks and potential concerns. Here are some common issues that some Hughes 40 owners might express:
- Aging Systems : Given the Hughes 40s were built during the 1970s, many of the original boats will require updating of electrical wiring, plumbing, and onboard electronics. This effort can be time-consuming and may bring unanticipated expenses.
- Interior Space : While the Hughes 40 is well-known for its sailing performance and seaworthiness, some might find the interior living space to be relatively compact, particularly when compared to more modern cruising yachts in the same size bracket.
- Availability of Spare Parts : Due to the age of these boats and the closure of Hughes Boat Works, finding exact replacement parts can sometimes be a challenge.
- Deck Leaks : Like many used boats, older models may have issues with deck leaks. Potential buyers should bear this in mind during inspection and budget for any necessary repairs.
- Heavy Steering : Some owners have noted that the Hughes 40 can be noticeably heavy on the helm in certain wind conditions. This can make short-handed sailing more challenging.
- Variability in Maintenance and Condition : The Hughes 40 is a vintage boat, and the condition of individual boats on the market can vary widely, depending on how well previous owners have preserved and updated them.
Keep in mind, these issues will not apply to all Hughes 40 boats, and many owners have found them to be dependable and enjoyable cruising yachts. As with all used boat purchases, thorough research and careful inspection are key before making a decision.
The Secondhand Market
Considering the availability of Hughes 40 for sale in the secondhand market, while not overflowing, there's a decent selection available for prospective buyers. This offers an opportunity for many sailing enthusiasts to own this magnificent sailboat, often at a fraction of the price of a brand-new one.
The asking prices for secondhand Hughes 40 sailboats vary considerably, depending on the condition, age, location, and included equipment. However, generally, these boats are priced competitively when compared to other sailboats in the same class, making them an affordable choice for many.
We found several used Hughes 40 sailboats listed for sale online at prices ranging from $50,000 to $100,000.
I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com
Recent Articles
The CSY 44 Mid-Cockpit Sailboat
Sep 15, 24 08:18 AM
Hallberg-Rassy 41 Specs & Key Performance Indicators
Sep 14, 24 03:41 AM
Amel Kirk 36 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators
Sep 07, 24 03:38 PM
Here's where to:
- Find Used Sailboats for Sale...
- Find Used Sailing Gear for Sale...
- List your Sailboat for Sale...
- List your Used Sailing Gear...
Our eBooks...
A few of our Most Popular Pages...
Copyright © 2024 Dick McClary Sailboat-Cruising.com
The Hughes 40 is a 40.0ft masthead ketch designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in fiberglass by Hughes Boat Works since 1975.
The Hughes 40 is a very heavy sailboat which is under powered. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a heavy bluewater cruising boat. The fuel capacity is average. There is a good water supply range.
Hughes 40 for sale elsewhere on the web:
Main features
| Model | Hughes 40 | ||
| Length | 40 ft | ||
| Beam | 13.25 ft | ||
| Draft | 4.67 ft | ||
| Country | Canada (North America) | ||
| Estimated price | $ 0 | ?? |
Login or register to personnalize this screen.
You will be able to pin external links of your choice.
See how Sailboatlab works in video
| Sail area / displ. | 13.69 | ||
| Ballast / displ. | 32.86 % | ||
| Displ. / length | 419.59 | ||
| Comfort ratio | 41.12 | ||
| Capsize | 1.75 |
| Hull type | Monohull fin keel with rudder on skeg | ||
| Construction | Fiberglass | ||
| Waterline length | 31 ft | ||
| Maximum draft | 4.67 ft | ||
| Displacement | 28000 lbs | ||
| Ballast | 9200 lbs | ||
| Hull speed | 7.46 knots |
We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt
| Rigging | Masthead Ketch | ||
| Sail area (100%) | 786 sq.ft | ||
| Air draft | 0 ft | ?? | |
| Sail area fore | 344.75 sq.ft | ||
| Sail area main | 302.75 sq.ft | ||
| I | 49.25 ft | ||
| J | 14 ft | ||
| P | 43.25 ft | ||
| E | 14 ft |
| Nb engines | 1 | ||
| Total power | 0 HP | ||
| Fuel capacity | 75 gals |
Accommodations
| Water capacity | 180 gals | ||
| Headroom | 0 ft | ||
| Nb of cabins | 0 | ||
| Nb of berths | 0 | ||
| Nb heads | 0 |
Builder data
| Builder | Hughes Boat Works | ||
| Designer | Sparkman & Stephens | ||
| First built | 1975 | ||
| Last built | 0 | ?? | |
| Number built | 0 | ?? |
Modal Title
The content of your modal.
Personalize your sailboat data sheet
Visit our Popular Forums
- Monohull Sailboats
- Multihull Sailboats
- Powered Boats
- General Sailing
- Antares Yachts
- Fountaine Pajot
- Lagoon Catamarans
Cruising Business
- Boat Classifieds
- General Classifieds
- Crew Positions
- Commercial Posts
- Vendor Spotlight
Life Aboard a Boat
- Provisioning: Food & Drink
- Families, Kids, & Pets Afloat
- Recreation, Entertainment, & Fun
- Boat Ownership & Making a Living
- Liveaboard's Forum
Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling
- Seamanship & Boat Handling
- Training, Licensing, & Certification
- Health, Safety, & Related Gear
- Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape
Engineering & Systems
- Const. / Maint. / Refit
- Product / Service Reviews
- Electronics: Comms / AV
- Electrical: Batts / Gen / Solar
- Lithium Power Systems
- Engines & Propulsion
- Propellers & Drive Systems
- Plumbing / Fixtures
- Deck Hdw: Rigging / Sails
- Aux. Equipment & Dinghy
- Anchoring & Mooring
Photo Categories
- Member Galleries
- Life Onboard
- Sailing in the Wind
- Power Boats
- Cruising Destinations
- Maint. & Boat Building
- Marine Life
- Scuba Diving & Divers
- General Photos
Recent Photos
Listing Categories
- African Cats
- view more »
- Crew Wanted
- Crew Available
- Enhance Your Account
- Meet the Mods
- Meet the Advisors
- Signup for The Daily Cruiser Email
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is expressed in feet. Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): Designed to determine if a boat has blue water capability.
Hughes 40 - Cored Hull ? I'm researching the Hughes 40, an oldish Sparkman & Stephens design that was built in Canada starting in the early 70s. Other than the tumultuous history of the Hughes company and generally well-appreciated construction practices, I can't find much information on the boat itself.
The Hughes 40 is a stable and sturdy cruiser, built for long-distance voyages. However, other sailboats in its class also have unique characteristics that make them suitable for specific sailing conditions. Let's compare it with a couple of other similarly sized sailboats. 1. Hughes 40 vs. Catalina 400.
I have a '76 Northstar 40 Hull #42 that was nicely converted from ketch to sloop and would definitely call her a blue water boat.And she is a joy to sail. S&S design is excellent but maintenance and outfitting are part of being a blue-water boat as well. She stays upright even in heavy winds and the center cockpit is both convenient and feels very safe. I just hauled here and painted hull and ...
Learn about the Hughes 40, a classic ketch sailboat designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Hughes Boat Works from 1975. Find out its dimensions, rig and sails, auxiliary power, accommodations, and calculations for speed, sail area, displacement, and comfort ratio.
Hughes 40/Northstar 80/20. I have some experience with small boat sailing, but totally new to big boats. I have 3 growing boys with kayaks, paddle-boards, a dog, etc. Looking to do longish trips in the North Channel of Lake Huron and Superior and maybe someday head down south. So I have been looking for a bluewater boat (stable/safe), with ...
1980 Hughes Boat Works H40. St. Augustine, FL, US. Listed Mar 1. Expired. $21,000 USD. Seller's Description. West Wind is a 1980 Hughes 40, also sold as NorthStar 80/20 center cockpit ketch. A Sparkman and Stevens design (2134) is heavily built for blue water cruising by Hughes Boatworks in Ontario Canada. The vessel features comfortable center ...
The Hughes 40 is a 40.0ft masthead ketch designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built in fiberglass by Hughes Boat Works since 1975. The Hughes 40 is a very heavy sailboat which is under powered. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a heavy bluewater cruising boat.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Hughes 40 is about 255 kg/cm, alternatively 1432 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 255 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1432 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
1976 • 7.6 m. Sailboat. Hughes 25. 1968 • 7.7 m. Hughes Boat Works was founded by brothers, Howard and Peter Hughes and first located at Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, (near Toronto) where they built small dinghies. In 1965 the company moved to Scarborough, Ontario, and from 1965 to 1967 they built the HUGHES 24 (using tooling purchased from ...
Our plan is to learn to sail her on Lake Huron for next 6 years and make upgrades to her etc and then we will retire and sail to islands. Erie canal , New 1986 Hughes 40 H40 - Cruisers & Sailing Forums
Hughes Boat Works was founded by brothers, Howard and Peter Hughes and first located at Willowdale, Ontario, Canada, (near Toronto) where they built small dinghies. In 1965 the company moved to Scarborough, Ontario, and from 1965 to 1967 they built the HUGHES 24 (using tooling purchased from Tanzer Industries Ltd.), the HUGHES 27 (designed by Howard Hughes), and the HUGHES 38 (Sparkman ...
Some of the best-known Hughes models currently listed include: 34 Trimaran, 38 MKIII, 40, 40-46 Tri and Northstar 1500. Various Hughes models are currently offered for sale by specialized yacht brokers, dealers and brokerages on YachtWorld, with listings ranging from 1975 year models up to 2019. Find Hughes boats for sale in your area & across ...
Unknown member. #2 · Jul 11, 2001. I owned a Hughes quarter tonner back in the 1970''s and I am reasonably familiar with Hughes as a company. Hughes was a small Canadian boat builder started in the 1960''s. They originally produced a line of boat designed by founder Howard Hughes (not that Howard Hughes) Later they were bought by US Steel and ...
R. relmason. 5 posts · Joined 2010. #2 · Jun 6, 2010. I just bought a 1979 10.7 from a fellow who has sailed and owned numerous boats for much of his 75 years and though my personal experience is very limited so far, he stated that this boat pointed very well and rode rough seas quite comfortably having singled-handed it from the Keys to ...
Built by Hughes Boat Works and designed by Sparkman & Stephens, the boat was first built in 1975. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 12.19. Its sail area/displacement ratio 13.69. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on Diesel. HUGHES 40 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid ...
31' Mariner Ketch - Major Restoration & Repower - New Rigging & Sails Tenants Harbor Maine, Maine Asking $45,000
The 'Sugar and Spice' is a Hughes 40, ketch rigged sailboat built in 1978 . She was built in Ontario, Canada. Designed by Sparkman and Stephens. She has a full keel 9000lbs lead which only draws 47. Her centre cockpit provides spacious accommodations and storage below decks.
Find more information and images about the boat and contact the seller or search more boats for sale on YachtWorld. ... Sail; Lifestyle; Reviews; Toggle Navigation. United States (English) Danmark - Dansk. Deutschland - Deutsch. ... 2019 Hughes 40-46 Tri | 46ft. Ladysmith, British Columbia. US$199,000 . Own this boat for $1,512/month. Customize.
Image upload Hughes 40. All our reviews are 100% dependent of the illustrations and specific data elements we have in our database. In our reviews we would like to illustrate the following: ... The boat as such; The saloon; The cockpit; For sailboats: The keel; For sailboats: The rig; This said, all photos and drawings are welcome. Especially ...
Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. ... Toronto a couple of weeks ago. I just got off the phone with Pat Sturgeon of Pat Sturgeon Yachts, he used to work for Hughes Boat Works and in fact commissioned a number of Hughes 38s. ... (My winter storage marina is adamant about charging me at 39x $40.00 ...
Hughes Boat Works: Related Sailboats: HUGHES 38-1 : Download Boat Record: ... 30 to 40 indicates a moderate bluewater cruising boat; 40 to 50 indicates a heavy bluewater boat; over 50 indicates an extremely heavy bluewater boat. Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam^1.33), where displacement is expressed in pounds, and length is ...
Spent saturday morning looking at a 1981 Sparkman and Stephens designed 31' Hughes. This was the first sailboat I've looked at to purchase so I have nothing really to compare it with (purchase-wise). Minor water damage in the cabin due to a chainplate leaking, forward hatch leaks as well. It has a Diesel and not the gas saildrive.