40 Cape Dory performance

[John Schafer]

How does the 40' CD perform compared to the 36'CD? There were so few of them made compared to the number of 36's that are out there. Were there any issues or flaws that materialized by increasing the design size. Thanks.

[Joe CD MS 300]

I chartered one of the CD 45's a few years back. Although not a 40 and a ketch vs. a sloop, there was no noteworthy difference in sailing charateristics that I recall. A beautiful boat. It is back in charter again.

[Steve Laume]

Just looked at the specs.

The CD-40 gains 3FT of waterline over the CD-36's #30FT. Does that equate to 10 % of hull speed increase?

The most troubling spec in the CD-40 is the 5'-8" draft. That is getting deep enough to greatly increase performance in running aground.

They are both beautiful boats, Steve.

[Craig Curtis]

Hi John,

I'm the proud owner of "Coalescence" which is the last of the 40s (hull #16.) For three years now I've done the Chicago-Mackinac race which is handicapped under the relatively rare ORR system rather than the more widely used PHRF. Unless a sister ship has already been rated, one must have the hull laser measured, stability tests performed and a variety of other time/money consuming measurements taken to get the boat rated. With my boat already in the water ahead of that first race, this would have been a deal killer for me. However, a Cape Dory 36 had already been rated so the folks at US Sailing compared the line drawings and dimensions of the 40 against their extensive measurements for the 36 and ultimately rated the 40 as just a larger version of the 36.

Craig Curtis
1990 Cape Dory 40 "Coalescence"
Belmont Harbor, Chicago

[Como No Cruising]

Regarding the question of CD40 compared to 36, I have sailed both offshore and found very little difference in handling qualities. There is a large difference in accomodation, as to be expected. The CD 36, Raven, was sailed in the Gulf of Mexico. We have cruised our CD 40, hull #8, around the world for 12 years and are still living aboard and are still happy with the performance and accomodation, as well as the admiring inquiries. Personally I do not feel that you can go wrong with either vessel.
Will & Annie La Fleur
Como NO--CD40
Caribbean

[Como No Cruising]

Regarding the question of CD40 compared to 36, I have sailed both offshore and found very little difference in handling qualities. There is a large difference in accomodation, as to be expected. The CD 36, Raven, was sailed in the Gulf of Mexico. We have cruised our CD 40, hull #8, around the world for 12 years and are still living aboard and are still happy with the performance and accomodation, as well as the admiring inquiries. Personally I do not feel that you can go wrong with either vessel.
Will & Annie La Fleur
Como NO--CD40
Caribbean