Our sailboat

We bought an old Beneteau Oceanis 40CC Clipper, constructed in 1999, launched on 2000. 
This model was produced between 1995 and 2002. It is known for its comfort, spaciousness, and suitability for long voyages or liveaboard lifestyles. 

According to available information, a total of 291 units of the Oceanis 40CC (all versions combined, including the Clipper version) were built during this period. So you don't find much of those bad boys on the market. 

Everything you want to know about the boat is mentioned below: 

General Specifications

- Designer: Groupe Finot

- Builder: Bénéteau (France)

- Year of Construction: 1999 (launched as 2000 model)

- Hull Type: Monohull, sloop-rigged with centre cockpit

- Construction Material: GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) hull and deck

- LOA (Length Overall): 11.98 m (39 ft 4 in)

- LWL (Length at Waterline): 11.20 m (36 ft 9 in)

- Beam: 3.95 m (12 ft 11 in)

- Draft: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)

- Displacement: Approximately 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs)

- Ballast: 2,430 kg (5,357 lbs) – typically lead, fin keel configuration

- Keel Type: Fin keel with bulb  

- Rudder: Spade rudder

 Accommodations

- Cabins: 2 (forward cabin + large aft owner’s suite)

- Berths: 6 (doubles + convertible saloon)

- Headroom: ~1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) in saloon

- Heads: 2 (forward + aft en-suite)

- Galley: Linear, port side, with stove/oven, sink, fridge

- Saloon: U-shaped settee starboard, nav station port

- Cockpit: Centre, spacious with table and wheel ( on starboard, which gives space around the table) 

 Engine and Propulsion  

- Engine: Yanmar: 4JH3E 

- Power: 56 hp (diesel) – The Yanmar 4JH3E is a 4-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine rated at 56 hp at 3,800 RPM.  

- Fuel Tank Capacity: Approximately 150 L (40 US gal)  

- Propulsion: Shaft drive with a fixed or folding propeller (check your setup—your renovation log mentions cleaning propellers, suggesting a fixed type unless upgraded).

- Cruising Speed: ~6–7 knots (under power).

- Max Speed: ~8 knots (under power).

- Weight:  about 201 kg (443 lbs) dry and uses a mechanical injection system.

 Rigging and Sails

- Rig Type: Sloop (single mast, fore-and-aft rigged)

- Mast: Deck-stepped, aluminum, likely with in-mast furling, 14m  

- Sail Area (100% fore triangle): ~73 m² (786 ft²) – varies slightly

- Main Sail: ~33 m² (355 ft²) – often furling

- Genoa: ~40 m² (430 ft²) – furling standard

- SA/Disp: ~16–18 (cruising performance)

Tankage

- Fresh Water Capacity: ~500 L (132 US gal) –  split in 2 tanks

- Fuel Capacity: 150 L (40 US gal)

 Performance Metrics

- Ballast/Displacement Ratio: ~28–29%
This is the percentage of the boat’s total weight (displacement) that comes from the ballast (the weight in the keel). Higher ratios indicate greater stability against heeling (tipping) under sail.

- Typical Range: 

  - Racing boats: 35–50% (very stiff, high performance).
  - Cruising boats: 25–35% (balanced stability and comfort).
  - Light day sailors: <25% (less stable, more tender).

Our Boat: At 28–29%, this is on the lower side of typical cruising boats but still respectable. With a ballast of 2,430 kg and displacement of 8,500 kg, it is good for a cruising boat like the Oceanis 40CC. It’s not as stiff as a performance cruiser or racer (e.g., 40%), but it provides adequate righting moment for comfort-focused cruising.
You won’t win races, but it’s stable enough for coastal or moderate offshore sailing, especially with proper sail management (like reefing in stronger winds).

- Displacement/Length Ratio: ~200–220
This measures how heavy the boat is relative to its waterline length (LWL), indicating speed potential and motion.

Typical Range: 

  - Light racing boats: <150 (fast, agile).
  - Cruising boats: 200–300 (moderate speed, good load-carrying).
  - Heavy bluewater boats: >300 (slow, stable).

Our Boat: At ~200–220, it’s in the moderate cruising range, leaning toward the lighter side.
It is very good for a cruising sailboat. It strikes a balance: light enough for decent speed (not sluggish), but heavy enough to carry gear and handle waves without being twitchy. It’s ideal for coastal cruising or occasional longer trips, though not optimized for extreme ocean crossings.

- Comfort Ratio: ~30–35
Developed by Ted Brewer, this estimates motion comfort in a seaway, factoring in displacement and length. Higher numbers mean a smoother, less jerky ride.

Typical Range: 

  - Day sailors: <20 (lively, uncomfortable in chop).
  - Cruisers: 20–40 (comfortable for most).
  - Heavy bluewater boats: >40 (very smooth, slow).

Our Boat: At ~30–35, it’s solidly in the cruising comfort zone.
It is excellent for a cruiser. It promises a reasonably smooth ride in moderate seas, making it pleasant for liveaboard or extended trips. It’s not as plush as a heavy 50-footer (40+), but it’s far better than a lightweight racer.

- Capsize Screening Formula: ~1.9–2.0
This assesses the boat’s resistance to capsizing in rough seas.

Typical Range: 

  - <2.0: Suitable for offshore sailing (lower is better).
  - >2.0: Riskier in extreme conditions (beamy, light boats).

Our Boat: At ~1.9–2.0, it’s right on the cusp of offshore capability.

It is good for a cruising boat. A CSF below 2.0 is the threshold for bluewater safety, meaning your Oceanis 40CC can handle moderate offshore passages with care (e.g., avoiding storms). It’s not as robust as a dedicated ocean-crosser (e.g., CSF 1.7), but it’s fine for your likely use.

- Hull Speed: ~7.8–8.0 knots
This is the theoretical maximum speed a displacement hull can achieve before it starts planing (rare for cruisers)  

Typical Range: 

  - Small boats: 5–7 knots.
  - Cruisers (35–45 ft): 7–9 knots.
  - Racers: >9 knots (or planing).

Our Boat: ~7.8–8.0 knots.

It is perfectly good for a 40-ft cruising boat. It’s not fast (racers exceed this), but it’s efficient for long passages, and your Yanmar 4JH3E (56 hp) supports this under power.

 

Overall Assessment

Those metrics are excellent for a cruising sailboat like the Oceanis 40CC Clipper, designed for comfort, moderate performance, and occasional offshore use. 

- Purpose Match: It’s a liveaboard-friendly cruiser (30 m² space, 2 cabins), not a racer or extreme bluewater vessel. These metrics balance stability, speed, and comfort perfectly for coastal cruising, short offshore hops, or living aboard.

- Strengths: 

  - Comfort Ratio (30–35) ensures a pleasant ride.

  - D/L (200–220) offers decent speed without being sluggish.

  - CSF (~1.9–2.0) and Ballast/Displacement (28–29%) provide reasonable safety and stability.

  - Hull Speed (7.8–8.0 knots) is practical for its size.

- Limitations: It’s not a high-performance boat (lowish ballast ratio) or a heavy-duty ocean-crosser (CSF near 2.0, moderate displacement). In heavy weather, you’d need to reef early and avoid extreme conditions.