BoatsOlson 40

Olson 40

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1982–1986

A slender 12-metre masthead sloop with a high ballast-to-displacement ratio designed for competitive offshore racing

Designed by George Olson, built by Pacific Boats Inc.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a narrow beam gives 17 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 17
CoastalBluewater

2.08 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.08
LightHeavy

99 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 99
EasygoingPowered-up

24.3 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 24.3
TenderStiff

53% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 53%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Lighter than ~80% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2754 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
53.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
24.3
Displacement / length
99.0
Comfort ratio
16.9
Capsize screening
2.08
Hull speed
8.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1457
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1982–1986
Units built
30
Designer
George Olson
Builder
Pacific Boats Inc

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Pogo 4012.18 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA pioneering Class 40 racer with a 3-metre draft and a 4,800kg displacement designed for high-speed offshore competition
X Yachts X-4112.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.35-meter fractional sloop with a 2.5-meter draft and a 40% ballast ratio, built for competitive one-design racing
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 41512.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 2025 Marc Lombard design featuring a fractional rig and dual rudders for modern performance cruising
Elan Marine 41012.27 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.27-meter performance cruiser with a 2.2-meter draft and a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.52
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 4012.20 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.2-metre masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, designed for spirited performance cruising
Linjett 4012.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA decade-long production run defines this 12-metre performance cruiser, balancing a 44% ballast ratio for stiff sailing

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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