IP 40 Sailing Performance

Hello all,

with all the cruising kit on board, just what sort of speed through the water can you expect for an IP 40 at say 70 degrees apparent, assuming a clean bottom, no swell, a short fetch (so say no slop), a fized three blade prop and reasonable sails:

(a) 5 knots of breeze

(b) 10 Knots

(c) 15 knots

(d) 20 knots

Actually - are there polar charts??

Thanks all.

I have sailed to and from Bermuda twice now on an IP40 and twice on an IP45. I will say, the IP40 is a fantastic ocean sailing yacht. This last trip we had 3 35+ knot blows for hours and one 54 knot blow that lasted 1 hour. During all three of these situations, we kept sails up, but just reefed down. Here would be my best estimates of the speeds on an IP40 from my experiences.

(a) 5 knots of breeze Speed 2

(b) 10 Knots speed 3.5

(c) 15 knots speed 5.5

(d) 20 knots speed 7 to 7.5

above 25 knots..speed 7.5-8.5
above 35 knots ..speed 8-9 knots

Hayden 2 account

Hi Barney...I have the IP40..hull 132. Although we're still new sailors, Charbonneau really begins to move at 12 kts. I've had full main and Genoa at just under 20 kts apparent wind and she was still handling perfectly in the 7 range. I do not have a spinnaker, so motor sailing at under 10 kts apparent is generally necessary.

Bill

To Barney64, I'm researching IP for possible puchase and came across a polar diagram for a 38 on the IP Home Port site. The PHRF rating for a 40 is 138 and for a 38 is 171. Significant enough to say that the 40 is faster. (Hello, Robert Perry?!) Compared to the above the respective IP38 US Sailing Polar numers at 75 are 3-4, 6, 7.2, and 8. Except for 20k apparent and above I would say there is considerable difference. And, again these are figures for a slower boat. It would be interesting to hear what Hayden's comment would be and any one else who might want to comment on IP speed. As for Bill's saying that under 10 he motors, I can't imagine that. An IP38 at 75 with 10k wind should go 6 according to the diagram. But maby I'm not reading it right. I also know it is a hard thing to judge boat speed and wind speed under varios conditions and circumstances.

I have an IP35, and can't imagine getting 6kts with 10kts wind. 3.5-4 is more like it, in my experience... 15=5.5-6, 20=7, all without hammering into any seas.
Burgie

I'll assume they try for ideal sea conditions when they come up with a polar diagram. And likewise I can't imagine the figures I found as being realistic. For what its worth the PHRF on your boat is 183. For sure the 40 is going to do better, and so should a 38 just based on length. The 40 is out of my price range so besides the 38 I would like to look at there is also a 35. And there is also a 350 available. There is little selection for IP on the west coast. How do like the way your 35 sails and what conditions have you used it in? Downwind? Close haul? Is the relative slowness offset by other factors?

Grande4,
I really love my IP35 for the way I use her now, which is as a weekend cruiser around the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. Our family of four lived aboard in the Bahamas for 5 months, and the boat handled us well, I just learned that living aboard is not for me, or that there would need to be changes made to make more enjoyable for me. The boat handles all conditions very well, as far as I am concerned. However, I am not a racer, and although I have lived aboard for 6-9 months twice in my life, do not consider myself an accomplished sailor who can pick the best/fastest course, sail trim, etc. There are times that I have the sails set right and we can keep up with Benetauxs, Tartans, and the like, on the same tack. We seem to have a more comfortable time in bigger wind, like recently in a steady 20-25 with the full genoa and double reefed main about 20* off the wind in building 3-4 foot seas going 7 kts.....only a few other boats went out that day. Next day, nice calm 10 kt breeze, still made our way nicely, but not trying to get somewhere.
Our IP35 does not point anywhere near as well as the Tartans and some others. Down wind seems reasonable...I go wing and wing with a wisker pole, as I do not have a spinnaker. As a cruiser, of course there was lots of motoring or motor sailing, and the little Yanmar did great. Perfect. Just wish we hadn't had to run it 2-3 hours per day for charging the battery when we lived aboard. (Again, could be fixed by having solar, wind, Honda generator....time and $ did not allow at the time).
For a 35 ft boat, from looking and talking to others, I think the IP35 is the best over all. Not the best in anything, except perhaps safety, but really good in most everything else. Tankage, engine, speed, comfort, storage, sail options, finish, solid feel, interior design. I can get it in and out of the slip and sail ALONE in all but a real blow. One thing I think is off is a little hobby horse when motoring or trying to sail close hauled into significant steeper swellI/waves. I would like to speak to the designers some day about where they put some important parts like filters, and my knees do not appreciate their design, but....it is a small space.
By the way, we are interested in selling our boat next summer....sadly. (We will be listing her for $115k I think.)I really enjoy the comfort of knowing this boat can handle anything our area can throw at her, so I can go out in anything and have fun. I have a second child going off to college next fall, and the money in the boat is really her education money. I am trying to work a deal to sell half to someone I know, to buy a couple more years of enjoying her.
I could go on and on...
Burgie

Burgie, Thanks a lot for your reply. As a prospective buyer of IP I may tend to be a common type; retired, new to sailing and looking for the first and most likely last boat I will own. I want my wife to be able to do a lot and I want to be able to sail it single without knocking myself out to much. So the emphasis is on the offshore desireability of a boat and of course one I want to afford. I've been interested in Sabre and Tayana37 as well and there is something about the Hunter, Beneteau, and etc. that I don't find appealing. And as you know you give up some "performance" things when you go for the heavier, wider, longer keeled boats. It seems generally agreed by owners and non owners alike that IP's indeed do not point as well and that they lag in light winds. This is perfectly logical. And as you pointed out there are variables; how you rig and sail a boat makes a differece. I'm a firm believer in doing the best with what you've got so I welcome a challenge. Apparently there are many IP owners, like yourself, who are very satisfied with their quality ride and accomidations. And the bluewater features offer one the confidence to work on the preparations and then to get up and go. Your estimations of speed in your 35 is similar to what Hayden has stated so I'll file that away and maby someday I'll be comparing that to my newly acquired boat! Thanks again very much.

Not sure if you're still looking at the IP40 and need info. If so, I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. I owned/sailed Charbonneau for 10 years and over 25,000 miles. I also deliver Island Packets and have moved several 40's. So - I have a wealth of experience both living aboard, coastal cruising, repairing and crossing oceans aboard the IP40.

You can email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call at 941-779=7775.

Short review - IP 40 is the best boat I ever owned and still my favorite cruising boat.

Cap'n Blaine