40 feet sailboat

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• Cruising Yachts 40' to 45'

Popular Cruising Yachts 40 to 45 feet Long Overall Their Physical Properties & Key Performance Indicators

Welcome to this ever-growing gallery of some of the most popular cruising yachts between 40 and 45 feet (12.2m to 13.7m) long overall. But it's more than just a gallery - every image is a link to a page setting out the boat's physical properties, key performance indicators and other data.

Cruising Yachts featured on this page...

With plenty of room for a cruising couple to live aboard comfortably, production cruising boats within this size range are understandably very popular with long distance sailors.

However, marina charges worldwide seem to take a bit of a hike at 12m, so be warned...

If you'd like to submit a suitable image of a cruising yacht (yours perhaps?), please click here to send your pic. It doesn't have to be within this boat length category; if it isn't we'll move it to the appropriate one.

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 409

Moody 41 Classic

Dehler 43 CWS

Hunter Passage 42

Beneteau First 435

Hallberg-Rassy 41

Sweden Yachts 42

Seastream 43

Morgan 41 Out Island Classic

Jeanneau Sun Magic 44 (also known as the Sun Odyssey 44)

Formosa 42 (also known as the Slocum 43)

Feeling 446

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i

Hallberg-Rassy 43

Freedom 44 (Cat Ketch)

Catalina Morgan 440

Catalina 445

Catalina 42 MkII

Beneteau 411

Bavaria Match 42

Island Packet 40

Roomy, comfortable and robust, the long-keeled Island Packet 40 could be many sailors ideal cruising yacht. 139 of them were built between 1994 and 2000.

'Zephyr' , an Ovni 395 dried out on a Cornish beach. Many thanks to Colin & Rebecca Campbell for this pic of their versatile cruising yacht.

Pearson 424

The Peason 424 cruising yacht is available as a ketch as the version shown below, or as a cutter. There's no denying that the Pearson 424 is an attractive cruising yacht.

The J/40 is a highly regarded performance cruising yacht. Designed and built to really sail well, passage times will be impressive.

Derived from C&C's Redline 41, the Newport 41 had a long and successful production run. It might lack some of the amenities of 'full-volume' modern cruising yachts below decks, but is a tough, fast and seakindly boat offshore.

Sirius 40 DS

The Sirius 40 DS motorsailer can be built with a number of keel options:  A deep fin keel of 7'6", 6'6" or 5'9"; a swing keel that draws 8'0" and 3'2" up; or twin keels that allow the boat to dry out upright. 

Columbia 43 MkIII

The gentle sheer and flush deck of this Columbia 43 MkIII aft-cockpit cruising yacht make for a very attractive sailboat.

Pacific Seacraft 40

Many thanks to Mike Price for this fine pic of his Contest 44 'Tumbledown Wind' as she crosses the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) finishing line.

Mason 43 Cruising Yachts

Many thanks to Sally & Al Pribyl for this pic of their Mason 43 staysail ketch 'Artemis' , at anchor in Prickly Bay, Grenada.

Many thanks to Richard Clement and family for this fine pic of their Moody 425 cruising yacht 'Vega' .

Norseman 447

Many thanks for this pic to Dartanyon Race, co-Captain of this Norseman 447 cruising yacht 'Lutris' .

Hunter 40.5

Caliber 40 LRC

Swan 43 (S & S)

C&C Landfall 42

RH 43 (Also known as the CT 43)

Jeanneau Sun Legende 41

Hinckley Sou'wester 42 MkII

Ovni AluBat 43

Hallberg Rassy 42 (Frers)

She looks like a cutter in this pic, but the inline stays converging at the masthead shows that the Hallberg-Rassy 42 cruising yacht  'Cavatina' is a  solent rigged  sloop.

Beneteau 423

Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

Moody Eclipse 43

Trintella 44

Catalina 400 Mk2

Islander 44

Grand Soleil 39

Westerly Oceanlord 41

CSY 44 (Walk-Through)

Many thanks to Jeff and Carolee, for this pic of their CSY 44 Walk-Thru' staysail ketch  'Contessa' .

CSY 44 (Mid-Cockpit)

Jeanneau 'Sun Odyssey' 40.3

Outbound 44

Island Packet 445

Many thanks to Jim Shanahan for this great pic of his Island Packet cruising yacht 445 'Watermark III'.

Passport 40

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Oceanis 30.1

Oceanis 34.1, oceanis 37.1, oceanis 40.1, oceanis 46.1, oceanis 51.1.

• Oceanis Yacht 54
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Specifications

Following in the wake of her elder sister the Oceanis 46.1, this 40-foot cruiser, with  a new hull design by Marc Lombard , offers unrivaled  deck volume and interior space , with zero concessions to performance. The Oceanis 40.1 is  available in different layouts, drafts and rig options , adapting to the most demanding sailor’s cruising requirements and satisfying their need for comfort and pleasure under sail.

NAVAL ARCHITECT : Marc Lombard

INTERIOR & DECK DESIGN : Nauta Design

Exterior design

How can you enjoy life at anchor as much as while sailing? With the innovative flared hull design of the Oceanis 40.1, BENETEAU has broken new ground but made no concessions. The result is a hull that has true speed potential and is stiff under sail. Above the waterline, her deck plan and ultra-spacious interior by  Nauta Design  is unheard-of on a boat this size. You cannot help feeling that you are aboard a 45 foot cruiser!

Interior Design

With your choice of either a  walnut or white oak , the styling of the interior by Italian designer Nauta is remarkably bright and excels in the skillful arrangement of the living spaces. She is available with two, three, or four cabins, and a  C-shaped galley  to the starboard that offers an abundance of storage and a spacious countertop. On the port side, there is a large salon with a table, complete with a removable bench. A chart table at the foot of the companionway provides ample working space. Everything is modular, so that everyone can live the way they want and enjoy sailing wherever the wind takes them.

40 FEET OF SPACE!

The philosophy of the Oceanis 40.1 is to make sailing and mooring pleasurable. The strengths of this cruiser, studied in detail by the architect Marc Lombard and the BENETEAU design office, are unrivalled interior space, a huge deck plan, and the ability to clock up miles when you are cruising.

LIFE AT ANCHOR

The ergonomics and easy maneuvering in the cockpit make life onboard simple. Nothing interferes with the joy of life at anchor. Feel like splashing around the boat in an idyllic creek? The transom easily converts to an extensive swim platform, similar in size to the ones you find on the largest Oceanis cruising yachts. Having access to the sea is an integral part of life on a sailing yacht, and this model is one of a kind. 

SEEKING EXCITEMENT UNDER SAIL…

As there is no one way to sail, and because everyone takes their cruising at their own pace, the Oceanis 40.1 comes in several versions. Sailors keen on performance can choose the First Line Pack, with a taller mast and a deeper draft. Alternatively, the in-mast furling system and self-tacking jib will make maneuvering easier when shorthanded. A classic mast for a semi-full batten mainsail is also available.

HEAVENS ABOVE, SO MUCH SPACE!

The hatches and the many hull and coachroof portholes, two of which face towards the cockpit, fill the boat with natural light and ventilation, making her exceptionally bright. The Oceanis 40.1 comes in 4 different versions with two, three, and four cabins to accommodate everyone’s idea of a holiday on board. Couples and large families will feel at home. The owner version has a cabin with an ensuite shower and head, and a bed easily accessible from either side. The four-cabin layout has two forward berths with bunk beds.

Equipped With SEANAPPS

The easiest way to keep your boat safe and ready to cruise anytime.

The new Seanapps  app is the ultimate solution to help you indulge your passion for boating. With the touch of your finger, you can easily connect, monitor and order services for your boat – from routine maintenance, to requesting a wash or fuel or having us complete a repair.

Virtual tour

The information below is intended for general informational purposes only and is subject to change without notice and does not constitute a contractual agreement. Any descriptions, representations, or statements made in this document are not to be considered binding unless explicitly stated otherwise in a formal contractual agreement.

Length Overall

Beam overall

Light displacement

Air Draft Max

Fuel Capacity

Water Capacity

Max. engine power

Cabin Number

CE Certification

A10 / B10 / C12

• CE Certification A10/ B10/C12 (12 passengers on board).
• Large benches seating six guests, with a fold away table.
• Two steering wheel stations each with a comfortable seat.
• First Line version: extra-long mast and bigger draft.
• Standard version: in-mast furling system and self-tacking jib.
• Large locker in 2 sections in the cockpit floor.

2 cabins & 1 head

• U-shaped salon seat
• C-shaped fitted galley: fridge, sink, 2-ring hob, oven, storage and worktop.
• Master cabin with double bed positioned on the boat center line.
• Aft cabin with double berths.
• Shower room with shower compartment and marine toilet.
• Several hull portholes and coach roof port lights make the space naturally bright.

3 cabins & 1 head

• U-shaped salon seat.
• Master cabin with double bed positioned on the boat’s centreline.
• Two aft cabins with double berths.
• Shower room with shower compartment, washbasin cabinet and marine toilet.

3 cabins & 2 heads

• Two shower rooms with shower compartment and marine toilet.

HARKEN HARDWARE

Press Reviews

Boat Review - The layout on the  new Beneteau 40.1  is excellent for ease of sailhandling, notes Ewenson.  Read More

Yachting Art

Boat Review - All about the coming BENETEAU Oceanis 40.1. Read More

Cruising World

Virtual Q&A - Cruising World recently sat down with Beneteau to get the inside scoop on the brand new cruiser. Read More

BOAT REVIEW: The boat is the new BENETEAU Oceanis 40.1, and it seems to be having as much fun as the crew. Read More

All Oceanis news

Nautic boat show 2022 : Spotlight on remarkable sustainable innovations at BENETEAU

BENETEAU has decided to follow the path of innovation to reduce the environmental impact of sailing. Practical yet ground-breaking innovations that were visible on the First 44e and the Oceanis 30.1e sailing yachts world premiered at the Nautic Boat Show in Paris.

Activities to Enjoy on Your Next Sailing Yacht or Powerboat Trip

Oceanis 40.1 and Oceanis Yacht 54: The New Wave of Oceanis Cruising Yachts by BENETEAU

Customer care.

Buying a BENETEAU doesn’t have to be a daunting task. We have teams of experts to guide you through the entire process – everything from sea trials, financing, and customization to after-sale commissioning, service, and maintenance. We are proud to have one of the largest, most highly-regarded dealer networks in the world. We’re ready to provide you with the assistance and expertise needed to launch you and your BENETEAU on a lifetime of happy, rewarding, and memorable voyages.

Other models in the range

9.53 m / 31’3’’

2.99 m / 9’10’’

10.77 m / 35’4’’

3.57 m / 11’9’’

11.93 m / 39’2’’

3.92 m / 12’10’’

14.6 m / 47’11’’

4.5 m / 14’9’’

15.94 m / 52’4’’

4.8 m / 15’9’’

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25 Sailboats Under 40′

• By Cruising World Staff
• Updated: March 25, 2014

Catalina 275 Sport

“This is a complete package; it’s a good sailing boat and well-thought-out. It’s definitely ready for prime time,” says Boat of the Year judge Ed Sherman. Click here to read why the Catalina 275 Sport won Best Pocket Cruiser in 2014.

Beneteau First 30

As they approached the First 30 to conduct their dockside evaluation during the boat show, the BOTY judges may have been just a little skeptical of this performance-oriented 30-footer’s cruisability. But that skepticism turned into appreciation as soon as they stepped below, and they were downright enamored with how the boat sailed. Click here to read why the Beneteau First 30 won Best Small Cruiser, 20 feet and Under in 2011.

The Presto 30 is an innovative, well-built, good looking cruising boat that satisfied its stated design brief as well as any other boat the judges looked at, though it’s not what you might expect from an average cruising boat. Cruising World judges also noted that this easy-to-handle boat may attract new sailors to the sport so they can learn the ropes and then trade up to another model, an approach that’s important to the health of the entire industry. Click here to read how the Presto 30 won the Cruising Spirit Award in 2011.

Catalina 309

“I think that for the purpose it was put on the water, to be able to walk down, jump aboard, and simply go enjoy it on a weekend, the boat not only hit the price in terms of value but also hit the mark in terms of use,” remarked judge Alvah Simon, a world voyager. Click to read why the Catalina 309 won Domestic Boat of the Year for 2007 .

The J/95’s retractable centerboard and dual rudders make it possible to sail in just 3 feet of water. During our dockside visit, designer Rod Johnstone told us that he wanted to build a comfortable coastal cruiser that could keep people sailing by providing “high performance in shallow water,” and the J/95 did exactly what Rod said it would. Click here to read how it won Best Weekender and Domestic Boat of the Year for 2010.

Catalina 315

This nifty pocket cruiser raises the Catalina quality bar with more comfort and better performance. It’s the little things that make this boat special, including the tall rig, the wide cockpit, the large anchor locker, the sprit for the asymmetric kite, and the clever use of space below. Click here to read how the Catalina 315 won Best Inshore Cruiser for 2013.

The Delphia 33 is a boat that’s maximized every inch of available space, and the overall fit and finish, from the joiner work to the systems installation to the structural integrity of the boat, is well done. Click here to read why the Delphia 33 won Import Boat of the Year in 2008.

“With this introductory cruiser, Hunter is trying to bring people up through its ranks and into cruising from trailer-sailers and smaller boats,” said Alvah Simon. “And the company has done that with a 33-footer that has quality and affordability but is still manageable and unintimidating.” Click here to read why the Hunter e33 won Best Compact Cruiser for 2012.

C&C 101

The 33-foot C&C 101 boasts thoroughly modern lines and a nice turn of speed but also features a fine layout belowdecks, with cherry furniture and a teak cabin sole. Click here to read why the C&C 101 won Domestic Boat of the Year and Best Performance Cruiser in 2013.

This dual-purpose cruiser is both easy to handle and zippy on the racecourse. Click here to read why the X-34 won Best Racer-Cruiser for 2009.

Beneteau 34

This affordable performance cruiser is a blast to sail, with details often lacking on more expensive boats. Click here to read a boat review of the Beneteau 34. Click here to read why the Beneteau 34 won the award for Best Value in 2009.

Tartan 3400

The Tartan 3400, with double cabins fore and aft, was still sufficiently nimble and distinctive to cop the 2006 Boat of the Year award for Best Production Cruiser from 31 to 36 Feet. Click here to read more.

The BOTY judges found lots on which to agree as they proclaimed the Najad 355 to be the Best Small Cruiser of 2008: great sails, solid motion through the water, practical interior, well-laid-out deck. Click here to read more.

Catalina 355

Two themes—consideration and principles—epitomize the Catalina 355. Click here to read why it won Domestic Boat of the Year in 2011.

Sabre Spirit

Andrew Burton found the 36-foot Sabre Spirit boat not only easily handled and fast but also a sheer delight to sail; no wonder it won the Judges’ Choice Award in Cruising World’s 2008 Boat of the Year contest. Click here to read more .

Island Packet Estero

Comfortable surroundings are easily driven by a fully self-tending and roller-furling rig on the 36-foot Island Packet Estero. Click here to read why it won Best Midsize Cruiser Under 40 feet in 2010.

Hallberg-Rassy 37

Like the Swedes who manufacture it, the Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a hardy sailer. The boat’s seakindly performance gives the assurance that it can take you anywhere, and once you get aboard, that’s exactly where you’ll want to go. Click here to read why it won Import Boat of the Year in 2006.

Malö 37 Classic

This purpose-built craft is a dream to steer and a delight to the eyes. Click here to read how it won Import Boat of the Year for 2009. Click here to read a full boat review.

Catalina 375

Solid construction and thoughtful amenities make life onboard this boat more comfortable. Click here to read why the Catalina 375 won Best All-Purpose Cruiser, 30 to 40 Feet in 2009.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379

This midsize offering from Jeanneau has a modern look and is ready for sea. Click here to read why it won Domestic Boat of the Year and Best Midsize Cruiser for 2012.

“This very responsive sailboat scoots along quite nicely, I think as well as anything we sailed in this fleet,” says Boat of the Year judge Mark Schrader. Click here to read why the Dehler 38 won Best Cruising Sailboat Under 38 Feet in 2014.

Better-than-expected performance, good design ideas, and follow-through in their execution led to the Hunter 38 winning Best Production Cruiser Under 40 feet for 2005. Click here to read more.

Who says a cruising cat under 40 feet isn’t big enough for comfortable accommodations? The 38’s hulls are narrow where they meet the water for performance purposes but flare out to create ample interior space. Click here to read why the Leopard 38 won Import Boat of the Year in 2010.

Seawind 1160

This 38-foot cat will appeal to cruisers who want a well-built boat that can sail away in a hurry. Click here to read why the Seawind 1160 won Best Multihull Cruiser and Most Innovative Boat for 2007.

“The company is mixing traditional aesthetics with modern gear–from the carbon rudder to tweakers on the jib tracks, and it works really well,” said Boat of the Year judge Steve Callahan of the Sabre 386. Click here to read why it was named Domestic Boat of the Year for 2005.

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Best Sailboats Under 40 Feet

About five thousand years ago, the Egyptians built sailing ships to navigate the Nile River. Extensive export and import networks started through this and developed international trading routes. Nowadays, sailboats are mainly used for recreational purposes. Sailboats come in a wide range of sizes, from the record-breaking 42-inch yacht up to the 470 feet ‘Sailing Yacht A’, which is the largest in the world. However, I believe that a 30-40 feet sailboat is the best size for a cruising sailboat because sailboats in that category provide the best of everything. They are large enough for bluewater and weekend sailing, liveaboard, and even ocean crossings if built appropriately. This article will look at the 10 best sailboats under 40 feet from around the world.

Obviously, this is a somewhat problematic and unfair comparison because we compare sailboats from 40k all the way up to 400k. For that reason, I tried to be as impartial as possible and include something for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a luxury sailboat for your summer vacation or an affordable bluewater cruising sailboat to liveaboard; this list has got you covered. s

Here Are Some Of The Best Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Beneteau Oceanis 40

Price: Used From $80k to $200k

Overall Length: 39.86 Feet

The Beneteau Oceanis 40 is a beautiful sailing yacht. The most popular layout of this model comes with three cabins and two WCs, which makes it perfect for groups of up to 6 guests. This is one of Beneteau’s more popular sailboats ever, with many offers boats available on the used market for sale. She is 39.86 ft long, and it comes with a fin keel. For that reason, this is a fast and easy to handle and maneuver sailboat but not great for ocean crossing and passage making. The Beneteau Oceanis 40 is also great to be used as a liveaboard sailboat under 40 feet because it is comfortable, sails great, and has large big enough fuel, water, and holding tanks. It comes with a Yanmar diesel engine with 40 horsepower, but that is pretty typical for a sailboat that size, so don’t expect to win any races.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Price: Used From $200k to $400k

Overall Length: 39′ Feet 4″ Inches

The Dufour 390 represents a perfect match between sailing performance, easy handling, and comfort. Hulls with softened and raised bilge strake, optimized deck plan to take full advantage of your sailing and stopovers. The Dufour 390 stands out as the most well-rounded sailboat under 40 feet. It is a lavishly equipped sailboat with extraordinary style, finished down to the last detail but the best materials on the market.

This Dufour model is an excellent choice for those who love cruising. Like all the designs by this brand, it also offers sailing performance. The Dufour 390 was named European Yacht of the Year in the Family Cruiser category. It is offered in two layout versions with 2 cabins or 3 cabins with two bathrooms; the interiors are cared for and finished with LED lights, USB sockets, and a 40-liter boiler making it a great choice for a liveaboard sailboat under 40 feet.

Beneteau Oceanis 38.1

Price: Used From $60,000, Up To $300,000 New

Overall Length : 37.7 Feet

This is another model being built since the ’90s. Of course, it has been redesigned and evolved over the years to offer more modern looks and higher levels of comfort as accustomed with modern sailboats, but she has remained a great yacht. She is also fast and handles well thanks to her fin keel with and dual rudders. There are many of these sailboats for sale on the used market, with the most popular layout option being with 2 cabins and 1 head. 

The Oceanis 38.1 combines useful features, great sailing performance, and style on the under-40-feet category, where function frequently supersedes personalization. Also, her hull offers a surprising cruising comfort. Her rigidity under sail of the Oceanis 38.1 takes her further and faster, with exceptional stability despite her kin keel. It is a real pleasure to have two steering wheels, a mainsail arch, and a spacious swim platform for a sailboat under 40 feet (only on the newer model after 2017).

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 349

Price: Used From $90k to $250k

Overall Length: 33′ Feet 11″ Inches

The Sun Odyssey 349 is a French sailboat that was designed for cruising and first built in 2014, offering a great combination of speed, comfort, and safety. This sailboat is built by Jeanneau in France and in the United States from 2014 and is still in production. Also, the 349 has a remarkably spacious interior for a sailboat her size, with its most popular layout coming with 3 double cabins suitable for families or groups of up to 6 people. Aboard, you can also find a bathroom, spacious saloon, and galley. Personally, I believe that the Sun Odyssey 349 is a bit small for a liveaboard. Still, I have met people living aboard smaller boats than this one. 

The Sun Odyssey 349 can be easily managed by a crew of two or even singlehanded, owing this to her smaller size and lighter weight. She sails well and continues along the brand’s philosophy of building quick and nimble cruising yachts providing entertaining yet safe sailing.

Also, the boat comes with a Yanmar diesel engine of 21 horsepower suitable for docking and maneuvering. Lastly, the fresh water tank has a capacity of 54 US Gallons, the fuel tank of 34 US Gallons, and the wastewater holding tank of 22 US Gallons.

Price: Used From $30k to $120k

Overall Length: 35.92 ft

The Hunter 36 is an American-Made sailboat designed as a cruising sailboat and first built in 1980. Newer versions of this boat are still being made today. It is a Bilge Keel boat and is a good example of how a well-built quick cruising sailboat should be built. Despite the useful bilge keels, this beautiful family cruising sailboat has a good turn of speed and an excellent ability to explore creeks and dry out. The Hunter 36 has an extra-wide beam spanning nearly the entire length of the boat to maximize both headroom and interior accommodations.

Also, her large cockpit gives you loads of room when sailing and lots of comforts when you are ready to sit back and relax. The most popular layout design features two double cabins, one forward and one aft, and a head with a shower. If you are a cruising couple looking for an affordable liveaboard sailboat under 40 feet, you should definitely take a look at this one. 

Catalina 36

Price: Used From $30k to $150k

Overall Length: 35.58 ft

This is another very popular sailboat from a very popular brand, especially in the US. The Catalina 36 is an American-made sailboat designed by Frank Butler and Gerry Douglas for cruising and was first built in 1982. This sailboat version was introduced in 1994 and produced until 2005, when it was replaced by the Catalina 375. Catalina made over 2,300 of these boats, many of which are on sale today for very affordable prices.

This sailboat is a very fast and seaworthy family cruiser with a spacious cockpit that can easily be used singlehanded since all trim lines and halyards lead to the cockpit. The fin keel and spade rudder allow for easy maneuverability in tight marinas; however, it does not make a great boat for offshore bluewater cruising and passage-making.

The interior space is lovely, with high-quality materials and teak carpentry throughout. Also, thanks to its big U-shaped galley, two-burner natural gas stove and oven, large stainless steel sink, a spacious top-loading refrigerator, plenty of counter space, and generous storage make the Catalina 36 an excellent option for a liveaboard sailboat.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

Bavaria Cruiser 37

Price: Used From $60k to $220k

Overall Length: 37 Feet 1 Inches

The Cruiser 37 is a series sailing yacht from the German manufacturer Bavaria Yachtbau. It is a cruising sailboat for sailors who like to move fast through the water but also seek a high level of comfort for their vacation. On the inside, the Cruiser 37 seems bigger than you would expect from a sailboat under 40 feet with more storage spaces that one could think it would also work as a liveaboard. This is a very popular sailboat that Bavaria started building in the early 2000s’ and is still being produced. 

There are two versions of the keel; a shallow keel with a 5 Feet draft and a normal version with a 6 feet draft. There is also a standard version with two cabins that sleep 4 people and a charter version with three cabins that sleep 6.

In the saloon, you will find the L-shaped galley on the starboard side. This is followed by the seating bench with the saloon table. Opposite to port is also a seating assembly, the third seat of which can be pulled out. If it is lowered, you can sit in front of a navigation table. This should create space for six people in the saloon.

>>Also Read: Best Pocket Cruisers Under 20 Feet

Price: Used From $25k to $250k

Overall Length: 35 Feet

The Dehler 34 was first introduced in 1986. The boat’s overall length is 35 feet and 1.2 inches and costs from $50,000 to $250,000 depending on the built year. This boat was an awardee of the “Best Performance Cruiser” in the “Boat of the Year” (BOTY) contest in 2017. The Dehler 34 sets high standards with its interior space and built quality. It has a spacious living area for liveaboards, a pull-out bar, premium lighting, and an elegant ambiance to indulge you throughout your cruise. The Dehler 34 showcases generous headroom, tank sizes and offers an outstanding sailing performance.

Designed by a naval- architecture consortium- Judel/Vrolijk, the Dehler 34 is sturdy, stable, and strong, making sailing safer and letting you sail higher into the wind. However, the Dehler 34 comes with a fin keel, which doesn’t make it ideal for passage making. There is a long argument to be had here, but I prefer bluewater sailboats to have full keels.

>>Also Read: Best Small Full Keel Sailboats To Sail Around The World

Alerion Sport 30

Price: Around 250k New

Overall Length: 30 Feet

Alerion yachts have a classic, graceful design that features varnished teak, oval ports, and lovely deck overhangs with a modern underbody. The more recent 30 feet Alerion Sport 30 features a faster, lighter, technology-laden boat. It sells for about $236,500. The Alerion Sport 30 is the first Alerion sailboat with a carbon-fiber bowsprit option, which keeps the construction lightweight but robust, enhancing its performance. Even with all these advanced features, the Alerion Sport 30 is unbelievably easy to sail. This timeless beauty offers sitting headroom with an open berth and a spacious cockpit that can seat 3-4 people. All in all, the Sport 30 is an adequately equipped sailboat with deluxe comfort and experience for all sailors. 

Price: Used From $125k to $200k

Overall Length: 34 Feet

Hanse 348 is a 34-foot sailboat with a price tag of about $200,000. It won the award of the “Boat of the Year” in 2019. With a higher rig and a sportier sail plan, Hanse 348 is packed with excellent performance. It offers fast cruising without compromising the sailor’s comfortable sail experience. This boat showcases a clutter-free deck with beautiful woodwork, giving it a wholesome elegant look. Below the deck, you can find three double cabins with a generous amount of windows. The windows offer ample lighting and creating a sun-filled lounge. With an abundance of space for a large crew, you get the opportunity to have a great time staying on the water.

Also Read: Best Liveaboard Sailboats

Final Thoughts

These sailboats under 40 feet offer different features to different sailors, but all of them tick some essential boxes. They are built with the best and high-quality materials. All of them are seaworthy to help you enjoy your time on her, whether liveaboard full-time or offshore bluewater sailing. With the perfect sailboat, you can experience unparalleled peace and comfort while sailing through the waters.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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40ft Catamaran Models Comparisons

We compare specifications, dimensions, sail area, and pricing on the most popular 40ft catamarans in 2020.

Since 2016, Fountaine Pajot, Lagoon, Leopard, Bali, and Nautitech all rolled out new 40 ft catamaran models in a similar price range that are innovative, spacious, well-built, and comfortable. The latest model to be added to this 40ft array in 2020 is the Bali Catspace.

Bali has done away with the Bali 4.1 model and has designed the Bali Catspace with much improved and innovative features while Lagoon updated their popular L400 and redesigned it with the mast further back to accommodate a self-tacking jib, open scoops, and updated interior. The FP Lucia 40, released in 2016, has pretty much stayed the same, as has the Leopard 40. They are both very popular and successful cats. While the Nautitech Open 40 is a nice sporty sailing cat, it has not really taken hold in the US market with the aft helm stations.

These 40ft catamaran models are affordable and easily be handled by a coupled. It also has all the amenities suitable for a cruising boat such as an ice maker, washing machine, bigger fridge/freezer capacity, and big living spaces, which is very attractive for live-aboard cruising couples. 

The 40ft catamaran holds its value because it is in high demand on the used boat market. The 40ft catamaran size range just makes sense.

Read our previous 40ft comparison article for older models:  How Do The Most Popular 40-ft Production Catamarans Compare?

New 2020 40Ft Catamaran Comparison

The five main production catamaran contenders in 2020 for liveaboard couples are:

• BALI Catspace
• FP Lucia 40
• Nautitech 40 Open

40ft Catamaran Models Specifications

40ft Catamaran Deck & Flybridge Layout Comparison

40ft Catamaran Deck & Flybridge Layout Comparisons

40ft Catamaran Models Sail Plan Comparisons

40ft Catamaran Cabin Layouts Comparisons

3-cabin layout.

4-Cabin Layout

READER'S QUESTION ANSWERED: Andy asked: "Which Cat is the best value and what do you budget for upgrades that deliver an above average sailing and comfort experience?" 

The pricing for the different brands are generally in the same range since this a competitive space and the manufacturers have to make sure they are not priced out of the market. There are essentially no “bad catamarans”. Most are all built to recognized and enforced codes such as the European CE standard, so it comes down to personal preference. Some boats have Balsa cores and others have closed cell foam cores. Some have large nets, others have small nets and some have no nets.

All the forward deck designs are acceptable and safe, as we have now conclusively seen over the last five years. The current trend is smaller nets and larger foredeck areas for the most part on cruising cats. Performance cats all have nets and longer bows and are a different category to the production cruisers. Lagoon has the biggest living space, Bali has the best live-ability overall and FP and Leopard are very popular for couples with the semi-raised helm position but that too is a personal preference.

In terms of the extras or additional options, I normally recommend the following:

• The largest engine option available – this is important for your exit strategy especially in the US market and of course it is nice to have the extra power since the modern cats have quite a lot of windage.
• The best winch pack available
• All the cleats offered
• Mostly it is smart to take the code zero pack even if you do not order the sail immediately (Difficult and expensive to retro fit)
• Folding props – I really think that if you are going to do any extended cruising the last thing you want is to be dragging fixed props
• Air Conditioning if you want to have it
• Generator unless you are going to go Lithium with all the inverters and electronics to replace the generator.
• Solar – I normally take the factory option and then add aftermarket to increase the array
• If possible cable throttles and not electronic (If you are struck by lightning at least you can still control the engines if they still run)
• Electrically assisted davits at a minimum – your dinghy is your “car” so one needs to have an efficient handling system (we raise our dinghy every night for security)
• Watermaker is fantastic to have. It really makes life so much easier.
• Estelle will definitely opt for the washing machine – we never had one but since she’s had it onboard our Lagoon 450, she will not go without again.

Which Is Your Favorite 40ft Catamaran?

So many cruisers and liveaboard couples choose their dream boats from this new 40ft catamaran market. Which is your favorite catamaran and why? Leave your comment below!

Contact us for more information, price lists, specifications, and available charter management programs.

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10 thoughts on “40ft Catamaran Models Comparisons”

Fabulous article and great comparisons, thank you. How do they sail? Is there any real difference?

HI Chrissy thank you! The performance of the boats are all very similar. They are all cruising cats, so not exactly rocket ships but totally adequate for a an average cruising couple. You could get a little more performance out of any of these boats depending on how aggressively you sail the boat and the type of sails you have. We race our boat and almost always end up in the top three boats.

Thank you for your article, I think we will go for the Catspace

Your welcome! I think you will be very happy with this choice. Only recommendation for any of these models, is upgrade the engines to 40hp.

In your opinion, which Cat is the the best value and what would you budget for upgrades that deliver an above average sailing and comfort experience? Obviously upgrades can be all over the map but you mentioned upgrading engine to 40hp – what else do you feel are almost ‘required’ upgrades? Thanks!

The pricing for the different brands are generally in the same range since this a competitive space and the manufacturers have to make sure they are not priced out of the market. There are essentially no bad catamarans, most are all built to recognized and enforced codes such as CE so it comes down to personal preference. Some boats have Balsa cores and other have closed cell foam cores, others have large nets, some have small nets and some have no nets, all designs are acceptable as we have now conclusively seen over the last five years.The trend is to smaller nets and larger foredeck areas for the most part. Performance boats all have nets and longer bows and are a different category to the production cruisers. Lagoon is good bang for your buck, Bali has the best liveability and space overall and FP and Leopard are very popular for couples because of the helm position.

In terms of the extras or additional options I normally recommend the following: The largest engine option available – this is important for your exit strategy especially in the US market and of course it is nice to have the extra power since the modern cats have quite a bot of windage. the best winch pack available All the cleats offered Mostly it is smart to take the code zero pack even if you do not order the sail immediately (Difficult and expensive to retro fit) Folding props – I really think that if you are going to do any extended cruising the last thing you want is to be dragging fixed props Air Conditioning if you want to have it Generator unless you are going to go Lithium with all the inverters and electronics to replace the generator. Solar – I normally take the factory option and then add aftermarket to increase the array If possible cable throttles and not electronic (If you are struck by lightning at least you can still control the engines if they still run) Electrically assisted davits at a minimum – your dinghy is your car so one needs to have an efficient handling system (we raise our dinghy every night for security) Watermaker is fantastic to have. It really makes life so much easier. Estelle will definitely opt for the washing machine – we never had one but since she’s ahd it onboard our Lagoon 450, she will not go without again.

This is a big subject and there are many opinions, I would be happy to discuss further -Stephen

We have a 2020 Leopard 40 Owners version. We love it. Just wish it carried a bit more fuel.

Hi Eugene, yes! The Leopards are very popular and we sell many of them. They are definitely a great bang for your buck. Thank you for your input!

The 40 Open has the longest WL, Largest Sail Area and has the lightest displacement… indicating it ‘should’ sail better than the others. Other than the helm position, what are the other differences (drawbacks?) you have observed or can comment on (if any)? It appears to be trying to straddle the ‘performance / cruiser’ designation… would you say it is successful?

Doug, yes you are correct however it is a displacement hull, just like the other cats in this category and while it may be a little lighter and have a bigger sailplan, it sails marginally faster, so that is not too much of a factor. In general they are nice boats but the living space is small and just like the new Excess range from Lagoon, the biggest drawback of these cats in our market is the helm position. The aft helm station have just never caught on, which is the reason that Catana and Outremer also moved their helm stations to the bulkhead rather than on the sterns.

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Best Blue Water Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

December 28, 2023

‍ Key Takeaways

• If you enjoy sailing, then a bluewater boat under 40 feet is the perfect size
• Storage space must be considered when attempting to travel long distances
• Choose a boat brand that has a solid reputation and has better performance than others
• Keep in mind the rig and keel type that are going to be best for your situation
• Heavier boats tend to perform better in tough bluewater conditions

‍ There are plenty of sailboats in existence for blue water sailing that come in many shapes and sizes. But what are the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet?

The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet include the Westsail 32, Hunter e33, Tayana 37, and Najad 355. These bluewater sailboats, depending on your situation, can suit your needs for offshore sailing or long distance cruising. Sailboats under 40 feet also tend to be an adequate amount of space.

After a detailed analysis, the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet can typically handle any situation you encounter on the water. However, the best sailboats will slightly differ based on your needs and what you want to accomplish while sailing.

Table of contents

‍ Top 10 Bluewater Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Bluewater sailing requires a sailboat that can cross oceans and handle harsh weather conditions. This means you might need a performance cruiser or something that you could live aboard. Below you can see which bluewater sailboat under 40 feet is best for you.

Westsail 32

{{boat-info="/boats/westsail-32"}}

Dubbed as the “ Wetsnail 32 ”, this boat offers a classic look but is also a great bluewater cruiser. It has that nickname due to its slower movements on the water but do not mistake it for a bad boat. There are plenty of sailors that have used this boat for open ocean cruising and is a great option for bluewater sailboats under 40 feet.

• Classic look
• Sturdy build to handle anything
• Slower than other cruisers around the same length

{{boat-info="/boats/hunter-e33"}}

The Hunter e33 is another great choice as a cruising sailboat. Cruising World once named this boat the best compact cruiser back in 2012. This is an improved sailing boat compared to other models around that time and is perfect for rough seas.

• Plenty of safety features and rugged build
• Great for single handed sailing
• Air conditioner is an additional feature

{{boat-info="/boats/tayana-37"}}

For those that are familiar with Bob Perry’s work, the Tayana 37 is another great installment in his line of boats. He wanted to build a classic looking boat that was also fast, so he made sure to have moderate displacement and add a long keel. This is perfect for those that want a bigger boat that can accommodate plenty of guests.

• Excellent for offshore sailing
• Ample room with tons of storage space
• Closer to 40 feet so sailors might not want that large of a bluewater sailboat

{{boat-info="/boats/najad-yachts-najad-355"}}

The Najad 355 is considered to be one of the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet since it is rated to sail across many ocean conditions. It also has enough space to accommodate taller sailors and you do not feel like you are cramped for space. It also has a luxury feel to it so sailors can visually enjoy the boat while underway.

• Visually appealing luxury boat
• Plenty of headroom to move around below deck
• Heavier in weight compared to other 35 foot sailboats

Hans Christian 38T

{{boat-info="/boats/hans-christian-38t"}}

The Hans Christian 38T is a traditional looking bluewater sailboat that happens to rival other popular bluewater cruising yachts. They have a heavy displacement since they weigh a little more than other boats around this size. These boats have successfully crossed oceans and back and make the sailing experience exciting.

• Full keel sailboat with great stability
• Plenty of circumnavigation stories with this boat
• Heavier weight and potentially difficult to steer for novice sailors

{{boat-info="/boats/hanse-388"}}

Hanse 388 is regarded by many as one of the best liveaboard bluewater sailboats under 40 feet. It is relatively newer to the sailing scene, as it was produced in 2017. It is slightly lighter in weight for a sailboat that is nearing 38 feet.

• Increased stability compared to other similar models
• Excellent self-tacking jib system for sailing single handed
• Plenty of windows below deck but they cannot be opened

Island Packet 380

{{boat-info="/boats/island-packet-380"}}

Island Packet has plenty of excellent bluewater sailboats in their lineup, especially the 380 model . This boat is a rugged beast that can handle many sailing conditions or any other harsh conditions that is thrown its way. It also offers plenty of room below the deck to accommodate a small family.

• Plenty of room to move around below deck
• Boat design allows for increased safety and stability
• A hair from being 40 feet in length, which might be too long for some sailors

Catalina 38

{{boat-info="/boats/catalina-38"}}

Another one of Sparksman & Stephens designs, the Catalina 38 is perfect for those on a budget but still want a remarkable bluewater sailboat. You can find one of these in great condition for under $80,000 or more depending on the shape it is in. It also has a good amount of storage space that is perfect for long periods on the water.

• Great for those wanting a cheaper bluewater boat
• Plenty of storage to fit your long voyage needs
• Last built in 1990, so spare parts could be hard to find

{{boat-info="/boats/atkin-co-ingrid-38"}}

The Ingrid 38 has roots dating back to the 1930’s for a wooden boat design, but was later given a “remastered” treatment and turned into a fiberglass boat. This has a full keel and utilizes a heavy displacement. It serves a perfect balance being bluewater capable and rivals cruising boats of similar size.

• Long keel is great for stability
• Can be a good cruiser when not going through rough conditions
• Older boat and spare parts might be difficult to locate

{{boat-info="/boats/j-boats-j122e"}}

The J/122e is just a shade under 40 feet but is perfect because it still qualifies as “under 40”. It is arguably one of the best racing bluewater sailboats under 40 feet but also comes with a hefty price tag. For a boat nearing 40 feet it is lighter than other boats its size and is fast.

• Lighter in weight and fast
• Easy to move and to trim or tack
• Lacking adequate headroom for a boat this size

What Makes a Sailboat Bluewater Capable?

Sailing on a boat that is bluewater capable will make a huge difference than sailing on a boat that is meant to just cruise. The design of a boat will greatly affect what it can accomplish on the water and what it lacks. Below are some characteristics to look for when considering bluewater sailboats under 40 feet.

Most bluewater boats for sailing have two different rig types such as a ketch rig or cutter rig. This does not mean that other rig types cannot get the job done but some are more popular than others.

Cutter rigs are excellent for lighter winds or when you are battling tough storms. Ketch rigs are more common in larger boats and are perfect for handling any weather variations.

Type of Keel

A long keel is the best for providing stability but is usually seen on older sailboats. Newer boats might have different keel types that offer close similarities in safety and stability.

Fin keels are another great example that provide good lateral resistance but are not as strong as a full keel would be. Full keels lower boat speed since they are part of the boat’s hull rather than being bolted on like a fin keel.

Differences in Rudders

Most sailboats have a spade rudder but the next best thing to have is a skeg-hung rudder or a keel-attached rudder. Spade rudders are great since they act as a wing underneath the boat and move about gracefully, which does not slow down the boat.

Skeg-hung rudders are a great option since they are protected from any direct attack from debris or land. However, it provides one of the lesser aids in performance.

How Much Displacement?

The debate for heavy or moderate displacement is another topic to tackle. A majority of sailboats that conduct offshore sailing or circumnavigate typically had heavy displacement.

These boats are best in tough conditions all around and can handle just about anything. Boats that have a moderate displacement can move a little quicker and potentially avoid storms that are coming so that is something to consider depending on your sailing goals.

Reputation of Boat Builder

There are plenty of boat builders out there that have gained a positive following from the boating world. Brands such as Island Packet or even Hunter are great examples for boats that have a good reputation. Consider looking at sailors that have already experienced sailing in open waters and see what types of boats that were used.

Boat Ratings

In addition to the boat builder, you might see different ratings on the design of your boat. These ratings mean different characteristics of what your boat can safely handle at sea, assuming you are experienced to handle it. If it does not have a rating anywhere you should ask the dealer specifically what it is characterized as.

For a category A boat, this means it is ocean ready and can handle over 40 knots of wind and wave heights that are nearing 13 feet. This does not mean you should challenge hurricane weather and you should never attempt to get close.

Storage and Fuel

In order to have a bluewater cruiser or something to live aboard while traveling in potentially rough conditions, you need to consider the amount of space on board. You will likely need to store plenty of dry goods and other supplies for long periods at a time.

You also need to consider how much fuel and water you are going to need for that period of time as well. In addition, you might need to add extra tanks of water and fuel in safe locations on the boat too.

Length of Boat

There are some people in this world that can do the unthinkable and amazing, such as going into deep bluewater areas in boats that have no business being out there, such as smaller boats. However, to be the safest you could be, you should consider a hull length on a boat that is over 20 feet and has plenty of storage.

Ideally, you want to aim for a boat that is 25 feet at a minimum and will be able to handle blue water and tough weather conditions. Always consider your sailing goals and how the boat you intend to use can get you safely there and back.

Some boats for blue water sailing are going to be fairly expensive. These prices can range from $25,000 all the way to over $1,000,000. This all depends on the type of brand and the condition of the boat you are considering for your long voyage at sea.

Maintenance and Care for Your Bluewater Boat Under 40 Feet

Maintaining your boat is one of the key factors in prolonging your investment and making sure it remains safe while sailing. Failure to properly inspect and stay up to date with your boat can lead to catastrophic circumstances.

Less Moving Parts

Since bluewater boats under 40 feet will likely have less moving parts than larger ones, it can make preventative maintenance a little easier and less expensive over the long run. It is crucial to inspect your boat often and to keep track of what has been done in order to stay ahead of your maintenance goals.

Spare Parts

Since a lot of these bluewater boats are going to be older they have a lot more wear and tear on them. This means older boats will need to either have spare parts on board while traveling or completely fix everything you can think of before heading out. Most common issues can be prevented at the last minute because you are able to catch these problems early.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Home » Blog » Bluewater sailboats » The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet (we analyzed 2,000 boats to find out)

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 17, 2023

What are the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet?

Last year we analyzed 2,000 offshore designs to bring you a list of the most popular bluewater sailboats .

However, most people are searching for a boat in a particular size class. So, we decided to do a double-click and look at the best sailboats under 40 feet for offshore sailing.

If you’re interested in an even smaller boat, there are plenty of great options under 30 feet in our list of the best small sailboats for sailing around the world .

The characteristics that make a sailboat a bluewater sailboat are a hotly debated topic, so we wanted to use real-world data and find out what cruisers are using to cross oceans and sail around the world.

We looked at 2,000 boats that entered the Pacific Puddle Jump  (PPJ) over the last 12 years. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the PPJ, it’s a rally that crosses the Pacific ocean.  We took part in 2017 and had a ball!

Also, if you’re looking to buy one of the bluewater boats on this list, you might want to check out our post on the best places to buy used boats and how to find free or cheap boats for sale .

Just be aware that a bluewater boat isn’t necessarily offshore-ready. Our top five picks are all older boats and will undoubtedly require work.

Every cruiser we know made substantial repairs and additions before going offshore: adding watermakers , life rafts, solar panels, and more.

Also, always have a boat inspected by a professional and accredited marine surveyor before buying it or taking it offshore.

So, without further preamble, here are the best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet.

The best bluewater sailboats under 40 feet

1. the westsail 32.

The Westsail 32 is one of the most iconic bluewater cruisers. Built by the Westsail Corporation in the 1970s, this plucky, small sailboat has developed a cult following over the decades. Since 2009, 19 have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rallies.

The Westsail 32 is known for its sturdy construction, seaworthiness, and classic looks. In fact, it set the standard for what a real bluewater cruiser should look like. In 1973, the Westsail 32 was featured in Time magazine and inspired many Americans to go cruising.

Though popular, this boat has earned the unenviable nickname “ Wetsnail 32″, a reference to its poor ability to windward and sluggish performance. But Westsail 32 owners don’t care that they won’t be winning any races.

What the boat lacks in speed it makes up for in classic looks and excellent offshore cruising characteristics. Many owners have crossed oceans and circumnavigated the globe in their Westsail 32s.

2. Tayana 37

The Tayana 37 is a wildly popular Bob Perry design. It first rolled off the production line in 1976 and there are now several hundred of them sailing the world’s oceans.

Above the waterline, the Tayana 37 boasts beautiful traditional lines. However, Perry wanted to avoid the unenviable (read: sluggish) performance characteristics, associated with double-enders.

So, he designed the Tayana 37 with a cut-away long keel and moderate displacement, maintaining the classic look, while achieving reasonable performance.

The Tayana 37 has a devoted following of offshore enthusiasts. Since 2009, 12 Tayana 37s have set out to cross the Pacific in the PPJ rallies.

Read more about the Tayana 37 in this Practical Sailor review .

3. Hans Christian 38T

The Hans Christian 38T is a full-keeled, heavy displacement bluewater boat with a long bowsprit and a clipper bow, giving it a distinctive appearance. It was first introduced in 1976 and was produced until the early 1990s.

If you hadn’t already guessed, the “T” in the name stands for “Traditional”. Like many boats on this list, it takes a cue from Crealock’s famous Westsail 32 which sparked a craze in the 1970s and 80s for Scandinavian-style doubled-enders.

It’s gained a reputation as a capable and seaworthy cruising yacht. Many owners have crossed oceans and completed circumnavigations in Hans Christian 38Ts.

By our count, eight Hans Christian 38Ts have participated in Pacific Puddle Jump rallies over the last 12 years.

4. Island Packet 380

I’ve always considered Island Packets the Rolls-Royce of the bluewater boat world. Their distinctive cream-colored topsides make them easy to spot and their robust bluewater construction makes them the envy of many far-flung anchorages.

Designed by Bob Johnson and built by Island Packet Yachts in Florida, the Island Packet 380 was first introduced in 1998. 169 were built before 2004, over which time it gained a reputation as a capable and comfortable offshore cruiser.

Having been built in the ’90s and early 2000s, this is a relatively newer boat. In many ways, it offers the best of both worlds, a classic-looking boat with all the modern cruising conveniences.

The Island Packet 380 design prioritizes safety and stability. It also has several offshore features including standard twin bow rollers, a divided anchor locker, and ample storage for cruising gear.

Life below deck is comfortable too. With a 13-foot (4 meter) beam there’s plenty of room for liveaboard amenities.

The Island Packet 380 is a popular choice for long-distance cruising and offshore passages. Since 2009, six Island Packet 380s have set out to cross the Pacific in PPJ rallies.

Read more about the Island Packet 380 in this review by Yachting Monthly .

5. Ingrid 38

The Ingrid 38 is a double-ended sailboat that was originally designed for wood construction in 1938.

In 1971, Bluewater Boat Co. began building a fiberglass version. The design proved hugely popular and more than 140 were built.

With a full keep and heavy displacement, the Ingrid 38 epitomizes the traditional bluewater cruiser. Yet, it remains a well-loved design today. Since 2009, six Ingrid 38s have set out to cross the Pacific in PPJ rallies.

Description

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

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Baltimore bridge collapse brings back memories of Oklahoma's I-40 bridge disaster

A Baltimore bridge partially collapsed  early Tuesday after being  hit by a cargo ship.

The Associated Press reported several vehicles had plunged into the river below and said the ship had caught fire. 

➤  Photos, video show collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge

➤  Live coverage:   Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses, rescue operations underway

The incident brings back memories of a similar incident that happened in Oklahoma in May 2002, when freight barges being transported on the Arkansas River hit a pier supporting the Interstate 40 road bridge crossing the river near Webbers Falls.

The supports failed, causing a section of the bridge to collapse and the deaths of 14 people, while another 11 were injured.

Here's what was happening in Maryland on Tuesday morning, along with happened in Oklahoma years ago.

What happened in the bridge collapse in Baltimore?

The  Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed  early Tuesday after it was  struck  b y a large cargo ship . The bridge is a major span critical to East Coast shipping.

The Baltimore City Fire Department received several 911 calls about 1:30 a.m. Several vehicles were reported in the river, and the ship had caught fire.

Live updates:  Baltimore's Key Bridge collapses after ship collision; rescue effort underway

"This is currently a mass casualty incident and we are searching for seven people who are in the river," Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told Reuters.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people.”

Synergy Marine Corp said the Dali, Singapore-flagged container ship, collided with one of the pillars of the bridge. All its crew members, including two pilots, have been accounted for and there were no reports of any injuries.

Where is Baltimore?

Baltimore is located about 35 miles northeast of Washington, D.C. or about 90 miles southwest of Philadelphia.

Where is Francis Scott Key Bridge and when did it open?

The  Francis Scott Key Bridge opened in March 1977  as the final link in Interstate 695, the Baltimore Beltway.

The  1.6 mile bridge crosses over the Patapsco River  where Francis Scott Key reportedly was inspired to write the words of the Star Spangled Banner, according to the  Maryland Transportation Authority.

The bridge consists of four lanes and is 185 feet high. The cost to build it was $60.3 million. The bridge can handle 11.3 million vehicles per year, or nearly 31,000 cars per day, according to the transportation authority.

More about Key Bridge:  Where is the Francis Scott Key Bridge? What to know about collapsed Baltimore bridge

What happened in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma I-40 bridge disaster in 2002

On May 26, 2002, Joe Dedmon, the captain of the towboat Robert Y. Love, was reported to have lost consciousness while traveling the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir and losing control of the tow.

When the barges he was towing collided with the pier supporting the bridge, eight passenger vehicles and three tractor-trailers fell into the river before traffic stopped.

Some people were able to swim to shore, and some were aided by fishermen participating in a bass fishing tournament near the bridge. The incident killed 14 people and injured 11.

The bridge was estimated to carry 20,000 vehicles per day, which were rerouted for about two months while the bridge was rebuilt. The bridge reopened on July 29, 2002 , 10 days earlier than expected.

Exactly one year after the disaster, a memorial to the victims was dedicated in the Webbers Falls City Park .

Contributors: Charles Ventura, Thao Nguyen, Susan Miller, USA Today Network

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: Two victims recovered; NTSB recovers ship’s voyage recorder data

What we know.

• The remains of two people who were killed after Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed when it was struck by the containership yesterday have been recovered. Four others are presumed dead.
• The victims were construction workers who were on the bridge filling potholes when the span was struck. Two people were rescued from the water, one of whom was treated at a local trauma center.
• The ship lost power, and a distress call prompted authorities to close the bridge to traffic. Video of the ship, emergency radio transmissions and analysis by maritime veterans paint a picture of a disastrous scenario — one that could have been much worse.
• National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy told NBC News today that the agency has recovered the Dali's voyage recorder data.
• Customers from the East Coast to the Midwest could feel a costly impact from the collapse of the bridge, which was named for the man who wrote the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Watch: Drone video shows aftermath of Baltimore bridge collapse

The NTSB captured the aftermath of the bridge collapse in Baltimore as investigators were surveying the extent of damage on board the cargo ship Dali.

More than 1,100 Army Corps of Engineers personnel assisting

Rebecca Cohen

More than 1,100 engineering, construction, contracting and operations specialists from the Baltimore District of the Army Corps of Engineers are providing support to local, state and federal agencies after the collapse, the corps said in a statement.

The Army Corps is helping to clear the channel where the bridge collapsed, according to the statement, as a part of the recovery effort to remove the debris from the water.

Biden: 'We’ll be with the people of Baltimore for as long as it takes'

"Earlier today, I sat down with Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg and Vice Admiral Gautier to discuss the coordinated response to the collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge," Biden said on X.

He added: "We’ll be with the people of Baltimore for as long as it takes."

Baltimore City Council president looks toward a return to normalcy

Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby said his priority is to help bring normalcy back to his community.

“As we move on from search and rescue to now salvage, how do we turn some normalcy back to something that’s really important to our local economy, meaning the port?” Mosby asked on NBC News Now’s “Top Story with Tom Llamas.”

Rebuilding the bridge should remain the focus, he said.

“This is the ninth-largest port in the country. When we talk about the importance of the port being the most westward eastbound port, that’s why it’s the No. 1 importer of farming equipment that goes to the Midwest," he said.

NTSB chair expects investigation to take 1 to 2 years

Homendy said tonight she has "no doubt that we will be be able to pull this [the investigation] together in hopefully 12 to 24 months."

"With that said," she continued, "we will not hesitate again to issue urgent safety recommendations before that time if we need to."

She called the investigation into the crash a "massive undertaking" but noted that such an investigation is not new for the NTSB.

Right now, Homendy said, the focus is reuniting families with their loved ones.

"Everything else can wait," she said.

56 containers of hazardous materials were on containership

There were 56 containers of hazardous materials on board the Dali when it crashed, said Homendy, the NTSB chair.

The containers, holding 760 tons of hazardous materials, according to Homendy, mostly contained corrosives, flammables and "miscellaneous" materials, including lithium-ion batteries.

Some containers have been breached, Homendy said, adding that a sheen can be seen on the waterway.

Homendy said that some of the breached containers are in the water and some are on the vessel and that she does not know the total number of breached containers or the timeline for getting them out, as that does not fall on the NTSB.

She added that it is a "pretty dangerous situation" that is preventing officials from getting to the hazardous materials to assess what remains.

23 crew members still on board the Dali

Homendy said 23 people, including 21 crew members and two pilots, were on board the Dali when it crashed into the bridge.

The crew remains on board the ship, which the NTSB investigation team boarded earlier today as a part of its investigation.

The people on the vessel have power, Homendy said, but the ship cannot move.

2 more bridge collapse victims identified

Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, who was from Mexico and lived in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, who was from Guatemala and lived in Dundalk, Maryland, were identified as the men who recovered from the water this morning.

Both of their families have been notified, said Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. with the Maryland State Police.

All six of the people presumed dead after the bridge collapse are believed to be from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

2 victims recovered; recovery efforts now a salvage operation

Searchers in the Port of Baltimore found two victims shortly before 10 a.m. today, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr. with the Maryland State Police said in an update this afternoon.

The victims were in a red pickup that was trapped in 25 feet of water near what once was the middle of the bridge, he said.

Officials are moving from a recovery mission to a salvage operation at the scene, Butler said, because it is no longer safe for divers to navigate or operate around the debris and concrete in the port.

Scans from sonar vehicles have led officials to believe the vehicles still trapped underwater are encased in concrete and the structures that crashed down early yesterday.

Butler said that responding officers have "exhausted all search efforts" to recover the victims and that divers stopped searching the water at around 4 p.m. today.

Brother of Baltimore bridge worker shares frustration over recovery mission

The brother of Maynor Suazo, one of the six workers who vanished following the collapse of the Maryland bridge, shared his frustration and heartbreak while he and his family wait for updates.

Ten vessels stuck in the Port of Baltimore

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, 10 vessels are stuck in the Port of Baltimore, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, including 3 bulk carriers, 1 vehicle carrier, 2 general cargo ships, 1 oil/chemical tanker and 3 logistics naval vessels.

The ship that took the bridge down is still in the Port of Baltimore, as well, according to the BTS.

An additional 12 vessels are in the Port, but are not stuck behind the bridge, BTS said. One vehicle carrier is in the port but outside of the bridge, and 9 bulk carriers, 1 vehicle carrier and 2 general cargo vessels are anchored beyond the collapsed bridge.

NTSB to hold news conference at 8 p.m. ET

Marlene Lenthang

Homendy will hold a news conference on the cargo vessel Dali's crash and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse at 8 p.m. ET. 

Mexico supporting families of 3 Mexican construction workers impacted in bridge collapse

Nicole Duarte

Mexico is supporting the families of the three Mexican nationals affected by the Baltimore bridge collapse. 

Three of the eight construction workers who were working on the bridge when it collapsed are of Mexican nationality, the nation’s secretary of foreign affairs said in a statement today.

One, from Michoacán, was rescued and is recovering from his injuries. The other two, who hailed from Veracruz and Michoacán, remain missing. 

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said in a news conference this morning that the government is in communication with their families, supporting them and offering assistance from the diplomatic corps in Baltimore and Washington. 

“The head of the Consular Section, Rafael Laveaga Rendón, traveled to the city of Baltimore to provide support to the families of the workers, who have requested respect for their privacy at this difficult time,” the statement said. 

Buttigieg says he can't estimate yet when Baltimore's port will reopen

Rebecca Shabad is in Washington, D.C.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that he can't estimate yet when the Port of Baltimore will be reopened.

During a White House briefing today, he was asked by reporters several times if it would take days, weeks or months to resume operations at the port and he declined to answer. He noted that $100 million to $200 million of value comes through the port daily and officials are most concerned about the impact on workers' wages, which he said is about $2 million daily.

Vice Adm. Peter Gautier, deputy commandant for operations for the Coast Guard, who joined the briefing, said that the main challenge now is to remove the large trusses and steel, from the bridge, from the bow of the ship.

Buttigieg said he also couldn't estimate how much rebuilding the bridge might cost, but said it's "likely" that the administration will turn to Congress to ask lawmakers to replenish an emergency relief account from the infrastructure law.

Buttigieg said he doesn't "have dollar estimates yet," but said there are "provisions that allow us to begin releasing funding even while that is being determined." He said he expects Maryland's Transportation Department to submit a request this afternoon for emergency funding.

"We will be processing that immediately to start getting them what they need," he said.  

Dali ship pilot didn’t notice anything off before engines failed

The cargo ship Dali that hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge had suffered a “blackout” and engine failure before it crashed, Clay Diamond, executive director of the American Pilots' Association, said today. 

The Dali had departed from the Baltimore harbor pier at 12:30 a.m. and suffered a “complete blackout” at 1:25 a.m. — "lost engine power, all electricity, they were a dead ship essentially," Diamond said.

Shortly after, the emergency generator kicked on-emergency lighting, steering, and navigation equipment, which is when the lights on the ship flickered back on. However, the ship’s engines never came back on, Diamond said.

The pilot shifted the rudder port, meaning left, and ordered the port anchor be dropped to slow the vessel and keep it from drifting right, and the pilot radioed to have the bridge closed.

Diamond noted this was the first time the pilot, who has more than 10 years of experience in the role, was in charge of a dead ship, but it is a situation pilots train for. 

The pilot had an apprentice on board, who was essentially new having started in the role Feb. 1. Diamond said the apprentice was observing, not navigating, and it would be incorrect to say there were two pilots on board, which officials have previously described.

The pilot didn’t notice anything strange when he left the pier inside the port of Baltimore, Diamond noted.

“[The pilot's] doing as well as you can expect, this is a horrifying thing to go through,” Diamond said. The pilot has spoken with the Coast Guard, Maryland state officials and NTSB investigators.

Insurance will cover some of bridge rebuilding cost: Treasury secretary

Insurance payments will partially cover the cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. 

“My expectation would be that ultimately, insurance, there’ll be insurance payments, in part to cover this, but we don’t want to allow worrying about where the financing is coming to hold up reconstruction,” she said on MSNBC today. 

“We have the supply chain task force that actually will be meeting this afternoon to review what they know about the likely impact, but we’re monitoring this very closely and prepared to take any steps that can be helpful,” Yellen added. 

She echoed President Joe Biden’s vow to get the bridge back up and running as soon as possible, saying: “President Biden has indicated that we will do everything as quickly as we possibly can to reopen the port which is, as you said, one of the most important in the United States.”

Construction worker remembers missing peers as 'great husbands, fathers, sons'

Didi Martinez

Moises Diaz, a worker for Brawner Builders, the company that employed the six missing construction workers in the Baltimore bridge collapse, remembered his fallen peers as “great husbands, fathers, sons.”

“We are very worried because they were great co-workers,” he said in a statement shared with NBC News, recalling them as “respectful, responsible with their work, their families and friendships.”

Diaz said that the last time he saw his co-worker Miguel Luna was Friday and that he had last spoken to Maynor Suazo on Monday afternoon. 

He said that he formerly held the shift the workers died in, but recently changed shifts because of his church schedule. 

Sister of Maryland bridge worker: He ‘was everything to us’

Daniella Silva

The sister of Maynor Suazo, one of the six workers who vanished following the collapse of the Maryland bridge, said her brother was “the driving force of my family” and “an exemplary father.”

Maynor Suazo, a father of two, was originally from Honduras.

Norma Suazo told Telemundo through tears today that her brother was “everything to us” and the sibling she was always the most attached to.

“He gave us strength for everything,” she said in Spanish, in between tears. 

“He fought day after day for our family to get ahead,” Suazo said. “He was a good brother, a good son, an exemplary father.”

Maynor Suazo’s brother-in-law, who was also present, said the man “leaves a very great legacy” and “has been a great example for many people.”

Two friends recall 'disturbing' moment bridge fell, just 30 minutes after they drove over it

Christian Miller and Toby Gutermuth had driven over the Francis Scott Key Bridge just 30 minutes before it fell early yesterday, and captured the terrifying collapse on video. 

The friends were at Fort Armistead Park listening to music and getting ready to fish when they noticed something odd. 

“I see what I thought was cargo falling off of the front of the ship into the water causing some water to splash, so I started recording that, not knowing that it was actually the cargo ship hitting one of the columns on the bridge, and sure enough I got the whole thing on video. The whole bridge coming down. It was scary,” Gutermuth said on NBC News Now. 

“My stomach just kind of sank. It was a pretty disturbing sight,” Miller said recalling how they heard debris fall, metal scraping and saw the lights go out on the bridge. 

Gutermuth said the catastrophe was “something you only think you’d ever see in a movie.”

The pair extended prayers to the families impacted, with Miller adding, “Hopefully, we recover from this as a community.”

Divers haven't entered the water under bridge yet

BALTIMORE — No divers from any agency have entered the water at the scene of the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge yet, officials said. 

The FBI is supporting the recovery effort with its diver team and ROV’s — remotely operated vehicles — to find targets in the water, such as the shadow of cars or human remains. 

“The debris field is pretty sizable and I know that’s why they’re hesitant to send divers down because some of the debris is still shifting, the heavy weight of the rocks,” Supervisory Special Agent Brian Hudson, the program manager for the FBI’s Underwater Search and Evidence Response Team, told NBC News today. “It’s dark, so we’re not getting great camera footage from our ROV footage, but the sonar still shows up very well.”

So far, he said they’ve marked some “interesting targets,” but it’s not clear when divers will enter the water to scope those out. Conditions for diving are also a challenge with visibility essentially black, strong currents, cold temperatures and the expansive size of the debris field.

Hudson said “it’s possible” to recovery the bodies of the missing and the water search could last a week.

“We’re going to use the sensory imaging of the sonars to find targets that look like vehicles, look like remains. Once those images are found, we’ll tag them with GPS. Usually we’ll send an ROV down to visually confirm if possible with the video camera. Once we got a visual confirmation, we can use the manipulator claws of the ROV to latch onto something, and that gives the divers a through line into the water and they can go down and work," he explained.

Maryland flag lowered to half-staff

Julia Jester

The Maryland flag has been lowered to half-staff, Moore announced just before 11 a.m.

"We have spoken to the families, prayed with them, and assured them that our state will mobilize every resource to bring them closure," the governor wrote , echoing Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's earlier commitment to the victims' loved ones.

Nearby marina and restaurant offer support to first responders

Daniel Arkin

Anchor Bay East Marina and the Hard Yacht Cafe, two local destinations just a short drive away from what was once the Francis Scott Key Bridge, plan to offer a range of services to first responders.

Bathrooms and showers will be available for all first responders. All first responders will receive a 50% discount on food purchases, according to a post from the marina and the restaurant on Facebook. The fuel dock will be open around the clock.

"There is very little to say at the moment, but we are focused to do what we can as a group to support everyone involved," the marina and the cafe said in a joint statement. "We pray for the individuals, families and first responders affected by this disaster."

Baltimore mayor promises to give families ‘closure they deserve'

Scott posted on X that he will spend today continuing to help coordinate response efforts, including the work to recover all six victims.

"They are working around the clock to do everything in our power to provide these families with the closure they deserve and this city will stand with them through this, every step of the way," he wrote.

Maryland lawmakers to propose emergency aid for port workers

“We are drafting an emergency bill to provide for income replacement for workers impacted by this travesty,” Maryland state Senate President Bill Ferguson  posted on social media  this morning.

The Port of Baltimore provides jobs for roughly 15,000 workers in the region and processes more than $80 billion in goods each year. Ferguson said the economic stability and loss cannot be understated.

"Yesterday I spent hours talking to labor leaders, dock workers, small business owners, and large port industry leaders who all had the exact same message: 'We must unlock the channel to the Port of Baltimore," he wrote. "They’re right. And until we do, there is enormous cost to families.”

Recovery mission resumes in difficult conditions

Patrick Smith

Underwater drones and helicopter pilots went back to the task of finding the bodies of six construction workers still missing after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge yesterday.

A large search operation paused around 7:30 p.m. yesterday as darkness made already tough conditions near-impossible for specialist teams.

Maryland State Police spokesperson Elena Russo confirmed to The Associated Press before 7:30 a.m. today that “recovery efforts are underway.”

And the mission will be made that much harder by heavy rain, patchy fog and temperatures in the 40s.

Maryland governor praises first responders for saving 'countless lives'

In an interview with MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” today, Moore hailed the quick actions of the cargo ship’s crew, particularly the last-minute mayday call that likely helped prevent even more casualties.

“The fact that they were able to stop cars from coming on to the bridge, that saved countless lives because had ... more cars been on that bridge when it collapsed, this would have turned a catastrophic incident into an even more catastrophic incident,” the Democratic governor said. “So, the debt of gratitude that we all have towards these first responders, it’s incalculable.”

NTSB chief and investigators to go aboard the Dali cargo ship today

Tom Costello

BALTIMORE — The chair of the National Transport Safety Board and a team of investigators plan to be on board the stricken Dali cargo ship later today to interview crew members and gather evidence.

Jennifer L. Homendy told NBC News this morning that her team would be looking at a range of issues, including what protections, if any, the bridge support structures had and whether they should have been more robust.

Homendy said the data recorder that has been recovered was a modern device that could reveal a wide range of facts to investigators, including the ship's positioning and speed, and what might have happened to its power.

"It’s quite a bit of information, throttle position, you, you name it. And that will help us enable us to begin to put together a timeline of events that occurred prior to the striking of the bridge," she said.

Homendy also said her team would look at how the Key Bridge was destroyed by the loss of a single support pylon and how similar disasters could be prevented elsewhere in the country.

"That is exactly what we’re going to be looking at is that type of infrastructure to prevent this type of collapse ... from occurring," she said.

An NTSB team boarded the ship in a preliminary visit last night, but the agency hopes to get much of its work done today.

She also said the NTSB would look into the suggestion that contaminated fuel may have played a role in the tragedy, as reported by The Wall Street Journal last night.

There will be no quick conclusion, however: She said the investigation could take up to two years to complete.

'They they were fathers, they were sons, they were husbands': Maryland governor on meeting families of the missing workers

Moore said he has met and prayed with the families of the six construction workers who are missing and feared dead following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge yesterday.

Speaking on NBC's "TODAY" show this morning, he said these were "people who simply just went to work yesterday to work on potholes."

"They had no idea that them going to work was gonna turn to a deadly occurrence," he said.

He continued: "They they were fathers, they were sons, they were husbands, They were people who their families relied on."

Moore said he told the families he would put every available resource into the search and rescue mission, which has since been called off.

"But now that we’ve transitioned to a recovery mission, I’m going to make sure that we’re going to put every possible resource to bring a sense of closure to these families," he said.

Moore echoed the words of Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott who yesterday called the law enforcement officers who stopped traffic on both sides of the bridge "heroes."

"This was true heroism," Moore said, adding that countless lives were saved. "You know, when we say that that we are, we are Maryland tough and we are Baltimore strong."

Moore added that a warning was sent to the workers on the bridge. It remains unclear how or why they were still on the bridge at the time of the collision.

"It unfolded in seconds, minutes, as we well know," he added.

Moore would not speculate on how long it might take for a new bridge to be built, but declared: "We are going to get this done."

NTSB has recovered ship's voyage recorder data

BALTIMORE — National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy tells NBC News that the agency has recovered the Dali cargo ship's voyage recorder data.

The recorder preserves 12 hours of information covering the ship’s movements and operations, along with conversations that took place on the vessel.

Mexico confirms some missing construction workers are Mexican

Mexico has confirmed that some of the six missing construction workers are Mexican.

In a post on X late yesterday, the Mexican Embassy in Washington said: "There are six workers missing, including Mexican, Guatemalan and Salvadoran people. The authorities will resume search work tomorrow."

Yesterday, the Mexican ambassador to the U.S, Esteban Moctezuma Barragán, said that his country expressed "our solidarity with all those affected by this devastating accident."

Guatemala has also confirmed that two of the missing are Guatemalan.

Maryland DOT warns motorists to expect longer journey times after bridge collapse

The Maryland Department of Transportation has confirmed what locals knew within seconds of seeing the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse: it will mean longer driving times in the area.

"Drivers are encouraged to prepare for extra commuting time until further notice," the agency said in a statement last night.

The agency's travel advice is that:

• The outer loop I-695 closure has shifted to exit 1/Quarantine Road (past the Curtis Creek Drawbridge) to allow for enhanced local traffic access. 
• The inner loop of I-695 remains closed at Maryland state Route 157 (Peninsula Expressway). Additionally, the ramp from state Route 157 to the inner loop of I-695 will be closed. 
• Drivers should use I-95 (Fort McHenry Tunnel) or I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) for north/south routes. Commercial vehicles carrying materials that are prohibited in the tunnel crossings, including recreation vehicles carrying propane, should plan on using I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) between Essex and Glen Burnie. This will add significant driving time.  

Guatemala confirms two of the missing workers are Guatemalan, has spoken to their families

Guatemala has confirmed that two of its citizens were among the six construction workers who were working on the bridge at the time of its collapse and are now missing.

Neither have been identified, but in a statement , the Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Ministry said they were a 26-year-old, originally from San Luis, Petén, in Guatemala and a 35-year-old originally from Camotán, Chiquimula. The ministry has spoken to the brothers of both missing workers.

“Among the six workers who are still missing, it is believed that there are people of Mexican origin, from Honduras, El Salvador and the two Guatemalans,” the statement said.

The Guatemalan Consulate General in Maryland said it had been told in a report that the boat sent a signal to stop traffic at both ends of the bridge.

Baltimore community shaken after bridge collapse leaves 6 missing

BALTIMORE — Six construction workers, who were plunged into the murky waters, are presumed dead after the cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. NBC’s Tom Llamas spoke with residents and workers who were stunned by the disaster.

The Key Bridge collapse is the latest in a long line of tragic bridge incidents

The Associated Press

The bridge collapse is not the first major incident involving ships or barges hitting bridges in the United States.

From 1960 to 2015, there were 35 major bridge collapses worldwide due to ship or barge collision, with a total of 342 people killed,  according to a 2018 report  from the World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure. Eighteen of those collapses happened in the U.S.

These include when barges being pushed by a towboat in dense fog hit and displaced the Big Bayou Canot railroad bridge near Mobile, Alabama, on Sept. 22, 1993. Minutes later, an Amtrak train with 220 people aboard hit the displaced bridge and derailed, killing 47 people and injuring 103.

In 1980, the 609-foot freighter Summit Venture lost its radar in the Tampa Bay before it sheared off a support of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, dropping a 1,400-foot section of concrete roadway during the morning rush hour. Seven vehicles, including a bus with 26 aboard, fell 150 feet into the water, killing 35 people.

In 2002, a barge hit the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River, causing a 500-foot section to collapse and sending vehicles into the water, killing 14 people and injuring 11.

Construction firm with six workers missing says bridge collapse was 'completely unforeseen'

A senior executive at the company that employed the six missing construction workers said that the firm takes safety seriously and that the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was totally unexpected.

"This was so completely unforeseen," Jeffrey Pritzker, executive vice president at Brawner Builders, told The Associated Press.

"We don’t know what else to say. We take such great pride in safety, and we have cones and signs and lights and barriers and flaggers."

Prayer vigil held for victims of Baltimore bridge collapse

A prayer vigil was held for the victims of the Francis Scott Key bridge collapse in Baltimore yesterday. Community leaders and members gathered at Mount Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station to also honor the first responders at the scene of the disaster.

Catch up with NBC News' coverage of the Francis Scott key Bridge collapse

A rare mayday preceded Baltimore bridge collapse: ‘I couldn’t think of a worse situation’

Video of the ship, emergency radio transmissions and analysis by maritime veterans paint a picture of a disastrous scenario — one that could have been much worse.

Why the Baltimore bridge stood little chance against a fully loaded cargo ship

Although bridges are designed to withstand impacts from ships, experts said, some events go beyond what a structure can handle

Unfounded conspiracy theories spread online after Baltimore bridge collapse

Major news events — like the pandemic, natural disasters and mass shootings — now consistently serve as fodder for fringe figures.

Construction workers at Baltimore bridge are still unaccounted for, drawing concern from co-workers

“It’s a blessing I wasn’t on there, but it comes at the cost of somebody else,” said a construction foreman who last worked on the bridge two weeks ago.

Customers from the East Coast to the Midwest could see costly impact from Baltimore bridge collapse

“The Key Bridge and Port of Baltimore are critical components of our nation’s infrastructure and supply chain,” the American Trucking Association said.

The twisted wreckage in Baltimore stands as a memorial as people gather to grieve

Many woke this morning to the frightening news that the Francis Scott Key Bridge had been struck by an immense cargo ship and collapsed.

Biden says he wants federal government to pay for rebuilding of Baltimore bridge after cargo ship crash

The president, is headed to North Carolina on Tuesday, said he also plans to visit Baltimore as “quickly” as he can.

Baltimore community shaken after 6 presumed dead

BALTIMORE — Six construction workers, who were plunged into a murky river, are presumed dead after a cargo ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Residents and workers were stunned by the disaster.

Maryland governor pledges every effort to recover victims

Phil Helsel

Moore vowed that he would keep a promise, now more grim, to family members to use every resource available to find the six people presumed dead in today’s bridge collapse.

He had expressed hope earlier yesterday that an extensive search by boat and air could find and rescue the six people missing after the Francis Scott Key Bridge was struck by a container ship and collapsed into the Patapsco River.

“We promised them when we met with them — that we were putting every possible asset and tool at our disposal to help find their family members,” Moore said after the search was suspended.

“And, so, this evening, we wanted to let them know that even though we’ve transitioned from a search and rescue to now a recovery mission, we will use every asset to make sure they find a sense of closure,” he said. “And that’s a commitment that we will keep for these families.”

The active search and rescue was suspended at 7:30 p.m. yesterday, the Coast Guard said, and the effort moved to a recovery phase.

Officers were about to alert the construction crew when bridge collapsed

Radio traffic obtained from the  Broadcastify.com  archive indicates officers were just about to alert a construction crew when a major bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a container ship that had lost power.

The Maryland Transportation Authority first responder radio traffic includes a dispatcher putting out a call saying a ship had lost its steering ability and asking officers to stop all traffic. It took officers less than two minutes to stop traffic on the bridge.

One officer who had stopped traffic radioed that he was going to drive onto the bridge to notify the construction crew once a second officer arrived. But seconds later, a frantic officer radioed that the bridge had collapsed.

The six people who are now presumed dead were part of the construction crew, which was filling potholes on the bridge.

Container ship passed foreign inspections last year

Josh Cradduck

Dennis Romero

The container ship passed two foreign port inspections in 2023, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

The inspections took place in June and September, but the locations were not divulged by the port where the ship, the Dali, is flagged.

“In the June 2023 inspection, a faulty monitor gauge for fuel pressure was rectified before the vessel departed the port,” the port authority said in a statement today.

In June, the vessel was scheduled for an administrative assessment that considers how it’s been regulated under a third-party “classification society” empowered by Singapore to keep an eye on it, the port said.

Its classification society is the Japan-based Nippon Kaiji Kyokai, known as ClassNK. It oversees more than 9,000 ships.

The 980-foot ship was built by Hyundai in 2014 and has a March 5, 2015, “date of build,” ClassNK information shows.

It was given a number of certificates allowing it to carry various items and goods March 4, according to the organization. The information also shows that in the last few years, it has undergone multiple “surveys” of its systems, apparently to determine if they’re working properly.

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Maryland governor vows to deploy all resources as search continues for six missing people after Baltimore bridge collapse – as it happened

This live blog is now closed. For the latest on the Baltimore bridge collapse, read our full report:

• At least six missing as Biden laments ‘terrible accident’
• Have you been affected by the Baltimore bridge collapse?
• 2d ago Evening summary
• 2d ago Wes Moore: no update on search and rescue efforts, vows to deploy all resources
• 2d ago Men missing are 'hard-working, humble', says man who reportedly knows them
• 2d ago NTSB will investigate bridge collapse
• 2d ago Bridge height is 'potentially lethal problem' among other concerns, says doctor
• 2d ago Transportation secretary to travel to Baltimore
• 2d ago Biden: search and rescue is 'top priority'
• 2d ago Biden calls bridge collapse a 'terrible accident'
• 2d ago Biden to make speech after Key Bridge collapse
• 2d ago Crew issued mayday request after ship lost power, governor says
• 2d ago Six people still unaccounted for after bridge collapse, officials say
• 2d ago Homeland security secretary says collision doesn't appear intentional act
• 2d ago Summary
• 2d ago Search and rescue efforts continue in Baltimore, after two people rescued
• 2d ago Vessel which collided with bridge chartered by Maersk, company says
• 2d ago Maryland governor declares state of emergency
• 2d ago Baltimore Key Bridge collapse: vehicles fall into water after being hit by ship
• 2d ago Moment bridge collapses in Baltimore after cargo ship collision – video
• 2d ago At least seven people in need of rescue in river after bridge collapse
• 2d ago 'Efforts are underway,' Baltimore mayor says
• 2d ago Baltimore bridge collapses

Wes Moore: no update on search and rescue efforts, vows to deploy all resources

Maryland governor Wes Moore said that there are no new updates on the search and rescue effort.

Moore added that rescuers have deployed air, land, and sea methods to help search for survivors.

“There is not a single resource that we will hold off on deploying,” Moore said during the press conference.

“This is very much still a search and rescue mission,” he added.

Evening summary

We are wrapping up our minute-by-minute updates on the Baltimore bridge collapse for this evening, but will continue to share major news updates on our homepage .

Six people remain missing in the wake of the bridge collapse, as state and national officials said a search and rescue mission by land, air and sea remained the top priority, and offered prayers and support to the families of the missing.

Local news outlets reported that eight construction workers repairing potholes on the bridge were believed to have fallen into the water, and only two have been rescued so far. One person who was hospitalized following the collapse has been released from the hospital.

The missing are “hard-working, humble men” from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. They are in their 30s and 40s and have spouses and children, another construction worker told the Baltimore Banner . Doctors from a local hospital trauma center said that it was unlikely that anyone could survive for multiple hours submerged in the harbor’s cold water.

Joe Biden called the bridge collapse “a terrible accident” , pledged financial and logistical assistance to rebuild the bridge and highlighted the importance of Baltimore’s port to the local and national economies.

The bridge collapse is expected to have a major and sustained impact on supply chains because of the importance of Baltimore’s harbor to international shipping routes.

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the bridge collapse.

Maryland governor Wes Moore said quick action by officials as ship headed towards a collision with the bridge stopped additional vehicles from driving onto it, saving “innumerable” lives.

Wes Moore: quick action to stop additional cars going over bridge saved lives

Asked by reporters if there had been any vehicles on the bridge when it collapsed, Maryland governor Wes Moore said that was still under investigation.

But he said that “the quick work” of public and law enforcement officials to keep additional vehicles from driving onto the bridge as the collision unfolded “undoubtedly saved innumerable lives”.

There will be ‘major and protracted impact to supply chains ’, says Buttigieg.

This is Lois Beckett, picking up our live coverage from Los Angeles.

At this afternoon’s press conference, transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg told reporters that the bridge collapse would have a national impact, because of the amount of cargo that comes through Baltimore’s port.

“There is no question that this will be a major and protracted impact to supply chains,” Buttigieg said. “It’s too soon to offer estimates on what it will take to clear the channel and reopen the port.”

Pete Buttigieg, the secretary of transportation, called Key Bridge one of the “cathedrals of American infrastructure” , during remarks at a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

“This is no ordinary bridge. This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure … so the path to normalcy will not be easy. It will not be quick. It will not be inexpensive, but we will rebuild together.”

Buttigieg added that government officials will need to “render all of the support that is needed at the federal level”.

“The federal government will provide all of the support that [is needed] for as long as it takes,” he added.

A body has reportedly been recovered from the water as search and rescue efforts are ongoing following the Key Bridge collapse , CNN reported.

Phylicia Porter, a Baltimore city councilmember, told the network that she had heard a body was pulled from the water.

“We are hearing one body was found,” she said.

The US Coast Guard, which has been leading search efforts, has not confirmed that report.

Men missing are 'hard-working, humble', says man who reportedly knows them

Six people are still missing after the Key Bridge collapse as search and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Jesus Campos, a construction worker who reportedly knows those working on the bridge, told the Baltimore Banner that they are all men from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico.

Campos added that they are all in their 30s and 40s and have spouses and children.

“They are hard-working, humble men,” Campos said.

From Baltimore Banner reporter Clara Longo de Freitas via X:

Jesus Campos, a construction worker who knows the crew, said the men were from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico. They are in their 30s and 40s and have spouses and children. “They are hard-working, humble men,” he said. More updates to come for @BaltimoreBanner . pic.twitter.com/dhMoFTiU7I — clara longo de freitas (@claralfreitas) March 26, 2024

Homendy added that investigators are still working to verify if the ship lost power shortly before crashing with the Key Bridge.

On those reports, Homendy said:

We’ve heard the reports. We have been made aware of those same reports about there being a power outage. I’ve also seen statements, media releases from Singapore as well. It’s something that we take in, but something that we have to verify through our investigation that that was what was part of the contributing cause here. So too early to tell.

The NTSB will be “standing back” for the time being to allow the coast guard to continue its search and rescue.

“We chose not to board the vessel today to allow some time for the search and recovery which we did not want to interfere with,” Homendy said.

“That is first and foremost,” she said.

Homendy added that the NTSB has gathered some additional information on the accident that needs to be verified first before publication.

NTSB will investigate bridge collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair, Jennifer Homendy, confirmed that the agency will investigate the Key Bridge collapse , she said during a press conference.

The agency arrived to the scene at 6.00am on Tuesday to investigate the crash.

The US Coast Guard is also assisting with the investigation, calling the relationship between the two agencies “cooperative”.

“I want to extend our deepest sympathies to those who have been affect by today’s events,” Homendy added.

Homendy declined to comment on any potential fatalities associated with the bridge collapse, but noted that a search and rescue is still under way.

Bridge height is 'potentially lethal problem' among other concerns, says doctor

Doctors with the the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center are speaking on possible injuries that victims of the Key Bridge collapse are facing.

The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, which is apart of the University of Maryland medical system, received one patient who was injured. That person was released this afternoon.

While doctors did not speak on that specific patient’s injuries, they said that patients from the bridge collapse could face injuries from falling off the bridge.

“This is a very high bridge … the height alone [poses] a potentially lethal problem,” Dr David T Efron said during a press briefing.

Being trapped beneath metal or concrete could lead to a crushing injury.

Doctors added that patients also face the possibility of hypothermia. “[It] doesn’t take very long for someone to feel the effects of [the water’s] temperature,” Efron added.

On hypothermia, Efron added that being submerged for more than hour is “almost invariably not going to be survivable”.

The White House will also be monitoring how the Key Bridge collapse will disrupt domestic and global supply chains further , Reuters reported.

Officials have already warned that the collapsed bridge could have a significant impact on shipping out of the east coast.

The global supply chain has already faced major disruptions amid two global wars – one in Ukraine and in Gaza. The climate crisis and rising interest rates have also made shipping more expensive, costs that ultimately fall to consumers.

“This comes at a particularly difficult time,” said Bindiya Vakil, chief executive of supply chain management company Resilinc to the Washington Post . “With interest rates high, companies are looking to keep products moving.”

Read the full Washington Post article here (paywall).

• Baltimore bridge collapse

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