← Browse all sailboats
5data points analyzed by Sailpages.com to compile this DICKERSON 40 buyer’s report
DICKERSON 40

DICKERSON 40

Dickerson BoatbuildersπŸ‡ΊπŸ‡ΈΒ· Design: Ernest Tucker
1968–1974
$3.3K – $8.7K est. annual maintenance
Bluewater CruisermonoMasthead KetchFull/Long
Dickerson Boatbuilders Owners (USA) β†—

Specifications

Hull

LOA40 ft
LWL30.42 ft
Beam12 ft
Draft4.5 ft
Displacement18,000 lb
Ballast5,599.8 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL7.4 kn

Rig & Sails

Iforetriangle height41 ft
Jforetriangle base12.7 ft
Pmainsail luff38 ft
Emainsail foot16 ft
FLforestay12.7 ft
Mainsail588.7 sq ft
Jib (100%)260.4 sq ft
Spinnaker442.6 sq ft

About the DICKERSON 40

Replaced with the fiberglass DICKERSON 41 in 1974. A rendering of this yacht appeared in 'Yachting', 1973.

Sailpages Buyer's Take

The Dickerson 40 is a classic American cruising ketch designed by Ernest Tucker and built by Dickerson Boatbuilders (USA) between 1968 and 1974. With a displacement of 18000.0 lb and a full/long keel, this vessel represents a substantial, heavy-displacement design from the late 1960s era.

Best for:
This boat is best suited for experienced coastal cruisers and those seeking a traditional, stable platform for relaxed offshore passages, given its heavy displacement and ketch rig configuration.
Bluewater capability:
With a displacement of 18000.0 lb, a capsize ratio of 1.83, and a full/long keel, the Dickerson 40 is well-suited for bluewater cruising due to its inherent stability and seakeeping ability.
Comparables:
Comparable vessels include the Tartan 40 and O'Day 40, which share similar production eras and heavy-displacement cruising characteristics, though the Dickerson's ketch rig and full keel offer distinct handling traits.

Performance

Comfort30.5
Capsize1.83
SA/Disp14.0
Disp/Len285
Bal/Disp31.1

Pricing

We don't have market pricing data for the DICKERSON 40 yet. If you own one, help other buyers β€” what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Based on 40ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.

$/ft/mo
Annual Maintenance
$3.3K – $8.7K
Hull, rigging, sails, engine service
Annual Docking
Enter zip code
Pick a country or enter a US zip for local rates
Annual Insurance
N/A
No price data available

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

We don't have enough data on the DICKERSON 40yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind β€” but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.

Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.

1Structural & Bulkheads9732Standing Rigging6403Deck & Topsides6404Keel & Keel Bolts5535Rudder & Steering5086Hull & Bottom377
Free general pre-purchase checklist
25 survey areas β€” hull, keel, rig, engine, electrical and more. Take it aboard when you view any boat.

Own a DICKERSON 40? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist β€” and they're the reason the boats above it have one.

Similar Sailboats

Which engine powers your DICKERSON 40?

We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us β€” as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.

Already know your engine? Search all engines β†’ to find its exact parts.

Used sails that fit the DICKERSON 40

Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…