Sailing on the Lean

The Passport 40 is a aft cockpit sloop rig ocean going cruising sailboat. It has an overall length 39.42ft a waterline of 33.42ft. The beam is 12.67ft and draft of 5.75ft. She has a lead encapsulated keel and a skeg hung rudder. The boat was designed by Bob Perry and there were a total of 148 boats built between 1980 and 1991 (stats are from sailboatdata.com.) The boats were built in Taiwan. The hull is solid fiberglass with balsa cored teak decks. She weighs in at 22,7721 Lbs.

The cockpit is deep and safe. It realistically is adequate up to 4 people. There is a large wheel that makes it possible to sit on the side rail and steer. The dodger gives good protection in foul seas.

The life lines are higher than today’s standards so they hit you at hip height rather than knee or low thigh. There is boarding gates on each side for access to docks and dinghy. There is substantial bulwarks to brace against on the rails. Again handholds on top of the coachroof to maneuver safely. Two large hatches, 9 opening port lights three cowl vents make sure she is well ventilated. The head also has a mushroom vent.

The boat is stable underfoot coming in at 22,000 pounds. Stepping onto the boat there is very little movement. The movement during heavy weather is very stable. She is not at slow boat, given her weight, and frequently sees 6 knots in 10 knots of breeze.

Inside she holds 70 gallons of fuel and 130 gallons of water. both are separated into two tanks. The boats were originally powered by a Perkins diesel. Some boats were built with a Dickenson Antarctic diesel stove.

There is a generous amount of teak below. With the interior design either holding a pullman birth, single head and the head in the forepeak. The other option is the forepeak bed and a head to port with a toilet in the aft cabin.

The interior was set up as a sea going ship. Hand holds and places to brace yourself were everywhere. Coming down the companion way there is a U shaped galley to port, the heater in front and the chart table to Starboard. There is never a place below that the next handhold isn’t within arms reach. Past the heater and the chart table on the port side is an L shaped settee with a large table. And to starboard is a long straight settee that makes an excellent sea berth.

Underneath the main salon table is the engine. There are three panels to access the engine and if needed the whole table can be removed to get complete access.

In the main cabin there is storage galore in cabinets and behind the backs of the settees.

The configuration going forward depends on the sleeping arrangements with heads and bunks in different locations.

Again there is handholds everywhere and plenty of places to brace yourself. Below is a great review from John Kretchmer on this boat.

We had wanted the pullman berth, Dickinson heater and single head version. And thus the search for the right boat began.