Lancer 40 Mid Cockpit

Description

The Lancer 40 (also referred to as the Lancer 40 Center Cockpit or Mid Cockpit) is a classic American cruiser produced by Lancer Yacht Corp. (Irvine, California) from 1983 to 1985 (some sources note it evolved from or was renamed from a 1982 Lancer 38 CC model with the same specs, including an integrated swim platform extension of the hull). Designed by Herb David (who also handled many Lancer motorsailers), it's a recreational keelboat built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim, featuring a masthead sloop rig, raked stem, angled transom with fixed swimming platform, skeg-mounted rudder (wheel steering for protection and tracking), and fixed fin keel. This model emphasizes comfortable, roomy cruising with a center/mid cockpit layout that provides excellent protection, easy access to the aft cabin, and a spacious feel below—ideal for extended coastal or moderate bluewater passages (some owners consider it suitable for liveaboard or family cruising). It's not a high-performance racer like the Lancer 36 but offers reasonably good sailing characteristics for its era (SA/D around 17–21 depending on headsail), with solid stability and righting capability. It's relatively rare due to the short production run and Lancer's overall limited output before the company wound down around 1986.