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48° North Tests the Stout, Twin-Keeled Bluewater Cruiser

The Sirius 40 Deck Saloon (DS) just made its North American Boat Show debut in Seattle in January, and I have to admit, it had not been on my radar. It certainly is now, and it left a big impression. Perhaps this is because this was no two-hour boat test. I got on the boat at Cornet Bay Marina just inside of Deception Pass, and spent two very enjoyable days cruising the boat, including a night on the hook in a San Juans gunkhole at Kimball Preserve.

The first 40 DS splashed in 2015. And the first on the West Coast of this continent now has a home in Vancouver, BC, after sailing here from Germany, where Sirius Yachts are built.

At its core, the Sirius 40 DS is a stout bluewater sailor, whose design priorities begin with a large, central deck saloon with 360° views and creature comforts galore. It has several ballast arrangement options, two of which prioritize keeping permanent draft to a minimum while retaining rock-solid stability. And one of these (the twin-keeled version we sailed) allows you to safely “dry-out” on tidal flats; not just as a novelty, but daily. It utilizes a Solent rig with a readily-deployed self-tacking jib and traditional-sheeting genoa. Considering its host of interior layout options and multiple rudder arrangements to pair with the ballast options, it’s one of the most customizable production boats I’ve come across.

This Sirius 40 is big and beautiful, and it is ready to take you to far away places. Yet, the ocean is not the only place this boat will be at home—it’s also uniquely perfect for year-round cruising on the Sound, the Inside Passage, or Alaska. Its saloon windows allow you to take in the beauty of your surroundings while being out of the weather if it is cold, wet, or both; whether you’re under sail, under power, or at anchor.

Innovations

As much as any boat I’ve stepped aboard in recent memory, the Sirius 40 DS is full of surprises. It exposed some of the expectations to which I default, based on certain conventions in boat design. Being different is noteworthy in itself, but since ingenuity and creativity are on constant display in the Sirius 40 DS, there was also a significant wow factor.

The first clever invention I noticed was the burly canting wheel, hinged on centerline. This gives you many of the advantages of dual helms—the ability to drive from either high or low side for visibility or trimming purposes and easy fore-aft movement around the cockpit—while keeping the steering mechanism strong and simple.

As I entered the extraordinary saloon and passed the raised dinette to port, I walked down a couple of stairs at the forward end, expecting to find only a V-berth (it’s there and it’s lovely, by the way). On my way, I discovered another spacious cabin tucked under the deck saloon on the port side, which had one of the largest double berths I’ve ever seen on a cruising boat. This secret berth provides the qualities of a mid-ship berth, where the boat’s movement is minimized and where you’re insulated from lapping water in the stern and anchor chain noise in the V-berth.

This mid-ship berth is not the only unexpected space afforded by the raised saloon sole. I pulled up a floorboard in front of the galley to discover a storage area under the floor that was nearly three feet deep. There are four of those massive compartments. For passage provisioning, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen more ample storage solutions inside the cabin.

And then, it was time for the real kicker… The aft-most bench in the saloon dinette hinges out of the way and reveals a passageway into a hidden shop and storage room. This area houses the bones of the boat’s systems—engine access, electrical, water, gen-set or laundry for some—and comes standard with a workbench. It’s a brilliant use of space, and one that doesn’t sacrifice any of the comfort or elegance of day-to-day living.

The Sirius 40 is just plain comfortable. If it didn’t sound so much like marketing lingo, I’d even call it luxurious. This was never more obvious than when we were hit by a surprise 30-knot squall in Rosario Strait. We had already struck sail as daylight was fading fast and we needed to head directly to our anchorage for the evening.

We watched as the wall of white moved across the water at us. “Rain or wind?” I wondered aloud. Well, it was both. It hit and I was truly grateful to be inside the saloon, steering from the interior helm station, awed by the cell’s power and by the boat’s resistance to it.

Comfort is key to the styling, but it’s all about the views. Views when you’re cooking in the central galley, views while you’re eating in the saloon, views out the hull portlights in any of the three private cabins. I’ve never seen so much of my exquisite natural surroundings while inside a boat. You’re never really “down below” on the Sirius 40 DS.

Quality Craftsmanship

Structurally, the Sirius 40 is a beast. When I loaded my sailing bag into the closet in the midship cabin, I discovered an approach to the chainplate that was new to me. A massive steel rod tied the deck fitting directly to an athwarships stringer. This was just an example, everything about its build is brawny.

The fit and finish is as fine as any boat I’ve spent time on. It is quiet…dead quiet. No creaking floorboards. No squeaky hinges. The saloon table is genuinely gorgeous. And when the companionway door was closed, that 30-knot squall raging outside was eerily quiet inside the deck saloon while the boat heeled 15-degrees under bare poles.

The most unique of the three ballast arrangements—a twin “bilge keel” set-up—is, as mentioned above, structurally strong and stable enough to support the boat and its contents on land twice a day in perpetuity. The night before I got on the boat, the group with whom I cruised had spent the night dried out on the east side of Whidbey Island. After being warned by some neighbors that they were going to be aground, they stood up on their keels and eventually stepped off the back of the boat and explored the soggy flat in mud boots.    

Everything about sailing the boat was pleasurable and easy. The systems all worked in harmony with one another. The boat tracked beautifully. And when we eased sails to drive down from close-hauled to a beam reach in 20 knots, the boat accelerated and put a big smile on my face. It is easy to appreciate the weight of the boat and its pair of keels when sailing. The boat’s movement felt slow, moderate, deliberate.

Sailing upwind in breeze in the mid-teens, I did wonder whether a fin keel would have slightly improved the performance to weather. I’d be very eager to try the lifting-keel version. You can certainly find more impressive upwind sailing performance in light and moderate breezes, but you have to sacrifice a lot about what makes this boat special, and the sailing was still very fun. The boat has a substantial rig and had plenty of sailpower to make good progress toward our destination under sail, keeping our 25,000lbs plowing toward Blaine. While it’s hard to say whether it was the keel arrangement or the boat’s significant heft, the only time I really wished for more performance was getting back up to speed out of a tack. However, it goes without saying that there were other priorities in its design and build. Ultimately, it was a strong sailing performance from a highly capable boat.

Ready for Anything

Sailing the Sirius 40 DS perfectly summed up all of my other experiences on the boat: numerous systems offered innovative solutions to common problems, its motion was remarkably consistent and comfortable, the layout made me want to settle in and relax, quality was on display in every facet, and the boat felt stout and ready for anything.

If we could have kept going—north to Alaska or south to warm water—I certainly would have been happy to do so. The Sirius 40 DS should be on the short list for anyone searching for a strong, heavy bluewater home, from which to explore the world in extreme comfort.

Rig and Sails: Mainsail (standard) 49.0 m2 Self-tacking jib 32.3 m2 (standard) Genoa I 63.6 m2 Mast height above water: 65′

Joe Cline has been the Managing Editor of 48° North since 2014. From his career to his volunteer leadership in the marine industry, from racing sailboats large and small to his discovery of Pacific Northwest cruising —Joe is as sail-smitten as they come. Joe and his wife, Kaylin, welcomed a baby girl to their family in December 2021, and he is enjoying fatherhood while still finding time to sail, make music, and tip back a tasty IPA every now and again.

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Sirius 40DS

Semicustom design gives owners almost unlimited options.

This is a blocky looking hull with high freeboard and a D/L of 236. The beam is broad, giving an L/B of 3. There is less than 3 feet of total overhang. The most interesting aspect about this boat is that it comes with a number of draft options. You can have a fixed deep keel drawing 7 feet 6 inches, 6 feet 6 inches or 5 feet 9 inches. You can have a centerboard-style swing keel that draws 8 feet down and 3 feet 2 inches up. Or, you can have twin keels so the boat will sit upright in the mud when the tide goes out. 

This design is all about the interior layout and the variety of options available. Basically, it is a raised saloon layout with the dinette raised to port. This allows other accommodation components to slide under the dinette. I’ll focus on one layout that has a double berth in the bow, another slid under the dinette and another double berth to port aft. If you weren’t counting, that’s three double berths in private sleeping areas in a 40-footer. Impressive!

There are several level changes in the layout. That’s what makes it work. My complaint is that this will feel like a very tight layout. There is no large open space. I’m not sure, but I get this feeling that you may feel the lack of a real saloon. I’d have to sit around on the boat for a couple of hours and see if I warmed up to it. 

The rig is a short, fractional type with a SA/D of 15.93. This is about what you would expect for a motorsailer. It will not be a light air rocket, but I’m sure it was never intended to be one. 

The cockpit is big with a permanently mounted centerline drop-leaf table. There are three stern arrangements. You can have a drop-down wide door. There is the simple small door in the transom or you can have the stern closed with a shallow swim step. Side decks are minimal but adequate.

This is not my kind of boat, but I can easily see the appeal. Being built on a semicustom basis means that the yard will do anything within reason to give you what you want. It must be fun to see what the next customer comes up with.

LOA 39’4”; LWL 38’5”; Beam 13’5”; Draft 6’11”,   6’7”, 5’9” (fixed keel), 4’7” (twin keel), 3’3” to 7’10” (swing keel), Displ. 25,574 lbs.; Ballast 7,496 lbs.; Sail area 871 sq. ft.; SA/D 15.93; D/L 236; L/B 3; Auxiliary Volvo-Penta diesel D2-55 with saildrive; Fuel 53 gal.; Water 106 gal.

Our best estimate of the sailaway price: $620,000

Sirius Boatyard, Aschebergerstrasse 68, 24306 Plön/Holstein Germany

0049-4522-744 610

www.sirius-werft.de

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The Sirius 40 DS Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Sirius 40 DS, a fractional sloop, was designed by Marc-Oliver von Ahlen and built in Germany by Sirius-Werft GmbH.

Published Specification for the Sirius 40 DS

Underwater Profile :  Various keel and rudder options

Hull Material:  GRP

Length Overall:  42'4" (12.90m)

Waterline Length:  36' 7" (11.17m)

Beam:  13'5" (4.08m)

Draft:  Depends on keel option: Fin keel (4 options), Twin keels or a lifting keel.

Rig Type:  Fractional sloop

Displacement:  25,574 lb (11,600kg)

Designer:  Yachtdesign v. Ahlen

Builder:  Sirius - Werft GmbH (Germany)

Year First Built:  2015

Published Design Ratios for the Sirius 40 DS

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  16.2

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  29.7

3. Displacement/Length Ratio:  232

4. Comfort Ratio:  32.6

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   1.8

Performance Expectations, based on the Design Ratios The Sirius 40 DS is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she can carry all your cruising gear without compromising her speed and agility. She has a displacement/length ratio of 232, which is typical for most offshore cruising boats today. She also has a sail area/displacement ratio of 16.2, which indicates that she has enough sail power to perform well in light to moderate winds. Her ballast/displacement ratio of 30% ensures that she has a good stability and righting moment in case of a knockdown.

Production Period and Numbers Produced The Sirius 40 DS was launched in 2018 as the flagship model of the Sirius Yachts range. She is the successor of the Sirius 35 DS, which was introduced in 2013. The Sirius Yachts company was founded in 1971 by Peter Schmidt in Germany and is now run by his son Torsten Schmidt. The company specializes in building deck saloon yachts with custom interiors and various keel options.

The Sirius 40 DS is a semi-custom boat, which means that each yacht is built according to the specific requirements and preferences of the owner. Therefore, there is no fixed number of boats produced per year or in total. However, according to the company website, there are currently more than 20 Sirius 40 DS yachts sailing around the world.

Alternative Versions & Options The Sirius 40 DS is available with four different keel configurations: a single fin keel, a lifting keel, or twin keels (either fixed or lifting). The choice of keel depends on your sailing style, your cruising area, and your personal preference. The fin keel offers the best performance and stability, but also the deepest draft. The lifting keel gives you the flexibility to adjust the draft according to the water depth but also adds some weight and complexity to the boat. The twin keels allow you to dry out on tidal flats or beaches, but also reduce the sailing efficiency and increase the wetted surface.

The Sirius 40 DS also offers various interior layouts, from two to six berths, as well as different options for the saloon, galley, navigation station, workshop, storage space, and other features. You can customize your boat to suit your needs and preferences, whether you want more comfort, more functionality, or more luxury. Some examples of unique features that have been requested by owners include a sauna, a piano room, an office room, or a wine cellar.

Number & Location of Sleeping Berths The Sirius 40 DS can accommodate up to six people in three double cabins, depending on the interior layout chosen by the owner. The standard layout offers a spacious owner's cabin in the bow, with a large island bed, a wardrobe, and an ensuite bathroom. The aft cabin has a double bed, a wardrobe, and a shared bathroom with the saloon. The third cabin is located on the lower level, under the saloon, and can be used as a guest cabin, a workshop, or a storage room. The saloon can also be converted into an additional double berth by lowering the table and adding cushions. This option is useful for extra guests or for sleeping in the saloon when the weather is too hot or too cold in the cabins.

Press Reviews The Sirius 40 DS has received positive reviews from various sailing magazines and websites. Here are some excerpts from some of them:

• "A hugely capable cruiser that dares to be different, with double-deck living. Verdict: If I was planning to sail around the world and live aboard, the Sirius 40 DS is the yacht I would go for. She’s solid, meticulously thought out, extremely comfortable to live with and superbly finished. The ‘eye-level’ concept in the cockpit and saloon and double-decker accommodation both work a treat, making sailing a much more sociable activity." - Sailing Today
• "At its core, the Sirius 40 DS is a stout bluewater sailor, whose design priorities begin with a large, central deck saloon with 360° views and creature comforts galore. It has several ballast arrangement options, two of which prioritize keeping permanent draft to a minimum while retaining rock-solid stability." - 48° North
• "The Sirius 40 DS is an innovative boat that offers plenty of space and comfort for long-distance cruising. The deck saloon concept works well, providing excellent visibility and light inside. The quality of construction and finish is high, and the customization options are impressive. The performance is respectable, especially in light airs, and the handling is easy and safe." - Sailboat Lab

Owner Testimonials The Sirius 40 DS has also received positive feedback from its owners, who appreciate its versatility, comfort, and quality. Here are some quotes from some of them:

• "We love our Sirius 40 DS because it is a very comfortable boat for living aboard. We have everything we need on board, from a spacious galley to a cozy saloon to a luxurious owner's cabin. We also like the fact that we can sail anywhere we want, thanks to the lifting keel and the twin rudders. We have sailed in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea, and we have always felt safe and comfortable." - Peter & Anna
• "Our Sirius 40 DS is our dream boat. We have customized it to our liking, with a piano room in the lower level, a wine cellar in the galley, and a sauna in the aft cabin. We enjoy playing music, drinking wine, and relaxing in the sauna after a long day of sailing. We also like the deck saloon design, which gives us a great view of our surroundings and makes us feel closer to nature." - Martin & Julia
• "We chose the Sirius 40 DS because it is a very practical boat for cruising with our family. We have three kids, so we need enough space and comfort for everyone. The Sirius 40 DS offers us three double cabins, two bathrooms, a large saloon, and plenty of storage space. We also like the fact that we can sail in shallow waters and anchor in secluded spots, thanks to the twin keels. We have had many wonderful adventures on our Sirius 40 DS." - David & Laura

History of the Boatbuilder The Sirius Yachts company was founded in 1971 by Peter Schmidt in Germany. He started by building small sailing dinghies and later moved on to larger yachts. In 1980, he introduced the first deck saloon yacht in the world, the Sirius 22 DS. He then developed other models of deck saloon yachts, ranging from 26 ft to 35 ft. In 2008, Peter Schmidt handed over the management of the company to his son Torsten Schmidt. Torsten Schmidt continued to expand the range of deck saloon yachts, adding new models such as the Sirius 31 DS in 2010 and the Sirius 40 DS in 2018. He also improved the quality and innovation of the boats, using modern materials and technologies.

Today, Sirius Yachts is one of the leading manufacturers of deck saloon yachts in Europe. The company employs about 50 skilled craftsmen.

Secondhand Values The Sirius 40 DS is a relatively new boat, so there are not many secondhand models available on the market. However, based on the few listings that we found online, the average asking price for a used Sirius 40 DS is around $500,000 USD. This is quite high compared to other similar-sized cruising boats, but it reflects the quality, durability, and uniqueness of the Sirius 40 DS.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

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Go-anywhere deck-saloon sailboats with hand-crafted custom-built interiors. Every yacht is available with either a single fin keel, lifting-keel or twin keels, giving you the opportunity to explore new cruising grounds in comfort.

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Sirius 40 DS – An Interesting Yacht from Germany

Sirius–Werft Plön is a German shipyard established in 1971. Since 1988, they have been developing and producing deck saloon yachts based on their successful model Sirius 31 . At this year’s edition of boot Düsseldorf , they presented their flagship – the largest deck saloon yacht, the Sirius 40 DS . Over forty years of experience and expertise guarantee innovativeness, a high-quality product and superb sailing performances. The Sirius 40 DS is built to provide a high level of safety during long cruises. It also boasts a decent level of comfort . The latest Sirius has been designed with great regard to advice from various naval architects, Sirius’ in-house experts and hundreds of satisfied customers.

The interior layout is not easy to describe at all because it can be designed in line with a customer’s requests , as well as with the type of sailing the customer prefers. With respect to the number of births, up to 6 berths can be installed in the layout that includes three cabins , or two cabins that come with convertible saloon furniture . The main feature of the interior layout is the possibility of installing a technical room , equipped with a workbench and with everything an engineer can need. Unfortunately, this option is only possible by sacrificing the space under the cockpit settee to port. Such variety of options in literally every segment of yacht-building makes the Sirius 40 DS one of the most extraordinary yachts . This is even more so because this yacht is not someone’s daring experiment, but a product of a trustworthy and distinguished shipyard from the north of Germany. Visit Sailboat Charter Deals and learn more about chartering a sailing yacht!

I wish you a calm sea, a fine wind and a strong mast!

1 thought on “Sirius 40 DS – An Interesting Yacht from Germany”

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT LOOKING BOAT- THE BEST I HAVE SEEN THIS YEAR.

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Discover our unique deck saloon yachts!

Sirius Yachts offer a range of go-anywhere deck saloon sailboats with hand-crafted custom-built interiors. Every yacht is available with either a single fin keel, lifting-keel or twin keels, giving you the opportunity to explore new cruising grounds in comfort

What makes Sirius Yachts different?

Innovative design

In a Sirius deck-saloon you cruise in comfort. You are sheltered from the elements and can appreciate your surroundings whatever the weather. You can look out over your anchorage or harbour through large windows in a beautiful, handcrafted mahogany interior.

Build quality

Sirius Yachts are very well built using only the best construction materials. The high standard of craftmanship is second to none. You are welcome to visit our boat yard and see for yourself the care and attention to detail that makes every Sirius special.

Choice of layouts

Every yacht is designed and customised for her owner and no two yachts from our German factory are identical. There are hundreds of details that distinguish the way we build a Sirius from other sailboat manufacturers.

Sirius Yachts – built by craftsmen, with love, since 1971. From the family-owned boat builder that invented the phrase “deck-saloon”

The Sirius range

Sirius 310 ds.

She may only be 31ft or 9.30m but that doesn’t mean you have to limit your options. There are 14 standard layouts to choose from, all with a raised saloon. Like all of our yachts the interior is custom built to your specifications.

Sirius 35 DS

The space of a 40ft yacht in a 35ft hull thanks to our innovative split-level living arrangement. There are two, four or six-berth versions all of which can be customised to your specific needs to make her the perfect yacht for you.

Sirius 40 DS

For those who don’t want to compromise. She is designed for long-distance, extended cruising. She can offer three double cabins or the onboard space can be honed and crafted to the needs of you and your crew.

General Manager – Torsten Schmidt SIRIUS-WERFT GmbH Ascheberger Straße 68 24306 Plön/Holstein

Fax: 0049 – 4522 – 744 61-29

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