Class40 is a class of monohull sailboat and a yacht primarily used for short handed offshore and coastal racing.

In 2004 former Vendee Globe and Whitbread competitor, Patrice Carpentier,[1] brought together designers, builders and sailors to formulate a new accessible class of shorthanded offshore racing boats.

The association is responsible for defining and updating the class rules for the boats, and has the additional aims of co-ordinating events.

The Class 40 monohulls are high-performance racing boats, designed principally for single-handed or small crew offshore competition.

The Class 40 is a cheaper boat that can be sailed competitively in a range of conditions either short handed, by two people, or a solo sailor.