Mer Du Jour

Cutter Mer Du Jour

If you’re searching for a true offshore-capable cruising sailboat that’s already equipped for long-range passagemaking and comfortable liveaboard life, this Caliber 40 LRC SE deserves to be at the top of your list.

“Mer du Jour” is not a lightly outfitted coastal cruiser — she is a serious, proven long-range design from one of the most respected American bluewater builders. Caliber yachts are known for their strong hull construction, conservative engineering, and systems redundancy, and the 40 LRC SE is widely regarded as one of the best values in the 40-foot offshore cruising segment.

This particular boat stands out because she is:

• Turnkey and offshore-ready, not a project
• Extensively upgraded for self-sufficiency (solar, lithium, charging systems)
• Well-sailed but well cared for, with maintenance and updates prioritized
• Freshly bottom painted, polished, and waxed, ready to go now

If you’ve been comparing boats like Valiant, Tayana, Passport, or Island Packet and want a robust cutter-rigged cruiser with excellent tankage, storage, and livability — without paying a premium for deferred work — Mer du Jour offers exceptional value.

2005 Caliber 40 LRC SE “Mer du Jour” – Hull #164

Offshore-Ready Cutter | Extensive Cruising Upgrades | Turnkey Condition

See full video tour at the bottom of this listing.

Mer du Jour is an exceptionally well-equipped and meticulously maintained Caliber 40 LRC SE, thoughtfully outfitted for extended cruising and comfortable life aboard. She has just been freshly bottom painted, with the hull polished and waxed, and presents in excellent condition throughout.

Built to Caliber’s renowned standards of strength, safety, and seaworthiness, this long-range cruiser offers confident offshore performance under sail along with redundant systems designed to support serious passagemaking.

Design & Sailing Characteristics

The Caliber 40 LRC SE is a cutter-rigged, shoal-draft bluewater cruiser designed for balance, safety, and easy sail handling. Her rig includes roller furling staysail and genoa, allowing flexible sail plans for a wide range of conditions.

Key design highlights include:

• Full-length aluminum toe rail
• Robust ground tackle with dual-anchor capability
• Max Prop feathering propeller with dripless shaft seal
• Proven hull form with excellent load-carrying ability
• Secure cockpit with hard dodger and full enclosure

A Webasto forced-air diesel heater and a full ¾ cockpit enclosure with newer canvas make her comfortable for year-round cruising in a wide range of climates.

Power, Energy & Self-Sufficiency

Mer du Jour has been upgraded for independence away from the dock, making her well-suited for extended cruising or liveaboard use.

• Dual 330W solar panels with dual Victron MPPT controllers
• 600Ah Renogy LiFePO4 house bank (2022)
• Balmar 100A alternator with MC-618 regulator (2023)
• Xantrex inverter and smart charger
• Excellent fuel and water capacity for long-range operation

Manufacturer Specifications – Caliber 40 LRC SE

• LOA: 40’ 11”
• LWL: 32’ 6”
• Beam: 12’ 8”
• Draft: 5’ 2” (shoal)
• Displacement: ~21,600 lbs
• Ballast: 9,500 lbs
• Fuel: 212 gallons
• Water: 179 gallons
• Engine: Yanmar 4JH3E 56hp diesel
• Engine Hours: ~4,950 (as of Sept 2025)

Navigation, Electronics & Safety

Electronics and navigation are centered around Raymarine systems, with redundancy and offshore safety in mind.

• Raymarine Axiom+ 9” chartplotter (2024)
• Raymarine Quantum radar
• Raymarine wind, depth, and speed instruments
• Simrad autopilot
• AIS transponder (currently non-functioning)
• ICOM VHF with cockpit remote
• Viking 6-man liferaft (cert expired 2024)
• ACR GlobalFix EPIRB (2024)
• Halon fire suppression system
• Drogue and comprehensive safety gear inventory

Interior Layout & Accommodations

Below deck, the Caliber 40 offers a comfortable, practical layout ideal for extended time aboard:

• Two cabins / two heads
• Forward Pullman berth with ensuite head and shower
• Aft double cabin to starboard
• Large L-shaped galley to port
• L-shaped salon with excellent storage
• Starboard settee doubles as a pilot berth
• 6’4” headroom

Ventilation, storage, and tankage are all well above average for a boat of this size.

Sails, Rigging & Deck Equipment

• Full-batten Mack mainsail with Mack Pack (2023)
• Mack staysail (2023)
• Mack 135% genoa (2023)
• Asymmetric spinnaker with sock
• Roller furling staysail (Profurl, 2023)
• Roller furling genoa (Schaefer, 2024)
• Hard dodger, bimini, and ¾ enclosure with EZ2CY front panels (2024)
• Stainless Kato Marine dinghy davits

Ground Tackle & Tender

• Dual-anchor roller system
• Lofrans Project 1000 electric windlass (2022)
• 200’ of 5/16” chain with 20kg Manson Supreme (freshly galvanized 2025)
• Spare 20kg Spade anchor
• Washdown pump

Tender Package Included

• 2019 Highfield UL 290 Hypalon
• 2022 Mercury 9.9hp outboard

Exclusions

Seller’s personal belongings and any non-boat-specific items do not convey.

Wrap-Up Summary

Mer du Jour is a proper offshore cruising yacht, thoughtfully upgraded and maintained with long-term ownership and real-world voyaging in mind. Unlike many boats in this segment, she is not a cosmetic refit hiding deferred maintenance — she is a well-prepared, capable cruiser ready to leave the dock.

Whether your plans include coastal cruising, island hopping, or extended bluewater passages, this Caliber 40 LRC SE represents an excellent opportunity to step into a proven design without the usual upgrade backlog.

Contact the listing broker Ben Ward today by contacting ben@wardyachtsales.com or 804-404-2379 for additional details or to arrange a private showing!