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Able 42
Designer: Chuck Paine  ·  Builder: Able Marine  ·  First built: 1989
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About the Able 42

Looking for a substantial cruising sailboat with a reputation for seaworthiness? The Able 42 represents a compelling choice for sailors seeking a vessel capable of handling both coastal adventures and extended offshore passages. This design emphasizes the practical cruising characteristics that serious blue-water sailors demand. Built with robust construction methods typical of cruising-oriented designs from its era, the Able 42 features the kind of solid, dependable engineering that inspires confidence in challenging conditions. The boat's proportions and design philosophy clearly favor comfort and safety over pure speed, making it well-suited for couples or small crews planning extended voyages. While detailed specifications remain limited, the 42-foot length suggests generous interior accommodations and adequate storage for provisioning longer trips. The design appears to strike a thoughtful balance between performance and livability, characteristics that have made similar vessels popular among the cruising community. For sailors prioritizing reliability and comfort over racing performance, the Able 42 deserves consideration. Its focus on practical cruising attributes rather than cutting-edge speed makes it particularly appealing to those planning serious offshore adventures or extended coastal cruising.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.67 ft / 9.96 m
Beam 12.67 ft / 3.86 m
Max Draft 5.17 ft / 1.58 m
Displacement 21,678.00 lb / 9,833 kg
Ballast 4,980.00 lb / 2,259 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 801.00 ft² / 74.42 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Chuck Paine
Builder Able Marine
First Built 1989
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 143
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 16.55
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 32.1
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.82
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.66
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.89
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 53.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 47.58
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.83
SA Fore 448.06
SA Main 352.81
Find a Able 42 For Sale
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