The Cabo Rico 42 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.0′, the Cabo Rico 42 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.0′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.2
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
38.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
365
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
38.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
38.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Cabo Rico 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.7 |
4.2 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts),
SA/D (16.2), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Cabo Rico 42 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cabo Rico 42.
|
Cabo Rico 42 |
Cabo Rico 38 |
Cabo Rico 40 |
Pacific Seacraft 42 |
Tayana 48 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
46.5 |
38.0 |
42.0 |
— |
— |
| LWL |
32.0 |
29.3 |
34.7 |
— |
— |
| Beam |
12.7 |
11.5 |
13.7 |
— |
— |
| Displacement |
26 |
21 |
21 |
— |
— |
| Ballast |
10 |
7 |
6 |
— |
— |
| Sail Area |
909 |
969 |
931 |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
180 |
— |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.2 |
20.5 |
19.0 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
38.8 |
37.1 |
31.1 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
38.4 |
39.4 |
28.0 |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.67 |
1.95 |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.6 |
7.3 |
7.9 |
— |
— |