The Carter 42 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 31.5′, the Carter 42 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.5′ LWL = 7.5 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
20.1
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
49.8%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
258
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
27.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.95
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
19.7
Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
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
27.2
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.95
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 Carter 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Swan 42
78s/nm
Omega 42
90s/nm
Tartan 42
114s/nm
Passport 42
132s/nm
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° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.8 |
6.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.5 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (20.1), 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 Carter 42 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–20 kts
20–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ 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 Carter 42.
|
Carter 42 |
Hinckley 42 Competition |
Omega 42 |
Passport 42 |
Swan 42 |
Tartan 42 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
| LWL |
31.5 |
32.0 |
32.8 |
34.8 |
33.8 |
32.0 |
| Beam |
12.8 |
12.2 |
10.2 |
12.8 |
13.0 |
12.3 |
| Displacement |
18 |
21 |
16 |
25 |
22 |
22 |
| Ballast |
8 |
— |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
861 |
921 |
779 |
764 |
802 |
758 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
90 |
132 |
78 |
114 |
| SA/Disp |
20.1 |
19.1 |
19.5 |
14.2 |
16.4 |
15.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.8 |
— |
— |
35.3 |
41.8 |
— |
| Comfort |
27.2 |
33.9 |
32.3 |
35.6 |
30.9 |
34.5 |
| Capsize |
1.95 |
1.76 |
1.61 |
1.75 |
1.85 |
1.75 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.7 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.6 |