The Cartwright 42 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.0′, the Cartwright 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.
Displacement / Length
320
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.6
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.66
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
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
38.6
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
1.66
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 Cartwright 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cascade 42
Passport 42
Valiant 42
Whitby 42
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cartwright 42.
| Cartwright 42 | Cascade 42 | Hans Christian 36 | Passport 42 | Valiant 42 | Whitby 42 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 | 42.0 |
| LWL | 32.0 | 34.0 | 32.0 | 34.8 | 34.5 | 32.7 |
| Beam | 11.8 | 11.9 | 11.7 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 13.0 |
| Displacement | 23 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
| Ballast | — | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Sail Area | — | — | 826 | 764 | 849 | 875 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 102 | — | 132 | 138 | 153 |
| SA/Disp | — | — | 16.9 | 14.2 | 16.1 | 17.1 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 34.3 | 32.7 | 35.3 | — | — |
| Comfort | 38.6 | 28.2 | 36.8 | 35.6 | 34.9 | 33.6 |
| Capsize | 1.66 | 1.82 | 1.67 | 1.75 | 1.76 | 1.82 |
| Hull Speed | 7.6 | 7.8 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.7 |