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Cascade 42
Designer: Robert A. Smith  ·  Builder: Yacht Constructors Inc./Cascade Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1964
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About the Cascade 42

Designed by Robert A. Smith and first launched in 1964, this classic 42-footer emerged during the golden era of fiberglass yacht construction when builders like Yacht Constructors Inc. were establishing new standards for production cruising sailboats. The Cascade 42 represents solid American craftsmanship with a design philosophy focused on comfortable offshore cruising rather than racing performance. The boat's traditional proportions tell the story of a serious cruising yacht. With a displacement of 18,000 pounds and substantial ballast of 6,180 pounds positioned in a fin keel with bulb, she offers the stability and sea-kindly motion that offshore sailors appreciate. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crews to balance power and control across varying wind conditions—particularly valuable during extended coastal and offshore passages. Her comfort ratio of 28.17 indicates a motion that favors long-distance cruising over speed, while the capsize screening formula of 1.82 demonstrates good stability characteristics for ocean sailing. The hull's design delivers a theoretical hull speed of 7.81 knots, typical for displacement cruisers of this era. This combination of attributes makes the Cascade 42 well-suited for serious coastal cruising and offshore passages where comfort, reliability, and seaworthiness take precedence over pure performance.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$25,000 – $25,000
typical asking price
Median $25,000  ·  2 listings used
All listings
$25,000 – $25,000 2
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.00 ft / 10.36 m
Beam 11.92 ft / 3.63 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 18,000.00 lb / 8,165 kg
Ballast 6,180.00 lb / 2,803 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel w/bulb
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Robert A. Smith
Builder Yacht Constructors Inc./Cascade Yachts (USA)
First Built 1964
Related Sailboats ["Passport 42" · "Valiant 42" · "Pearson 422" · "Pacific Seacraft 40" · "Cartwright 42"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 102
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 34.33
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 204.45
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
 28.17
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. 7.81 kn
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. 1,448.11 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 73 gals / 276 L
How It Compares

vs. Pacific Seacraft 40, Pearson 422, Valiant 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Cascade 42 ★
42.0 ft
Pacific Seacraft 40
42.2 ft
Pearson 422
42.2 ft
Valiant 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Cascade 42 ★
34.0 ft
Pacific Seacraft 40
31.3 ft
Pearson 422
33.7 ft
Valiant 42
34.5 ft
Beam
Cascade 42 ★
11.9 ft
Pacific Seacraft 40
12.4 ft
Pearson 422
13.0 ft
Valiant 42
12.8 ft
Displacement
Cascade 42 ★
18 lbs
Pacific Seacraft 40
24 lbs
Pearson 422
22 lbs
Valiant 42
24 lbs
Ballast
Cascade 42 ★
6 lbs
Pacific Seacraft 40
8 lbs
Pearson 422
7 lbs
Valiant 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Cascade 42 ★
—
Pacific Seacraft 40
846 sq ft
Pearson 422
662 sq ft
Valiant 42
849 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Cascade 42 ★
102 s/nm
Pacific Seacraft 40
150 s/nm
Pearson 422
171 s/nm
Valiant 42
138 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Cascade 42 ★
—
Pacific Seacraft 40
16.3
Pearson 422
13.5
Valiant 42
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Cascade 42 ★
34.3 %
Pacific Seacraft 40
35.8 %
Pearson 422
34.7 %
Valiant 42
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Cascade 42 ★
28.2
Pacific Seacraft 40
37.5
Pearson 422
30.8
Valiant 42
34.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Cascade 42 ★
1.82
Pacific Seacraft 40
1.73
Pearson 422
1.86
Valiant 42
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Cascade 42 ★
204
Pacific Seacraft 40
351
Pearson 422
257
Valiant 42
—
Hull Speed
Cascade 42 ★
7.8 kts
Pacific Seacraft 40
7.5 kts
Pearson 422
7.8 kts
Valiant 42
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Cascade 42 ★
—
Pacific Seacraft 40
—
Pearson 422
1.8
Valiant 42
1.9
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