What is the Cascade 42's comfort ratio?

The Cascade 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 28.17. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Cascade 42 safe for offshore sailing?

The Cascade 42 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.82. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Cascade 42?

The theoretical hull speed of the Cascade 42 is 7.81 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Cascade 42 weigh?

The Cascade 42 has a displacement of 18,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.00 ft.

How much does a used Cascade 42 cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used Cascade 42 sailboats typically sell for between $25,000 and $25,000, with a median asking price of $25,000. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Cascade 42?

The Cascade 42 was designed by Robert A. Smith, first built in 1964.

Cascade 42 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Cascade 42 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.8 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 34.0′, the Cascade 42 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √34.0′ LWL = 7.8 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

PHRF Rating

102s/nm

Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

Ballast / Displacement

34.3%

Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.

Displacement / Length

204

Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.

Comfort Ratio

28.2

Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.

Capsize Screening

1.82

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.8kts

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

28.2

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

1.82

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 Cascade 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Cascade 42 102s/nm Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

Passport 42 132s/nm

Valiant 42 138s/nm

Pacific Seacraft 40 150s/nm

Pearson 422 171s/nm

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Cascade 42.

	Cascade 42	Cartwright 42	Pacific Seacraft 40	Passport 42	Pearson 422	Valiant 42
Dimensions
LOA	42.0	42.0	42.2	42.0	42.2	42.0
LWL	34.0	32.0	31.3	34.8	33.7	34.5
Beam	11.9	11.8	12.4	12.8	13.0	12.8
Displacement	18	23	24	25	22	24
Ballast	6	—	8	9	7	9
Sail Area	—	—	846	764	662	849
Performance
PHRF	102	—	150	132	171	138
SA/Disp	—	—	16.3	14.2	13.5	16.1
Bal/Disp	34.3	—	35.8	35.3	34.7	—
Comfort	28.2	38.6	37.5	35.6	30.8	34.9
Capsize	1.82	1.66	1.73	1.75	1.86	1.76
Hull Speed	7.8	7.6	7.5	7.9	7.8	7.9