The Evelyn 42 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 37.0′, the Evelyn 42 tops out around 8.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.0′ LWL = 8.2 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
39s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
28.9
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Displacement / Length
85
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
13.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.36
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
10lbs
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
13.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.36
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Evelyn 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Evelyn 42
39s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
X 412
63s/nm
Hylas 42
87s/nm
Niagara 42
111s/nm
Endeavour 42
147s/nm
Pearson 422
171s/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° |
3.8 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.6 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.7 |
7.2 |
8.0 |
8.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.3 |
6.6 |
7.4 |
8.1 |
| Run150–180° |
4.2 |
5.3 |
5.9 |
6.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.2 kts),
SA/D (28.9), 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 Evelyn 42 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Evelyn 42.
|
Evelyn 42 |
Endeavour 42 |
Hylas 42 |
Niagara 42 |
Pearson 422 |
X 412 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.2 |
42.3 |
42.1 |
42.0 |
42.2 |
42.3 |
| LWL |
37.0 |
33.3 |
33.5 |
32.5 |
33.7 |
34.3 |
| Beam |
12.5 |
13.0 |
13.0 |
12.8 |
13.0 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
9 |
25 |
17 |
19 |
22 |
16 |
| Ballast |
— |
9 |
8 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
| Sail Area |
814 |
822 |
826 |
— |
662 |
831 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
39 |
147 |
87 |
111 |
171 |
63 |
| SA/Disp |
28.9 |
15.4 |
19.6 |
— |
13.5 |
20.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
36.0 |
50.0 |
40.9 |
34.7 |
— |
| Comfort |
13.3 |
35.3 |
24.8 |
— |
30.8 |
22.9 |
| Capsize |
2.36 |
1.78 |
2.00 |
— |
1.86 |
2.03 |
| Hull Speed |
8.2 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
— |
7.8 |
7.8 |