The Fast 42 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
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 37.9′, the Fast 42 tops out around 8.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √37.9′ 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.
SA / Displacement
30.7
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
36.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
119
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
19.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.06
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
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
19.8
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
2.06
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 Fast 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tartan 4100
102s/nm
Catalina 400 Mk Ii
107s/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° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.8 |
7.3 |
8.1 |
8.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.3 |
6.7 |
7.5 |
8.2 |
| Run150–180° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.3 kts),
SA/D (30.7), 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 Fast 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 Fast 42.
|
Fast 42 |
Catalina 400 Mk Ii |
First 41S5 Beneteau |
Oceanis 40.1 Beneteau |
Oceanis 411 Beneteau |
Tartan 4100 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.3 |
41.5 |
41.3 |
41.3 |
41.3 |
41.3 |
| LWL |
37.9 |
36.5 |
33.6 |
35.8 |
35.1 |
35.8 |
| Beam |
12.6 |
13.5 |
12.8 |
14.1 |
13.5 |
13.5 |
| Displacement |
14 |
19 |
16 |
20 |
20 |
19 |
| Ballast |
5 |
7 |
5 |
7 |
7 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
808 |
745 |
883 |
775 |
810 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
107 |
— |
— |
— |
102 |
| SA/Disp |
30.7 |
17.8 |
18.2 |
18.6 |
16.8 |
18.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
36.4 |
36.6 |
34.2 |
34.7 |
35.2 |
33.7 |
| Comfort |
19.8 |
25.0 |
24.4 |
25.3 |
26.1 |
24.5 |
| Capsize |
2.06 |
2.00 |
1.99 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
2.03 |
| Hull Speed |
8.3 |
8.1 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
7.9 |
8.0 |