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Niagara 42

Designer: Mark Ellis Design/Hinterhoeller  ·  Builder: Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Niagara 42

Designed by Canadian naval architect Mark Ellis, the Niagara 42 earned a strong reputation as a capable and comfortable offshore cruising sailboat during its production run in the 1980s. Built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in Ontario, this vessel reflects the practical sensibility of Canadian boatbuilding, offering a well-balanced design that appeals to serious cruisers looking for dependable bluewater performance. The Niagara 42 is widely regarded as a stiff, seaworthy hull that handles open-water passages with confidence, making it a popular choice among sailors planning extended coastal or offshore voyages. Its interior layout prioritizes livability, with generous accommodations that suit couples or small crews on longer passages. The build quality from Hinterhoeller is generally praised by owners, with solid construction and attention to practical details that matter when far from port. For anyone researching a bluewater cruising purchase, the Niagara 42 occupies an interesting niche — a Canadian-built boat with a loyal following, a reputation for durability, and a design philosophy centered on getting you there safely and comfortably. Used examples tend to attract experienced sailors who appreciate substance over flash.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
Beam 12.75 ft / 3.89 m
Max Draft 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Displacement 19,800.00 lb / 8,981 kg
Ballast 8,100.00 lb / 3,674 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Mark Ellis Design/Hinterhoeller
Builder Hinterhoeller Yachts Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1984
Number Built 20
Related Sailboats Tartan 42 · Passport 42 · Valiant 42 · Swan 42 · Freedom 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
 111
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
 40.91
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
 257.49
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. 8.88 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.61
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 848.00 ft² / 78.78 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Diesel
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
Water Capacity 112 gals / 424 L
How It Compares

vs. Freedom 42, Passport 42, Swan 42, Tartan 42, Valiant 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Niagara 42 ★
42.0 ft
Freedom 42
42.0 ft
Passport 42
42.0 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
Tartan 42
42.0 ft
Valiant 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Niagara 42 ★
32.5 ft
Freedom 42
39.5 ft
Passport 42
34.8 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Tartan 42
32.0 ft
Valiant 42
34.5 ft
Beam
Niagara 42 ★
12.8 ft
Freedom 42
13.4 ft
Passport 42
12.8 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Tartan 42
12.3 ft
Valiant 42
12.8 ft
Displacement
Niagara 42 ★
19 lbs
Freedom 42
24 lbs
Passport 42
25 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Tartan 42
22 lbs
Valiant 42
24 lbs
Ballast
Niagara 42 ★
8 lbs
Freedom 42
—
Passport 42
9 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Tartan 42
9 lbs
Valiant 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
788 sq ft
Passport 42
764 sq ft
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Tartan 42
758 sq ft
Valiant 42
849 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Niagara 42 ★
111 s/nm
Freedom 42
102 s/nm
Passport 42
132 s/nm
Swan 42
78 s/nm
Tartan 42
114 s/nm
Valiant 42
138 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
15.2
Passport 42
14.2
Swan 42
16.4
Tartan 42
15.5
Valiant 42
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Niagara 42 ★
40.9 %
Freedom 42
—
Passport 42
35.3 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Tartan 42
—
Valiant 42
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
29.0
Passport 42
35.6
Swan 42
30.9
Tartan 42
34.5
Valiant 42
34.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
1.86
Passport 42
1.75
Swan 42
1.85
Tartan 42
1.75
Valiant 42
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Niagara 42 ★
257
Freedom 42
173
Passport 42
269
Swan 42
253
Tartan 42
—
Valiant 42
—
Hull Speed
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
8.4 kts
Passport 42
7.9 kts
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Tartan 42
7.6 kts
Valiant 42
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Niagara 42 ★
—
Freedom 42
2.8
Passport 42
1.7
Swan 42
2.1
Tartan 42
1.6
Valiant 42
1.9
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