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Omega 42
Designer: Peter Norlin  ·  Builder: Vindö/Gull Marine  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Omega 42

Produced by Omega Yachts, the Omega 42 is a cruising sailboat designed with bluewater capability and comfortable liveaboard sailing in mind. Built for sailors who want a capable, seaworthy vessel that can handle both coastal passages and extended offshore voyaging, this boat strikes a balance between performance and practicality that appeals to experienced cruisers looking for a dependable passage-maker. While detailed specifications for the Omega 42 are limited in available records, boats of this size and era from comparable builders typically feature a robust hull construction, a well-proportioned sail plan, and interior accommodations suited to long-distance cruising. The 42-foot length puts it firmly in the range of serious bluewater cruising, offering enough space for a comfortable cabin layout while remaining manageable for a shorthanded crew or a couple planning extended passages. Prospective buyers researching the Omega 42 would be well advised to seek out individual vessel documentation and surveyor reports, as performance and condition can vary considerably between examples. Connecting with owners through sailing forums or cruising communities may also yield valuable firsthand insight into this model's real-world strengths and any known maintenance considerations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.99 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.81 ft / 10.00 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 5.48 ft / 1.67 m
Displacement 16,314.00 lb / 7,400 kg
Ballast 8,267.00 lb / 3,750 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 779.00 ft² / 72.37 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Peter Norlin
Builder Vindö/Gull Marine
First Built 1978
Last Built 1998
Related Sailboats ["Swan 42" · "Tartan 42" · "Niagara 42" · "Hinckley 42 Competition" · "Lancer 42"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 90
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 19.45
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
 32.28
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
 1.61
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. 7.68
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.91
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.24
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.42
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.85
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.4
SA Fore 364.22
SA Main 416.97
How It Compares

vs. Hinckley 42 Competition, Niagara 42, Tartan 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Omega 42 ★
42.0 ft
Hinckley 42 Competition
42.0 ft
Niagara 42
42.0 ft
Tartan 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Omega 42 ★
32.8 ft
Hinckley 42 Competition
32.0 ft
Niagara 42
32.5 ft
Tartan 42
32.0 ft
Beam
Omega 42 ★
10.2 ft
Hinckley 42 Competition
12.2 ft
Niagara 42
12.8 ft
Tartan 42
12.3 ft
Displacement
Omega 42 ★
16 lbs
Hinckley 42 Competition
21 lbs
Niagara 42
19 lbs
Tartan 42
22 lbs
Ballast
Omega 42 ★
8 lbs
Hinckley 42 Competition
—
Niagara 42
8 lbs
Tartan 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Omega 42 ★
779 sq ft
Hinckley 42 Competition
921 sq ft
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
758 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Omega 42 ★
90 s/nm
Hinckley 42 Competition
—
Niagara 42
111 s/nm
Tartan 42
114 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Omega 42 ★
19.5
Hinckley 42 Competition
19.1
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
15.5
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Omega 42 ★
32.3
Hinckley 42 Competition
33.9
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
34.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Omega 42 ★
1.61
Hinckley 42 Competition
1.76
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
1.75
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Omega 42 ★
—
Hinckley 42 Competition
292
Niagara 42
257
Tartan 42
—
Hull Speed
Omega 42 ★
7.7 kts
Hinckley 42 Competition
7.6 kts
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Omega 42 ★
2.9
Hinckley 42 Competition
2.0
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
1.6
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