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Passport 42
Designer: Stan Huntingford  ·  Builder: Passport Yachts Inc. (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Passport 42

Built between 1981 and 1988 by Passport Yachts in Taiwan, this 42-footer represents classic bluewater cruising design from the era when performance and seaworthiness were paramount. Designer Stan Huntingford created a substantial vessel with traditional proportions that appeals to serious offshore sailors seeking proven ocean-crossing capability. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling options for varying conditions, while the fin keel with rudder on skeg offers a good balance between performance and directional stability. With a displacement of 25,500 pounds and 9,000 pounds of ballast, this is decidedly a heavy-displacement cruiser built for comfort and safety in challenging conditions rather than speed around the buoys. The comfort ratio of 35.62 indicates a motion that favors long-distance cruising over racing, while the capsize screening formula of 1.75 suggests good stability characteristics for offshore work. Quality fiberglass construction and the boat's reputation for solid engineering have made these relatively rare vessels—only 50 were built—sought after in the used boat market. This Passport suits sailors planning extended coastal cruising or ocean passages who prioritize seaworthiness, interior volume, and the confidence that comes with proven heavy-weather capability over pure sailing performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.83 ft / 10.62 m
Beam 12.83 ft / 3.91 m
Max Draft 6.30 ft / 1.92 m
Displacement 25,500.00 lb / 11,567 kg
Ballast 9,000.00 lb / 4,082 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 764.00 ft² / 70.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Stan Huntingford
Builder Passport Yachts Inc. (TAIWAN)
First Built 1981
Last Built 1988
Number Built 50
Related Sailboats ["Swan 42" · "Tartan 42" · "Niagara 42" · "Valiant 42" · "Whitby 42"]
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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
 132
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
 14.17
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
 35.29
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
 269.42
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
 35.62
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
 1.75
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. 7.91 kn
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
 1.74
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. 1,596.71 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.17
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 53.40 ft / 16.28 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 46.00 ft / 14.02 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
SA Fore 453.90 ft² / 42.17 m²
SA Main 310.50 ft² / 28.85 m²
SA Total (100%) 764.40 ft² / 71.02 m²
Est. Forestay Length 56.04 ft / 17.08 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Perkins
Engine Model 4.108
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 45
Fuel Capacity 130 gals / 492 L
Water Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
How It Compares

vs. Niagara 42, Tartan 42, Valiant 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Passport 42 ★
42.0 ft
Niagara 42
42.0 ft
Tartan 42
42.0 ft
Valiant 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Passport 42 ★
34.8 ft
Niagara 42
32.5 ft
Tartan 42
32.0 ft
Valiant 42
34.5 ft
Beam
Passport 42 ★
12.8 ft
Niagara 42
12.8 ft
Tartan 42
12.3 ft
Valiant 42
12.8 ft
Displacement
Passport 42 ★
25 lbs
Niagara 42
19 lbs
Tartan 42
22 lbs
Valiant 42
24 lbs
Ballast
Passport 42 ★
9 lbs
Niagara 42
8 lbs
Tartan 42
9 lbs
Valiant 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Passport 42 ★
764 sq ft
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
758 sq ft
Valiant 42
849 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Passport 42 ★
132 s/nm
Niagara 42
111 s/nm
Tartan 42
114 s/nm
Valiant 42
138 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Passport 42 ★
14.2
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
15.5
Valiant 42
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Passport 42 ★
35.3 %
Niagara 42
40.9 %
Tartan 42
—
Valiant 42
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Passport 42 ★
35.6
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
34.5
Valiant 42
34.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Passport 42 ★
1.75
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
1.75
Valiant 42
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Passport 42 ★
269
Niagara 42
257
Tartan 42
—
Valiant 42
—
Hull Speed
Passport 42 ★
7.9 kts
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
7.6 kts
Valiant 42
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Passport 42 ★
1.7
Niagara 42
—
Tartan 42
1.6
Valiant 42
1.9
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