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Rhodes 42
Designer: Philip Rhodes  ·  Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen  ·  First built: 1954
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About the Rhodes 42

Designed by the legendary Philip L. Rhodes, the Rhodes 42 carries the hallmark of one of America's most celebrated naval architects, whose portfolio spanned elegant ocean racers, capable cruisers, and everything in between. Boats bearing the Rhodes name earned a strong reputation throughout the mid-twentieth century for combining seaworthy offshore performance with refined aesthetics, and the Rhodes 42 is no exception to that tradition. Well-suited for bluewater passagemaking and extended coastal cruising, this vessel reflects Rhodes' characteristic emphasis on balanced hulls, comfortable motion in a seaway, and reliable handling across a range of conditions. Sailors drawn to classic lines and a proven design heritage tend to find Rhodes boats deeply satisfying, both on passage and at anchor. While detailed specifications for this particular model are limited, prospective buyers can reasonably expect the qualities consistent with Rhodes' broader body of work — thoughtful construction, capable offshore performance, and a design that rewards attentive seamanship. For those seeking a vessel with genuine pedigree and a connection to sailing's golden age of design, the Rhodes 42 deserves a serious look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.25 ft / 12.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
Beam 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
Max Draft 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Displacement 32,000.00 lb / 14,515 kg
Ballast Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction Wood planked
Designer Philip Rhodes
Builder Abeking & Rasmussen
First Built 1954
Last Built 1955
Number Built 8
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Performance Ratios
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
585.74
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. 6.99 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 4.58 ft / 1.40 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 585.74
E (Mainsail Foot) 70 gals / 265 L
Engine & Accommodations
Water Capacity 80 gals / 303 L
How It Compares

vs. Baltic 42, Cascade 42, Swan 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Rhodes 42 ★
42.3 ft
Baltic 42
42.4 ft
Cascade 42
42.0 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Rhodes 42 ★
29.0 ft
Baltic 42
34.1 ft
Cascade 42
34.0 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Beam
Rhodes 42 ★
11.3 ft
Baltic 42
12.5 ft
Cascade 42
11.9 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Displacement
Rhodes 42 ★
32 lbs
Baltic 42
19 lbs
Cascade 42
18 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Ballast
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
9 lbs
Cascade 42
6 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
836 sq ft
Cascade 42
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
Cascade 42
102 s/nm
Swan 42
78 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
18.4
Cascade 42
Swan 42
16.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
Cascade 42
34.3 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
28.8
Cascade 42
28.2
Swan 42
30.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
1.85
Cascade 42
1.82
Swan 42
1.85
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Rhodes 42 ★
585
Baltic 42
Cascade 42
204
Swan 42
253
Hull Speed
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
7.8 kts
Cascade 42
7.8 kts
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Rhodes 42 ★
Baltic 42
2.6
Cascade 42
Swan 42
2.1
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