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Show 42
Designer: A Vallicelli  ·  Builder: Barberis - Malta  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Show 42

Designed by A. Vallicelli and built by Barberis in Malta starting in 1982, the Show 42 represents a well-balanced approach to coastal and offshore cruising. This 41-foot masthead sloop combines respectable performance with comfortable accommodations, making it an appealing choice for sailors seeking a capable blue-water cruiser. The yacht's design emphasizes seaworthiness and stability, with a displacement of 18,519 pounds and substantial ballast ratio providing reassuring heft in challenging conditions. Her fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers good maneuverability while maintaining directional stability. The generous beam of nearly 13 feet creates spacious interior volume without compromising sailing characteristics. With a comfort ratio of 25.81, the Show 42 leans toward the comfortable end of the spectrum, prioritizing stability and motion comfort over pure speed. Her capsize screening value of 1.97 falls within acceptable parameters for offshore passages, while the SA/Displacement ratio of 19.53 suggests moderate sailing performance suitable for both coastal touring and longer passages. The fiberglass construction and 48-horsepower auxiliary engine provide practical reliability for extended cruising. Overall, this design appeals to sailors prioritizing comfort, safety, and versatility over racing performance, making it well-suited for couples or small families planning coastal adventures or occasional offshore voyages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.42 ft / 12.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.33 ft / 10.46 m
Beam 12.99 ft / 3.96 m
Max Draft 6.89 ft / 2.10 m
Displacement 18,519.00 lb / 8,400 kg
Ballast 9,259.00 lb / 4,200 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 851.00 ft² / 79.06 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer A Vallicelli
Builder Barberis - MALTA
First Built 1982
Related Sailboats ["J/41" · "Trapper 42" · "Contest 42" · "Us 42" · "Irwin 41"]
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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
 84
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
 19.53
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
 50
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
 204.34
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
 25.81
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
 1.97
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. 7.85 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
 2.93
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. 1,593.42 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. 19.52
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 55.80 ft / 17.01 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.20 ft / 5.24 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.80 ft / 15.48 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.60 ft / 4.45 m
SA Fore 479.88 ft² / 44.58 m²
SA Main 370.84 ft² / 34.45 m²
SA Total (100%) 850.72 ft² / 79.03 m²
Est. Forestay Length 58.39 ft / 17.80 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 48
Fuel Capacity 66 gals / 250 L
Water Capacity 119 gals / 450 L
How It Compares

vs. Contest 42, Trapper 42, Us 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Show 42 ★
41.4 ft
Contest 42
41.3 ft
Trapper 42
41.4 ft
Us 42
41.5 ft
LWL
Show 42 ★
34.3 ft
Contest 42
32.8 ft
Trapper 42
34.3 ft
Us 42
32.5 ft
Beam
Show 42 ★
13.0 ft
Contest 42
12.7 ft
Trapper 42
12.9 ft
Us 42
14.0 ft
Displacement
Show 42 ★
18 lbs
Contest 42
24 lbs
Trapper 42
18 lbs
Us 42
24 lbs
Ballast
Show 42 ★
9 lbs
Contest 42
10 lbs
Trapper 42
9 lbs
Us 42
10 lbs
Sail Area
Show 42 ★
851 sq ft
Contest 42
660 sq ft
Trapper 42
851 sq ft
Us 42
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Show 42 ★
84 s/nm
Contest 42
174 s/nm
Trapper 42
—
Us 42
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Show 42 ★
19.5
Contest 42
12.7
Trapper 42
19.6
Us 42
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Show 42 ★
50.0 %
Contest 42
43.6 %
Trapper 42
—
Us 42
43.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Show 42 ★
25.8
Contest 42
36.0
Trapper 42
25.9
Us 42
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Show 42 ★
1.97
Contest 42
1.75
Trapper 42
1.96
Us 42
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Show 42 ★
204
Contest 42
305
Trapper 42
—
Us 42
312
Hull Speed
Show 42 ★
7.9 kts
Contest 42
7.7 kts
Trapper 42
7.9 kts
Us 42
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Show 42 ★
2.9
Contest 42
—
Trapper 42
3.0
Us 42
—
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