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Slipper 42
Designer: Robin Chadworth-Musters/Alan Gurney  ·  Builder: Tyler Boat Works (Uk)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Slipper 42

Designed by the collaborative team of Robin Chadworth-Musters and Alan Gurney, this British-built cruising yacht emerged from Tyler Boat Works in 1978 as a thoughtful answer to serious offshore sailing demands. The Slipper 42 embodies classic late-1970s design philosophy with its masthead ketch rig and fin keel configuration paired with a rudder mounted on a protective skeg. With a displacement of 16,500 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, this fiberglass yacht prioritizes seaworthiness over speed, making it particularly well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. The generous beam of 12.25 feet provides excellent stability and interior volume, while the moderate draft allows access to a reasonable range of harbors and anchorages. The ketch rig offers versatility in heavy weather conditions, allowing sailors to reduce sail area by dropping the mainsail while maintaining balance under mizzen and headsail alone. This configuration, combined with the boat's conservative comfort ratio of 26.79, suggests a yacht designed for those who value safety and comfort over racing performance. Tyler Boat Works' reputation for solid construction translates into a robust cruising platform capable of handling challenging conditions with confidence, making the Slipper 42 an appealing choice for serious cruising sailors seeking a proven offshore design.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.33 ft / 9.24 m
Beam 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 16,500.00 lb / 7,484 kg
Ballast 7,163.00 lb / 3,249 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 640.00 ft² / 59.46 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Robin Chadworth-Musters/Alan Gurney
Builder Tyler Boat Works (UK)
First Built 1978
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Performance Ratios
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
 15.86
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
 43.41
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
 264.01
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
 26.79
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
 1.93
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. 7.38 kn
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. 1,327.56 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 114 gals / 432 L
Water Capacity 115 gals / 435 L
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