Sou'wester 42 Performance

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

SA / Displacement

15.2

Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.

Ballast / Displacement

35.4%

Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.

Capsize Screening

1.72

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Motion & Offshore Suitability

Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.

Capsize Screening Formula

1.72

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore

Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Sou'wester 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Bristol 40 132s/nm

Alberg 37 162s/nm

Cape Dory 36 165s/nm

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Sou'wester 42 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts

Ghosting

0–7 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

7–20 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

20–28 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

28+ kts

Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Sou'wester 42.

	Sou'wester 42	Alberg 37	Bristol 40	Cape Dory 36
Dimensions
LOA	42.8	37.2	40.2	36.1
LWL	—	26.5	27.5	27.0
Beam	12.4	10.2	10.8	10.7
Displacement	24,000	16	17	16
Ballast	8,500	6	6	6
Sail Area	790	646	694	622
Performance
PHRF	—	162	132	165
SA/Disp	15.2	15.8	16.5	15.7
Bal/Disp	35.4	38.7	37.0	37.6
Comfort	—	39.8	36.7	35.7
Capsize	1.72	1.59	1.66	1.69
Hull Speed	—	6.9	7.0	7.0