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South Pacific 42
Designer: Robert H. Perry  ·  Builder: South Pacific  ·  First built: 1988
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About the South Pacific 42

Designed for serious bluewater passagemaking, the South Pacific 42 is a robust cruising sailboat built to handle the demands of extended offshore voyaging. As its name suggests, this vessel was conceived with long-distance ocean sailing in mind, offering the kind of seakeeping ability and structural integrity that confident bluewater sailors look for when planning ambitious passages. With a hull form oriented toward stability and load-carrying capacity, the South Pacific 42 appeals to couples and small crews seeking a capable liveaboard cruiser that can handle challenging conditions without demanding constant attention. The design prioritizes comfort at sea and practical offshore performance over racing speed, making it a sensible choice for those who value reliability and self-sufficiency on extended passages. While detailed specifications are limited, the South Pacific 42 has earned a modest following among the cruising community as a well-founded passagemaker suited to sailors who want a purpose-built bluewater boat rather than an adapted coastal cruiser. Prospective buyers would benefit from a thorough survey and connecting with current owners through cruising forums to gain deeper insight into the boat's specific strengths and any known maintenance considerations.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.92 ft / 12.78 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.18 ft / 10.42 m
Beam 13.25 ft / 4.04 m
Max Draft 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Displacement 18,500.00 lb / 8,391 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 761.00 ft² / 70.70 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel w/bulb
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Robert H. Perry
Builder South Pacific
First Built 1988
Last Built 1989
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
17.47
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
25.08
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
2.01
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. 7.83
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. 1.0
How It Compares

vs. Niagara 42, Swan 42, Valiant 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
South Pacific 42 ★
41.9 ft
Niagara 42
42.0 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
Valiant 42
42.0 ft
LWL
South Pacific 42 ★
34.2 ft
Niagara 42
32.5 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Valiant 42
34.5 ft
Beam
South Pacific 42 ★
13.3 ft
Niagara 42
12.8 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Valiant 42
12.8 ft
Displacement
South Pacific 42 ★
18 lbs
Niagara 42
19 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Valiant 42
24 lbs
Ballast
South Pacific 42 ★
8 lbs
Niagara 42
8 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Valiant 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
South Pacific 42 ★
761 sq ft
Niagara 42
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Valiant 42
849 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
South Pacific 42 ★
Niagara 42
111 s/nm
Swan 42
78 s/nm
Valiant 42
138 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
South Pacific 42 ★
17.5
Niagara 42
Swan 42
16.4
Valiant 42
16.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
South Pacific 42 ★
Niagara 42
40.9 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Valiant 42
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
South Pacific 42 ★
25.1
Niagara 42
Swan 42
30.9
Valiant 42
34.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
South Pacific 42 ★
2.01
Niagara 42
Swan 42
1.85
Valiant 42
1.76
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
South Pacific 42 ★
Niagara 42
257
Swan 42
253
Valiant 42
Hull Speed
South Pacific 42 ★
7.8 kts
Niagara 42
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Valiant 42
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
South Pacific 42 ★
Niagara 42
Swan 42
2.1
Valiant 42
1.9
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