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Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau
Designer: Groupe Finot  ·  First built: 1994
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About the Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau

Jeanneau's Sun Fast 42 represents a compelling blend of performance cruising and competitive racing capabilities, designed for sailors who refuse to compromise between speed and comfort. This French-built yacht sits squarely in the performance cruising segment, offering the versatility to handle both spirited coastal sailing and serious offshore passages. Built with Jeanneau's reputation for quality construction and innovative design, the Sun Fast 42 features modern hull lines that prioritize efficiency through the water while maintaining stability in challenging conditions. The boat's design philosophy emphasizes ease of handling, making it accessible to both seasoned racers and cruising enthusiasts looking to step up their sailing experience. The cockpit layout reflects careful attention to both racing functionality and cruising comfort, with well-positioned winches and controls that allow for efficient sail handling. Below deck, the interior balances the spartan efficiency needed for racing with enough amenities for comfortable extended cruising. This yacht appeals particularly to sailors interested in club racing, coastal rallies, or those planning ambitious coastal and offshore adventures. The Sun Fast 42 has earned recognition for delivering genuine sailing performance without sacrificing the practical considerations that make longer voyages enjoyable and manageable.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.32 ft / 12.90 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.42 ft / 11.10 m
Beam 13.45 ft / 4.10 m
Max Draft 7.55 ft / 2.30 m
Displacement 16,755 lb / 7,600 kg
Ballast 6,834 lb / 3,100 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 947 ft² / 87.97 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Groupe Finot
First Built 1994
Last Built 2002
Related Sailboats ["J/42" · "X 412" · "First 42S7 Beneteau" · "Sabre 425" · "Catalina 425"]
Owner Reviews

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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
 23.1
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
 40.79
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
 154.84
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
 21.12
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
 2.11
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. 8.09 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. 10.5 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. First 42S7 Beneteau, Sabre 425, X 412

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
42.3 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
42.5 ft
Sabre 425
42.4 ft
X 412
42.3 ft
LWL
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
36.4 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
35.8 ft
Sabre 425
34.7 ft
X 412
34.3 ft
Beam
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
13.5 ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
13.5 ft
Sabre 425
12.8 ft
X 412
12.8 ft
Displacement
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
16 lbs
First 42S7 Beneteau
18 lbs
Sabre 425
19 lbs
X 412
16 lbs
Ballast
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
6 lbs
First 42S7 Beneteau
6 lbs
Sabre 425
8 lbs
X 412
7 lbs
Sail Area
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
947 sq ft
First 42S7 Beneteau
771 sq ft
Sabre 425
766 sq ft
X 412
831 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
—
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
Sabre 425
96 s/nm
X 412
63 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
23.1
First 42S7 Beneteau
17.9
Sabre 425
17.2
X 412
20.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
40.8 %
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
Sabre 425
42.7 %
X 412
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
21.1
First 42S7 Beneteau
23.3
Sabre 425
26.8
X 412
22.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
2.11
First 42S7 Beneteau
2.06
Sabre 425
1.92
X 412
2.03
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
154
First 42S7 Beneteau
—
Sabre 425
205
X 412
—
Hull Speed
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
8.1 kts
First 42S7 Beneteau
8.0 kts
Sabre 425
7.9 kts
X 412
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Sun Fast 42 Jeanneau ★
—
First 42S7 Beneteau
3.1
Sabre 425
2.7
X 412
3.4
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