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Tatoosh 42
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Ta Shing Yacht Building (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1981
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About the Tatoosh 42

Designed for serious blue-water cruising, the Tatoosh 42 is a capable offshore sailboat that has earned a following among long-distance voyagers seeking a reliable and seaworthy passage-maker. Built with ocean crossings in mind, this vessel carries a reputation for sturdy construction and a hull form well-suited to handling challenging open-water conditions. The Tatoosh 42 strikes a balance between performance and comfort that appeals to couples or small crews planning extended voyages. Its layout and proportions suggest a boat that prioritizes stability and sea-kindliness over outright speed, making it a dependable choice for those who value safety and predictability in a wide range of conditions. The cockpit and deck arrangement are typically oriented toward shorthanded sailing, a practical consideration for bluewater cruisers spending weeks or months at sea. While detailed specifications can be limited, the Tatoosh 42 occupies a respected niche in the cruising community and is worth serious consideration for anyone researching a capable, ocean-ready sailboat in this size range. Prospective buyers are encouraged to seek out owner forums and survey reports to gain deeper insight into specific examples.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.83 ft / 12.75 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.42 ft / 11.10 m
Beam 12.75 ft / 3.89 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 21,258.00 lb / 9,642 kg
Ballast 8,700.00 lb / 3,946 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Ta Shing Yacht Building (TAIWAN)
First Built 1981
Related Sailboats Formosa 43 · Swan 42 · Tayana Vancouver 42 · Whitby 42 · Catalina 42
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 117
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
 40.93
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
 196.45
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. 9.95 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.72
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.50 ft / 5.03 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 799.00 ft² / 74.23 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke or Pathfinder
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 70 gals / 265 L
Water Capacity 160 gals / 606 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 42, Formosa 43, Swan 42, Tayana Vancouver 42, Whitby 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tatoosh 42 ★
41.8 ft
Catalina 42
41.9 ft
Formosa 43
41.8 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
Tayana Vancouver 42
41.8 ft
Whitby 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Tatoosh 42 ★
36.4 ft
Catalina 42
36.0 ft
Formosa 43
33.3 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Tayana Vancouver 42
33.0 ft
Whitby 42
32.7 ft
Beam
Tatoosh 42 ★
12.8 ft
Catalina 42
13.8 ft
Formosa 43
12.6 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Tayana Vancouver 42
12.5 ft
Whitby 42
13.0 ft
Displacement
Tatoosh 42 ★
21 lbs
Catalina 42
20 lbs
Formosa 43
24 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Tayana Vancouver 42
29 lbs
Whitby 42
23 lbs
Ballast
Tatoosh 42 ★
8 lbs
Catalina 42
8 lbs
Formosa 43
9 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Tayana Vancouver 42
11 lbs
Whitby 42
8 lbs
Sail Area
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
797 sq ft
Formosa 43
820 sq ft
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
875 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tatoosh 42 ★
117 s/nm
Catalina 42
96 s/nm
Formosa 43
—
Swan 42
78 s/nm
Tayana Vancouver 42
144 s/nm
Whitby 42
153 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
17.1
Formosa 43
15.5
Swan 42
16.4
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tatoosh 42 ★
40.9 %
Catalina 42
40.5 %
Formosa 43
37.3 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Tayana Vancouver 42
40.5 %
Whitby 42
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
25.4
Formosa 43
36.7
Swan 42
30.9
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
33.6
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
2.03
Formosa 43
1.73
Swan 42
1.85
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
1.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tatoosh 42 ★
196
Catalina 42
196
Formosa 43
299
Swan 42
253
Tayana Vancouver 42
362
Whitby 42
—
Hull Speed
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
8.0 kts
Formosa 43
7.7 kts
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
7.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tatoosh 42 ★
—
Catalina 42
2.8
Formosa 43
—
Swan 42
2.1
Tayana Vancouver 42
—
Whitby 42
1.5
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