Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.6 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.5′, the Us 42 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.5′ LWL = 7.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
43.8%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
312
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
7.6kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
10lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Us 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cooper 416
Ericson 41
Irwin 41
Corbin 39
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Us 42.
| Us 42 | Cooper 416 | Corbin 39 | Ericson 41 | Irwin 41 | Morgan Out Island 416 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.5 | 41.3 | 41.5 | 41.3 |
| LWL | 32.5 | 32.5 | 32.0 | 29.2 | 35.1 | 34.0 |
| Beam | 14.0 | 14.0 | 12.1 | 10.7 | 13.5 | 13.8 |
| Displacement | 24 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 25 | 27 |
| Ballast | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Sail Area | — | 723 | — | — | 803 | 877 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | 135 | 165 | 135 | 153 | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 14.0 | — | — | 15.1 | 15.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 43.8 | 43.8 | 39.5 | 46.1 | — | 33.3 |
| Comfort | — | 31.4 | — | — | 32.6 | 34.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.95 | — | — | 1.85 | 1.85 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.6 | — | — | 7.9 | 7.8 |