Back to Search
Vancouver 42
Designer: Robert Harris  ·  Builder: Tayana  ·  First built: 1982
+ Add to Compare
About the Vancouver 42

Designed for serious bluewater cruising, the Vancouver 42 has earned a strong reputation among offshore sailors seeking a capable and dependable passage-maker. Built by Bluewater Yachts in Canada, this cutter-rigged cruiser embodies the traditional philosophy of a seaworthy, heavily built vessel intended to handle the demands of extended ocean voyaging with confidence. The Vancouver 42 draws on a lineage of robust, full-keeled designs that prioritize stability, sea-keeping ability, and safety in challenging conditions over outright speed. Its conservative hull form and sturdy construction make it well suited to long-distance passages, where predictable motion and structural integrity matter far more than racing performance. The cutter rig offers flexibility in sail combinations, a practical advantage when managing changing weather far from port. For sailors planning extended cruises — whether circumnavigations or prolonged coastal adventures — the Vancouver 42 is frequently mentioned as a trustworthy choice. Its dedicated following speaks to the boat's ability to inspire confidence at sea. Those considering this vessel will find a design philosophy rooted firmly in the cruising traditions of safety, self-sufficiency, and endurance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 41.75 ft / 12.73 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 5.83 ft / 1.78 m
Displacement 29,147.00 lb / 13,221 kg
Ballast 11,800.00 lb / 5,352 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 942.00 ft² / 87.51 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Robert Harris
Builder Tayana
First Built 1982
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
15.98
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
43.76
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
1.63
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. 7.7
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.23
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
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 55.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.08
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.7
E (Mainsail Foot) 16.7
SA Fore 497.2
SA Main 406.65
How It Compares

vs. Formosa 43, Swan 42, Tatoosh 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Vancouver 42 ★
41.8 ft
Formosa 43
41.8 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
Tatoosh 42
41.8 ft
LWL
Vancouver 42 ★
33.0 ft
Formosa 43
33.3 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Tatoosh 42
36.4 ft
Beam
Vancouver 42 ★
12.5 ft
Formosa 43
12.6 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Tatoosh 42
12.8 ft
Displacement
Vancouver 42 ★
29 lbs
Formosa 43
24 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Tatoosh 42
21 lbs
Ballast
Vancouver 42 ★
11 lbs
Formosa 43
9 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Tatoosh 42
8 lbs
Sail Area
Vancouver 42 ★
942 sq ft
Formosa 43
820 sq ft
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Tatoosh 42
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Vancouver 42 ★
Formosa 43
Swan 42
78 s/nm
Tatoosh 42
117 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Vancouver 42 ★
16.0
Formosa 43
15.5
Swan 42
16.4
Tatoosh 42
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Vancouver 42 ★
Formosa 43
37.3 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Tatoosh 42
40.9 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Vancouver 42 ★
43.8
Formosa 43
36.7
Swan 42
30.9
Tatoosh 42
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Vancouver 42 ★
1.63
Formosa 43
1.73
Swan 42
1.85
Tatoosh 42
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Vancouver 42 ★
Formosa 43
299
Swan 42
253
Tatoosh 42
196
Hull Speed
Vancouver 42 ★
7.7 kts
Formosa 43
7.7 kts
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Tatoosh 42
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Vancouver 42 ★
1.2
Formosa 43
Swan 42
2.1
Tatoosh 42
Find a Vancouver 42 For Sale