The Walstead 42 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and competitive on the racecourse.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 32.8′, the Walstead 42 tops out around 7.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √32.8′ LWL = 7.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
16.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
43.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
278
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
34.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.74
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
34.4
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.74
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Walstead 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Baltic 42 Dp
72s/nm
Walstead 42
78s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
Swan 42
78s/nm
Niagara 42
111s/nm
Passport 42
132s/nm
Valiant 42
138s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.5 |
5.7 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.7 kts),
SA/D (16.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Walstead 42 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Walstead 42.
|
Walstead 42 |
Baltic 42 Dp |
Niagara 42 |
Passport 42 |
Swan 42 |
Valiant 42 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.9 |
41.9 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
| LWL |
32.8 |
34.4 |
32.5 |
34.8 |
33.8 |
34.5 |
| Beam |
12.1 |
13.3 |
12.8 |
12.8 |
13.0 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
22 |
18 |
19 |
25 |
22 |
24 |
| Ballast |
9 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
811 |
— |
— |
764 |
802 |
849 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
78 |
72 |
111 |
132 |
78 |
138 |
| SA/Disp |
16.6 |
— |
— |
14.2 |
16.4 |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
43.3 |
43.8 |
40.9 |
35.3 |
41.8 |
— |
| Comfort |
34.4 |
— |
— |
35.6 |
30.9 |
34.9 |
| Capsize |
1.74 |
— |
— |
1.75 |
1.85 |
1.76 |
| Hull Speed |
7.7 |
— |
— |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.9 |