Designed by Robert A. Smith and first launched in 1964, this classic 42-footer emerged during the golden era of fiberglass yacht construction when builders like Yacht Constructors Inc. were establishing new standards for production cruising sailboats. The Cascade 42 represents solid American craftsmanship with a design philosophy focused on comfortable offshore cruising rather than racing performance. The boat's traditional proportions tell the story of a serious cruising yacht. With a displacement of 18,000 pounds and substantial ballast of 6,180 pounds positioned in a fin keel with bulb, she offers the stability and sea-kindly motion that offshore sailors appreciate. The cutter rig configuration provides excellent sail handling versatility, allowing crews to balance power and control across varying wind conditions—particularly valuable during extended coastal and offshore passages. Her comfort ratio of 28.17 indicates a motion that favors long-distance cruising over speed, while the capsize screening formula of 1.82 demonstrates good stability characteristics for ocean sailing. The hull's design delivers a theoretical hull speed of 7.81 knots, typical for displacement cruisers of this era. This combination of attributes makes the Cascade 42 well-suited for serious coastal cruising and offshore passages where comfort, reliability, and seaworthiness take precedence over pure performance.
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- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
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What is the Cascade 42's comfort ratio?
The Cascade 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 28.17. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Cascade 42 safe for offshore sailing?
The Cascade 42 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.82. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Cascade 42?
The theoretical hull speed of the Cascade 42 is 7.81 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Cascade 42 weigh?
The Cascade 42 has a displacement of 18,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.00 ft.
How much does a used Cascade 42 cost?
Based on 2 recent market listings, used Cascade 42 sailboats typically sell for between $25,000 and $25,000, with a median asking price of $25,000. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Cascade 42?
The Cascade 42 was designed by Robert A. Smith, first built in 1964.