The Contest 42Cs is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 38.2′, the Contest 42Cs tops out around 8.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √38.2′ LWL = 8.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
18.2
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
37.8%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
239
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
35.9
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
35.9
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 Contest 42Cs sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.1 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
6.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.3 |
5.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (8.3 kts),
SA/D (18.2), 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 Contest 42Cs — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ 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 Contest 42Cs.
|
Contest 42Cs |
Imx 45 |
Leopard 45 |
Moody 45 Ds |
Premier 45 |
Tartan 4400 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
45.0 |
— |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
45.0 |
| LWL |
38.2 |
39.3 |
42.9 |
42.4 |
42.5 |
37.5 |
| Beam |
13.5 |
13.6 |
24.2 |
15.0 |
13.6 |
14.1 |
| Displacement |
29 |
20 |
32 |
29 |
17 |
24 |
| Ballast |
11 |
9 |
— |
9 |
7 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
96 |
| SA/Disp |
18.2 |
30.1 |
18.6 |
17.6 |
27.3 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
37.8 |
45.4 |
— |
— |
41.6 |
37.5 |
| Comfort |
35.9 |
— |
16.6 |
29.2 |
19.6 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.74 |
2.01 |
3.03 |
1.93 |
2.09 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
8.3 |
8.4 |
8.8 |
8.7 |
8.7 |
— |