Designed by the legendary Sparkman & Stephens naval architecture firm, this French-built cruiser represents classic late-1980s sailing yacht design at its finest. Built by Yachting France between 1985 and 1991, only 50 of these distinctive boats were produced, making them a relatively rare find on today's market. The Lacoste 42's moderate displacement of 16,535 pounds and substantial ballast ratio provide excellent stability for offshore passages, while her fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling. Her masthead sloop rig carries 1,076 square feet of sail area, offering spirited performance with a theoretical hull speed of just over 8 knots. The beam of nearly 13 feet creates generous interior volume without compromising her sailing characteristics. With a comfort ratio of 22.46, this yacht strikes an appealing balance between performance and livability, making her well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. Her moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio suggests she'll be manageable in heavy weather while still providing adequate light-air performance. The Sparkman & Stephens pedigree ensures sound construction principles and proven seaworthiness, characteristics that have made S&S designs enduringly popular among serious cruising sailors seeking both comfort and capability.
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What is the Lacoste 42's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Lacoste 42 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 26.63. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Lacoste 42's comfort ratio?
The Lacoste 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 22.46. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Lacoste 42 safe for offshore sailing?
The Lacoste 42 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 2.03. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Lacoste 42?
The theoretical hull speed of the Lacoste 42 is 8.01 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Lacoste 42 weigh?
The Lacoste 42 has a displacement of 16,535.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.17 ft.
Who designed the Lacoste 42?
The Lacoste 42 was designed by Sparkman & Stephens, first built in 1985.