Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.0′, the Rhodes 42 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.0′ LWL = 7.2 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
586
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Hull Speed
7.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
7lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Rhodes 42 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Swan 42
Cascade 42
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Rhodes 42.
| Rhodes 42 | Baltic 42 | Cascade 42 | Clipper 42 Cheoy Lee | Comanche 42 Chris Craft | Swan 42 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 42.3 | 42.4 | 42.0 | 42.4 | 42.0 | 42.0 |
| LWL | 29.0 | 34.1 | 34.0 | 30.0 | 30.3 | 33.8 |
| Beam | 11.3 | 12.5 | 11.9 | 12.1 | 10.8 | 13.0 |
| Displacement | 32 | 19 | 18 | 23 | 17 | 22 |
| Ballast | — | 9 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Sail Area | — | 836 | — | 928 | 746 | 802 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | 102 | — | — | 78 |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.4 | — | 18.2 | 17.7 | 16.4 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 45.7 | 34.3 | 38.3 | 48.9 | 41.8 |
| Comfort | — | 28.8 | 28.2 | 39.0 | 33.8 | 30.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.85 | 1.82 | 1.69 | 1.67 | 1.85 |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.8 |