Designed by Ron Holland during his prolific early 1980s period, this elegant Finnish-built yacht represents Nautor's commitment to combining racing performance with cruising comfort. Only 38 hulls were produced between 1980 and 1985, making this a relatively exclusive design that has maintained strong appeal among discerning sailors. The Swan 42's fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and solid windward performance, while the masthead sloop rig provides versatility across various wind conditions. With a displacement of 22,000 pounds and 9,200 pounds of ballast, she strikes an excellent balance between stability and performance. The comfortable beam of nearly 13 feet creates spacious accommodations below while maintaining sleek lines above. Holland's design philosophy shines through in the boat's moderate comfort ratio of 30.91, indicating good seakeeping ability without sacrificing speed potential. The capsize screening value of 1.85 suggests strong offshore capability, making this yacht well-suited for coastal cruising and longer passages alike. Hull speed approaching 8 knots and a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.41 confirm this as a genuinely quick cruiser that won't disappoint performance-minded sailors. The fiberglass construction ensures durability and lower maintenance compared to earlier wooden Swans.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Swan 42's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Swan 42 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.41. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Swan 42's comfort ratio?
The Swan 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 30.91. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Swan 42 safe for offshore sailing?
The Swan 42 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.85. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Swan 42?
The theoretical hull speed of the Swan 42 is 7.79 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Swan 42 weigh?
The Swan 42 has a displacement of 22,000.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.00 ft.
Who designed the Swan 42?
The Swan 42 was designed by Ron Holland, first built in 1980.