List Your Boat — Free
Home/ Boats/ Whitby Boatworks/Ft. Meyers Yacht And Shipbuilding/ Whitby 42
Sailboat Specifications

Whitby 42

Masthead Ketch · Long Keel

Designed by Edward S. Brewer · Built by Whitby Boatworks/Ft. Meyers Yacht And Shipbuilding · First built 1972

+ Add to Compare
LOA 42.00 ft  ·  Beam 13.00 ft  ·  Displacement 23,500.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 875.00 ft²  ·  Masthead Ketch  ·  Long Keel
About the Whitby 42 Sailboat

Designed for serious bluewater cruising, the Whitby 42 has earned a devoted following among offshore sailors seeking a capable and dependable passage-maker. Built by Whitby Boat Works in Ontario, Canada, this ketch-rigged cruiser gained a strong reputation during the 1970s and 1980s as a well-constructed vessel ready to take on ocean passages with confidence. Known for its robust build quality and sea-kindly hull design, the Whitby 42 strikes a balance between offshore performance and comfortable liveaboard cruising. Its ketch rig makes sail handling manageable for short-handed crews, a practical consideration for couples or solo sailors tackling long passages. The boat is frequently praised for its sturdy construction and thoughtful layout, reflecting the priorities of cruisers who valued reliability and safety above all else. Owners often speak highly of its seakeeping ability and the sense of security it inspires in challenging conditions. For anyone researching a proven bluewater cruiser with a respected pedigree and a loyal owner community, the Whitby 42 remains a compelling option worth serious consideration.

Known Issues View all 10 issues →
High
The chainplates are inboard-mounted and pass through the deck with individual deck plates. The bedding around these penetrations fails frequently, allowing water to track down the chainplate straps and into the settee or hanging locker cabinetry, often causing hidden rot in the surrounding wooden structure.
High
The rudder on the Whitby 42 is a full-length skeg-hung design with an internal steel armature. The armature is known to rust internally, causing the rudder foam core to delaminate from the fiberglass skin and producing a spongy or sloppy helm feel. Inspection should include probing the rudder for voids and checking for any weeping rust stains.
High
The external lead or cast iron keel is attached with stainless or mild steel keel bolts that pass through a solid glass sump. Keel bolt corrosion and weeping at the keel-to-hull joint is commonly reported; the bilge area around the keel sump should be inspected for rust staining, soft laminate, or movement under load.
+ 7 more issues — see full list →
Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 32.67 ft / 9.96 m
Beam 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 23,500.00 lb / 10,659 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 875.00 ft² / 81.29 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Edward S. Brewer
Builder Whitby Boatworks/Ft. Meyers Yacht and Shipbuilding
First Built 1972
Last Built 1988
Related Sailboats Passport 42 · Valiant 42 · Irwin 42 · Cascade 42 · Tartan 42
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Whitby 42's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Whitby 42 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 17.13. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Whitby 42's comfort ratio?

The Whitby 42 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.63. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Whitby 42 safe for offshore sailing?

The Whitby 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 Whitby 42?

The theoretical hull speed of the Whitby 42 is 7.66 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Whitby 42 weigh?

The Whitby 42 has a displacement of 23,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.00 ft.

Who designed the Whitby 42?

The Whitby 42 was designed by Edward S. Brewer, first built in 1972.