The Whitby 42 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Whitby 42

Underwater Profile: Long keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 42'0" (12.8m)

Waterline Length: 32'8" (10.0m)

Beam: 13'0" (4.0m)

Draft: 5'0" (1.5m)

Rig Type: Ketch

Displacement: 23,500lb (10,659kg)

Ballast: 8,000lb (3,629kg)

Performance Predictions based on the Design Ratios

• The Whitby 42 sailboat, with a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 17.1, suggests a moderate cruising speed.

• The Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 34.0 indicates a good stability and stiffness, enabling the boat to carry a reasonable amount of sail.

• The Displacement/Length Ratio of 301 implies a moderate performance, particularly in light wind conditions.

• The Comfort Ratio of 33.6 suggests that the boat has a comfortable motion at sea, making it suitable for long-distance cruising.

• Lastly, the Capsize Screening Formula of 1.82 indicates that the Whitby 42 has a relatively low risk of capsize, which is an important safety feature for offshore sailing.

Overall, the Whitby 42 is a reliable, stable, and comfortable cruising sailboat.

The Designer

Ted Brewer is a highly respected yacht designer known for his significant contributions to the sailing world. Apart from the Whitby 42, Brewer has designed numerous other sailboats that have gained popularity among sailing enthusiasts.

Some of his notable designs include the Aloha 28, the Brewer 44, and the Cape North 43. Additionally, he designed the Whitby 55, a larger sibling to the Whitby 42.

Brewer's designs are renowned for their stability, seaworthiness, and comfort, making them ideal choices for long-distance cruising and liveaboard lifestyles.

The Builder

Whitby Boat Works is a Canadian boatbuilding company that was established in the 1960s in Whitby, Ontario. The company was renowned for its production of sturdy and reliable cruising sailboats, which were designed by notable naval architects such as Ted Brewer.

Apart from the famous Whitby 42, the company also built other popular models like the Whitby 55 and the Alberg 30. Despite its significant contributions to the sailing world, Whitby Boat Works ceased operations in the late 1980s and is no longer in business.

However, not all boats in the Whitby or Brewer range were produced by this builder. The Whitby and Brewer sailboats were built at both Whitby Boat Works in Whitby, Ontario and Fort Myers Yacht and Shipbuilding in Ft. Myers, Florida from 1972 until 1990. This includes the Whitby 42 and 55, Ft. Myers' Whitby 42, Brewer 42, 44, and 12.8. So, while Whitby Boat Works did produce a significant number of these boats, they were not the sole builder.

In Summary...

The Whitby 42 is a spacious and sturdy cruiser. It features a 13-foot beam, a 32-foot 8-inch waterline, and a moderate 5-foot draft. The high freeboard allows for a commodious interior, which includes two swiveling armchairs, a spacious engine room, and a very comfortable aft cabin.

The Whitby 42 has been praised for its ample water tankage of 290 gallons, which provides for showers in two heads, and a 210-gallon fuel capacity that assures good range under power. It also features a cavernous refrigerator/freezer to keep perishables during an extended cruise.

In terms of performance, the Whitby 42 is described as having respectable speed on reaches and runs, particularly in moderate to heavy air. However, it can be a bit sluggish through tacks in light air. Its windward performance is acceptable but not outstanding. The addition of a mizzen stay sail and spinnaker can help improve light air downwind performance.

Owners have reported that the Whitby 42 sails remarkably well, with several reporting speeds of 7.5 to 8 knots on a close reach. They have also praised the boat's comfort and seaworthiness, as well as its forgiving nature for novice sailors.

Overall, the Whitby 42 is well-regarded as a solid bluewater cruiser with good room and middling sailing performance. It's an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable long-term cruiser that is safe, comfortable, and sails reasonably well.