CARTER 42
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 42 ft |
| LWL | 31.5 ft |
| Beam | 12.76 ft |
| Draft | 7.21 ft |
| Displacement | 18,078 lb |
| Ballast | 8,999.2 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 7.5 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 56 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 18 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 48.8 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 14 ft |
| FLforestay | 18 ft |
| Mainsail | 872.9 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 504 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 856.8 sq ft |
About the CARTER 42
Designed by Dick Carter and built by Maryola Shipyards in Spain, the Carter 42 is a robust cruising sloop with a production run starting in 1977. With a displacement of 18078.0 lb and a beam of 12.76 ft, it offers a comfortable offshore platform, though the exact total hulls built remains unverified in available records.
- Best for:
- This boat suits experienced coastal cruisers and bluewater adventurers who prioritize seaworthiness and comfort over high-speed performance, particularly those willing to manage significant structural maintenance.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a high displacement of 18078.0 lb, a low capsize ratio of 1.95, and a comfort ratio of 27.15, the Carter 42 is well-suited for offshore passages, provided critical structural integrity is verified.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other heavy-displacement European cruisers from the late 1970s such as the Hallberg-Rassy 42 or the Oyster 435, due to similar displacement, beam, and offshore-oriented design philosophies.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(4 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.1 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| 60° | 4.3 | 5.7 | 6.5 | 7.0 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| 75° | 4.5 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 90° | 4.3 | 5.8 | 6.7 | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.3 |
| 110° | 4.3 | 5.8 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.4 | 8.6 |
| 120° | 4.2 | 5.7 | 6.8 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.8 | 9.1 |
| 135° | 3.7 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.9 | 9.7 |
| 150° | 3.1 | 4.4 | 5.5 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.9 |
| Beat VMG | 2.6 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Run VMG | 2.7 | 3.8 | 4.8 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 7.9 |
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CARTER 42 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 42ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
10 reported issues across 7 systems for the CARTER 42, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a CARTER 42? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 10 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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Used sails that fit the CARTER 42
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