Today's post will be a review of some of the design aspects that were worked out previously but never posted on this site.  We will have a few of these over the next month so that we can have a more complete record of the boat.  Today's post will focus on the hull form and … Continue reading Hull Form

We have been working hard these past few weeks to get the final details of the design wrapped up and we are pleased to announce that the design portion of the project is finished!  It is great to have this milestone accomplished and we are looking forward to the next phase of the build. To … Continue reading Design Finished!

Ventilation on a cruising boat is important no matter the climate, to prevent moisture buildup and mold. The offshore 42 will have 2 openable deck hatches, 4 opening portlights in the superstructure and 2 dorade vents with cowlings for the head and shower. There are also strategic places where a fan could be hung to further … Continue reading Ventilation & Heating

Fiberglass is a material that is made by laminating glass fibers together, using a resin. This can be done in various different ways with a variety of materials. Traditionally the resin has been polyester, a low-cost durable resin that has been used for 50 years. The disadvantage is that polyester is prone to osmosis if not sealed properly and the quantity needed makes … Continue reading Hull Structure

A common problem with many chain plate designs is that the chain plate will leak over time and cause structural damage. Many of these designs have the chain plates penetrating through foam or balsa cored decks. Eventually, the outer layer of glass starts to leak, allowing water into the core material which starts a rotting process … Continue reading Chain Plates

The rudder of a boat is one of the most important components in determining how a boat feels, as it is the primary means of control for the helmsman.  A rudder that is poorly designed can contribute to many uncomfortable and sometimes even dangerous sailing characteristics.  An unbalanced rudder can contribute to excessive weather or lee helm when sailing … Continue reading Rudder Design and Construction

The keel design for the Offshore 42 has by far gotten the most attention when it comes to engineering. We all know that a keel on a monohull is one of the most important aspects when it comes to safety and performance but judging by the failures we have seen in recent years, keels seem … Continue reading Keel Design

The advantage of building and testing a prototype is that issues with the design and specifications can be discovered and resolved before the boat goes into production. The downside is that prototyping is very costly and that is why testing a full size boat before production is seldom, if ever, done. *Please note: The Offshore 42 has … Continue reading Prototyping

Without sacrificing performance, reliability or function, the interior of the Offshore 42 is designed to feel like home for a long distance sailing couple or dual handed crew. There is ample storage for personal items and sailing gear. The comfortable seating area in the main salon has a large table with room to invite friends … Continue reading Offshore 42 Interior Layout