BoatsSolaris 42

Solaris 42

Fractional Sloop · Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder · First built 2012

A 12.36-metre fractional sloop with a 2.5-metre draft and a 19.88 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for balanced performance

Designed by Javier Soto Acebal.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & Spade Rudder

See her sail

The Solaris 42, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Adventures of an old Seadog

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 25 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 25
CoastalBluewater

1.95 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.95
LightHeavy

163 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 163
EasygoingPowered-up

19.9 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 19.9
TenderStiff

34% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 34%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws more than ~96% of boats her size on file
  • Beamier than ~76% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2744 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

What the fleet has seen

The Solaris 42, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Solaris 42 is a 12.4-meter fractional sloop designed by Javier Soto Acebal and built by Solaris Yachts in Italy since 2012. It features a fin keel with a bulb and a spade rudder, displacing 8799 kg with a 2.5-meter draft. The Solaris 42 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 19.9 and a comfort ratio of 25.4. Its sail plan includes a 40m2 genoa and a 55m2 mainsail, and it can be equipped with an optional Volvo Penta Saildrive 55 hp engine.

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 2 times across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Solaris 42 on video

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
34.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
19.9
Displacement / length
163.3
Comfort ratio
25.4
Capsize screening
1.95
Hull speed
8.2 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1757
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
First built 2012
Designer
Javier Soto Acebal
Builder
Solaris Yachts (Italy)

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Oceanis 41 (Beneteau)12.43 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Finot-Conq designed fractional sloop featuring a wide 4.2-metre beam and a modern hull form optimised for cruising
LEAVING PUERTO RICO! Just as we're about to leave, things don't go as expected | Ep. 54 - Chez Teamfrom Chez Team
Elan Marine 41012.27 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 12.27-metre performance cruiser with a 2.2-metre draught and a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.52
Elan 410from SVN solovelanet
Centurion 40S12.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA performance-oriented fractional sloop by Berret-Racoupeau, featuring a deep fin keel and a balanced, modern hull form
Alone Through the Night - Sailing to Tenerife | Ep. 154:08from Jakob Lang Sailing
Dehler Yachts 41 CR12.45 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Judel-Vrolijk fractional sloop designed for performance cruising with a stiff, balanced hull and bulb keel
Skagen Race 2025: Fresh beat towards Skagen1:31from SEILmagasinet
Bavaria Yachts 40 (J&J)12.47 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA popular charter-trade cruiser from 2000, offering a balanced 18.88 SA/D ratio and a 1.95-metre bulb keel
Making the DECISION and undertaking a LIFE CHANGE. Choosing a SAILBOAT.3:13from navegandoporelglobo
Hunter Marine 41 DS12.29 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA deck salon cruiser featuring a high-volume interior and a B&R rig for simplified handling
⚓ Hunter 41 DS vs Beneteau 411 – Sailboat Comparison ⛵0:47from Practical Sailor

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Solaris 40A 2021 Javier Soto Acebal design featuring a fin keel with bulb and dual rudders for precise handlingSolaris 55A 16.7-metre performance cruiser with a 3-metre draft and a powerful 24.19 sail-area-to-displacement ratioSolaris 44-2A 2019 evolution of the 44 featuring dual rudders and a high 22.84 sail-area-to-displacement ratio for performanceSolaris 50-2A 2022 redesign of the Solaris 50 offering optional keel drafts and a 75 hp engine for customised cruising

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

Search what's been said about the Solaris 42, or ask a specific question — the answer comes back written out, with links to the moments it draws on.

Search the fleet for boats like thisAsk the fleet about the Solaris 42

The newsletter

New boats, new stories. Every week, everywhere.

One email from the fleet — boats newly added, videos newly analysed. No noise.

Report an issue