Kanter 42 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Kanter 42 began in 1990, marking its entry into the market as a testament to Kanter Yachts' expertise in aluminum boatbuilding. Kanter Yachts, based in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, has long championed aluminum as its primary construction material, a choice that underpins its reputation for building exceptionally strong and safe vessels. The company's stable, family-owned structure has consistently focused on custom-built aluminum vessels, aiming to fulfill "every desire" of their owners while setting a high bar for durability and performance. While specific design philosophies for the Kanter 42 by Dieter Empacher are not widely detailed, his work on other Kanter models, such as the Kanter 53, highlights a focus on good performance and easy handling. Given Kanter's overall identity, the 42 was conceived as a rugged, seaworthy platform, built to withstand demanding offshore conditions. There is no indication of significant variations or "Mk" versions during its production run, aligning with Kanter's custom or semi-custom approach to manufacturing, which results in a relatively low number of pre-owned Kanter yachts on the market.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Kanter 42's design specifications translate into a boat well-suited for comfortable and stable cruising. With a reported sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 15.39, the Kanter 42 presents a balanced profile, suggesting respectable all-around performance without being optimized purely for light-air speed. Its robust ballast-to-displacement ratio of around 43.65% indicates a stiff and stable vessel, capable of standing up well to a strong breeze and offering excellent righting capability. This contributes significantly to a comfortable motion in a seaway, with one analysis suggesting its comfort value is above average compared to similar sailboat designs, being more comfortable than 73% of them. Furthermore, with a displacement to length ratio of approximately 281.95, the Kanter 42 falls into the moderate-to-heavy displacement category, a characteristic often associated with solid, go-anywhere cruising boats. This combination of factors makes the Kanter 42 particularly well-suited as a bluewater cruising boat, emphasizing stability and offshore capability over light-air performance.

Accommodations and Layout

As a custom builder, Kanter Yachts approaches each vessel with a high degree of personalization, meaning the interior layout of each Kanter 42 would likely vary significantly based on individual owner specifications. While specific details regarding typical interior arrangements or maximum headroom for the Kanter 42 are not readily available in general reviews or specifications, boats of this size and pedigree designed for bluewater cruising typically feature a layout optimized for offshore living. This would commonly include a V-berth forward, a main salon with settees and a dining area, a functional galley for meal preparation, a dedicated head compartment, and often quarter berths or an aft cabin. The emphasis on custom craftsmanship by Kanter Yachts suggests that interior finishes would be of high quality, utilizing durable materials suitable for a robust cruising yacht, though the specific materials and design aesthetics would have been determined by the original owner.