Crowther 42 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Crowther 42 is widely regarded for its exceptional sea-kindliness and ability to maintain high average speeds without the "hobby-horsing" common in shorter or more heavily rockered catamarans. With a high bridge-deck clearance, these vessels minimize slamming in a head sea, a hallmark of Crowther’s design logic. The hulls are characterized by a high length-to-beam ratio at the waterline, which significantly reduces wave-making resistance. This allows the boat to easily exceed theoretical hull speeds, often reaching 15–20 knots in favorable conditions. Owners typically report that the boat feels "light on its feet," with a responsive helm that provides more feedback than modern production catamarans. The use of daggerboards in most Crowther 42 variants provides superior upwind tracking and allows for a shallower draft when raised, though it requires more active management from the crew. The boat’s power-to-weight ratio is high, meaning it requires reefing earlier than a heavy cruiser, but it rewards the attentive sailor with performance that rivals modern carbon-fiber designs.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of a Crowther 42 is a study in functional minimalism, dictated by the narrow hulls required for performance. While the bridge deck salon provides a panoramic view and a social hub, the cabins located in the hulls are generally narrower than those found in modern cruising cats. Headroom is typically excellent in the hulls but may be restricted in the transition to the bridge deck. The Crowther 42 was produced in several configurations; the Spindrift 42 version often featured a more cruise-oriented layout with four cabins, while the Shockwave 42 variants were often leaner, sometimes featuring "galley-down" configurations to keep the bridge deck clear for racing maneuvers. Because many of these boats were finished by different yards or skilled amateur builders, the quality of joinery and material choice—ranging from utilitarian white laminate to high-end Tasmanian Oak or Teak—varies significantly across the secondhand market.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Crowther 42 series and its designer have a storied history in the annals of ocean racing. Lock Crowther’s designs gained international fame through the success of boats like Spirit of Queensland, and while the 42-foot production and semi-custom series were more cruiser-oriented, they inherited the racing DNA that won events like the OSTAR and the Brisbane to Gladstone. The model’s reputation for speed and safety has made it a favorite among long-distance voyagers who document their travels in niche multihull journals and regional sailing magazines, cementing its status as a "sailor's catamaran."

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

For a boat of this vintage and construction type, several technical areas require rigorous inspection:

• Core Integrity: Since many Crowther 42s were built using foam or balsa cores, moisture ingress is a primary concern. Areas around deck hardware, stanchion bases, and the bridge deck-to-hull join should be checked for delamination or soft spots.
• Daggerboard Trunks: The high loads placed on the daggerboard trunks can lead to stress cracking. It is essential to inspect the trunk-to-hull bond and the condition of the internal bearing surfaces.
• Weight Management: These boats are highly sensitive to weight. Years of "cruising creep"—the addition of heavy batteries, davits, and watermakers—can settle the boat below its designed waterline, negatively affecting bridge deck clearance and sailing performance.
• Rigging Loads: Given the high righting moment of a 42-foot catamaran, the chainplates and mast step should be examined for signs of fatigue, particularly if the boat has been campaigned in offshore races.

Community & Resources

The legacy of Lock Crowther is maintained by a dedicated community of multihull enthusiasts. Technical data and historical design insights are often shared through the Multihull Yacht Club of Victoria (MYCV) and the various Crowther-specific threads on regional sailing forums. While no formal "factory" support exists today, the Crowther design archives are occasionally referenced by marine architects specializing in multihull refits, ensuring that technical specifications for sail plans and structural reinforcements remain accessible to the dedicated owner.

The Verdict

The Crowther 42 is an ideal vessel for the experienced sailor who prioritizes performance and sea-kindliness over the sheer interior volume of modern apartment-style catamarans. It remains a premier choice for fast blue-water passage making.

• Pros:
  • Exceptional speed and pointing ability for a catamaran of its era.
  • High bridge deck clearance reduces slamming and enhances comfort at sea.
  • Strong, lightweight construction that remains competitive with modern designs.
• Cons:
  • Narrower hulls limit interior storage and cabin width compared to modern cruisers.
  • Daggerboards require more maintenance and operational attention than fixed keels.
  • Variability in build quality due to the semi-custom and amateur-build nature of the fleet.