Sailing Performance & Handling
The Little Harbor 42 is defined by its "Delta" hull form—a design characterized by a wide beam carried well aft and a relatively low center of gravity. Technically, the boat is a heavy-displacement cruiser, sporting a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 311. This weight provides a remarkably "solid" feel in a seaway, with a high Comfort Ratio that minimizes the jerky motion often found in lighter, modern production boats.
The centerpiece of its performance is the foil-shaped centerboard. With the board up, the boat draws only 4.7 feet, making it one of the few 40-foot blue-water yachts capable of navigating the Bahamas or the U.S. East Coast’s Intracoastal Waterway. With the board fully extended to roughly 10 feet, the 42 gains significant upwind leverage. While its Sail Area/Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 15.4 suggests it is not a light-air racer, the 42 is a momentum-driven yacht that excels in a breeze, maintaining high average speeds over long passages. Most units were equipped with Hood’s "Stoway" in-mast furling systems, and the cockpit layout was specifically engineered to bring all primary and secondary winches within reach of the helmsman for shorthanded operation.
Interior Comfort & Variations
True to the brand's reputation for luxury, the interior of the Little Harbor 42 is a showcase of traditional Taiwan-built teak joinery. The layout typically features a two-stateroom, two-head configuration, which was highly sought after for its privacy. The master suite is often located aft, though some units utilized a large V-berth forward with a secondary quarter berth or cabin near the companionway.
Materials used include solid teak trim, laminate overhead deck beams, and hand-fitted floorboards that are rarely seen in contemporary mass production. Because Little Harbor operated as a semi-custom builder, variations exist between the few hulls produced; some may feature a more open salon with a U-shaped dinette, while others prioritize a larger navigation station for serious offshore passage-making. The 42 shares a direct lineage with its more common sibling, the Little Harbor 44, which was effectively a "stretched" version of the same design concept, offering slightly more waterline length and stowage. Other notable siblings in this family of designs include the Little Harbor 44, the smaller 38, and the larger 46 and 53 models.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Little Harbor 42 has maintained a strong cult following within the "Classic Plastic" community. Most notably, hull #6—the final unit built—was the subject of an extensive technical review by the maritime channel "Captain Q Yacht Reviews," which highlighted the boat's "Tiffany-level" interior finish and its unique cockpit ergonomics. The broader design family, specifically the Little Harbor 44, has been featured in Cruising World as an exemplar of the "This Ol' Boat" series, celebrating yachts that remain viable and prestigious world cruisers decades after their launch.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should focus their survey on the high-cost maintenance items typical of premium 1980s builds:
- Centerboard System: The centerboard pendant (cable) and the lifting winch require regular inspection. If the board hasn't been dropped recently, scaling and rust inside the trunk can cause it to jam.
- Teak Deck Integrity: Like most yachts of this era, the teak decks were screwed down. Over time, the bungs can wear, leading to water intrusion into the core. A moisture meter test of the decks is mandatory.
- Cored Hull Considerations: Little Harbor often used Airex foam coring in the hulls for insulation and strength. While generally robust, any through-hull installations added by previous owners must be checked for proper sealing to prevent core rot.
- Aging Systems: Many 42s still carry their original "Stoway" furling masts. While reliable, the mechanical components of the furling drive should be serviced to ensure they don't bind under load.
Community & Resources
Owners of Little Harbor yachts often find technical support and community through the broader network of Ted Hood design enthusiasts. While no exclusive "LH42 Association" exists due to the small production run, the Ted Hood Yacht Owners community and the Bristol Yacht Owners Association (which shares many of Hood’s design traits and some builder overlap) are primary hubs for technical wikis and restoration advice.
The Verdict
The Little Harbor 42 is a "yachtsman's yacht," built for the sailor who values traditional aesthetics and offshore security over the interior volume of modern "condo-marans."
Pros:
- Build Quality: Elite craftsmanship that remains superior to most modern production standards.
- Draft Versatility: The centerboard allows for deep-sea tracking and shallow-water anchoring.
- Shorthanded Logic: Cockpit layout and furling systems are optimized for solo or couple cruising.
- Resale Value: Due to its rarity and pedigree, it holds value better than generic cruisers of the same age.
Cons:
- High Maintenance: Teak decks and centerboard mechanisms require specialized (and expensive) care.
- Light Air Performance: The heavy displacement hull needs at least 10–12 knots of breeze to truly wake up.
- Rarity: Finding one of the six units on the market can take years of searching.
