About Whitby 42's

Practical Sailor, a popular US-based review magazine, did a very detailed and factual writeup of the Whitby 42.  This was done in 1983, only 2 years after Challenger was completed.  Some of the problems mentioned about earlier boats were corrected in later boats.  Several reviews mention that they quality at the Ft. Meyers Boatyard was better than at the Canadian Whitby boatyard.

Practical Sailor's wrap-up (in 1983):

"Most owners are very enthusiastic about their boats.  For most of them, this is not a first boat.  Although most consider the boat a good boat dockside, they also consider it a boat in which to go places.  We agree."

Download the Practical Sailor article here.

"The result was a seaworthy yacht having a surfeit of space belowdecks that provides the offwatch with room in which to lounge or sleep and the galley slave and navigator spacious areas in which to operate."

Read the full Good Old Boat review here.

"Comfortable, seaworthy, and forgiving of a novice sailor..."

Cruising World's Tom Zydler reports:

"She has a 13-foot beam, 32-foot 8-inch waterline, and a moderate 5-foot draft. High freeboard allows a commodious interior."

"Ample water tankage of 290 gallons provides for showers in two heads, and a 210-gallon fuel capacity assures good range under power. A cavernous refrigerator/freezer keeps perishables during an extended cruise, a locker for wet oilskins abuts the main companionway ladder, and a handy workbench sits in the passage aft by the engine room."

"Comfortable, seaworthy, and forgiving of a novice sailor, the Whitby 42 found a receptive clientele, and Whitby Boat Works sold 233 of them before ceasing production in 1987. In 1979, Fort Myers Yacht and Ship Building in Florida obtained a license to the design and built 32 boats of reportedly high quality."

Challenger was built in 1981 by Fort Meyers Yacht and Ship Building in Florida.

Read the full 2009 Cruising World article here.

Southwinds Magazine also did a review of the Whitby 42 in 2008, entitled

"Whitby 42 - One of the Best-Liked Liveaboard Cruisers on the Water"

"The interior layout can best be described as being luxurious.  The spacious galley includes a double sink, refrigeration and freezer, and plenty of usable counter space.  Opposite is a well-designed chart table/nav station."

"The forward head has a shower (as does the aft), and the v-berth is plenty big enough for two full-sized adults. Aft of the galley, there’s the engine room (emphasis on room), and the starboard side passageway aft that also serves as the commodious workshop."

"The aft cabin has 6’ 2” headroom, a large double bed and the full head."

Download the full review as a PDF file by clicking here.