The Able 42 represents the zenith of the "Maine-built" semi-custom philosophy, a vessel born from the collaboration between master builder Crozer Fox and the legendary naval architect Chuck Paine. Conceived for experienced sailors who prioritized blue-water structural integrity and aesthetic grace over the high-volume interiors of mass-production contemporaries, the Able 42 is often categorized alongside the finest builds from Hinckley or Morris. While many Able models utilized cold-molded wood construction, the 42 was typically executed in high-tech fiberglass composites, allowing it to maintain a lighter displacement-to-length ratio than its purely traditional predecessors. This model served as the foundational hull for several variations, most notably the Able 44, which extended the transom to provide a functional "sugar scoop" swim platform while retaining the core underwater geometry of the 42.
Able 42 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Able
- Model
- 42
- Builder
- Able Marine
- Designer
- Chuck Paine
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1989 - ??
Below are the most recent Able 42 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | 2 | $275,000 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sabre 402 | 40.18' | $169,000 | 25 | 3 |
| Valiant 42 | 42' | $299,999 | 14 | 9 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $136,950 | 14 | 3 |
| Tartan 40 | 40.25' | $89,900 | 14 | 0 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $109,450 | 12 | 4 |
| Sabre 38 Mk II | 38.67' | $58,700 | 12 | 6 |
| Moody 42 | 41.79' | $66,102 | 8 | 3 |
| Comfortina 42 | 42.19' | $206,163 | 7 | 3 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $84,500 | 6 | 3 |
| Alden 44 | 44.16' | $89,000 | 6 | 2 |
| Able 42 | $275,000 | 2 | 2 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $275,000 | 2 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Able 42 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Able 42 over the past 12 months is $275,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Able 42 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 2 Able 42 listings over the past 12 months, with 2 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Able 42 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Able 42 has remained stable over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Able 42?
- Comparable models include the Sabre 402, Valiant 42, Palmer Johnson J/42. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.