Aphrodite 42 Buyer's Guide
The Aphrodite 42 on the brokerage market is a Carl Beyer-designed ketch built by Rex Marin, a 41-foot cruiser whose moderate-racer numbers and teak interior have kept her in demand among sailors wanting a proper ocean-capable platform without a racer's bare bones. Two cabin layouts appear: the owner three-cabin arrangement is the more common on the used market, but both versions are available, and ex-charter examples are common. A buyer's task is less about finding one than about reading the specific keel, engine, and deck history of each candidate.
Layouts on the Used Market
The dominant used-boat layout is the owner three-cabin configuration, with the alternative layout also turning up in listings. Ex-charter hulls are a frequent sight and merit closer inspection of wear points. The boat's teak interior and sandwich-deck construction are consistent across the range, but the yard offered different keel alternatives — a deeper iron fin keel of about 6.1 to 6.4 feet that restricts the boat to major marinas, and a shallower fin of roughly 5.1 to 5.4 feet that lets her into most harbours. That draft choice, more than the cabin count, should drive which example a cruising buyer pursues.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market the Aphrodite 42 commonly carries a practical offshore inventory. Heating and solar are commonly fitted, speaking to lived-aboard and temperate-water use. Navigation and self-steering kit is equally standard: radar, autopilot, chartplotter, and EPIRB are commonly fitted, as are furling main and bow thruster for shorthanded handling. Electric winches round out a commonly fitted deck-power cluster. For a buyer, the presence of a bow thruster and electric winches signals a boat set up for couple-or-solo cruising rather than a minimally equipped charter return.
What to Inspect
The deck is a fibreglass sandwich, and the period review noted the construction without itemizing core materials anchor. Inspect the deck for soft spots and any history of core repair. Confirm which keel is fitted and measure actual draft against load, since the keel drafts vary with load. Verify the engine alternative — the Volvo Penta MD31 with shaft drive is the best-documented, making 8.0 knots — and check the shaft seal and transmission.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Aphrodite 42s typically appear in the United Kingdom and United States markets. For a buyer, the shortlist is: confirm keel draft versus intended cruising grounds; survey the sandwich deck for moisture; verify the engine and shaft drive; and weigh the owner three-cabin layout against the alternative if cabin privacy matters. Ex-charter examples are common and should be surveyed for accelerated wear.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Aphrodite 42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25 | 1 | $52,987 | — |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $90,089 | +70.0% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $52,987 | -41.2% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $100,687 | +90.0% |
Where they're listed
Aphrodite 42 listings appear across 2 countries. Spain has the most listings with 2 (50.0%), followed by United Kingdom.
Country view
4 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | $100,687 | 2 | 2 | 50.0% |
| United Kingdom | $71,538 | 2 | 0 | 50.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
10 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wauquiez Amphitrite 43 | 42.75' | $ 88,726 | 34 | 11 |
| Valiant 42 | 42' | $ 299,999 | 22 | 7 |
| Siltala 42 | 42.65' | $ 268,704 | 19 | 5 |
| Moody 42 | 41.79' | $ 64,917 | 14 | 3 |
| Trintella 42 | 42.32' | $ 95,146 | 12 | 2 |
| Rustler 42 | 42' | $ 463,032 | 11 | 4 |
| Camper & Nicholsons 42 | 41.83' | $ 20,000 | 11 | 6 |
| Comfortina 42 | 42.19' | $ 188,614 | 7 | 4 |
| Oyster Yachts 42 | 41.83' | $ 189,531 | 6 | 0 |
| Aphrodite 42You are here | — | $ 95,388 | 4 | 2 |