Bavaria C42 Buyer's Guide
The Bavaria C42 entered production in 2020 as Cossutti Yacht Design's fourth Bavaria and the first model under the marque's renewed management, and it has since become a familiar name in the brokerage market. A 40-foot hull without the bowsprit, stretching to just over 42 feet with the sprit, it pairs a chined volume hull with a tall rig and a genuinely usable cruising interior. For a shopper weighing used examples, the practical questions are layout, fitted equipment, and a short list of construction details worth checking before purchase.
Layouts on the Used Market
Owner three-cabin versions are the more common on the used market, though two-cabin boats appear as well, and ex-charter examples are common. The three-cabin arrangement gives a forward master with private head, twin aft double berths, and a second head opposite the galley; the two-cabin version trades the aft berths for more stowage and salon space. Both share the deck-stepped mast saloon, low coachroof with extra-long companionway for light, and an L-shaped galley with fridge, three-burner stove, and microwave. Six berths are listed for the standard layout. A fold-down transom and open bimini/dodger cockpit with twin wheels and a centre table define the outdoor living space regardless of cabin count.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Most used C42s carry a strong cruising inventory as standard or common fit. Power and docking aids commonly include a bow thruster, electric cabintop winches, and a 40hp Yanmar saildrive with push-button start. Navigation is typically centred on a chartplotter and autopilot, often with AIS and radar as often-seen additions. Sail handling usually features a furling main and self-tacking jib, with heating and a cockpit shower fitted as standard creature comforts. Teak decks and a bimini are commonly present. Less common owner upgrades include air conditioning, solar panels, an asymmetric spinnaker, and a dodger—useful to confirm individually rather than assume.
What to Inspect
A few documented points deserve a buyer's attention. The shrouds went slack on one new-model test sail after a couple of tacks; the dealer attributed this to rigging not being bedded in or pre-delivery-inspected under COVID constraints, so a thorough rig tune and tension check is prudent on any example. Electronics were mounted in non-watertight lockers on the reviewed boat, meaning you should verify that key panels and connections are protected from spray. Sole panels are screwed down, which slows bilge access, though numerous access hatches exist. Some bare ply and veneered bulkheads in the reviewed boat were judged unlikely to prove durable, so inspect visible joinery in damp areas such as the head and galley kick panels.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Used C42s are typically found in Spain, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Italy, the United States, and Greece. For a buyer, the checklist is straightforward: confirm whether the boat is a two- or three-cabin and ex-charter or private; verify the rig has been properly tuned and inspected; check electronics locker sealing and bulkhead condition; and confirm which of the common upgrades—bow thruster, heating, furling main, autopilot—are actually fitted. A well-kept example offers a modern, high-volume coastal and offshore cruiser with an easy-handling rig at a sensible size.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Bavaria C42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 20 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $308,798 | — |
| Feb 25 | 3 | $315,557 | +2.2% |
| Mar 25 | 2 | $382,323 | +21.2% |
| Apr 25 | 5 | $271,812 | -28.9% |
| May 25 | 2 | $264,518 | -2.7% |
| Jun 25 | 2 | $399,500 | +51.0% |
| Jul 25 | 3 | $290,154 | -27.4% |
| Aug 25 | 3 | $395,000 | +36.1% |
| Sep 25 | 12 | $318,572 | -19.3% |
| Oct 25 | 6 | $317,538 | -0.3% |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $249,952 | -21.3% |
| Dec 25 | 6 | $347,835 | +39.2% |
| Jan 26 | 4 | $279,093 | -19.8% |
| Feb 26 | 5 | $337,930 | +21.1% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $305,594 | -9.6% |
| Apr 26 | 50 | $327,398 | +7.1% |
| May 26 | 44 | $428,143 | +30.8% |
| Jun 26 | 4 | $384,706 | -10.1% |
| Jul 26 | 5 | $320,451 | -16.7% |
| Aug 26 | 9 | $297,146 | -7.3% |
Where they're listed
Bavaria C42 listings appear across 12 countries. Spain has the most listings with 42 (29.2%), followed by United Kingdom and Croatia.
Country view
144 listings · 12 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | $390,950 | 42 | 9 | 29.2% |
| United Kingdom | $428,143 | 37 | 0 | 25.7% |
| Croatia | $232,488 | 17 | 4 | 11.8% |
| Italy | $284,716 | 14 | 2 | 9.7% |
| Greece | $260,439 | 10 | 4 | 6.9% |
| United States | $394,500 | 8 | 0 | 5.6% |
| Netherlands | $371,723 | 5 | 0 | 3.5% |
| Germany | $324,530 | 4 | 1 | 2.8% |
| Turkey | $249,952 | 3 | 0 | 2.1% |
| France | $489,416 | 2 | 0 | 1.4% |
| Canada | $333,224 | 1 | 0 | 0.7% |
| Denmark | $403,785 | 1 | 0 | 0.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
11 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bavaria Yachts C42You are here | — | $ 337,930 | 148 | 23 |
| Catalina 42 | 41.86' | $ 79,000 | 113 | 29 |
| Bavaria Yachts C45 | 47.34' | $ 326,278 | 90 | 17 |
| First First 42 | 42.92' | $ 49,500 | 24 | 7 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $ 89,000 | 21 | 7 |
| Hanse 342 | 33.96' | $ 72,494 | 21 | 4 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $ 151,950 | 18 | 4 |
| X-Yachts XC-42 | 42.03' | $ 523,369 | 15 | 10 |
| Robertson and Caine 42 / Moorings 4200 | 41.57' | $ 595,195 | 12 | 1 |
| Comfortina 42 | 42.19' | $ 196,932 | 11 | 4 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $ 77,623 | 6 | 1 |