Beneteau First 42 Sailboats for Sale

German Frers·1981 – 1985·Beneteau
Beneteau First 42 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull Type
Monohull · fin
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
42.92' · 13.08 m
Disp.
18,738 lbs · 8,499 kg
First year
1981

The Beneteau First 42, introduced in the early 1980s, remains a landmark vessel in the evolution of the modern cruiserracer. Designed by the esteemed naval architect German Frers, it was tasked with bridging the gap between the demanding requirements of the International Offshore Rule (IOR) racing circuit and the growing demand for luxurious, offshorecapable cruising yachts. Launched during a period when Beneteau was aggressively expanding into the North American market, the First 42 quickly gained a reputation as a "gentleman’s racer"—a boat that could hold its own on a Wednesday night regatta while providing the amenities necessary for extended coastal or bluewater passagemaking. It is characterized by its powerful lines, significant beam, and the robust construction typical of Beneteau’s early fiberglass era.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 49,500
Asking price · 21 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
9
21 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
-19.2%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
6
United States (66.7%) · Canada (11.1%) · Spain (5.6%)

Recent Listings

18 for sale · showing 10 newest

Where they're listed

Beneteau First 42 listings appear across 6 countries. United States has the most listings with 12 (66.7%), followed by Canada and Spain.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country view

18 listings · 6 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 49,50012366.7%
Canada$ 28,3242211.1%
Spain$ 76,452105.6%
Greece$ 54,832105.6%
Italy$ 51,405105.6%
Portugal$ 39,982115.6%

Comparable models

Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.

Similar boats to compare

7 similar designs
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Beneteau First 3840.2'$ 34,156329
First First 42You are here$ 49,500219
Palmer Johnson J/4242'$ 151,950184
Sabre 4241.75'$ 99,900153
Bavaria Match 4241.18'$ 91,387134
Morgan 42-242'$ 21,50063
Baltic 4242.43'$ 69,50051

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Beneteau First 42 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Beneteau First 42 over the past 12 months is $49,500. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Beneteau First 42 sailboats are for sale?+
9 Beneteau First 42 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 21 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Beneteau First 42 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Beneteau First 42 is down 19.2% over the last 3 months compared with the 12-month median.
04Where are Beneteau First 42 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Beneteau First 42 listings over the past 12 months are United States (66.7%), Canada (11.1%), Spain (5.6%).
05Do Beneteau First 42 listings get price reductions?+
About 50% of Beneteau First 42 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 5.9% off the original ask. If a listing has been on the market for more than 90 days without a cut, the seller may not be in a hurry.
06What should I look at instead of a Beneteau First 42?+
Comparable models include Beneteau First 38, Palmer Johnson J/42, Sabre 42. Use the comparison table above to check pricing and availability.