The Beneteau First 42, introduced in the early 1980s, remains a landmark vessel in the evolution of the modern cruiser-racer. 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, offshore-capable 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 blue-water passage-making. It is characterized by its powerful lines, significant beam, and the robust construction typical of Beneteau’s early fiberglass era.
Beneteau First 42 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Beneteau
- Model
- First 42
- Builder
- Beneteau
- Designer
- German Frers
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1981 - 1985
Below are the most recent Beneteau First 42 sailboat listings (up to 10).
Standard listing sites miss the technical details sailors need. Our database of 10,000+ models unlocks advanced filtering so you can search by keel type, rig configuration, and performance ratios—even when the seller forgot to include them.
Search across multiple sailboat listing websites at once, and get notified of new listings!
Example: Daily emails for "40 ft fin keel fractional sloops under $200k in Canada"Start Searching Now
| 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 2025 | 1 | $49,900 |
| May 2025 | 4 | $49,500 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | $39,500 |
| Sep 2025 | 2 | $53,015 |
| Oct 2025 | 1 | $49,900 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | $59,900 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | $49,900 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | $51,893 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 40.7 | 39.25' | $93,628 | 66 | 23 |
| Beneteau First 44.7 | 44.83' | $149,900 | 39 | 16 |
| Beneteau First 38 | 40.2' | $35,213 | 26 | 8 |
| Beneteau First 44 | 46.42' | $479,000 | 25 | 13 |
| Beneteau First 42 | $49,700 | 14 | 3 | |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $136,950 | 14 | 3 |
| Beneteau First 456 | 45.5' | $74,598 | 14 | 7 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $109,450 | 12 | 4 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $84,500 | 6 | 3 |
| C&C 40-2 | 39.58' | $36,198 | 4 | 0 |
| Beneteau First 44 Performance | 48.06' | $587,439 | 1 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $49,500 | 11 | 2 |
| Spain | $78,568 | 1 | 0 |
| Greece | $56,530 | 1 | 0 |
| Italy | $58,885 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Beneteau First 42 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Beneteau First 42 over the past 12 months is $49,700. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Beneteau First 42 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 14 Beneteau First 42 listings over the past 12 months, with 3 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Beneteau First 42 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Beneteau First 42 has increased by 0.4% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Beneteau First 42?
- United States currently has the lowest median asking price at $49,500, while Spain is the most expensive at $78,568 — a 59% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Beneteau First 42?
- Comparable models include the Beneteau First 40.7, Beneteau First 44.7, Beneteau First 38. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.