Design and Construction
Frers gave the R/C 42 a solid fiberglass monohull, iron fin keel, and spade rudder—a straightforward structure typical of Beneteau’s early-1980s performance line. She displaces 18,600 pounds and carries 8,700 pounds of ballast. Her 47% ballast ratio and 174 displacement-length ratio mark her as a light racer by the standard classification.
The 13-foot-2-inch beam and 36-foot-3-inch waterline produce a length-to-beam ratio of 3.32, a proportion that favors interior volume and downwind stability over narrow-helmed reserve. A capsize screening value of 1.99 and Motion Comfort Ratio of 24.0 round out a performance profile that’s quick in form but not extreme.
Rig and Handling
The masthead rig carries 735 square feet of sail area, giving the R/C 42 a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.75. That’s enough canvas to keep her lively in modest breeze without requiring a full race crew. Her theoretical hull speed is 8.1 knots, as expected for a displacement hull of this length.
The running-control dimensions are generous. Jib and genoa sheets are 43.7 feet long and 5/8 inch in diameter, the mainsheet is 109.2 feet in the same diameter, and the spinnaker sheet is 96.1 feet. All are sized for the long leads a masthead rig requires.
Depending on load, the R/C 42 draws between 7.25 and 7.55 feet, restricting her to deeper major marinas. Her immersion rate is 1,662 pounds per inch, so she sits heavily once provisioned.
Accommodations and Cruising Systems
Headroom is above average for a yacht of this length and era, according to yachtdatabase.com. Tankage consists of 105.7 gallons of water and 39.6 gallons of diesel, providing reasonable cruising range for a boat of her displacement. A 50-horsepower Perkins 4108 diesel provides the sole propulsion.
The mast rises 57 feet 3 inches above the waterline, setting the clearance a buyer must allow beneath fixed bridges.
Verdict
The R/C 42 is a Frers-designed light racer with the volume and rig scale of a serious cruiser. She suits an owner who wants performance without a custom deck, but her draft and immersion rate require careful marina planning.
Pros
- Light-racer displacement profile and a 16.75 SA/D ratio for lively performance
- Above-average headroom for her length
- Solid fiberglass hull with a fin keel and spade rudder
Cons
- Draft of 7.25–7.55 feet limits her to major marinas
- An immersion rate of 1,662 pounds per inch means she loads deeply when provisioned
- The 39.6-gallon fuel capacity is modest for extended cruising
