Morris M42 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Morris M42 means looking at a 42-foot Sparkman & Stephens–designed coastal cruiser that Morris Yachts built as the larger sibling of the M36, offered both as the standard M42 and the short-trunk M42 ST. These are sleek weekenders with real accommodations rather than bare daysailers, and they turn up in the United States and Canada. Because the M42 was a limited-production modern classic, the used fleet reflects owner care more than factory options alone, so a buyer should weigh layout against the known construction and equipment details.
Layouts on the Used Market
The two deck configurations share more or less identical interiors, so the choice is largely about profile and headroom presentation: the M42 ST pairs the smaller boat's look with the full 6-foot-3-inch saloon headroom of the larger model. Below, you get an open saloon with white bulkheads and glossed wood trim, a U-shaped galley, a queen berth with overhead hatch, and a forward V-berth set behind a watertight bulkhead and anchor locker. A roomy cockpit with cushioned seats and a drop-leaf table connects to the cabin three steps down, and the short-trunk version simply trims the cabin top for classic lines without changing the living space.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Well-equipped M42s on the market commonly carry air conditioning and an inverter for shore-power comfort, while a self-tacking jib, gennaker or asymmetric spinnaker, and a furling main define the sail plan buyers will usually find. Electric winches are commonly fitted, and navigation is typically handled by radar, AIS, autopilot, and chartplotter. A dodger and hot water round out the common cruising upgrades, meaning most boats need little added for casual coastal use beyond a buyer's personal preferences.
What to Inspect
The M42 was built with a cored, vinylester composite hull using Carbon-Epoxy and Kevlar, so survey attention should go to any cored-deck moisture or hull impact. The boat was delivered without pulpit, lifelines, or pushpit, so check whether later owners added safety rails and how well they were mounted. A deck hatch opens to the anchor locker with a hidden Lewmar windlass and folding bow roller; verify the windlass operation and the watertight bulkhead separating the V-berth from the bow. The Yanmar 39-horsepower saildrive with two-bladed Flex-O-Fold propeller should be surveyed for saildrive seal condition given the 40-gallon fuel capacity quoted by the builder against 25 gallons in one review spec.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Morris M42s typically appear in the United States and Canada, where the brand's Maine heritage and Sparkman & Stephens styling sustain interest. A short buyer's checklist:
- Confirm whether M42 or M42 ST deck configuration suits your headroom and profile taste
- Inspect for added lifelines or pushpit if open perimeter concerns you
- Test Lewmar windlass and verify watertight forward bulkhead
- Survey saildrive seals and reconcile fuel-capacity figures in documentation
- Confirm self-tacking jib, furling main, and electric winches are operational
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Morris M42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 9 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25 | 1 | $644,725 | — |
| Jun 25 | 1 | $495,000 | -23.2% |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $524,000 | +5.9% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $545,000 | +4.0% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $545,000 | 0.0% |
| Mar 26 | 2 | $525,000 | -3.7% |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $525,000 | 0.0% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $550,000 | +4.8% |
| Sep 26 | 2 | $550,000 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Morris M42 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 9.
Country view
9 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $545,000 | 9 | 3 | 100.0% |
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 C42 | 40.62' | $ 345,327 | 142 | 22 |
| First First 42 | 42.92' | $ 49,500 | 27 | 9 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $ 144,900 | 19 | 4 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $ 89,000 | 19 | 8 |
| Dehler 42 | 42.13' | $ 316,647 | 17 | 3 |
| Moody 41 Classic | 41.67' | $ 349,646 | 14 | 4 |
| Morris M42You are here | — | $ 545,000 | 9 | 3 |
| Morgan 42-2 | 42' | $ 23,000 | 8 | 3 |
| Comfortina 42 | 42.19' | $ 188,005 | 7 | 4 |
| Oyster Yachts 42 | 41.83' | $ 188,839 | 6 | 0 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $ 72,607 | 4 | 1 |