The Oyster 42, designed by the legendary firm Holman & Pye and launched in 1989, represents a pivotal era for the British builder. It was introduced as the successor to the highly successful Oyster 406, aiming to provide a more modern, faster, and more voluminous hull while maintaining the brand’s reputation for offshore ruggedness. Unlike many of its siblings that leaned heavily into the center-cockpit deck saloon aesthetic, the Oyster 42 was primarily conceived as a performance-oriented aft-cockpit cruiser. This model bridged the gap between the traditional heavy-displacement cruisers of the early 1980s and the more streamlined, contemporary yachts that would define the 1990s. Approximately 11 hulls were built, making it a relatively rare and sought-after find on the secondary market for sailors who prioritize the safety of an Oyster with the ergonomics of an aft-cockpit arrangement.
Oyster 42 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Oyster
- Model
- 42
- Builder
- Oyster Marine
- Designer
- Holman & Pye
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1997 - ??
Below are the most recent Oyster 42 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| 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) |
|---|---|---|
| May 2025 | 1 | $203,807 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | $203,807 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | $203,807 |
| Mar 2026 | 1 | $240,751 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | $154,155 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42.2 | 41.99' | $84,821 | 25 | 7 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $136,950 | 14 | 3 |
| Valiant 42 | 42' | $299,999 | 14 | 9 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $109,450 | 12 | 4 |
| Moody 42 | 41.79' | $66,102 | 8 | 3 |
| Oyster Yachts 46 | 46' | $566,706 | 8 | 3 |
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42 | 41.01' | $93,068 | 7 | 2 |
| Comfortina 42 | 42.19' | $206,163 | 7 | 3 |
| Oyster 42 | $203,807 | 6 | 4 | |
| X-Yachts XC-42 | 42.03' | $463,197 | 5 | 2 |
| Oyster 45 | 44.33' | $294,519 | 4 | 1 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | $203,807 | 3 | 1 |
| United Kingdom | $154,155 | 2 | 2 |
| Saint Lucia | $240,751 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Oyster 42 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Oyster 42 over the past 12 months is $203,807. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Oyster 42 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 6 Oyster 42 listings over the past 12 months, with 4 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Oyster 42 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Oyster 42 has increased by 9.06% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Oyster 42?
- United Kingdom currently has the lowest median asking price at $154,155, while Saint Lucia is the most expensive at $240,751 — a 56% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Oyster 42?
- Comparable models include the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42.2, Palmer Johnson J/42, Valiant 42. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.