The Rainbow 42 is a high-performance, IOR-influenced racer-cruiser designed by Danish architect Frans Harter and produced by Farsø Glasfiber in the mid-1980s. Emerging during a transitional era of yacht design where the rigid constraints of the International Offshore Rule (IOR) began to give way to the more speed-oriented International Measurement System (IMS), the Rainbow 42 was engineered for sailors who prioritized velocity and competitive potential without completely sacrificing the accommodations required for coastal cruising. Characterized by its light displacement and deep, high-aspect fin keel, the vessel gained a reputation in Northern Europe as a formidable contender in club racing and offshore regattas.
Rainbow 42 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Rainbow
- Model
- 42
- Builder
- Farsø Glasfiber
- Designer
- Frans Harter
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1986 - ??
Below are the most recent Rainbow 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) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 1 | $52,997 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | $50,641 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 42 | 42.92' | $49,700 | 14 | 3 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $136,950 | 14 | 3 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $109,450 | 12 | 4 |
| X-Yachts X-442 | 44.33' | $175,478 | 9 | 4 |
| Bavaria Match 42 | 41.18' | $97,161 | 8 | 4 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $84,500 | 6 | 3 |
| C&C 40-2 | 39.58' | $36,198 | 4 | 0 |
| Archambault 31 | 31.33' | $88,328 | 4 | 1 |
| Abbott 33 | 33.29' | $18,450 | 4 | 3 |
| Grand Soleil 45 Performance | 45.6' | $217,875 | 3 | 3 |
| Helmsman 42 | $51,819 | 2 | 1 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romania | $51,819 | 2 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Rainbow 42 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Rainbow 42 over the past 12 months is $51,819. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Rainbow 42 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 2 Rainbow 42 listings over the past 12 months, with 1 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Rainbow 42 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Rainbow 42 has decreased by 2.27% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Rainbow 42?
- Comparable models include the Beneteau First 42, Palmer Johnson J/42, Sabre 42. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.