Tartan 42 Buyer's Guide
The Tartan 42 is a Sparkman & Stephens-designed, Tartan Marine-built bluewater cruiser produced from 1980 to 1984, with just 34 hulls completed. On the used market it is a small-population S&S classic rather than a high-volume production boat, so each example rewards close individual inspection. Most boats carry a Scheel shoal-draft keel for coastal access, though some were built with deeper fin-keel alternatives, and the lead keel is universal across the class.
Layouts on the Used Market
Below the waterline the T-42 is a fin-keel, skeg-rudder hull with a 32-foot waterline and 12-foot-3 beam, giving a spacious teak interior that sleeps six to seven. The heavy-displacement hull and protected rudder make for stable liveaboard and passage layouts, and the 165-gallon water capacity supports extended self-sufficiency. Because only 34 were built, a buyer will encounter a mix of shoal Scheel and deeper fin keels rather than a single standard underwater profile, and that difference should shape any cruising-area judgment.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Solar is commonly fitted on brokerage T-42s, reflecting the boat's role as a slow-cruising platform where house-power autonomy matters. Owners have often added a watermaker, AIS, autopilot, and chartplotter, the kind of navigation and self-sufficiency gear that turns a 1980s cruiser into a modern passage-maker. Less common but seen as owner upgrades are wind generators, freezers, biminis, radar, and shorthanded sailing setups; the last of these is a meaningful consideration for a couple planning to handle the boat's powerful masthead rig without a full crew.
What to Inspect
A survey should confirm the specific keel type fitted and its attachment, since the design was built with different keel alternatives including shoal and deeper fin versions. Verify the lead keel integrity and the skeg-hung rudder support, as the protected, stable handling depends on that skeg structure. The inboard Westerbeke diesel noted as possible original equipment should be checked for age and service history, and the 79-gallon fuel tank reviewed for corrosion given the boat's production span from 1980 to 1984.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Tartan 42s typically appear in the United States and Mexico. For a buyer, the short checklist is: confirm whether the hull carries the Scheel shoal keel or a deeper fin; survey the skeg and rudder; verify the engine and tankage; and assess any added navigation or power systems against the boat's cruising intent. With only 34 built, provenance and original configuration outweigh market averages, and the S&S lineage supports enduring value for the careful purchaser.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Tartan 42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 25 | 1 | $72,000 | — |
| Apr 26 | 1 | $26,500 | -63.2% |
| Jul 26 | 9 | $89,000 | +235.8% |
| Aug 26 | 2 | $60,950 | -31.5% |
Where they're listed
Tartan 42 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 10 (83.3%), followed by Mexico.
Country view
12 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $89,000 | 10 | 9 | 83.3% |
| Mexico | $72,000 | 2 | 1 | 16.7% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
10 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tartan 37 | 37.29' | $ 47,000 | 73 | 27 |
| Tartan 33 | 33.67' | $ 23,500 | 23 | 6 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $ 89,000 | 21 | 7 |
| Valiant 42 | 42' | $ 299,999 | 18 | 4 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $ 151,950 | 18 | 4 |
| Tartan 34-2 | 34.42' | $ 29,900 | 17 | 5 |
| Tartan 42You are here | — | $ 89,000 | 13 | 11 |
| Tartan 40 | 40.25' | $ 89,900 | 13 | 3 |
| Tartan 41 | 40.63' | $ 61,450 | 8 | 3 |
| Oyster Yachts 42 | 41.83' | $ 201,641 | 7 | 2 |