Boat models · Beneteau
Beneteau First 42
Sailboat, racer-cruiser · built 1981-1985 · designed by German Frers
Key figures
Comfort24.6moderate
Capsize screen1.97passes for offshore
SA/D17.7cruiser
D/L179light
Ballast ratio0.47stiff
Hull speed8kt
- Built
- 1981-1985
- Designer
- German Frers
- Builder
- Beneteau (FRA)
- Rig
- Masthead Sloop
- Keel
- Fin keel with spade rudder (iron ballast)
- Length
- 42.9 ft
- Beam / draft
- 13.1 ft · 7.3 ft
- Displacement
- 18,738 lb
Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.
Reputation
Classracer-cruiseras owners use it
Forumsrespectedpicked over its peers
Frers-drawn, fast and tough. A real passagemaker if you can live with the tight engine access.
- Offshore passages
- respected · stable, keeps going when others heave to
- Coastal cruising
- respected · averages 8 knots, easy for a couple
- Club racing
- respected · unusually fast for its era
- Loved
- gorgeous Frers lines · fast, 6+ knots even in light air · solidly built, handles foul weather · manageable by a small older crew
- Gripes
- tight engine and transmission access · a lot squeezed into small spaces · often sold light on equipment
- Survey for
- engine/transmission service access · general wear on old 1980s boats
- Cross-shopped
- Valiant 40 · Swan 41 · Sabre 42
Thin discussion; from sailnet.com
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