Boat models · Spencer

Spencer 42

Sailboat, bluewater cruiser · built 1965-1983 · designed by John Brandlmayr

Key figures

Comfort34.1kindly offshore
Capsize screen1.7passes for offshore
SA/D16.8cruiser
D/L314heavy
Ballast ratio0.42stiff
Hull speed7.3kt
Built
1965-1983
Designer
John Brandlmayr
Builder
Spencer Boats Ltd.
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Keel
Full Keel
Length
42.3 ft
Beam / draft
11.3 ft · 6.0 ft
Displacement
19,000 lb

Design figures as published, not for any one hull. Full specifications on sailboatdata.com.

Reputation

Classbluewater cruiseras owners use it
Forumsrespectedpicked over its peers

Heavy, overbuilt early BC glass; solid offshore hull, but expect a deep refit on old ones.

Offshore passages
respected · thick early glass, full keel, offshore pedigree
Liveaboard
ordinary · good storage and joinery, dated systems
Loved
built like a tank, early heavy layup · no reported osmosis · quality interior joinery, lots of storage · Spencer name trusted for offshore
Gripes
dated 60s gelcoat and styling · old electrics need full replacement · big project for novices · rare, only about 26 built
Survey for
rot inside original wooden mast · original wiring · hard dodger condition and visibility · deferred maintenance on cheap project boats
Cross-shopped
Spencer 44 · Spencer 35 · Cheoy Lee Offshore 40 · Pearson Countess 44

Thin discussion; from cruisersforum.com, cruisersforum.com, sailboat.guide

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