42' beneteau sailboat

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Beneteau First 42s 7

A recent addition to the first series, the 42s7, is a handsome, production racer/ cruiser design from bruce farr..

Since it first began producing performance-oriented cruisers in 1976, Beneteau has achieved tremendous success in the American market; it is now the third largest producer in America, outsold only by Catalina and Hunter. Like them, Beneteau strives for contemporary, affordable designs that are efficiently built.

We recently checked out the 42s7 Owner’s Version, a recent addition to the First line, which continues Beneteau’s trend of offering boats, both in lines and accommodations, that attempt to establish a look that is distinctive in a crowd.

The Company

Beneteau, which advertises itself as the largest manufacturer of boats in the world, was founded in 1884 by Benjamin Beneteau to build trawlers for fishermen. Nearly a century later, in 1964, the company entered the field of motorboat and sailboat construction, and began employing fiberglass construction methods. Operation of the company continues under the direction of Annette Roux, who along with two brothers represents the third generation of family members to manage the company.

Beneteau introduced its First line of sailboats in 1976, a series of performance yachts that produced race-winning results on the international circuit. Ten years later, the Oceanis line followed, targeted to a market described by the company as those “enjoying the pleasure of the sea.” The combination of a strong American dollar and a then-growing boating market resulted in the company’s decision in 1986 to open a production facility in Marion, South Carolina, where both lines of boats are produced. The company has built more than 1,000 boats at its American facility. Annual gross sales are estimated at more than $70 million.

The Design Beneteau has commissioned the services of well­known designers, mostly Frenchmen.

Andre Maurie designed the First 30, which won Boat of the Year Honors at the Paris Boat Show in 1978. Jean Berret designed Beneteau’s Admiral’s Cup winner in 1985 and the First 345 (PS December, 1991). PhilIipe Briand, who designed the French America’s Cup contender, drew the lines for the Oceanis 350 (PS Novem­ber 1, 1995).

Bruce Farr, perhaps the most prominent designer of racing yachts in the world today, has designed the most recent additions to the First line. Prior to lofting the 42s7, Beneteau commissioned him to design a number of larger boats, including the 50.

Russell Bowler of the Farr office in Annapolis, who also was involved in each project, told us that the challenge in designing the 42s7 was to ameliorate the compromise between Beneteau’s desire to have large interi­or volume and, at the same time, have hull shapes that would satisfy the so­called performance cruiser.

In Bowler’s words, “The 42s7 has benefited from our early work with the company, since we have contin­ued to tinker with the basic design to create a shape that produces a fast boat. We also have integrated new technology in the production phase to produce lighter boats more efficiently.”

Phillippe Starck, a designer of boat interiors, joined the team to style the accommodations.

The First 42s7 follows the Beneteau tradition of sexy, Euro-styled boats, though it does not have the wraparound windshields found on some models, nor does it have a com­pletely plumb bow.

Rather, the boat has a soft, rounded profile, especially in the stern, where the transom is almost oval shaped. The deck is uncluttered, benefiting from a fiberglass halyard cov­er, a section of fiberglass under which are led to the cockpit all lines except jib and spinnaker sheets. The cabin­top has an exceptionally low profile, especially for a boat that has 6′ 5″ headroom in the saloon. In turn, this means fairly high freeboard. With a light-to-moderate displacement of about 179, there’s not much below the waterline.

The Sparcraft mast is a 7 /8 fractional rig with two sets of slightly swept-back spreaders. The mainsail luff measurement of the cruising version is 47.41′; the racing version is 52.49′. Standing rigging is Navtec rod, and shrouds terminate more than 18″ inboard of the toerail, which facili­tates easy movement along the side­deck. The backstay has an adjuster. The sail area/ displacement ratio ranges from 17.8 to 19.5, depending on whether you have the standard or race rig.

Underwater appendages, however, are not Grand Prix racing shapes, though still slippery. The rudder is a conventional spade design, and the rudderpost is made of composite materials, a boatbuilding trend that saves weight. Three keels are available: a deep fin and two shoal draft versions, one with a bulb and another with winglets.

Two windows are molded into each side of the hull, as are four open­ing ports. Narrow, vertical windows are molded into the cabin just aft of the shrouds, and four hatches are situated on deck. The overall affect of this arrangement is an interior filled with light, even on cloudy days.

Deck/Cockpit Layout

If you don’t like the maintenance of teak, you ’11 like the deck plan. The cabin top handrails are stainless steel, which, of course, are less expensive and lighter than teak. The only wood on the deck is a highly varnished teak toerail, and teak inserts in the cockpit seats. An aluminum toerail can be substituted.

Beneteau 42s7

LOA: 42′ 6″

LWL: 35′ 9″

Beam: 13′ 6″

Draft (deep) 7′ 7″

Draft (shoal): 5′ 11″

Displacement: 18,220 lbs.

Ballast (deep): 6,283 lbs.

Ballast (shoal): 5,840 lbs.

Sail area (cruise): 771 sq. ft.

Sail area (race): 845 sq. ft.

Sail area/disp. ratio: 17.8-19.5

Disp./length ratio: 179

Righting Moment: 115 degrees

The fiberglass halyard cover makes for a cleaner deck and reduces the likelihood of crew tripping over lines.

An anodized aluminum section on the bow doubles as the stem fitting and anchor roller. While this one­piece arrangement must be cost effec­tive, the short roller will not easily accommodate a plow anchor … maybe a lightweight style, but those seldom stow well on rollers. On the First 42s7, odds are the anchor will be stowed below when underway. For regular cruising, you’d want to workout a better arrangement.

The anchor locker has a platform large enough to mount a windlass and stow a decent chain and rope rode. The drum of the ProFurl roller reefer also is below deck level in the anchor compartment, which keeps the bearing race out of the weather and the drum out of the way of the anchor when hauling the latter aboard. We’re glad to see Beneteau using the top notch ProFurl, especially after the headaches a number of owners expe­rienced last year when some Isofurl systems failed and had to be recalled.

Standard running rigging for internal main and genoa halyards is 7 /16″ rope. Halyards, outhaul, Cunningham, and lines for the lsomat solid vang are led aft to six Spinlock stoppers mounted on the bridgedeck forward of Lewmar 44 self-tailing winches.

The mainsheet and traveler system, which is equipped with Harken blocks and track, is situated forward of the companionway. Though control lines are led to the cockpit, they are so far from the wheel that a single­handed sailor will find this arrange­ment difficult to manage unless there’s an autopilot. Again, the emphasis is on racing with a crew.

The track for the jib sheets is laid at the inner edge of the toerail, which avoids stubbed toes. Harken track and turning blocks are standard equip­ment. A block and tackle arrangement that allows changes in sheeting angles while under load, a feature typically found only on racing boats, is a part of the system.

Stanchions are 24″, all through bolted and secured with backing plates, and double lifelines.

Aside from its most prominent feature-a 55″ destroyer wheel covered with dark leather-the cockpit is an unremarkable area. It is large enough to seat eight people and is contoured for comfort.

Two cavernous lazarettes are situ­ated beneath the stern seat, which spans the width of the boat. Aside from being easily accessible, the covers are large enough for an adult to climb down into the area. On the Owner’s Version, there is a second lazarette to starboard; on the tri-cabin model, however, much of that space is lost .

The stern section also houses a swim platform and freshwater shower that folds down when in use; it is secured by the low-tech arrangement of a line running from the stern through a block on the platform and back to a cam cleat mounted in the lazarette.

A pair of Lewmar #50 self-tailing cockpit jib sheet winches will be ad­equate for flying light air drifters. Two additional winches will be necessary to fly a conventional spinnaker.

The plethora of ports, hatches, and a 5/8″ acrylic companionway hatch combine to bring in a lot of light. Combined with the 13′ beam and 6′ 5″ headroom, there is a feeling of spa­ciousness. Portlights can be covered by pulling out the roll-up shades.

Starck’ s interior of pearwood, plastic counters and smooth gelcoat surfaces has little nautical feeling. But for the sound of wind whistling in the shrouds, the feel is similar to that of a contemporary living room.

The boat we inspected is the full­time residence of two professionals in Seattle who are experiencing the live-aboard life-style for the first time. Three months after moving from a three-bedroom residence, they have concluded that, with careful planning and the rental of a storage locker for seasonal gear, the 42-footer is spacious enough to meet their needs. The saloon and galley are about 14′ long.

The Owner’s Version has a large cabin aft to port, a head off the saloon, a second cabin located forward of the saloon, and a second head in the bow. The tri-cabin version has two smaller berths in the stern, and the same arrangement forward.

The centerpiece of the saloon in each model is a rounded settee fur­nished with brightly covered cushions. The dining area, which mea­sures 72″ x 94″, includes a separate, moveable cushioned bench that dou­bles as a storage compartment. Additional seating is on a port side settee.

A nav station, which faces aft, is located at the end of the port settee in the saloon. Based on our cruising experience, we think navigators might prefer a larger space; the chart table is 31″ inches wide by 23″ deep, with two drawers and a small storage area un­der the table. The instrument panel is large enough for a basic electronic package (VHF, GPS, stereo); the addition of computers, CRT and plotters would require imaginative carpentry.

Wires run below the cabin sole in PVC conduit, and inside the cabin located in the nav station. Spade ter­minals are used, which should avoid failures found in some boards used on other Beneteau models. The company says that wires are unbroken be­tween the board and appliances, reducing the possibility of failures. Repairs will be difficult. And, as electrical accessories are added, the panel will probably need to be expanded.

The L-shaped galley is situated to starboard, aft of the dining area. It is equipped with a gimbaled Eno three­burner stove. A single stainless steel sink is aft of the stove, as is the Frigo­matic refrigerator, which measures 18″ x 13″ x 12″. Enclosed storage areas line the hull. A garbage container is mounted on a door. Counters are covered with Avonite, a white material similar to Formica.

The owner’s stateroom is a spacious, enclosed compartment located to port with 6′ of standing room. The berth is 6′ 7″ x 5″ 11″ and has 5′ of overhead clearance; a hanging locker and shelves on the port hull provide a modicum of storage, as does the aft head, which doubles as a wet locker.

The aft head, situated to port, is equipped with a stainless sink, hot and cold pressure water and a shower nozzle, toilet, and small medicine cabinet, but is rather cramped at 39″ long by 42-1/2″ wide. Showering in the space will be a challenge.

By comparison, the head in the bow is 46″ long, 62″ wide, so has significantly more elbow room since it spans the width of the boat. It has identical features, but with a larger vanity, a three-panel, mirrored medi­cine cabinet and sink, and toilet. Using a head in the bow, in even moderate seas, is an adventure, of course.

The forward stateroom has a small­er 6″ 5″ x 4′ 9″ berth, a settee large enough to seat two adults, a small hanging locker and storage drawers below the berth.

Construction

Some years ago, a spate of blistering problems gave the company a black eye. According to Mike Thoney, a spokesman for Beneteau, the blister­ing problem occurred between 1983- liner to a hinged, 16-circuit panel86 when a defective catalyst was used in hull lay-ups. Eventually, he said, the manufacturer of the catalyst es­tablished a repair fund and every boat produced during that period was re­paired. Thoney told us that there have been no recurrences. Though that may be true, we know that on an industry­wide basis, a certain percentage of boats, even those built without defective catalyst, can be expected to blister for other reasons. The company warrants the hull and deck structure for five years.

Construction is a three- step meth­od that begins with the application of gelcoat, over which is sprayed Bene­teau Watershield System, a polyes­ter, which bonds to the gelcoat and prevents blisters. (Tests of barrier coats, including those conducted by Practical Sailor, have shown viny­lester to be the best protection against blistering.) The hull is uncored, laid­up with chopped glass, woven roving and mat, with unidirectional fabric used at the hull-deck joint. A layer of Trivera is applied on the topsides to prevent print-through, of which we found no evidence.

The second step involves installation of a molded, one-piece fiberglass grid of stringers and floors that runs the length and width of the hull. It is bonded to the hull with a polyester compound, then glassed around the edges with 10″-wide fiberglass tape. The grid incorporates the engine mount, supports for fuel and water tanks, and receivers for bulkheads, which are bonded in place with a polyurethane compound.

The balsa-cored deck is then joint­ed to the hull and bulkheads. The hull-deck joint is an internal hull flange that is bonded with 3M 5200 and fastened with aircraft rivets through the toe rail, deck and flange. Though we have a preference for fasteners with washers and bolts, and bulkheads tabbed directly to the hull and deck, Bowler said that boats in service in charter fleets have recorded thousands of miles with no movement of internal sections or leaks in the hull-deck joint.

Unlike some of the other Beneteau boats we’ve reviewed, the 42s7 has lead ballast, which is preferable to cast iron, the latter not being as dense and requiring epoxy coatings to keep it from rusting.

Performance

We sailed two of the 42s7’s, though in less than ideal conditions for a test.

On the first, we sailed in a winter race in light breezes on flat seas with a relatively new owner and inexperi­enced crew.

With practice, our neophyte skipper executed quick tacks, and the boat accelerated quickly, considering the conditions. The deck layout made crew movement and sail handling uneventful. (A year later, the same skipper and crew won their class in the 125-mile Newport-Ensenada race, in 12-15 knot winds.)

The live-aboard couple completed a three-week cruise shortly after purchasing their boat and reported that except for its light air performance, the boat met their expectations. They feel that a drifter is a must in winds below six knots. Later, they encountered 15 to 20-knot winds and 4′ to 6′ waves while crossing a 40-mile strait, eventually shortening the genoa to keep the rail out of the water. They said that lazy jacks on the fully-bat­tened mainsail are necessary because of its size and weight.

Under power provided by a 50-hp. Yanmar diesel, she motors at 6-7 knots. We found the helm to be very light; one half turn of the wheel produced a 180-degree turn, and she completes 360 degrees in a reasonable circle. The boat also backed in a straight.

Conclusions

The 42s7 is a boat that will flee before a storm, claw off a lee shore, and provide crew comfort above and belowdecks. We like Farr’s Beneteau designs because they present lower profiles and fast hulls.

We prefer more traditional interiors to Starck’s, but that is a personal matter. From an objective standpoint, they are bright and nicely finished. But they may give headaches to owners forced to deal with wiring or other problems in which the structural pan inhibits access.

While Practical Sailor readers report that Beneteau maintains a pretty good customer service department, much of the gear is French and obtaining replacement parts may at some point prove difficult.

Base price of the boat, including sails, is $183,500. A racing version, with a taller mast and assorted gear, sells for $200,000 without sails. For comparison, a Catalina 42 lists for $155,000, a Sabre 402 for $224,900 and a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42CC for $214,600.

Beneteau USA, 8720 Red Oak Blvd., Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28217; 704/527-8244.

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First 42 S / Deep draft

Sailboat specifications.

• Last update: 15th March 2020

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First 42's main dimensions, first 42's rig and sails, first 42's performances, first 42's auxiliary engine, first 42's accommodations and layout.

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Beneteau 42s7

• By Bill Lee
• Updated: October 28, 2001

The Beneteau First 42s7is a very good sailing boat. In addition to the straight cruising version that we tested, she is offered in a racing version with a larger mainsail, a more flexible mast for mainsail shape control, and additional racing gear. I understand that she has been successful on the IMS cruiser/racer circuit. She is well built, has nice cruising accommodations for two couples and is easy to handle. She also represents good value at under $200,000.

Cockpit and Deck

The 42s7 features an aft cockpit layout, which many cruisers and pretty much all racers prefer over the midship cockpit configuration. The cockpit is compact but very comfortable, with good foot bracing for the crew when the boat heels. Lewmar 52 self-tailing primary sheet winches are located well forward on the cockpit coamings, which renders them operable by the crew though not conveniently from the helm. The mainsheet and traveler, plus all halyards and reefing lines, run through stoppers to Lewmar 44 self-tailers on the aft end of the cabin. Sitting at the helm is comfortable from windward or leeward, either when level or heeled. The cockpit lockers are very large, offering more than ample storage for sails, rubber boats and other bulky or dirty gear. Beneteau’s excellent no-snag cockpit locker latches lock automatically upon closing, enhancing convenience and safety under way. They are designed not to catch lines and may be operated from the inside by pulling the plunger directly. The white deck non-skid is terrific, though it might fare better slightly tinted because white is so harsh on the eyes in bright sunlight. The flush anchor locker on the foredeck encloses a manual anchor winch and provides access to the under-deck roller furler. Cabin top handrails are stainless for low maintenance, but unfortunately they do not extend forward of the mast. The deckhouse sides and cockpit coamings slope gently. This, combined with a little extra deck camber, is likely the result of styling considerations but the trade-off is that getting around ends up more difficult than necessary, especially on the leeward gangway. Generally I like the styling of Beneteaus, specifically boats of theirs such as the Oceanis 400, but to my eye the Beneteau stylists let their pen get away from them on the exterior of the 42s7, avoiding somewhat the principle that form should follow function.

Despite this the boat has many good safety features. For instance, she is one of the few boats we sailed in 1995 that included as standard equipment jack-line-attachment pad eyes on the foredeck and side decks aft; unfortunately safety harness pad eyes in the cockpit were not provided. Any serious offshore vessel should be fitted with strong pad eyes low in the cockpit and close to the centerline, at least one by the companionway and one by the wheel, and it is best to fit these during the manufacturing process because so many new owners are loath to drill holes in a brand-new boat for that purpose; worse yet, they may drill in the wrong place. The mast is an aluminum Blue Label by Sparcraft, featuring slightly swept-back double spreaders and discontinuous rod rigging. It is stepped through the deck for extra stiffness and security. The cruising mast is stiff enough to make runners unnecessary. The full-battened mainsail is fit with conventional slides but still it hoists easily. For ease of handling, the mainsail is equipped with lazy jacks and the jib is on a manual-control furler. Beneteau has done an excellent job of color-coding control lines — black jib sheets and halyard; white mainsheet and main halyard; red and green mainsail reefs; blue traveler and jib-lead control lines.

Underbody and Construction

The 42s7 is available with either a 7’7″ draft performance keel or a 5’8″ shoal-draft keel. One of the boat’s rudder bearings is fit into the bottom of the boat. The other bearing is mounted in the top of a large fiberglass cone that is built up from the boat’s bottom. I would prefer to see the upper rudder bearing mounted in the deck or under the helmsman’s seat for better support and to increase the effective distance between rudder bearings, but the cone bearing condition does include a wide base at the hull interface and a thoroughly substantial lay-up schedule throughout its breadth. The 42s7 subscribes typically to Beneteau construction ideology with both hull and deck reinforced structurally by interior fiberglass liners. Bulkheads are slotted and glued into grooves molded into the deck liner.

Going below, the ladder descends at a user-friendly 30-degree angle, and the edges of the steps are curved up to 27 degrees at each edge to keep one’s foot from sliding off when heeled. Access to the engine is quite straightforward, accomplished by lifting the stairs or unhinging additional access doors in the after cabin enclosures.

The airy interior features double staterooms fore and aft, each with a dedicated head. Aluminum handrails along the interior cabin sides are well placed. Ventilation occurs by way of two Dorade boxes, four opening Lewmar hatches and four large opening portlights on each side of the cabin. To my mind the Beneteau stylists again promoted form over function; the ports open outboard so that lines and feet are apt to catch on them when they are deployed under way. The galley benefits from excellent execution with lots of counter space. The icebox is notably large, the propane stove easily gimbals to 40 degrees on either tack and its recess is fit with a stove protection bar for the cook’s safety.

Even with its subdued cruising rig, this boat sailed better than many of the “cruising” boats we tried in the 1995 Boat Of The Year competition. For those who like the unique styling of an upscale European production boat combined with good sailing qualities and solid construction, this one deserves serious consideration.

Notes and Observation

I love the look of traditional boats, but I am very glad that there are successful companies out there that offer modern styles from which cruisers in recreational sailing of all ilks can choose. Style can vary,as long as structural integrity and safety are not compromised. After all, even schooners were modern once upon a time. What I do like about Beneteau is the notion that the company understands how to build cost-effective boats with modern composite technology both inside and out. Their efficient methods guarantee a product of consistent quality. I also admire boats that sail well and minimize maintenance demands. Boat owners are hard pressed already to find enough precious time to enjoy their sport — which should be sailing, not hanging at the dock maintaining their craft.

The Beneteau 42s7 is a cruising boat with terrific performance potential. In a moderate breeze on the September day we tested the boat, the Bruce Farr-designed hull slipped easily through the water and responded beautifully to the helm. In 10 to 15 knots of wind, driven by a full main and #1 genoa, we coaxed the boat into trucking along at seven knots at 20- to 25-degrees of heel without a lot of effort. We sailed the cruising version with the standard rig that carries 771 square feet of sail area (conventional main and 100-percent jib) and drags the 5’11” iron wing keel. For those who are uncomfortable with iron keels, a lead shoal-draft keel is available in a 5’8″ version. The racing 42s7, which only a few owners have selected since the model was introduced in 1994, carries about 85 square feet of additional mainsail, the same foretriangle, a spinnaker package and a lead bulb keel that draws 7’6″.

Beneteau also offers two interior plans for this boat — both styled by Philippe Starck — finished with ample varnished pearwood molded into the curves that typify modern French production interiors. The “owner’s” version has a double stateroom aft with an adjoining head, and a double forward with its own private head. In this version, the galley is beside the engine compartment and is U-shaped, an arrangement preferred by a majority of American sailors. In the “three-cabin” version, two aft cabins share a head; the third cabin and another head is forward. The galley is opposite the dining area.

Beneteau’s Marion, South Carolina, plant has built more than 30 of these 42-footers, most to the owner’s plan. The base price as of September 1995 was $172,900, which corresponds to a boat quite thoroughly outfitted. A new boat can be delivered within two to three months following placement of an order. In all, the 42s7 is a spirited performer and a good production boat deal.

Beneteau First 42s7 Specifications

LOA 42’6″ (13.0 m.) LWL 35’9″ (10.9 m.) Beam 13’6″ (4.1 m.) Draft (deep/lead) 7’7″ (2.3 m.) Draft (wing/iron) 5’11” (1.8 m.) Draft (shoal/lead) 5’8″ (1.7 m.) Ballast (lead) 6,283 lbs. (2,850 kgs.) Ballast (iron) 5,840 lbs. (2,649 kgs.) Disp 18,220 lbs. (8,265 kgs.) Sail area (std) 771 sq.ft. (71.6 sq.m.) Sail area (race) 845 sq.ft. (78.5 sq.m.) Mast above water Ballast/Disp (lead) .35 Disp/Length 178 SA/Disp (std) 17.8 SA/Disp (race) 19.5 Fuel tankage 40 gal. (151 l.) Water tankage 160 gal. (606 l.) Auxiliary Yanmar 4JH2E 48-hp diesel Cabin headroom Designer Bruce Farr w/Philippe Starck

Beneteau USA, Inc. 8720 Red Oak Blvd. Suite 102 Charlotte, NC 28217 803-805-5000 Fax: 803-805-5010 beneteauamerica.com

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Charting 140 Years of Innovation: The Enduring Legacy of BENETEAU

"Innovative... the word has defined BENETEAU since its creation 140 years ago." 

BENETEAU celebrates 140 years of nautical excellence with unprecedented anniversary sale

These limited time offers are only available unti March 1st, 2024. Don't miss out—access offers now!

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This Holiday season, enjoy exclusive offers including 5.99% APR or up to $50,000 cash savings. These limited time offers are only available until December 29th, 2023. Don't miss out—claim your holiday offer now!

Motor yachts & powerboats

We love sharing the  boating lifestyl e with our family and friends. This love manifests itself in every BENETEAU built in any one of our many manufacturing facilities worldwide. Every  BENETEAU sailboat and powerboat  on the water reflects the best efforts of the finest architects, designers, and craftsmen along with the highest quality materials and the latest innovations. BENETEAU has been building  sailing yachts  and  powerboats  for all types of boating practices since 1884. Would you like to  buy a new boat ? Leisure boating, short trips, cruising, competitive sailing – whatever type of sailing you envision, there is a boat to suit you at your  local BENETEAU dealer .

BENETEAU: A LONG STORY THAT BEGAN IN 1884 

The first BENETEAU boats sailed from the shipyards of Croix-de-Vie over 136 years ago. Since that time, the BENETEAU brand has been synonymous with quality and innovation to all those who have taken to the water – first by the fishermen who made their livelihood from the sea and then by the legions of recreational boaters around the globe.

Over the years, our commitment to innovating and embracing ideas, no matter how unconventional, has been at the forefront of who we are in order to bring you the best boat possible. BENETEAU was one of the first boatbuilders many years ago to use computer-aided design (CAD) as well as lighter, stronger composite building materials. We’ve also been at the cutting edge of using greener materials and processes to do our part in protecting the incredible world which we explore. However, all this innovation doesn’t mean we’ve turned our back on tradition. One thing we’ve discovered in over a century of boatbuilding is that new-world innovations work best with old-school craftsmanship. This combination has resulted in some of the most iconic sailboats and powerboats in the world – supremely seaworthy yachts renowned for their sense of style, luxury, and comfort along with their creative use of space and new technologies.

WIDE RANGE OF SAILING YACHTS AND POWERBOATS 

Sailboat Range

We built our first sailboats over 135 years ago and many things have changed since then. The oak we once relied on has been replaced with strong but lightweight resin and carbon fiber. Where canvas once caught the wind, now it’s Kevlar and Vectran. We’ve transformed dark, confining saloons and cabins into bright, open living spaces. And the list of innovations in hull design and navigation continues to grow at a rapidly increasing pace.

However, some things haven’t changed and never will. Benjamin BENETEAU’s philosophy of building the strongest, safest, most beautiful boats on the water is alive and well. The BENETEAU family’s pride in craftsmanship and passion for performance can easily be recognized in every FIRST, FIRST YACHT, FIGARO, OCEANIS, and OCEANIS YACHT built today.  

Knowing what to keep and what to change – that’s why BENETEAU continues to set the bar in sailing.

Powerboat Range

In North America, we might be considered by some to be a late-comer to the powerboat market, but in fact, we’ve always been a major force in it. As with most things, we have our founder, Benjamin BENETEAU, to thank. He was one of the first to put a petrol engine on his fishing trawlers in the early 1900s, thus changing the French commercial fishing fleet forever.

His successors found that power was a perfect fit for the bold, new hull materials they were pioneering in the ’60s. Since then, new technologies in propulsion have always found their way aboard a BENETEAU first, and power has long been part of our equation for success.

Today, there’s a BENETEAU powerboat or motor yacht for whatever you’re looking for – from casual cruising to long-distance adventuring, from fishing and diving to water skiing. They can be found on the open ocean, coastlines, harbors, lakes, and rivers. There’s a whole world to discover out there, and there’s no better way to discover it than at the helm of a BENETEAU powerboat, trawler or motor yacht.

THE LARGEST WORLDWIDE DEALER NETWORK 

No matter where you cruise in the world or what port you drop anchor, there is a BENETEAU dealer close by to help if needed. With over 400 dealers on five continents, our network is a dedicated and motivated army of hand-selected, factory-trained individuals standing ready to provide you with expert advice and service.

Our infrastructure honed by years of experience, means each dealer has access to the spare parts and expertise needed to effect repairs and get you back on the water as soon as possible.

To purchase a new or pre-owned BENETEAU sailboat or powerboat, locate an authorized BENETEAU dealer near you. They will be there every step of the way to help you choose the right boat and maintain it properly for years to come.

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Bluewater Sailboat – Beneteau Oceanis 42 CC

The Bluewater Sailboat Beneteau Oceanis 42CC, which began construction in November of last year, has a new hull and some cutting-edge design elements that set her apart from her stablemates. Beneteau’s current range includes sizes from 36 to 44 feet.

When you approach this Bluewater Sailboat, her large rear end is the first thing you notice.

It is simple to believe that the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC’s high counter stern was designed with retro styling in mind, but one of the boat’s key improvements lies beneath this traditional exterior.

• LOA:43ft (13.25m)
• LWL:36ft 4in (11.07m)
• Beam (max):12ft 10in (3.91m)
• Draught:5ft 11in (1.8m)
• Displacement (lightship):19,621lb (8,900kg)
• Ballest:5,556lb (2,520kg)
• Sail are (100% foretriangle):793ft² 73.7m²
• Engine:Volvo D2-55
• Power:53hp, 39kW
• Water capacity:128gal (580lt)
• Fuel capacity:53gal (240lt)
• Sail area – Disp:17.4
• Disp LWL:183
• Designed by:Groupe Finot
• Built by:Beneteau

The Bluewater Sailboat 42CC’s high-volume hull provides lots of capacity and is designed as a home away from home for two to four people, as are most Bénéteau center-cockpit types. She has ample stowage, a comfortable galley, and a roomy aftercabin. She has steps and a fold-down boarding platform on the deck. Despite her average sailing ability, she is a spacious, pleasant yacht that a small crew can readily handle.

The 42CC is a stylish bluewater passagemaker with many standard advances at an affordable price, designed by renowned naval architects Groupe Finot. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.9 predicts that the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC will have adequate performance in the right hands to outperform the majority of other sailboats with comparable waterline lengths.

She’s a Bluewater Sailboat with a ballast/displacement ratio of 28.0 that will tend to heel excessively in a gust and will require early reefing to maintain upright sailing in a moderate breeze unless the majority of the ballast is concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel. With a displacement/length ratio of 185, the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is unmistakably a sailboat of light displacement.

If she is carrying too much heavy cruise gear, it will significantly affect how she performs. For those who are prone to seasickness, Ted Brewer’s Comfort Ratio of 26.7 indicates that crew comfort on a Beneteau Oceanis 42CC in a seaway is comparable to what you would expect from the motion of a coastal cruiser with modest stability.

A Beneteau Oceanis 42CC would be a safer sailboat to choose for an ocean journey than one with a CSF of greater than 2.0, according to the Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.9. The 42CC’s high-volume hull provides lots of capacity and is designed as a home away from home for two to four people, as are most Bénéteau center-cockpit types. She has ample stowage, a comfortable galley, and a roomy aftercabin. She has steps and a fold-down boarding platform on the deck. Despite her average sailing ability, she is a spacious, pleasant yacht that a small crew can readily handle.

This Bluewater Sailboat deck lines are reminiscent of the latest Beneteau yacht generation, which features the 473 and 393 aft cockpit designs. The 42CC catches the traditional yachtsman’s attention with the elegance of her elegant transom. The smooth deck line of this brand-new design, never before seen in the Beneteau Center Cockpit series, gives it a lean, attractive profile while maintaining maximum practicality.

“There is a resurgence of the traditional recognizable shape combined with contemporary evolutionary grace throughout the design world. From cars to homes, everything has displayed this movement.  With this slick centre cockpit embracing a visual appeal that is absolutely amazing, Francois Chalain, Beneteau’s design mastermind, in collaboration with the Finot Naval Architecture team, has captured the best traditional style,” stated Wayne Burdick, President.

With a broad list of standard amenities, the 42 Center Cockpit exemplifies Beneteau’s value-for-the-money formula. Top-notch deck hardware, excellent ventilation, enormous winches, a hard dodger/spray hood, bulkhead steering, and cockpit seats with teak inlay are just a few examples.

The robust dodger on deck protects the roomy central cockpit with opening windows. The cockpit is opened up by standard bulkhead steering, making it simple to entertain guests and move around. The spacious aft deck is ideal for lounging when at anchor and has enough for multiple lounge chairs.

Back aft is where you’ll find one of the 42 CC’s most intriguing and inventive features. A two-tread stairway leading to a boarding platform on the drop down transom is hidden by a folding portion in the aft deck. The boarding platform and transom lift up together to form the traditional transom as the boat is in motion.

The middle pan of the transom folds down to create a bathing platform, and the central portion of the aft deck slides back to reveal steps with the use of a remote handset connected to a hydraulic powerpack.

This clever architectural feature works well and enables for a roomy aft deck that could easily fit a few sun worshipers as well as deep store space on either side.  This stern configuration’s one flaw, is that it detracts from the yacht’s appearance.

Now you can also precisely calculate the expenses related to boat ownership to make smart choices based on your budget and sailing needs. Use this Bluewater Sailboat Calculator to explore different options and make the best decision.

If for no other reason than the practicality of utilizing the head when sailing heeled on lengthy journeys, an arrangement should be made. But the real shock occurs when you lift the companionway stairs to peek at the engine setup.

Access initially appears to be difficult due to the steps’ sturdy ram supports. Since the hinge is located relatively low, it is difficult to perform anything more than a quick inspection. However, a sizable access panel in the back of the aft cabin conceals the secret.

You immediately realize how much room there is within the engine compartment as you crawl inside on all fours. There is squatting headroom, almost enough room to swing a cat, and space for every add-on you can imagine. A watermaker, generator, and air conditioner would all fit inside without any trouble. Additionally, it indicates that you have enough space to work on the engine, even if you wanted to disassemble and rebuild it. (brave indeed).

Performance

The Bluewater Sailboat Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is capable under power with the normal 55hp Volvo installed; at 3,000 rpm, she pushes 8.8 knots, which is not enough to frighten the drag-racing Ocean is 473 but is still quite fine. There is the option to purchase a powerful 75 horsepower Yanmar, but there isn’t much of a need for such excess unless you’re determined to outrun the Oceanis.

Even at this speed, the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC s bilissfully quiet below decks. The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is content to cruise at a little under 8 knots with the revs merely resting a tad over 2,000. The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC felt comfortable to handle on all points of sail while sailing in a consistent 10 mph breeze.

The test yacht had the drawback of becoming challenging to maintain in a straight path whenever the speed dropped much below 5 or 6 knots, whether under sail or power. So i t must be noted that the hydraulic steering systems on smaller yachts are shared by the entire CC series, and there haven’t been many issues with them recorded. It was discovered that there had been an air leak in this specific yacht’s hydraulic plumbing, and efforts were being made to purge the system, which might have made all the difference.

Unfortunately, there is no option for cable steering because it would be difficult to run the wires to the quadrant.

She feels confident despite this the hiccup and is demonstrated as the finest speed on a shy reach, making about 6.5 knots. Given the size of the hull and her relative heaviness, she pushes cheerfully to windward at a little over 5 knots, which is encouraging given the light conditions.

Although many people who switch from motor cruisers allegedly find the steering wheel on the bulkhead to be appealing, it seemed extremely strange to have it there. The faint sense of being taken advantage of, though, is what stands out the most. With barely enough deck in front to focus on, she appears pitifully small from the helm while being a substantial 43-footer.

Quick Notes

Although the more traditional Beneteau Oceanis 40CC was originally supposed to be replaced by the 42CC, there seems to be a greater demand for it now that the 40CC has been phased out. So both models will continue to compete for the time being.

Beneteau intends to produce 80 42s annually and has gone above and above to include the cutting-edge counter stern and bathing platform in an effort to produce a product for a specific market. Which of the two models proves to be more popular over time, it is said, and this will determine which remains in the lineup. Many cruising families will find the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC to be a very capable yacht.

She provides practicality with the additional locker space made possible by the counter-stern design, safety with her central cockpit and deck elements like the modest bulwarks that make it safer to wander around the deck. Although it is not feasible to switch the steering system from hydraulic, choosing the wheel at the aft end of the cockpit would make sense. You shouldn’t have any issues with this system, but make sure you take yours out for a sail first.

Looking for a used sailboat for sale? Check out the bluewater sailboat data and specs to make an informed decision. Ocean Wave Sail has data for over 10000+ boats that can help you select one to meet your sailing needs.

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• Sailboat Guide

Beneteau R/C 42

Beneteau R/C 42 is a 43 ′ 8 ″ / 13.3 m monohull sailboat designed by German Frers and built by Beneteau starting in 1983.

• 1 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 2 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 3 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 4 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 5 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 6 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 7 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 8 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 9 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 10 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 11 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 12 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 13 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 14 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 15 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 16 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 17 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 18 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View
• 19 / 19 USA - Florida East Coast ABU 4 Guests • 2 Cabins • 1 king, 1 queen Starting at $19,500 USD / week View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Shoal draft version: 5.42’ See FIRST 42 (BENETEAU).

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Better Sailing

Beneteau vs. Catalina: Which Is a Better Sailboat?

The Beneteau and Catalina have both been exceptional in the art of boat building over the years. Discussing them side by side is more like a privilege than a comparison, per se.

For years, the Catalina Boat Company has built quite the selection of boats that qualify as built to last and authentic crafts for sailing purposes. Catalina boats are primarily made to be durable, made for the reasons of lasting in real-world conditions and not exceeding their value in terms of the market price. Beneteau makes sure your comfort needs are fully met as you take on that holiday cruise with optimal sailing performance to deliver a totally worth-it trip, made also are their boats with durability and stability in mind. Catalina and Beneteau boats are usually unique because of the excellent value in the resale market.

Quick History

As Catalina’s infamous history is told, it started with nothing but a vision. Mr. Frank Butler turned a single dream of making a 22- foot trailer able with enough power and grace to sail the distant waters into Catalina Yachts in the year 1970.

Beneteau Benjamin was a shipwright who founded the Beneteau company in the year 1884 in France. Their fiberglass boats to hold in the market later in the ninety sixties.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 40 Feet

Types of Boats Produced From Beneteau and Catalina

Well, Catalina prides itself in the production of exactly three Series of boats. They have in their broad range of brilliantly fashioned sailboats. The Sports Series, the Cruiser Series, and lastly, the Ocean Series. Even their Sports series are crafted having the accommodation of family in mind in a portable but enough for day sailing 8-27 foot sailboats. While the Cruiser brings a very spacious interior to the game with mid-sized 31-35 feet. Also, the Ocean Series 38-44 footers take the cake in everything, onboard comfort, night sailing, aboard living, deeper sea sailing and even muster up a race if your rich friends are up for it.

Beneteau started to revolutionize sailing by making their pioneer fishing boats, fist cruisers, and beginner dinghy sailing in 1965. In 1973, Andre Beneteau began the Evasion series with the ketch names Evasion 32. Beneteau’s First Yachts came into play in 1977 singlehandedly designed by Andre Beneteau, but in 1982, he combined with Figaro to make the First Class 8; a real racer and the first of its kind for the boat company. Also, in the same year that California came out, a fishing boat that will trawl well near the coast did.

With the Oceanis 350, a new brand of unique sailing yachts was birthed in 1986, and the generation continued to evolve till they became a reference point that can’t be left unmentioned in world cruising discussion groups, measuring from 32-60 feet depending on the model, these baddies are decked with the best hands-on characteristics that make them drop-dead gorgeous. 2005 when they added the Cyclades series to their brand’s broad range of boats, a boat that is capable of doing all and for not so much in terms of cost.

>>Also Read: Aluminum vs Steel Boat: Which Is Better?

Beneteau promises to make your boat more like a holiday home than a racing boat in terms of comfort, luxury, and coziness. Say the charter company, that you have employed their services to give a boat tour of the Seychelles Islands have an Oceanis 46.1 or any Beneteau Sense models sitting in the docks and you don’t really know what to expect in terms of comfort, our counsel to you is to not worry. This is because Beneteau has got all your luxurious cruising demands down to detail, and your family will feel so at ease on this sea mansion you got them on.

There are cabins, each with double island beds of an area of 5’3 to 6″7 feet, a shower room, and an independent head. Each boat usually includes a very comfortable master cabin that ordinarily you should only expect with a much larger yacht or liner. Guess what, the aft guest rooms always come with generous headspace and also face the bow.

“What’s more?” did you ask? Okay, how about the easy movement afforded on board by the kind of safety rails that Beneteau uses. The deck is shroud-free, and the handrails are not lacking, thus allowing ease of transit from hull to deck in no time and with minimum risk.

If a boat is fast, comfortable, spacious, and safe enough to have family or kids on, what more could you ask for? Just ask Catalina. They have made a combination of the aforementioned features just for the good of the sailing public. Also, they also have inserted this essence into every one of their building blueprints, and for years they have also upheld the same qualities in all their boats. They put into consideration the provision of a very roomy cockpit with tall coamings installed for secure seating and with a very large cockpit table that’s accommodating for a large family or friends of up to 6 adults. Stainless steel handrails are used on the cabin top for safety assurance and ease of movement. The Catalina 445 is really a case study of over-pampering luxury and does have all the aforementioned features and more.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 30 Feet

Value Retention

The Catalina boats in their diverse Series are well known and praised for their value retention because of their models’ sturdy nature. Their boats are built to last, and therefore, when reselling, most things seem and are in good condition even after a considerable amount of years.

What the Beneteau cruise sailboats lack in sportiness, they make up in durability. Beneteau boats are assets that can hold down their original value for quite some time. They do this with only the minimum cost of maintenance due to the warranties they have got in place covering several parts of their boats and over a good number of years too.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboats Under 100k

Built Quality

Both boats obviously have a reputation to protect on this particular aspect. Therefore, so as to not unintentionally sabotage any of them in this short comparison, I’ll go ahead and first say that they are both capable boatyards that know how to make strong, durable, efficient, and environmentally safe boats with the right materials.

Catalina makes use of standard equipment and materials to make their boats in their boatyards. The hull is a one-piece fiberglass hull with an end-grain balsa core sandwich with a Vinylester integral barrier to resist osmosis . The grid and deck are also all one-piece fiberglass. The material for the keel is lead and adjoined to the hull with stainless steel attaching bolts.

Beneteau makes use of resin and balsa core to make their hull. This balsa core permits resin quantity reduction in each hull constituent while still maintaining the desired structural strength while the resin constituent reduction in the hull equals less weight. Alpi Wood is the wood of choice in the Beneteau boatyards. Large-scale computer-assisted design to do certain fine detailed interior work like spray-finish sets and cutting has undoubtedly put a few workers on early retirement. Still, it provides the customer with the best design money can pay for.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Beneteau vs. Catalina – Final Thoughts

The Beneteau boatyard is centuries old (est.1884) in the business of making boats that are sailworthy. While Catalina became in the early 1970s, they both have one similar thing to offer all sailors who wish to patronize and be part of their family; that thing is durable and progressive boats.

Both Beneteau and Catalina built great all-around boats that will no disappoint, so choose the layout that best suits your needs and fits your budget. You really can’t go wrong with either brand. However, if I had to choose which one makes a better boat overall, I would pick Beneteau for the better of the two. Beneteau boats are overall better-built than Catalinas and more comfortable, but that is reflected on the price tag as well.

>>Also Read: Aluminum Vs Fiberglass Sailboat: Which Is Better?

Pro Tip:  If you are torn between buying a Beneteau and a Catalina boat but are unsure which one you should go for, then I strongly suggest that you charter each of the boats for at least a week. That way, you will find out which boat fit your needs better and which one you like better. That way, you can avoid making an expensive mistake 

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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