Beneteau First 42
Description
The Beneteau First 42 is a performance cruiser-racer masthead sloop designed by German Frers and built by Beneteau in France from 1982 to 1987. As a hallmark of Beneteau's early First line, it was influenced by IOR racing rules, delivering agile speed for club fleets while offering spacious teak interiors for coastal cruising or short passages. Approximately 200 units were produced, with many still competing in PHRF events or as family bluewater starters. Variants include a shoal-draft keel (5.58 ft) for shallower waters and 3- or 4-cabin layouts for charters. Owners commend its "fast and well-built" qualities and handsome Frers hull lines.
Construction Details
| Designer | German Frers |
|---|---|
| Builder | Beneteau |
| Length | 42.000 ft |
| LOA | 42.000 ft |
| LWL | 36.170 ft |
| Beam | 13.080 ft |
| Displacement | 19621 lb |
| Ballast | 7937 lb |
| Max Draft | 6.830 ft |
| Year Built | 1982 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 52.80 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 16.73 ft |
| p | 46.60 ft |
| e | 14.60 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52.80 ft | 16.73 ft | 46.60 ft | 14.60 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Beneteau First 42 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 46.6 ft - (14204 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 14.6 ft - (4450 mm) |
| Leech | * 48.07 ft - (14652 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 48.34 ft - (14734 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 350.11 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 44.31 ft - (13506 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 21.95 ft - (6690 mm) |
| Leech | * 40.59 ft - (12372 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 119.67 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 20.02 ft - (6102 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 6.63 ° |
| Area | * 443.54 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - GENOA
| Luff | 53 ft - (16154 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 24.5 ft - (7468 mm) |
| Leech | 49 ft - (14935 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 134.97 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 22.58 ft - (6882 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 6.05 ° |
| Area | * 598.32 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - GENOA
| Luff | * 52.62 ft - (16039 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 26.85 ft - (8184 mm) |
| Leech | * 51.93 ft - (15828 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 154.03 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 25.77 ft - (7855 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * -1.28 ° |
| Area | * 678.03 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 55 ft - (16764 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 27.6 ft - (8412 mm) |
| Leech | * 50.6 ft - (15423 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 1138 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 54 ft - (16459 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 29 ft - (8839 mm) |
| Leech | 51 ft - (15545 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 1174 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 52.62 ft - (16039 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 30.11 ft - (9178 mm) |
| Foot | * 30.11 ft - (9178 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1347 ft² |
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Beneteau First 42 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 31.84 ft - (9705 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 12.38 ft - (3773 mm) |
| Leech | * 26.57 ft - (8099 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60.01 % |
| Length Perp | * 10.04 ft - (3060 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 19 ° |
| Area | * 159.87 ft² |
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Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.