The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC, a wing-keeled cutter, was designed by Groupe Finot and built in France by Groupe Finot.

A Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 42CC sailboat at anchor'Ventolier 3', Beneteau Oceanis Clipper 42CC

Published Specification for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC

Underwater Profile: Wing keel and spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 43'5" (13.2m)

Waterline Length: 36'4" (11.1m)

Beam: 12'10" (3.9m)

Draft: 5'11" (1.8m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 19,845lb (9,002kg)

Designer:  Groupe Finot

Builder: Beneteau (France)

Year First Built: 2003

Owners Association: Beneteau Owners Club


A Few FAQs for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC...

What are the published design ratios for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

The design ratios for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC are as follows:

  • Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.9
  • Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 28.0
  • Displacement/Length Ratio: 185
  • Comfort Ratio: 26.7

Based on these ratios, the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is likely to perform well under sail, with relatively high performance, good stability, moderate displacement and coastal cruising comfort.

Is the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is not in production anymore. Production ended in 2007, after four years of manufacturing. According to some sources, about 200 of these sailboats were built.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC were built and what are the differences between them?

There were two alternative versions of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC built: the Clipper version and the Performance version.

The Clipper version had more standard equipment, such as an autopilot, a sprayhood, a bimini top, a cockpit table and cushions, a CD player and speakers, and a microwave oven.

The Performance version had a taller mast, a deeper keel, a fully battened mainsail and larger winches for better sailing performance.

How many people can sleep on board a Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC can sleep up to six people in three cabins. There is a large owner's cabin aft with an ensuite bathroom, a double cabin forward with another bathroom, and a twin cabin on the port side with bunk beds.

How did the sailing press review the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The sailing press generally gave positive reviews to the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC. For example, Yachting World magazine praised its spacious interior, its safety features, its easy handling and its good value for money.

Yachting Monthly magazine also complimented its accommodation, its boarding platform and its stowage space. However, some critics pointed out some drawbacks, such as its hydraulic steering system that lacked feedback, its limited visibility from the cockpit, and its lack of ventilation in the cabins.

What is the history of the builders of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC are Beneteau, a French company that was founded in 1884 by Benjamin Bénéteau. The company started as a small workshop that made fishing boats, but later expanded to produce sailing yachts and motorboats. Today, Beneteau is one of the largest boat manufacturers in the world, with several brands under its umbrella, such as Jeanneau, Lagoon, Prestige and Monte Carlo. The company is still in business and continues to produce new models of sailboats and motorboats.

Is the mast on the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC deck-stepped or keel-stepped?

The mast on the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is deck-stepped.

What sailplan and rig options, if any, are available for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The sailplan and rig options for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC are as follows:

  • Standard version: masthead sloop with a furling mainsail and a furling genoa;
  • Performance version: fractional sloop with a fully battened mainsail and a furling genoa;
  • Optional version: cutter rig with a furling mainsail, a furling genoa and a staysail.

The standard version offers ease of use and convenience, while the performance version offers better sailing performance and more sail area. The optional version offers more versatility and balance in different wind conditions.

What keel options, if any, are available for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The keel options for the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC are as follows:

  • Standard version: cast iron fin keel with a bulb;
  • Optional version: cast iron wing keel.

The standard version has a draft of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and a ballast of 3.3 tonnes (7,275 lbs). The optional version has a draft of 1.6 m (5.2 ft) and a ballast of 3.4 tonnes (7,496 lbs). The standard version offers better performance and stability, while the optional version offers more accessibility and shoal draft.

What is the average asking price of a secondhand Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The average asking price of a secondhand Beneteau Oceanis 42CC varies depending on the year, condition, equipment and location of the boat. According to some sources, the range of prices is between $100,000 and $200,000 USD.

How does the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC compare to other similar sailboats in its class?

The Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is comparable to other similar sailboats in its class, such as the Bavaria 42 Cruiser, the Catalina 42 MkII, the Hunter 420 Passage or the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i. They all have similar lengths, displacements, sail areas and accommodations. However, they also have some differences in their designs, features, performances and prices.

For example, the Bavaria 42 Cruiser has a more modern look, the Catalina 42 MkII has a larger cockpit, the Hunter 420 Passage has a more spacious salon and the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i has a more ergonomic layout.

What other sailboats have been created by the designer of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC?

The designer of the Beneteau Oceanis 42CC is Jean-Marie Finot, a French naval architect who has created many successful sailboats for various brands. Some of his other creations include:

  • The First series for Beneteau, such as the First 210, the First 310 or the First 40.7;
  • The Figaro series for Beneteau, such as the Figaro Solo or the Figaro Bénéteau II;
  • The Océanis series for Beneteau, such as the Océanis 281, the Océanis Clipper 473 or the Océanis Yacht 62;
  • The Groupe Finot series for Jeanneau, such as the Sun Fast 3200, the Sun Odyssey 39i or the Sun Odyssey 54 DS;
  • The Pogo series for Structures, such as the Pogo 8.50, the Pogo 12.50 or the Pogo S2;
  • The IMOCA series for various teams, such as PRB, Safran or Banque Populaire.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.


Other sailboats in the Beneteau 'Oceanis' product range:


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