Question 1

What are the specs of the SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

The SWANSON 42 has the following specifications: 41.99ft LOA, 12.99ft beam, 6.5ft draft, 30,865lb displacement, 8,500.2lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Cutter. Keel: Full/Long.

Question 2

How much does a SWANSON 42 cost?

Accepted Answer

The SWANSON 42 has an average asking price of $115,708, with prices ranging from $42,000 to $187,893 based on 5 listings.

Question 3

Who built the SWANSON 42 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Swanson Brothers (AUS), designed by Ron Swanson, first built in 1974.

Question 4

Is the SWANSON 42 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The SWANSON 42 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 43.1, which means it is very comfortable in a seaway, suitable for extended offshore passages. The capsize screening ratio is 1.66, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 5

How fast is the SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

The SWANSON 42 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 14.69, which indicates a more conservative sail plan focused on comfort over speed. The displacement to length ratio is 350.88, making it a heavy displacement sailboat.

Question 6

How much does it cost to maintain a SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a SWANSON 42 is estimated at $3.2K – $8.4K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 7

How much does it cost to own a SWANSON 42 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the SWANSON 42 (41.99ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $3.2K – $8.4K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $1050-$1850/year (based on $115,708 average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 41.99ft boat: Florida: $7,600-$20,200/year. California: $7,100-$17,600/year. Massachusetts: $5,300-$11,800/year + $1,700 winter storage. New York: $5,300-$14,700/year + $1,700 winter storage. Maryland: $5,000-$9,100/year. Texas: $3,000-$9,100/year. Washington: $6,000-$13,100/year. Michigan: $2,900-$6,500/year + $1,700 winter storage. North Carolina: $4,500-$9,100/year. South Carolina: $6,600-$12,600/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $7K to $35K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 8

How much does it cost to dock a SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the SWANSON 42 (41.99ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $7,600-$20,200/year. California: $7,100-$17,600/year. Massachusetts: $5,300-$11,800/year + $1,700 winter storage. New York: $5,300-$14,700/year + $1,700 winter storage. Maryland: $5,000-$9,100/year. Texas: $3,000-$9,100/year. Washington: $6,000-$13,100/year. Michigan: $2,900-$6,500/year + $1,700 winter storage. North Carolina: $4,500-$9,100/year. South Carolina: $6,600-$12,600/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 9

What are the common problems with the SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 1 issues reported for the SWANSON 42 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in deck, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the SWANSON 42.

Question 10

What should I look for when buying a SWANSON 42?

Accepted Answer

When buying a SWANSON 42, SailPages.com has compiled 1 model-specific issues reported by owners across deck. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the SWANSON 42 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 11

How does the SWANSON 42 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The SWANSON 42 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 41.99ft LOA, comfort ratio 43.1, capsize ratio 1.66, SA/disp 14.69, average price $115,708. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	41.99 ft
LWL	33.99 ft
Beam	12.99 ft
Draft	6.5 ft
Displacement	30,865 lb
Ballast	8,500.2 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	7.8 kn

SWANSON 42

Specifications

Hull

About the SWANSON 42

Performance

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Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

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