1995 Beneteau First 42S7

When craftsmanship and sturdy construction are key, the Beneteau 42S7 doesn’t disappoint. Likely one of the best-constructed production boats in the world, this model is renowned for its light wind performance and excellent accommodations. Like the rest of the First line of boats by Beneteau, she’s built as a racer. Her handling qualities are impressive.

The craftmanship on display in the 42S7 is second to none with compound curved wood trim in many places, beautiful pearwood veneer interior woodwork and walls, and a host of well-designed features that make this boat both attractive and strong with excellent sailing characteristics. On top of this, the seller of the vessel has taken great pains over the last 20 years to ensure that this vessel is always in ready-to-sail condition with a host of upgrades throughout.

This three-cabin model features a large aft cockpit with comfortable seating for 6. The huge wheel manipulates a composite rudder that is over 5ft tall, giving this boat incredible steering authority. The rigging has been modified to make it possible to single-hand sail this big boat, including manipulating the Genoa while keeping a hand on the wheel. A Raymarine Chartplotter helps you stay the course.

The vessel comes with a three sail inventory - mainsail, 160 Genoa, and a jib. All sails are 2017 and newer. The mainsail is equipped with Lazy Jacks to make furling the sail quick and easy. The mast is keel-stepped. The roller furler on the Genoa was installed in 2017. The forestay was moved forward to the tip of the bow and the furler brought from below the deck to a standard position, making the run of the lines much more straight and easy to work. A great deal of thought and engineering was put into this and other upgrades on the vessel.

This vessel is equipped with a Volvo Penta MD22L diesel engine making 50hp, located behind the steps, between the aft staterooms. The prop gets its power via an oversized transmission that turns the shaft through a dripless shaft seal. The prop shaft includes a flexible joint to give the engine and transmission room to shift on their mounts and to absorb the flexing motion of the prop pushing against the water. The prop has been upgraded to a three-blade, 20” folding prop. The vessel makes an easy 5kts at cruise while not stressing the engine.

The keel on this boat is a spade shape with a bulb and fins making its 5’11” length act like a much deeper keel. The keel weighs 6800lbs and is steel. It is held on with some massive stainless steel bolts, which can be seen in the photos.

The interior of this vessel is as impressive as the exterior. The seller has kept this boat in mint condition throughout. The saloon is large, taking every advantage of this boat’s 13’6” beam, to accommodate a large curved dinette. The galley is equipped with a microwave, induction cooktop, cooler, and both freshwater and raw water sink. The center faucet pulls from the electric water pump while the other faucets are foot pump activated. There is ample storage available throughout.

Aft are two double staterooms and a head with a shower. The toilets on this boat are activated using a Whale bilge pump instead of the traditional, and expensive, electric or vacuflush toilets.

The forward cabin features a double bed with a removable extension built by the seller to square the foot end of the bed. A second head occupies the bow ahead of the stateroom.