Back to Search
Spencer 42
Designer: John Brandlmayr  ·  Builder: Spencer Boats Ltd.  ·  First built: 1965
+ Add to Compare
About the Spencer 42

Designed by John Brandlmayr and built by Spencer Boats Ltd. from 1965 to 1983, this classic 42-footer represents traditional offshore cruising design from sailing's golden era. With only 26 hulls produced during its 18-year production run, the Spencer 42 remains a relatively rare find among vintage fiberglass cruisers. The boat's conservative design philosophy shines through its robust construction and seaworthy proportions. The full keel configuration provides exceptional tracking ability and moderate helm balance, while the generous 8,000-pound ballast ensures stiff, predictable sailing characteristics. At 19,000 pounds displacement, this masthead sloop offers the substantial feel and motion comfort that serious cruising sailors appreciate during extended passages. With a comfort ratio of 34.39, the Spencer 42 delivers the steady, forgiving motion that makes offshore sailing less fatiguing for crew. The conservative capsize screening formula of 1.7 reflects the design's emphasis on stability over ultimate performance. While the sail area to displacement ratio of 17.03 indicates moderate power in light air, this boat truly comes alive in stronger conditions where its sea-kindly nature becomes apparent. This Spencer represents an excellent choice for sailors seeking a proven offshore cruiser with traditional sailing qualities and the character that comes with owning a piece of sailing history.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.25 ft / 12.88 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 11.33 ft / 3.45 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 19,000.00 lb / 8,618 kg
Ballast 8,000.00 lb / 3,629 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 755.00 ft² / 70.14 m²
Headroom 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Full Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer John Brandlmayr
Builder Spencer Boats Ltd.
First Built 1965
Last Built 1983
Number Built 26
Associations Spencer Yachts Owners Group
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.03
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 42.11
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 314.15
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 34.39
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.7
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.34 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.63
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,214.50 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.82
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 46.50 ft / 14.17 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.25 ft / 4.95 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.75 ft / 12.12 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
SA Fore 377.81 ft² / 35.10 m²
SA Main 367.69 ft² / 34.16 m²
SA Total (100%) 745.50 ft² / 69.26 m²
Est. Forestay Length 49.26 ft / 15.01 m
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 80 gals / 303 L
Water Capacity 70 gals / 265 L
Find a Spencer 42 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace