The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 vs Beneteau R/C 42 1981 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 measures 43,4 feet overall (1981), giving it roughly 7,4 additional feet of deck space compared to the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 at 36,0 feet (2020). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tips the scales at 22 377 lbs — 6 350 lbs less than the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 at 16 027 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tops out at 50 hp. Engine specs for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 carries 40 gallons versus 1 gallons in the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 displaces 22 377 lbs — a 6 350-lb difference over the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 at 16 027 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 draws 5,7 ft, compared to 3,3 ft for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020. That 2,5-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 has a documented auxiliary engine of 50 hp.
Hull speed is rated at 37,2 knots for the Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 and 8,1 knots for the Beneteau R/C 42 1981.
Bottom line: The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 22 377 lbs displacement and 43 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Beneteau Gran Turismo 36 OB Outboard 2020 at 16 027 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.