Beneteau R/C 42 1981 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is the longer of the two at 43,4 feet overall. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 comes in at 36,0 feet, making it roughly 7,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

For trailering, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 has the edge at 1 642 lbs dry weight versus 22 377 lbs for the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: What is the draft of the Beneteau R/C 42 1981?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 draws 5,7 ft. Draft determines which harbours, anchorages, and haul-out facilities are accessible — always verify with your local marina before purchase.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 share an 13.10 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 has the bigger tank at 211 gallons, versus 40 gallons on the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. That 171-gallon difference translates to roughly 514–857 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 are built by Beneteau. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Beneteau R/C 42 1981 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013

Beneteau

Beneteau R/C 42 1981

1981

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Beneteau

Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013

2013

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Beneteau R/C 42 1981 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 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 Swift Trawler 34S 2013 at 36,0 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tips the scales at 22 377 lbs — 20 735 lbs more than the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 at 1 642 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 has a 375-hp advantage over the Beneteau R/C 42 1981's 50-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 carries 211 gallons versus 40 gallons in the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. 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 Swift Trawler 34S 2013 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.

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 has a documented displacement of 22 377 lbs. Displacement data wasn't available for the other boat in this comparison.

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 uses Sloop rigging. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 has a documented auxiliary engine of 50 hp.

For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 carries 106 gallons versus 85 gallons on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.

Bottom line: The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 at 43,4 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 at 36,0 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.

Measurements / Dimensions

Length overall - Detail43.40 ft

Length overall - Detail36 ft. (10.98 m)

Length - Feet43.4

Length - Feet36

Length overall - Meters13.23

Length overall - Meters10.97

Length overall - Inches521

Length overall - Inches432

Beam13.10 ft

Beam13 ft. 1 in. (3.98 m)

Beam - Meters3.99

Beam - Inches157

Draft [max] - Detail5.70 ft

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters1.74

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches68

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Displacement22377.00 lbs

Displacementnot available

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail16,420 lbs. (7,450 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg7447.98

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.1642

Length [deck]not available

Length [deck]32 ft. 9 in. (9.98 m)

Body / Hull

Rudder1 spade rudder

Ruddernot available

Helm1 wheel

Helmnot available

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Gal39.6

Fuel tank capacity - Gal211

Fuel tank capacity - Liters149.9

Fuel tank capacity - Liters798.72

Horsepower50 hp

Horsepowernot available

Fuel typeDiesel

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeinboard

Drive typeInboard - Twin

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail211 gal. (800 l)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp

Performance

Maximum speed8.06

Maximum speednot available

Maximum speed measureknots

Maximum speed measurenot available

Operational Info

Sleeping capacity6

Sleeping capacitynot available

Cabins2

Cabinsnot available

Head1

Headnot available

Water capacity105.7

Water capacity85 gal. (320 l)

RiggingSloop

Riggingnot available

Mast ConfigurationDeck stepped mast

Mast Configurationnot available

Boat typeSail

Boat typenot available

General Boat Info

Makenot available

MakeBeneteau

Modelnot available

ModelSwift Trawler 34S

Model Yearnot available

Model Year2013

Beneteau R/C 42 1981 vs Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is the longer of the two at 43,4 feet overall. The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 comes in at 36,0 feet, making it roughly 7,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

For trailering, the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 has the edge at 1 642 lbs dry weight versus 22 377 lbs for the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 tops out at 50 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 is certified for 10. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

What is the draft of the Beneteau R/C 42 1981?

The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 draws 5,7 ft. Draft determines which harbours, anchorages, and haul-out facilities are accessible — always verify with your local marina before purchase.

Which boat is better equipped for long-distance cruising?

For extended passages, fresh water capacity is a key indicator of cruising readiness. The Beneteau R/C 42 1981 carries 106 gallons of fresh water compared to 85 gallons on the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 — a meaningful advantage when watermaker installations or port stops aren't guaranteed.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 share an 13.10 ft beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 or the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013?

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 has the bigger tank at 211 gallons, versus 40 gallons on the Beneteau R/C 42 1981. That 171-gallon difference translates to roughly 514–857 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Beneteau R/C 42 1981 and the Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 are built by Beneteau. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Beneteau R/C 42 1981 full specs ← Beneteau Swift Trawler 34S 2013 full specs