Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 boat specs
Rio Yachts
Rio Yachts Air 42 2017
2017
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VS
Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 boat specs
Rio Yachts
Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015
2015
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Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 vs Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 vs Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 at 42,0 ft versus Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 at 43,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 tips the scales at 35 000 lbs — 15 158 lbs more than the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 at 19 842 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 300 hp, the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 has a 30-hp advantage over the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017's 270-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 carries 206 gallons versus 3 gallons in the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017. 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 Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 43,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail42.00 ft
Length overall - Detail43.80 ft
Length - Feet42
Length - Feet43.8
Length overall - Meters12.8
Length overall - Meters13.35
Length overall - Inches504
Length overall - Inches526
Beam13.20 ft
Beam12.00 ft
Beam - Meters4.02
Beam - Meters3.66
Beam - Inches158
Beam - Inches144
Draft [max] - Detail3.80 ft
Draft [max] - Detail2.20 ft
Draft [max] - Meters1.16
Draft [max] - Meters0.67
Draft [max] - Inches46
Draft [max] - Inches26
Displacement35000.00 lbs
Displacement19841.60 lbs
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal3
Fuel tank capacity - Gal206
Fuel tank capacity - Liters1135.62
Fuel tank capacity - Liters779.79
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine makeVolvo Penta
Engine modelIPS500s
Engine modelD4
Horsepower270 hp
Horsepower300 hp
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel typeDiesel
Drive typeinboard
Drive typeinboard
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine MakeVolvo Penta
Engine 2 Engine ModelIPS500s
Engine 2 Engine ModelD4
Engine 2 Horsepower270 hp
Engine 2 Horsepower300 hp
Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine 2 Fuel TypeDiesel
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Engine 2 Drive Typeinboard
Performance
Cruising speed28
Cruising speednot available
Cruising speed measureknots
Cruising speed measurenot available
Maximum speed35
Maximum speednot available
Maximum speed measureknots
Maximum speed measurenot available
Operational Info
Water capacity85
Water capacity87
Boat typePower
Boat typePower
Sleeping capacitynot available
Sleeping capacity4
Cabinsnot available
Cabins2
Headnot available
Head2

Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 vs Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 or the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015?
The Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 is the longer of the two at 43,8 feet overall. The Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 comes in at 42,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 or the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015?
For trailering, the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 has the edge at 19 842 lbs dry weight versus 35 000 lbs for the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017. 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 Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 is rated to a maximum of 300 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 tops out at 270 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 Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 is certified for 13. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 measures 158" wide, compared to 144" for the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 or the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015?
The Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 has the bigger tank at 206 gallons, versus 3 gallons on the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017. That 203-gallon difference translates to roughly 609–1015 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 and Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Rio Yachts Air 42 2017 and the Rio Yachts Parana 35 2015 are built by Rio Yachts. 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.