Used Merritt 42 Custom Sportfish For Sale

Built with the wood plank on frame construction method in the Florida sportfish style originated primarily by Rybovich, Jim Smith, and Merritt, the Merritt 42 featured a high bow with fine entry, less flare than the Carolina sportfishers, and smoothly sloping sheerline to cockpit with moderate tumblehome at transom.

CALIBAN featured a typical sportfish set-up of large, uncluttered cockpit with fish fighting chair, deckhouse set back with open bridge atop, and tuna tower. Bridge deck extended aft to shade forward area of cockpit. Storage and freezer compartments for ice and bait lined the cockpit’s forward salon bulkhead and other storage was built into the deck and sides under gunwales. Over the years, amenities were added and upgraded, such as livewells, Rupp outriggers and rocket launcher rod holders, though the Merritt heritage remains intact. Originally built as single-screw vessels, some have been converted to twin-screw diesels for greater performance.

Entered from the cockpit by a sliding door, the deckhouse salon features a long built-in settee and raised dinette. The galley is down a few steps forward, opposite another built-in settee and the head is forward. The classic white with teak trim cabinetry and paneling is typical of that era. The open bridge’s centerline helm featured a teak steering pod with stainless-steel wheel and single lever controls. A single helm chair is flanked by bench seats—all white with teak trim, though upholstery has been customized by subsequent owners through the years. Functional, seaworthy, and durable to this day, these early custom Merritt sportfish models influenced many other sportfish boatbuilders, both custom and production builders.

Merritt 42 length overall (LOA) is 42’, with 12’3” beam and 3’6” draft. Fuel capacity is 425 gallons and water capacity is 40 gallons. Accommodations are one cabin and one head.
Models’ specifications could vary slightly from year to year.