The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS is a Bluewater sailboat created for cruising that has a contemporary, fluid design, a rare, timeless elegance, and the pleasant interior layout you would anticipate. It also performs exceptionally well.
Due to its strengthened hull design and skillfully crafted sail plan, the powerful hull impresses not only for its outstanding performance at sea but also for its simplicity of handling.
The saloon is flooded with natural light and fresh air thanks to its high deckhouse and big portholes. Interior living areas are pleasant at all times, day or night, and are refreshing and calming.
The Bluewater Sun Odyssey 42DS is a sailboat created for cruising that has a contemporary, fluid design, a rare, timeless elegance, and the pleasant interior layout you would anticipate. It also performs exceptionally well. Due to its strengthened hull design and skillfully crafted sail plan, the powerful hull impresses not only for its outstanding performance at sea but also for its simplicity of handling. Persuade oneself to relax by the light and space. The saloon is flooded with natural light and fresh air thanks to its high deckhouse and big portholes. Interior living areas are pleasant at all times, day or night, and are refreshing and calming.
For those who are unfamiliar with the name Bluewater Sailboat Jeanneau, she is one of the most prolific European boat makers and holds a substantial market share in the world’s recreational boating industry. Henri Jeanneau founded the Jeanneau Shipyard in 1957, and it produced its first fibreglass yacht in 1964. In 1970, Jeanneau unveiled two models that effectively signalled the beginning of Jeanneau as a manufacturer of mass-produced boats.
Jeanneau joined Groupe Beneteau in 1995, and shortly after that, in 1996, Jeanneau North America was established. According to reports, the world’s largest facility for producing leisure boats is the Jeanneau shipyard in France. Contrary to popular belief, Beneteau and Jeanneau both continue to operate autonomous management, design, and construction teams.
(Note: This is a very condensed history of Jeanneau; the breadth of the projects the business has worked on is, in my opinion, fascinating and merits additional research.)
The robust DS 43 was superseded by the DS 42, which was produced from 1999 to 2006 (1996, according to one source). The 2004-released 54 DS served as the basis for the Jeanneau 42 DS. The DS 54’s popularity spurred design modifications (not publicized) that shrunk the design for the DS 49 and DS 42 versions. Although the DS 42 is said to have debuted in 2007, there are still some 2006 boats in use.
The 42 DS is Jeanneau’s most recent and smallest attempt at a deck-saloon sailboat—49 feet and a 54 feet were earlier iterations—and it’s safe to say the brand has the concept down pat. The 42 DS, like its siblings, has a raised deck that slopes downward to provide room for the characteristic cat’s-eye windows that serve as the focal point of the boat’s aesthetically pleasing profile.
The fact that they didn’t try to do too much with this 42-footer is one of its wonderful features. The 42 DS offers a lovely double cabin up front, an open saloon/nav area/galley in the middle, and an incredibly cosy owner’s cabin at the back.
There are two heads on board, one to port at the foot of the companionway (which may be accessible from the main living area or the owner’s quarters) and the other to starboard in the V-berth cabin, but neither is overly invasive due to how nicely they have been integrated into the interior design.
The 42 DS is equipped with a tonne of clever tiny details from bow to stern. A well-designed, spacious hanging locker with plenty of storage shelves is available in the forward cabin. Under the V-berth, tanks are kept. The laminated wood floor is attractive and long-lasting. Voltage, fuel, and water levels are graphically displayed on the Scheiber electrical panel. In such a beamy boat, there are plenty of handholds, as there should be, and they are also attractive. The settees on the port and starboard sides make great sea beds as well. There aren’t many 42-foot Bluewater sailboats with beds that are as wide as the one in the owner’s stateroom towards the aft. The companionway-ladder module can be removed for good engine access by withdrawing a few pins at its base (though it might be a bit of a challenge stashing the stairs, especially under way). A watertight opening in the central head allows access to the engine starter for maintenance.
Again, the coachroof is the most prominent element. Instead of being merely perched on the deck to boost interior headroom, this coachroof’s lines gracefully merge with those of the cockpit and deck. You don’t really notice the substantial freeboard on this high-volume boat, though. A sleek, appealing appearance is produced by the coachroof’s inward slope and the hull’s curve.
Side decks are spacious and simple to manoeuvre. Excellent visibility is available from both helm stations over the coachroof. The deflated tender can fit within one of the two sizable cockpit-seat lockers, together with fenders. The cockpit’s actual seats are deep, and the coamings are a good height. The cockpit chairs aren’t quite as comfy as a plain straight seat, though, due to the tiny step next to the companionway.
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The saloon’s big, breezy ambiance is unavoidably impressive, but the master cabin is what truly drew my eye. The aft cabin is typically quite large on sailboats of this size, but according to my notes, it feels like she belongs on a center-cockpit boat, not an aft-cockpit boat.” Despite the cockpit’s encroachment, the aft cabin has exceptional headroom, particularly over the double berth. Another inch-counting exercise in boat design, this one should make for a much more comfortable night’s sleep. The head, which may also be entered from the base of the companionway stairs, is easily accessible from the aft cabin’s numerous lockers and drawers.
The design’s other features also function nicely. There are larger chart tables, but the nav station still has enough space for mounting a chartplotter and for plotting a course on a folded paper chart. The galley has more than enough counter space and food storage. The saloon settee isn’t revolutionary, but she does offer space for six people to sit down and two seaberths. A smaller bunk and a separate head are in the forward cabin. Overall, the joinery has good fit and finish, and the interior is cozy and practical.
The four-cylinder Yanmar engine that powers the 42 DS is available with a wide range of optional auxiliary equipment, such as generators, climate control systems, electric winches, electronics, davits, solar panels, wind generators, and canvas. In-mast roller furling systems have been installed in every version. There is no core in the topside or bottom laminates of the solid fibreglass hull.
The performance of this Bluewater sailboat in the light chop and 8 to 10 knots of wind. The balanced hull appeared eager to stay in the groove, and the helm provided just the right amount of feel. She tacked through 100 degrees and reached 6.5 knots upwind. She had the option of pointing higher, but her footing in the single-digit winds kept her beautifully navigating the chop. She was kept from being flung around in the powerboat by the conventional 6-foot, 11-inch keel and 5,628 pounds of cast iron ballast. The boat was typically simple to control and tacked and accelerated predictably.
the primary winches, the chartplotter, and other equipment are all easily accessible from the helm seats, which are also very comfortable and have enough bracing points.
As mentioned, both helm positions had great visibility.
It is enjoyable and fulfilling to steer the boat using one of the two twin wheels. The deck plan makes extensive use of Harken gear. There were no repeaters below; the boat was equipped with a radar and a chart plotter immediately at the helm station. This appeared to be a little backward if you’re using only one set of instruments.
This yacht appears to have hit the jackpot in a number of areas. She has a modernized appearance that isn’t overly radical, and its relaxing accommodations please both form and function. The performance in light air is good, and she could easily withstand much more wind. Stowage, cosy bunks, and a large galley are all there and sufficient for sailing. The cockpit has an odd step in the seat, and engine access is a little restricted, but these are minor flaws in an overall effective design.
the application of steel backing plates, nuts, and keel bolts. The bilges must be kept dry, so it is crucial to regularly apply fresh coatings of primer and rust inhibitor. The backing plates and keel bolts have progressed deterioration and need extensive repair.
The majority of boats that are sold in North America come factory wired for usage with those continent’s power systems. A European version that has been adapted for usage in North America will occasionally appear. If not done correctly, some of these conversions might be downright terrifying.
Fiberglass anomalies are uncommon when looking at the hull and deck; quality control seems to be reliable. The degree of gelcoat crazing in the deck and cabin top appears to be the main determining factor. The separation of the inside hull skin from the hull grid system, primarily as a result of hard groundings.
Replacement of some valves and via hull fittings is typical since the ball valves and thru hulls appear to corrode faster than domestic alloys (this is not confined to Jeanneau by the way).
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