SEA TRIAL – JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 42 DS

 

 

Hopefully I don’t sound too biased towards this boat as I am a great fan of Jeanneau. This is the smallest of the deck salon boats from Jeanneau and I was really keen to see how it worked.

 

Manufactured in France, the 42 DS the Lombard/Garroni designed boat is plumb bowed and the most has been made of the length by making the cockpit larger and reducing the size of the swim grid. The ‘tear drop’ window design is becoming associated with Jeanneau and really suits this boat. The hardware on deck is first class and just looks tough and purposeful. In fact each of these boats is based on a performance platform and then modified for comfortable cruising or club racing.

 

You may not know this, but Jeanneau is the #1 boat builder in the world and, even after the depression that we have just experienced, have $250 million in the bank! You do not do that by being rubbish. In fact they have such enormous buying power that everything aboard is top notch and quality is everywhere.

 

The boat was in the middle of preparation for delivery and so I had to work around people putting the canvas dodger and full enclosure on her as I took pictures below decks.

 

CONSTRUCTION

 

A 3rd generation inner fibreglass grid replaces what we have always known as the stringer system, high-load zones are identified, cut out and re-laminated, there is a drainage system through the structure, and to top it all off there is a special emergency repair zone in keel area.

 

Talking of the keel, this is cast iron and weighs in at 6,310 lbs and as the total displacement is 19,662 lbs I would say that the boat will be not overly stiff or tender, but just right if you consider a rule of thumb that the keel weight should be one third of displacement.

 

ON DECK

 

As mentioned above, everything looks top notch and sure enough, Harken supply almost everything except the clutches that are done by Spinlock. The hatches are Lewmar and the one over the main salon has a solar vent fitted.

 

Forward there is a double anchor roller (one self launching) with hidden Quick 1000W combination rope (18mm) and chain (10mm) windlass, vertically mounted in the anchor locker, there is a hand-held remote and  manual handle.

 

A open stainless steel pulpit commands the bow, and there are 6 aluminum mooring cleats of sturdy proportions, two of which are optional amidships. There is also a teak toe rail running from stem to stern which has integrated stainless fairleads/ drainage scuppers.

 

The fantastic guys from LaFabrica measure up the dodger and enclosure. Note the teak decks and toe rail, and hull and deck salon windows.

 

The 7/8 fractional rig is by Selden with spinnaker track and solid boom vang, and in our case the optional in mast furling. The standard 135% genoa furling is by Facnor with the furling line run aft to the cockpit. There are adjustable genoa tracks with tackle again led aft to the cockpit. This is something not found often in cruising boats, but it’s here nonetheless. Part of the performance heritage.

 

Moving aft, the lifelines are broken amidships by a boarding gate and aft is a serious pushpit, again with boarding gate to the swim grid where you will find a liferaft locker and boarding ladder, and of course your hot and cold shower.

 

THE COCKPIT

 

This has increased in size in this new model and so has the cockpit table, which is teak and very beautiful (optional). I can see the crew relaxing in the sun or working hard in a race around the cans alike here. Lots of room. The deck is again teak as are the benches, and the whole thing looks very classy.

 

Primary winches are just forward of the steering stations so that they can be handled by the helmsman or crew   , plus there are two cabin top winches for halyards and so on. One was electric in our case and made for unfurling and reefing the main really easy and smooth, and the genoa   could be rolled in with a little tension on the sheet to make a neat job without effort. This is a must in my opinion. Rows of clutches ahead of these winches mean you can use the electric one for almost anything. Oh Joy! Of course all winches are self tailing, but as I am so week and feeble I think I would look for some electric primaries too. What can I say? You can tell I am feeling my age here can you not?

 

The twin wheel steering stations have instrument clusters at each but the engine controls are on the starboard side. Each station has a large compass, but the GPS plotter/radar will go on the aft end of the cockpit table so that both sides can see it.

 

There are huge, I would even go as far as to say cavernous lockers everywhere, for fenders, sails, and so on and the aft ones (that double as the helmsman’s seats) have access to the steering assembly too.

 

The seats, or benches are gently curved, but have straight uprights at each end to make it easy to sit with your feet up without falling off too. The area is huge and once the full enclosure is on, I would see people using this area all the time at anchor, even in winter.

 

DOWN BELOW.

 

The light teak coloured interior shows well as it reflects the light streaming in from the many hatches and ports in the cabin top and hull sides, all of which have bug screens if they open and blinds even if they do not. Solid teak hand rails and accents on cabinetry and in the galley make a beautiful visual image.

 

In our case we had white vinyl cushions on all benches and seats in the salon. The dinette has a ‘U’ shaped bench surrounding 3 sides and the table can be extended to include the bench seat on the port side.

 

Forward is the ‘V’ berth with its own toilet and shower, and there is a hanging cupboard. Aft is the master stateroom with a 6’ X 6’ island berth and room for chairs built in on either side of it. It has its own access to the aft bathroom, which has everything you could want on a boat. Shower, vanity unit and toilet with an easily cleaned surface.

 

The dinette can be made up into yet another double berth if required.

 

Note the abundance of hatches and port lights, plus the flat panel TV

 

Aft and to port is the forward facing navigation station, with switch panels and instruments fitted neatly into the cabinetry. There is useful space under the table for charts and so on.

The chart table and nav station. Digital meters show levels in all tanks too.

 

 

The galley

 

To starboard is the galley with 3 burner stove and oven, top loading fridge and double stainless sink with splash guard. There is a built in microwave and ample cupboard room. Plus, under the laminate flooring, and throughout the boat, there are huge spaces for storing anything from food for the year long cruise to your mother-in-law and all her relatives!

 

 

MECHANICALS

 

The engine is a 54 HP Yanmar and is easily accessed behind the companionway. You will have no trouble servicing this unit whatsoever. Filters, both water and fuel, are easily to hand, and it is the simplest thing in the world to check your levels.

 

The 11 US gallon holding tank is situated in the aft bathroom, there is a 10 gallon hot water tank that is connected to a heat exchanger on the engine or to 110V shore power. Heavy duty fresh water pump with accumulator pumps water around the boat through semi rigid hoses from tanks situated under the forward and aft berths with separate deck fillers. There is a total of 94 gallons capacity.

 

Fuel capacity is 34 US gallons and should last a long time on this engine.

 

Heavily soundproofed engine compartment

 

SEA TRIAL

 

Scott Macdonald of Fraser yacht Sales helms the boat in Burrard Inlet

 

After poor Scott Macdonald from Fraser yacht Sales had motored around to Burrard Inlet from False Creek to get fuel, I thought it best to have him pick me up from my boat and we would do our trial in the inlet once we cleared the sea busses. The sooner they get the fuel barge working in False Creek, the better life will be for all concerned, but I digress. It was a gorgeous day with a 10 knot breeze and I couldn’t ask for anything more for a test of this spectacular boat. I was not disappointed.

 

We rolled out the main using the electric winch on the cabin top, then let the genoa roll out and we sailed on a reach towards the Second Narrows Bridge. I quickly realized that this boat was moving surprisingly fast. I came up hard on the wind to see how she behaved as this was just too easy. We heeled a bit, picked up speed to 7.5 knots and flew towards the North Shore! Wow! The twin leather covered wheels were a joy and the helm was light to the touch, yet had plenty of “feel”. I could see me getting excited and wanting to race this thoroughbred. But I calmed down and turned off the wind again. We tacked her back and forth on the way back again, and I can tell you, this boat sails very well indeed. She is steady and sure footed like a much larger boat, and yet when you put the helm hard over under power in an emergency turn, she will go from full speed and do a circle inside her own length. Yes, you read that right! The keel is 7’ deep but is narrow with a bulb on the bottom and with a fin rudder she handles really well. So well that I over did it the first time I turned the wheel. This boat has the response of a dinghy.

 

CONCLUSION         

 

At a starting sail away price of around $265,000 and maxed out with almost everything at around $300,000 this vessel is well worth a look at. Its price is competitive as is its performance as mentioned above, and I have no doubt you will love the look and stance of the boat. She is gorgeous.

 

Your local Vancouver dealers are Fraser Yacht Sales on Granville Island at 1818 Maritime Mews, Vancouver, BC V6H 3X2 (604) 734-3344 and I know they will be delighted to talk to you about your individual needs. Oh, and this particular vessel is already sold, so you will be able to put a boat together that truly suits you.