Jeanneau 42DS

[nickfabbri]

Saw one at the boat show and loved the space especially the huge aft cabin. Apart from the limited storage in the cockpit lockers, what are the downsides?
Does anyone know how she sails?
Cheers

 

[doug748]

Is this the one:
http://www.networkyachtbrokers.co.uk/boats_for_sale/Jeanneau_Sun_Odyssey_42DS-072938.html
looks a remarkable price.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

Pretty good boat. I gather it sails better than the ....non DS version.
However , once you get into that price range (£130 to £150K) you have an enviable choice of good boats.

 

[spddude]

I work on a 42ds - she was new in 2006 so the slightly older style (more wood used that the current model).
She sails brilliantly, often overhaul most other boats around with only performance focused yachts beating us. With the spin up 10 knots is not uncommon. With the shallow keel and in-mast reefing she struggles upwind, but with her wide stern and huge 56ft and 133% jib down wind or even a beam wind she excels.
She is currently being used as a charter boat, which the cockpit is ideal for, but the only two cabins is limiting for the longer charters.
I did notice that a new 42ds is more £200k now though...

 

[dslittle]

Short handed sailing

Saw one at the boat show and loved the space especially the huge aft cabin. Apart from the limited storage in the cockpit lockers, what are the downsides?
Does anyone know how she sails?
Cheers

Got the 45DS two cabin. She sails like a dream short handed. Obviously she will not win many regattas but for cruising with two she is a lovely yacht. On longer passages you can use a saloon berth as a sea berth if beating or (I am told) the aft berth is still very comfortable at 0500!!!

We would have preferred a starboard cockpit lockeras well for greater storage but the port locker is OK and the lazarettes are huge. If I had gone to Jeanneau with my design brief, the end result wouldn't have been very different.

In short, no downsides for us

 

[Kelpie]

Given I usually sail a 27ft boat, the 42DS seems a rather decadent use of so much space. When tied up, it's like living in a swanky flat. But at sea all that room means you have further to get thrown around. The grab-rails in the headlining are a joke.
I prefer the forecabin to the aft cabin but maybe that's just me. The little step in the sole by the mast post is an ankle-catcher. You'd think after ten days aboard you would get used to it, but no. Maybe if I owned one I would learn to stop falling down the hole.

Performance and instruments were all good, on the version I sailed. But I found it hard to get much feedback from the helm and have had the boat round up in stronger conditions. Have seen more experienced people have the same problem so it's not just me.
Disliked the cockpit layout as the helmsman is very exposed and you get tired from standing up all the time, with your weight on one leg if you are on the wind. Position of the isntruments means that you can't really keep watch from under the sprayhood like you can on a smaller boat or one with coachroof-mounted instruments.

Had to continually swap the genoa sheets from inside to outside of the shrouds to avoid chafe when running, but then many boats have this problem.

Lastly, had to stow my dinghy oars in the aft cabin- they wouldn't fit any of the cockpit lockers (they are 6ft). Strange, cos on my Albin Vega they fit neatly into the lockers. Ah well, each to their own.

 

[Skysail]

With VAT that is £176k.....

We have a 2005 43DS (shortly for sale...) and find it capable of fast passages in comfort. A folding prop helped a lot. Perfectly good hand holds in this model, and you can sit at the helm - just the one wheel. The cockpit locker space is also fine for a dinghy plus the usual gear.