Kendo 42 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

Production of the Kendo 42 commenced in 1979, emerging from the CNSO shipyard located in Bon-Encontre, France. CNSO, founded by Otto Tiefenbach in 1960, established a reputation for building dependable and comfortable cruising sailboats, a philosophy evident in the Kendo 42's design. The yard often named its models after martial arts, reflecting their commitment to robust construction and seaworthy capabilities. Michel Bigoin, a pivotal designer for many of CNSO's iconic models, shaped the Kendo 42 with an emphasis on creating a vessel capable of extended cruising. The hull is constructed from solid fiberglass, indicative of the durable build quality prevalent during this era of CNSO production.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Kendo 42 is characterized by a design optimized for comfortable and stable cruising rather than outright racing performance. With a reported sail area of 1022 square feet and a displacement of 26,455 pounds, she has a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 18.32. This ratio suggests a balanced performance profile, indicating she will perform adequately in lighter breezes while remaining manageable as the wind picks up. Her ballast-to-displacement ratio (Bal/D) is around 0.32, providing moderate stiffness and contributing to a comfortable motion in a seaway, rather than an overly tender or excessively stiff feel.

With a displacement to length ratio (D/L) of approximately 289, the Kendo 42 falls into the category of a moderately heavy displacement cruiser. This weight class contributes to her solid feel offshore and her ability to carry provisions for extended voyages. The boat features a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a configuration that offers a good blend of tracking stability and maneuverability. The cutter rig further enhances her adaptability to varying wind conditions, allowing for a flexible sail plan that can be easily managed by a cruising couple.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the CNSO Kendo 42 is designed for comfortable living aboard, offering generous space for extended cruises. The layout typically features three separate cabins, providing accommodation for up to ten individuals with a combination of double and single berths. This includes ample sleeping arrangements for a larger crew or for accommodating guests. The vessel is equipped with two heads, each including a shower, enhancing convenience and privacy on board.

The main saloon is spacious, providing comfortable seating and a well-appointed galley for meal preparation. One notable feature for those spending significant time below decks is the impressive headroom, measuring approximately 195 cm (around 6.4 feet) in the saloon. Storage is ample throughout, catering to the needs of long-distance cruisers. Furthermore, the Kendo 42 boasts substantial tankage, with a water capacity of 265 gallons (1003 liters) and a fuel capacity of 132 gallons (500 liters), underscoring its design intent for self-sufficiency on extended voyages.