Privilege 42 Information, Review, Specs

The Privilege 42 was in production from 1995 to 1999, succeeding the Privilege 12M. During its initial years of production in 1995-1996, the Privilege 42, alongside the Privilege 45, was recognized with the 'Boat of the Year' award in the US, highlighting its immediate impact on the market.

The design philosophy behind Privilege catamarans, heavily inspired by founder Philippe Jeantot's extensive single-handed sailing experience, prioritized creating vessels that offered a secure, comfortable, and strong platform for families to live aboard and explore the world's oceans, 10, 11]. This ethos of building high-quality, luxurious, and highly capable bluewater cruising catamarans was maintained by Jeantot Marine during the Privilege 42's production run, 6]. The shipyard rigorously selected materials for hulls and structural elements, employing a sandwich hull design consisting of fiberglass, foam, and more fiberglass for enhanced durability. While no significant MkI or MkII variations are noted, the Privilege 42 was offered in both a 3-cabin owner's version and a 4-cabin charter version, catering to different cruising needs.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a catamaran with a length overall of 42 feet and a waterline length of 38.16 feet, the Privilege 42 boasts a wide beam of 23.0 feet, which contributes significantly to its inherent stability and spaciousness Data. With a displacement of 16,500 pounds, it is considered a relatively light vessel for its size, contributing to its nimble performance Data. The twin-keel hull design and fractional sloop rig with a reported sail area of 1088 square feet enable a theoretical hull speed of 8.28 knots Data, 9. Owners have noted that the Privilege 42 is capable of sailing quite well when handled properly, especially during planned passages. The general design principles of Privilege catamarans emphasize superb stability and comfort, even in challenging sea states.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Privilege 42 is characterized by a warm, inviting atmosphere, often featuring cherry wood finishes. A key design element is the seamless flow from the spacious cockpit into an open-plan saloon. The galley is typically "down," meaning it's located in one of the hulls, but it maintains an open connection with the saloon area, enhancing the sense of light and space. Privilege designs are also known for their innovative placement of a large owner's suite in the forward nacelle, maximizing living space and contributing to the yacht's overall stability, 12]. The availability of both 3-cabin owner and 4-cabin charter layouts provided flexibility for different uses, offering varied arrangements of V-berths, heads, and quarter berths to suit cruising or commercial needs.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Privilege 42 generally appreciate its solid construction and comfortable motion, echoing the broader reputation of Privilege catamarans for robustness and stability. While specific in-depth reviews are less common, some owners have shared insights into their experiences, including addressing common maintenance items such as plumbing issues that may arise over time. Anecdotal accounts suggest that these boats are reliable cruising platforms, with owners often happy to detail the repairs and improvements they have undertaken, indicating a supportive community and the boat's suitability for long-term ownership.