Bavaria C42 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The C42's hull marks a break from Bavaria tradition: it is the first Bavaria with hard chines and a rounded V-bow, a combination the designer used to widen the beam, raise the freeboard, and lengthen the waterline over the previous model in this size band. The chines skim the waterline forward and rise to pinch in aft, giving a noticeable rounded stern while delivering both sailing stability and interior volume. A low, flat-topped coachroof starts far forward to preserve headroom, and the cabintop stays low-profile so the high topsides can generate the below-decks space. The deck carries a large solid toe-rail to the bow with non-slip moulded side decks, and a coaming runs aft to enclose the cockpit. Bavaria returned to hand lay-up rather than vacuum infusion for the hull manufacture, a choice one reviewer judged a backward step, though the joinery feels solid and the sole panels were quiet underfoot.

Rig and Handling

Cossutti's team paired the powerful hull with a tall deck-stepped Seldén aluminium mast—about 20 metres from the waterline—carrying roughly 100 square metres of upwind sail, a figure Yachting World reports as 30 percent more than a comparable 40-foot design and the most in its class. The standard sail plan is a 42.7 m² mast-furling Elvstrøm mainsail with a 37.5 m² self-tacking jib, while a 109 percent overlapping jib, 155 m² gennaker, and Code 0 are order options for more pace. A two-spreader rig with a bridle backstay is standard, and a German mainsheet system is available, though the Yachting World test boat instead sheeted to a companionway winch. Twin wheels drive a single spade rudder through a minimal Jefa linkage; that single rudder—unusual against twin-rudder trends—proved easy in reverse without the slamming tendency and gave feedback when pressed. Steering is light, the boat leans into its chines coming upwind, and polars show double-figure reaching in over 20 knots and over 9 knots in 16 knots true.

Accommodations

Buyers choose two or three cabins and one or two heads. The three-cabin layout reviewed by Boating New Zealand placed the master berth forward with its own head and shower, a pair of double quarterberths aft, and a guest head to starboard opposite the L-shaped galley. The saloon feels roomy thanks to the deck-stepped mast, with a port settee, starboard U-sofa, and an origami-style table that doubles in size and lowers to a berth. Headroom reaches two metres. The forward cabin berth measures 1.80 by 2.07 metres and is taken to the hull sides; space below allows an optional 250-litre tank. Light enters through high cabin-side windows, through-hull ports, and a large central hatch. The galley is practical, fiddled, and equipped with a three-burner stove, single sink, large fridge, gas oven, and microwave. A forward-facing nav station shares the port settee's forward end.

Cockpit and Deck Gear

The aft helms leave room for long benches with proper coamings and a generous centre table housing a B&G chartplotter, with a gimballed compass before each wheel. The middle transom section folds down on gas-strut hinges to form a boarding platform finished in Esthec teak-look decking, matched on cockpit floor and seats. A large bimini and dodger cover the cockpit with open sides and clear panels. A bow thruster and electric cabintop winches aid short-handed docking and sail handling. The anchor sits in a moulded bowsprit ahead of a chain locker that also stores fenders, and a sunbed lies forward of the mast.

Known Issues

The Yachting World test boat's shrouds went slack after a few tacks; the dealer attributed this to missed rig bedding and pre-delivery inspection under COVID restrictions, not a design fault. The same review flagged square-edged saloon and chart tables that the product manager assured would be modified, and noted electronics mounted in non-watertight lockers. Sole panels are screwed down, slowing bilge access despite numerous panels, and some bare ply and veneered bulkheads were judged unlikely to prove durable. Locker space is conservative, with a sail locker whose small hatch limits stowage.

The Verdict

The C42 is a thoughtfully modern family cruiser that trades some construction refinement for volume, light-air performance, and easy handling. Its chined hull and tall rig deliver a potent sail plan in a manageable package, while the configurable cabin layouts and clever cockpit suit both charter and private use. Minor fit-out caveats around rig tuning, locker sealing, and interior edges are worth noting but do not undermine the design's strengths.

Pros