Its ratios put it firmly among lively, modern cruiser-racers rather than heavy cruising boats. The sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 30.56, while the displacement-to-length ratio is near 155.
Design and Construction
Bavaria Yachts built the Match 42 in its German production era. The boat has a 16,280-pound solid fiberglass hull with selective reinforcement, along with a solid fiberglass deck. Its bulb keel carries 5,610 pounds of lead ballast, and steering is by spade rudder.
The design comes from the J&J Design partnership behind much of Bavaria’s output during the 1990s and 2000s. A 12-foot-3-inch beam and 36-foot-1-inch waterline give the boat volume and useful wetted surface with its 7-foot-7-inch draft.
A ballast ratio of 34.46 percent and a capsize screening value of 1.93 reflect a stiff, comparatively seaworthy platform for its size. Hull speed is just over 8 knots, consistent with the boat’s moderate displacement and long waterline.
Rig and Handling
The Match 42 carries a fractional sloop rig with 1,227 square feet of sail. Bavaria introduced the Match range as its cruiser-racing series, and the larger 42 shares its brief: appealing to owners who enjoy higher performance while retaining easy handling characteristics under sail.
The combination of a spade rudder and bulb keel supports that purpose, providing a responsive helm and comparatively shallow draft for a 42-foot performance hull. This is a cruiser-racer intended to be sailed hard, although its fractional racing rig calls for more active sail handling than the rig on a pure cruiser.
Accommodations and Cruising Capacity
Below deck, the Match 42 was intended to offer exceptional cruising comfort alongside its racing credentials. Three-cabin and alternative layouts were available within the series, giving owners a choice between private accommodations and racing bunk space.
Tankage comprises 80 gallons of water and 40 gallons of diesel. That capacity supports extended weekends or coastal passages without constant resupply. The comfort ratio of 23.78 suggests a tolerable motion profile for a boat with this performance orientation.
Engine and Used-Boat Ownership
The boat has a single Volvo Penta D2-55 diesel rated at 55 horsepower, a common and well-supported drivetrain choice for a yacht of this size.
Owners shopping the used fleet will find both private and ex-charter examples. Given the 2004–2006 build window, most surviving Match 42s are now well into their second or third ownership cycle. As with any used boat, a survey should confirm deck and hull integrity in the usual way.
Verdict
The Bavaria Match 42 is a purposeful cruiser-racer: quick enough to satisfy a performance-minded owner, comfortable enough below for cruising, and built around a straightforward solid fiberglass structure. Its three-year production run makes it comparatively scarce, but it remains a coherent example of J&J Design’s work with Bavaria in the mid-2000s.
Pros
- High-performance cruiser-racer brief with easy handling under sail
- Exceptional comfort below for a boat in its performance class
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck
- Lead ballast, spade rudder, and bulb keel
Cons
- Short production run from 2004 through 2006 limits fleet size and one-design activity
- Fractional racing rig requires more active sail handling than a pure cruiser
