Design and Construction
The 42 Pilot is robustly constructed and laid up to massive scantlings. The hull carries a layer of Core-Cell foam sandwiched between numerous fiberglass layers for a strong yet moderately light shell, while the deck is composite construction using Baltek balsa core. Through-deck fittings are mounted in a radius of solid laminate so fasteners never puncture the core, eliminating delamination risk. Hull and deck meet in a classic boxjoint with inward and outward flanges that incorporates the raised bulwark and teak toerail; bonded chemically and mechanically, the joint will not leak. Raised bulwarks double as secure vertical surfaces for stanchion bases. Structural bulkheads are tabbed to the hull around their full perimeter, and there are no molded liners. Beneath the cabin sole, solid fiberglass subfloor and stringers remove any chance of bilge rot. The ballast is internal lead poured into the integral keel cavity and fiberglassed over, which does away with keel bolts and lets fuel and water weight sit low in the hull. A beefy fiberglass bridge supports the keel-stepped mast and keeps its end clear of bilge water.
Rig and Handling
The cutter rig is a double-spreader arrangement of moderate proportion carrying about 1,100 square feet of sail area, with a sail-area/displacement ratio of 16.88 that marks the boat as built for bluewater. The standard sailplan pairs a high-cut roller-furling yankee with a staysail, avoiding any need for an overlapping genoa. Standing rigging is heavy duty and notably includes fore and aft lowers, with mechanical terminals and a solid vang in the standard package. All sail controls lead aft, and the mainsheet traveler sits forward of the companionway to free cockpit space. An optional self-tacking staysail boom simplifies foredeck work, and hull No. 2 carried a Schaeffer roller boom with an articulating luff track for off-wind reefing. Test sailors found the helm light on a gentle reach and the boat came through the wind efficiently for a long-keeled cutter. She sailed at 7-plus knots in about 12 knots true close-reaching and capably to 35 degrees apparent with very little helm, then held speed and control on a broad reach as apparent wind fell into single digits. A confused swell that would bounce a lighter, flatter-bottomed boat made the 42 Pilot barely notice the chop — a seakindly, soft ride.
Accommodations
Inside, the 42 Pilot is a symphony of light, almost honey-colored Costa Rican teak and stunning joinerwork, with the pilothouse natural light making the spaces feel bright and airy. The interior plan is innovative given the modest beam and real turn to the bilge. The inside steering station is to starboard with surprisingly good visibility; the comfortable helm chair lets you actually sail the boat from below, which is not always true of pilothouse designs. Across from the helm, a table and shallow C-shaped settee ingeniously lifts to reveal a workshop. A surprisingly large double aft cabin is tucked to starboard. The galley is down and to starboard with Corian counters, ample locker space, and a separate pantry opposite. That opposite space can be a third cabin, office, or whatever the owner specifies, and the test boat held a washer-dryer behind teak there plus a small easily accessed freezer. Forward, the owner's stateroom has an island queen with dressing seats and storage below, a large overhead hatch and opening ports for ventilation, and an en suite head with a separate shower stall and tile floor.
Deck and Equipment
On deck, stainless handrails on the pilothouse, tall well-supported lifelines, and the raised bulwark lend real security going forward in heavy weather. Deck hardware is oversized; double stainless anchor rollers and a well-designed stemhead fitting are matched by a standard electric windlass. A couple of aft lazarettes and a port cockpit locker give more than adequate deck storage. The cockpit seats are nicely sculpted with excellent lower back support. Systems throughout — from lights to latches — are top quality, and the standard list is comprehensive, running from a large inverter to an SSB counterpoise laid into the hull. A 56-horsepower naturally aspirated Yanmar diesel is standard, giving plenty of push for the roughly 27,000-pound hull. Primary engine access is below the pilothouse sole with most maintenance items readily at hand, and the sound insulation is such that it was hard to tell from the cockpit if the engine was running.
Known Issues
Every pilothouse suffers some loss of visibility from the outside helm, and the 42 Pilot is no exception, though Paine's low-profile house limits the compromise.
The Verdict
The 42 Pilot is a proven bluewater passagemaker capable of contending with notorious headlands in comfort and style. Her construction discipline — internal lead ballast without keel bolts, core-protected deck fittings, and a leak-free chemical-and-mechanical hull-deck joint — speaks to a boat meant for distance. The semi-custom path means a buyer chooses layout detail, but the bones are consistent.
Pros
- Internal lead ballast in an integral cavity removes keel-bolt failure points
- Core-protected through-deck fittings and a bonded boxjoint eliminate common leak and delamination paths
- Standard cutter rig with fore-and-aft lowers and all controls led aft suits short-handed bluewater work
- Can be sailed from a comfortable inside helm with good visibility
- Seakindly motion and soft ride in confused swell
Cons
- Reduced visibility from the outside helm station versus open-deck sisters
- Modest beam and pronounced bilge turn limit interior volume despite clever use
