Design and Construction
Valentijn's approach to the 42 concentrated on structural integration and moderate weight control. The hull is molded as a sandwich core construction of 1" balsa grain balsa core between laminates of polyester resin and fiberglass woven roving and multi-directional chopped strand fiber, while the keel is molded integrally with the hull and all 9,000 pounds of internal lead ballast is contained inside it. There is no core used in the hull below the static waterline. The deck and cockpit are a single molded unit of polyester resin, woven roving, and MCSF, with plywood coring in the cabin top, deck, and cockpit sole for stiffness. The rudder is a single piece of solid high-density foam with a fiberglass skin and gelcoat, its solid stainless-steel post molded integrally and turned by a pedestal system of stainless cables on a radial quadrant. Below, the interior is built mainly of wood with fiberglass liners for the two heads; floor timbers are bonded with woven roving and carry a screwed plywood sole topped by a teak and holly floor. Bronze seacocks are bonded with 8-gauge wire against galvanic corrosion.
Two transom configurations appeared across the production run. Older models carry a flat transom, while post-1989 boats introduced an extended transom with an early iteration of the now common scoop. Owners unanimously prefer the scoop design, which eases dinghy loading and swimming access, and the change is one of the few visible generational divides in the class.
Rig and Handling
The Endeavour 42 carries a tall rig with inboard shrouds, a configuration the period review credited with letting it beat to windward with a bit of authority. All spars are extruded aluminum 6061-T6; the mast steps through the cabin roof onto the keel, the forestay meets the stemhead fitting, and the remaining stays and shrouds anchor to chainplates at the cabin-house edge. The builder noted that taller rigs, inboard chain plates, and balsa-cored topsides were adopted expressly for better performance.
That performance is respectable for a center-cockpit cruiser but bounded by the numbers. The boat balances well in 12 knots or less, yet past 15 degrees of heel weather helm sets in. Test sailors found tacking angles of 45 degrees or worse, and on a conservative Sarasota-to-Havana passage in 8 to 17 knots they averaged 6.3 knots, holding 5.5 to 6 under reef at night and touching 7.4 off the wind in 17-knot trades. The boat's favorite heading is with the wind just aft of the beam, and its 75-gallon fuel tank limits motoring range to about 300 miles at 6.5 knots while burning 1.5 to 2 gallons per hour.
Accommodations
Inside, the Endeavour 42 is a center-cockpit layout sleeping seven across a forward double V-berth, a starboard single settee, a port double convertible (circular or L-shaped dinette), and an island queen aft. The forward berth has a five-foot hanging locker and three drawers; the aft owner's cabin has two hanging lockers and six drawers. A guest head forward carries two doors—one from the berth, one from the saloon—and the aft cabin has its own private head and shower. Headroom is 6'4".
Ventilation is a strong suit: multiple Bomar opening ports, two large Atkins and Hoyle hatches in the main cabin, and one hatch over each double berth make the boat ideal for the tropics. The galley sits in the port passageway with a large top-loading icebox and freezer, gimbaled stove, and double sink, though testers called the oversized freezer overkill and noted builder-grade insulation and limited storage. Engine access is excellent—the Perkins or Yanmar sits beneath the cockpit and is reached through doors from the galley and aft head.
Known Issues
Several recurring faults trace to the structure. The guest-head and forward-cabin doors tend to jam as rigging and mast loads transfer into that area. Leaks at the mast partners and shroud chainplates are common complaints. The fuel tank, welded marine-grade aluminum in the keel cavity beneath the engine, is exposed to condensation and trapped water; service or replacement requires pulling the engine, and the 75-gallon capacity is small against similar models. Water-tank replacement would mean removing the cabin sole.
Refits and Ownership
Engine fitment splits by era: most 1985–1986 boats carry a fresh-water-cooled 62 HP Perkins 4-154 with 2.5:1 reduction, while 1987–1991 models shifted to the Yanmar 4JH. All use a 1.25" stainless shaft and a three-blade 17 x 16" bronze propeller. The jib-sheet winches are self-tailing Lewmar 44s, which one review felt should be one size larger. The shallow bulwark, grab rails, and five deck hatches are typical across the range.
The Verdict
The Endeavour 42 is a thoughtfully laid-out coastal and trade-wind cruiser with unusual engine access and a clean break from period styling, let down by a handful of structural leaks and a vulnerable aluminum fuel tank. It rewards the buyer who accepts its limits and budgets for the known weak points.
Pros
- Walk-through center cockpit with excellent below-cockpit engine access
- Tall rig and inboard shrouds give credible windward performance for the type
- Strong tropical ventilation via multiple hatches and opening ports
- Spacious aft owner's stateroom with private head and island berth
Cons
- Not a blue-water design per the builder's own framing
- Door jamming and chainplate/mast-partner leaks are common
- Aluminum fuel tank in keel cavity requires engine removal to service
- 75-gallon fuel capacity restricts motoring range to roughly 300 miles
