Design and Construction
Frers brought his 1991 design skills to a contemporary cruising yacht that embodies the builder's expertise without chasing regatta gimmicks. The hull is hand laid up using isophthalic resin and insulated with PVC foam above the waterline, and each boat is Lloyds inspected during construction with a certificate issued at delivery hand laid up using isophthalic resin. Reviewing the boat, På Kryss & Till Rors praised the pervading grid structure at floor level and the lamination of hull and deck for inspiring confidence, and noted that a craftsman personally trials every piece of equipment on extended cruises before production. The deck is laid for correct functioning rather than appearance, with clean and wide teak decks and a hull-to-deck joint glassed heavily on the inside. A deck-stepped mast and stainless steel bolts in the lead-ballast fin drew tester reservations on a bluewater cruiser, and stainless steel tanks were likewise a worry to the same reviewer.
Rig and Handling
The Mk II carries a mast of 60' 8" above the water and a standard draft of 6' 7", with a 30 cm shallower encapsulated-lead version available. Sail area is 958 sq ft with jib and 1,087 sq ft with genoa, on a 76 HP Volvo Penta TMD22. In a 14-knot breeze test sailors found her pointing well and making a healthy 6.6 knots. The 42 powers well, turns in its own length and steers positively in reverse, with ball-bearing-supported rudders, handy emergency tillers and a cable steering setup. Bronze seacocks are fitted to all thru-hulls.
Accommodations
Below, the Mk II shows a beautifully finished mahogany interior with full carpeting over teak-and-holly soles and curtains on windows and hatches. The saloon in the tested boat held the optional layout with very plush easy chairs to starboard, while the aft cabin preferred by the tester had a comfortable settee to port instead of the 46's extra berth. Large lockers and a bow locker separated by a ply divider swallowed six big fenders; a shallower lazarette than the 46 and a good cockpit locker plus starboard gas-bottle locker complete the stowage. The galley is completely equipped with a gimballed stove that swings to a steep angle, safety rail, deep double sink, backup hand-pump and generous storage, while a moderate electric refrigerator sits abaft the chart table. A workable sit-down chart table with instrumentation space and a readily accessible electric panel outboard serve the navigator; the aft head has a great stall shower with seat, the forward head a spacious shared w.c. and shower.
Equipment and Systems
Webasto cabin heaters and ample ventilation through dorades, opening ports, four to five hatches and saucer-type electric vents equip the interior, with an optional hard dodger whose centre cutout closes by canvas. The 12-volt DC system splits engine-starting and ship's-power batteries. A 420-litre diesel and 685-litre fresh-water capacity underpin long passages.
The Verdict
The 42F Mk II is a confident, well-finished ocean cruiser with Frers' performance edge and a builder's inspection discipline behind it. She sails readily in a moderate breeze and handles under power with assurance, though a buyer should weigh the deck-stepped mast and stainless tank and bolt details noted by period testers.
Pros
- Frers hull with CE A ocean rating and 6.6-knot pace in 14 knots
- Lloyds-inspected, foam-insulated, isophthalic-resin hull with grid structure
- Plush, practical interior with deep stowage and full galley
- Positive reverse steering and turn-in-length manoeuvring
Cons
- Deck-stepped mast on a bluewater design (tester reservation)
- Stainless steel bolts in lead fin and stainless tanks (tester worry)
