Hunter 42 Passage CC Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The Passage 42 is a monohull of solid fiberglass construction, built predominantly of that material with a fixed wing keel and an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a wheel. The builder claimed maximum hull strength came from a bonded, full-length internal frame and stringer system that stiffened the hull without adding weight, and that the boat was made primarily from fiberglass. The trademark Hunter arch above the cockpit was described by the builder as structural stainless steel, strong enough to carry the mainsheet and traveler anchor. At 42.5 feet overall with a 38-foot waterline, a 14-foot beam, and 24,000 pounds displacement backed by 7,700 pounds of lead ballast, the design sits at a ballast-displacement ratio near 32 percent, a figure that underscores its steadiness as a cruiser rather than a racer.

Rig and Handling

Above the deck, the Passage 42 carries a B&R masthead sloop rig with a 60-foot mast and raked stem. Roller furling with a 130-percent genoa and inner stays, paired with two self-tailing winches, simplifies sail handling, as does the roller-furling headsail. A trademark Hunter arch towers above the cockpit where the mainsheet and traveler are securely fastened and out of the way. The side decks are wide for safe and efficient crew movement, and the center cockpit layout helps keep captain and crew warm and dry while the cockpit itself, though not overly spacious, is sculpted for comfort and protected from the elements by high sides, a dodger, and bimini. An anchor roller on the stem guides chain into a locker, with an electric windlass easing the task anchor.

Accommodations

Below decks the 14-foot beam and 6-foot 6-inch headroom produce a dazzling amount of open space. The boat features spacious sleeping quarters for four with fore and aft staterooms; the master aft has a private bath with tub and standup shower, while the forward stateroom boasts its own head with shower. Accommodations extend to six or more when the saloon settee and dining table convert into a double berth. A generous navigation station sits just aft of the saloon and opposite the engine compartment. The galley is about as well equipped as they come, with a gimbaled three-burner LPG stove, broiler-oven, microwave, two-basin sink, refrigerator, and freezer. The boat carries 150 gallons of freshwater and 70 gallons of diesel for its Japanese 62-horsepower Yanmar 4JH2TE auxiliary.

Cockpit and Deck Features

The stern boasts a walkthrough reverse transom with a swim platform and folding ladder, while a flat surface above the aft stateroom dubbed the sun lounge invites lounging. Portals inside the cockpit just above foot level allow conversation between those topside and others below. The cockpit is outfitted with lighting and stereo speakers at head height to port and starboard. Factory standard equipment included a marine VHF radio, knotmeter, depth sounder, and an AM/FM radio with CD player and eight speakers, while options ran to in-mast mainsail furling, air conditioning, an electric halyard winch, and leather cushions.

Known Issues

Owners have reported leaky chain lockers, minor electrical problems, and difficulties with some of the appliances, though most of these issues were resolved without major effort. A buyer or reviewer should note these as typical owner-reported foibles rather than structural defects.

The Verdict

The Hunter Passage 42 is a purpose-built cruising monohull that trades outright speed for volume, comfort, and sheltered command. Its center-cockpit layout, wing keel, and modest draft suit the coastal and inland passages its name implies, while the arch and roller furling keep short-handed sailing manageable. The galley and berth count rival larger boats, and the warm, dry cockpit is a genuine virtue in chilly anchorages.

Pros