Sometimes called the 42CC, the Passage 42 shouldn’t be confused with the later Marlow-Hunter 42SS, an unrelated design introduced in 2016.
Design and Construction
The Passage 42 is a fiberglass monohull with a fixed wing keel and an internally mounted, wheel-controlled spade-type rudder. It measures 42.5 feet overall, with a 38-foot waterline, a 14-foot beam, and a displacement of 24,000 pounds. Its 7,700 pounds of lead ballast gives a ballast-displacement ratio near 32 percent, underscoring the design’s steadiness as a cruiser rather than a racer.
The boat is predominantly solid fiberglass and was described by the builder as being made primarily from that material. Hunter claimed that a bonded, full-length internal frame and stringer system stiffened the hull without adding weight, providing maximum hull strength.
Above the cockpit, the trademark Hunter arch was described by the builder as structural stainless steel, strong enough to carry the mainsheet and traveler.
Rig and Handling
The Passage 42 carries a B&R masthead sloop rig with a 60-foot mast and a raked stem. Roller furling, a 130-percent genoa, inner stays, and two self-tailing winches simplify sail handling. The roller-furling headsail further eases the workload, while the inner stays are paired with the two self-tailing winches.
The mainsheet and traveler are securely mounted on the Hunter arch, keeping them out of the cockpit. Wide side decks provide room for safe, efficient crew movement. At the bow, an anchor roller on the stem guides the chain into a locker, with an electric windlass easing the task.
The center-cockpit layout helps keep captain and crew warm and dry. Although the cockpit isn’t overly spacious, it’s sculpted for comfort and protected from the elements by high sides, a dodger, and a bimini.
Cockpit and Deck Features
The stern has a walkthrough reverse transom with a swim platform and folding ladder. Above the aft stateroom is a flat area dubbed the sun lounge, intended for lounging.
Portals set inside the cockpit, just above foot level, allow people topside to talk with those below. Lighting and stereo speakers are mounted at head height to port and starboard.
Factory-standard equipment included a marine VHF radio, knotmeter, depth sounder, and an AM/FM radio with a CD player and eight speakers. Options included in-mast mainsail furling, air conditioning, an electric halyard winch, and leather cushions.
Accommodations
Below, the 14-foot beam and 6-foot 6-inch headroom create a dazzling amount of open space. The fore and aft staterooms provide spacious sleeping quarters for four. The master stateroom aft has a private bathroom with a tub and standup shower, while the forward stateroom has its own head with a shower.
The saloon settee and dining table convert into a double berth, expanding accommodations to six or more. A generous navigation station sits just aft of the saloon, 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 Passage 42 carries 150 gallons of freshwater and 70 gallons of diesel. Auxiliary power comes from a Japanese 62-horsepower Yanmar 4JH2TE.
Known Issues
Owners have reported leaky chain lockers, minor electrical problems, and trouble with some appliances, though most of these issues were resolved without major effort. Buyers and reviewers should regard them 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 a sheltered helm. Its center-cockpit layout, wing keel, and modest draft suit the coastal and inland passages its name implies. The arch, roller furling, and self-tailing winches also help make short-handed sailing manageable.
Its galley and berth count rival those of larger boats, while the warm, dry cockpit is a genuine virtue in chilly anchorages.
Pros
- Center-cockpit design helps keep the crew warm and dry
- Wide beam and 6-foot 6-inch headroom create an open, livable interior
- Fore and aft staterooms each have a private head and shower
- Structural stainless-steel arch keeps the mainsheet and traveler clear of the cockpit
- Roller furling and self-tailing winches ease short-handed sail handling
Cons
- Owners have reported leaky chain lockers and minor electrical faults
- Cockpit isn’t overly spacious despite its social layout
- Uninformed buyers may confuse it with the later Marlow-Hunter 42SS
