Hull, Keel, and Sailing Character
The 42i rides on a solid fiberglass hull with discontinuous balsa block coring in the deck structure and solid mat laid under all hardware and winch bases — a detail that matters for long-term integrity. The fin keel carries a bulb and pairs with a spade-hung rudder, a combination that produces balanced tracking notable enough that the test boat held course without a hand on the wheel. A shoal-draft alternative (5′ 3″ versus the standard 7′ 0″) carries slightly more ballast to compensate, keeping the ballast-to-displacement ratio marginally higher than the deep-keel version. With a displacement/length ratio of 150, the 42i sits firmly in the light-displacement bracket and achieves a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.4 — comfortably in the range associated with reasonable cruising performance without crossing into demanding territory.
Rig and Deck Handling
The standard rig is a fractional sloop with a full-batten mainsail. All sail-control lines run aft from the mast through organizers to clutches and Harken 40 winches positioned on either side of the companionway, with Harken 46 primaries just forward of the twin helms. That routing keeps the mast area clear and puts everything within reach of a single crew member at the helm. The optional Seldén in-mast furling system trades the full roach of the standard main for convenience; buyers intending serious windward work should weigh that compromise carefully and consider adding a bow sprit for improved downwind sail options. Wide, non-skid-covered coamings give solid purchase when moving around at heel, and cabin-top handholds extend all the way to the mast. Shroud placement — lowers inboard to the cabinhouse, uppers taken outboard — keeps the side decks unobstructed.
Performance Under Sail and Power
Close reaching in 9 knots of apparent wind, the 42i logged 5.8 knots over the ground — respectable numbers for a displacement cruiser in those conditions. The hull speed calculates to just over 8 knots given the 38-foot waterline, and the 54-horsepower Yanmar 4JH4E diesel drove the boat to about 7 knots at 2,400 rpm, with another knot available at wide-open throttle. Prop walk to port when backing was noted but quickly controlled once way was established. The twin-helm arrangement means the helmsperson always has a clear line of sight to the rig and traffic on both tacks, a practical advantage when sailing shorthanded.
Accommodations and Layout
Jeanneau offered the 42i in two configurations: a two-cabin, two-head plan and a three-cabin, two-head alternative. The two-cabin version gives the owner a roomy double aft to starboard with a dedicated head and separate shower to port at the foot of the companionway; the area behind the shower, sealed by a watertight door, functions as a finished storage room. Forward, the owner's cabin carries its own full head and shower. Throughout, fine teak laminated panels and solid trim contrast with light upholstery and liner. The main saloon galley to starboard is equipped with a two-burner propane stove and oven, double sinks, and top-loading refrigerator and freezer. The dinette forward of the galley converts to an additional double berth. The nav station to port features a desk that slides forward when in use and stows aft out of the settee's way — an ergonomic touch that reflects the 42i's liveaboard ambitions. Water capacity of 94 gallons supports extended passages.
Cockpit and Deck Comfort
The wide twin-helm cockpit is a defining feature of the 42i at anchor as much as underway. A drop-leaf, teak-covered cockpit table folds up for entertaining or collapses flat to open the walkway; it also serves as a solid brace when the boat heels. Three large storage lockers and a dedicated liferaft locker are built into the cockpit — the locker is sized for a six-person canister. The teak-covered swim platform is scooped out to ease boarding from the water, and twin anchor rollers on the bow signal that the builder gave equal attention to passage-making practicality as to dockside appearance.
The Verdict
The Sun Odyssey 42i is a well-resolved coastal cruiser that delivers on its central promise: a boat that sails with genuine purpose, accommodates two people in real comfort, and handles predictably with a reduced crew. Marc Lombard's hull tracks cleanly, the deck hardware layout is thoughtfully executed for shorthanded sailing, and the interior finishes are a cut above what the base-price positioning suggests. Its capsize screening formula of 2.05 sits just above the bluewater threshold of 2.0 and its comfort ratio of 22.67 confirms its nature as a coastal rather than offshore passage-maker — buyers planning extended blue-water runs should factor that in. The in-mast furling option simplifies sail handling but penalizes light-air performance; the standard full-batten main is the better choice for sailors who intend to push the boat.
Pros
- Injection-molded deck construction reduces topside weight and improves center-of-gravity
- Tracks straight and balanced under sail; forgiving for short-handed crews
- Twin-helm cockpit with full-function table and dedicated liferaft stowage
- Well-sorted below with sliding nav station and genuine storage throughout
- 54 hp Yanmar diesel provides confident motoring performance and strong low-rpm economy
- Shoal-draft option opens gunkholing grounds unavailable to the standard keel
Cons
- Capsize screening formula marginally above the 2.0 threshold — not optimized for offshore passages
- In-mast furling (a popular option) produces a hollow roach that costs drive in light air
- Relatively modest fuel capacity of 34 gallons limits range under power
- Ballast-to-displacement ratio of 30 percent is on the modest side for heavy-weather stiffness
