Kendo 42 Information, Review, Specs

The Kendo 42 is frequently discussed alongside its nearly identical sibling, the Kendo 45. The two models share the same fundamental hull lines, with the 45 typically featuring a slightly extended transom or integrated swim platform, a modification that was common as the yard sought to modernize the profile in the early 1980s. While some 42s were rigged as sloops, the vast majority were delivered as ketches, a configuration that defines the model's silhouette and its identity as a long-distance voyager.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Kendo 42 is characterized by a heavy displacement hull and a relatively high ballast ratio, which translates to a stiff and predictable motion in a seaway. With its ketch rig, the boat offers a versatile sail plan that is particularly advantageous for short-handed crews. In heavy weather, dropping the mainsail and sailing under "jib and jigger" (headsail and mizzen) allows the boat to remain balanced and manageable without the high-load stresses of a large single mainsail.

Owner reports from the era emphasize that while the Kendo 42 is not a "light-air flyer," it excels once the breeze exceeds 15 knots. Its tracking is helped by a longish fin keel and a protected skeg-hung rudder, providing a sense of security when running before large swells. The boat's design prioritizes "sea-kindliness"—the ability to maintain momentum through a chop without slamming—rather than the high-speed surfing capabilities of modern, flatter-bottomed designs. Because it was designed by Michel Bigoin, who also designed the Pen Duick V, the hull geometry benefits from a pedigree of offshore racing efficiency adapted for cruising comfort.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Kendo 42 reflects the French "maître-artisan" approach to cabinet making of the 1970s, utilizing extensive mahogany or teak veneers and solid wood trim. The layout was typically focused on long-term habitation, featuring a large U-shaped galley, a proper navigation station, and a spacious saloon that takes advantage of the boat's generous beam.

The most common configuration includes a three-cabin layout: a V-berth forward, a guest cabin or bunk arrangement, and a significant owner's cabin. Some versions of the Kendo 42 utilized a center-cockpit arrangement which allowed for a grand "great cabin" aft with private head access, while others utilized an aft-cockpit design that prioritized a more contiguous interior flow and a larger cockpit for Mediterranean-style entertaining. The Kendo 45 variant often used this extra length to provide a more sophisticated aft-cabin entry or additional storage for blue-water gear like watermakers and generators.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a CNSO Kendo 42 should focus their surveys on several era-specific technical areas:

• Osmotic Blistering: Like many vessels built in Europe during the mid-to-late 1970s, CNSO hulls are known to be susceptible to osmosis. A moisture meter test and a haul-out inspection are essential to check for blistering in the gelcoat.
• Ketch Rig Maintenance: The dual-mast setup requires double the standing rigging. Buyers should inspect the chainplates and the compression posts, as the age of these vessels means the original wire rigging is likely past its service life unless recently replaced.
• Engine Access and Age: Many Kendo 42s were originally fitted with Perkins or Perkins-Sabre diesel engines. While robust, these engines may face parts availability issues or oil leaks. Inspect the engine room insulation and the shaft seal, as the deep bilges can hide slow-acting corrosion.
• Deck Core Integrity: CNSO used balsa or plywood coring in some deck sections. Soft spots around the windlass, stanchion bases, or the mizzen mast step are high-signal areas for potential delamination or water ingress.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for technical knowledge regarding this model is the Club des Amis Propriétaires de Karaté (Friends of Karate Owners Club). While named after the smaller sibling, this French-based association serves as the de facto technical archive for all CNSO models, including the Kendo and Mikado. They maintain records of original brochures and technical drawings that are invaluable for restoration projects.

The Verdict

The CNSO Kendo 42 is a "sailor's sailboat" from a bygone era of French yachting, offering a level of structural robustness that is difficult to find in contemporary production boats. It is an ideal candidate for a couple planning a circumnavigation on a budget, provided they are willing to maintain a vintage ketch rig.

Pros:

• Seaworthiness: Excellent motion in heavy seas and a very stable platform.
• Aesthetic Appeal: Classic lines and a traditional ketch silhouette that stands out in modern marinas.
• Build Quality: Solid fiberglass hull construction (below the waterline) that is over-engineered by modern standards.

Cons:

• Light Air Performance: Struggles in winds under 10 knots without the use of a large genoa or cruising chute.
• Maintenance Intensity: Two masts and older systems require a higher-than-average maintenance schedule.
• Maneuverability: Like many long-keeled cruisers of its weight, it can be challenging to handle in tight marinas under power, especially in reverse.