Design and Construction
The 42-foot length overall is paired with a 23-foot beam, yielding a length-to-beam ratio of 1.81 that places the boat firmly in the roomy end of its class — period comparisons ranked it as more spacious than 73% of similar sailing catamarans anchor. The hull is solid fiberglass, and the displacement-to-length ratio of 133 puts the design among what reviewers termed "light racers," with half of all comparable catamaran designs weighing more. That combination of beam and moderate displacement gives the 42 a precise average ratio between displacement and length for a cruising multihull of its size.
Rig and Performance
The Privilège 42 carries a fractional sloop rig with a mast standing 62 feet above the waterline and roughly 1,088 square feet of sail area. Its displacement-to-length and sail-area-to-displacement figures (26.85) mark it as a light, responsive coastal and passage cruiser rather than a heavy-displacement voyager. The twin keels draw between 7.58 and 7.88 feet depending on load, a draft that restricts the boat to major marinas anchor but suits open-water stability. Twin 54-horsepower Yanmar diesels with shaft drives provide propulsion, though some examples may instead carry dual 60-horsepower Volvo Penta MD2030 units.
Accommodations
Below, the boat is laid out with four cabins and a toilet facility, a configuration that made it a plausible platform for both private and charter use. The 132-gallon fresh water tank and 107-gallon diesel capacity supported extended independent cruising for a family or small crew. The spaciousness noted in comparative reviews translates directly to liveaboard and passage-making comfort within the 42-foot envelope.
The Verdict
The Privilège 42 is a limited-production Lombard catamaran that pairs an unusually beamy, light-displacement hull with a practical four-cabin interior. Its short production run and pre-Série construction mean it represents a distinct early chapter of the Privilège story rather than the modern infused fleet.
Pros
- Exceptionally roomy for its length among comparable catamarans
- Light-displacement, responsive sailing profile
- Four-cabin layout with solid fiberglass hull
Cons
- Draft limits access to shallow or minor marinas
- Only 29 built, so finding one takes patience
