Design and Construction
The Salona 42’s dimensions and sail plan place her firmly in performance-cruiser territory. She measures 37 feet 7 inches on the waterline and 12 feet 6 inches on the beam, with a displacement of 15,870 pounds. The long waterline promises the theoretical reach of a larger boat, while the beam supports volume without sacrificing the hull’s reasoned handling.
Salona Yachts builds hulls and decks with vacuum resin infusion, vinyl ester resin, tri-axial laminates, and closed-cell PVC foam cores. A structural stainless steel internal frame is bonded inside the hull to distribute loads from the keel, mast, and shrouds. Below the waterline, the yard applies transparent gel coat so the underlying laminate can be inspected visually for quality. These details describe the builder’s methods rather than making specific claims about this particular hull, but they provide useful context for how the 42 was produced in its era.
Rig and Handling
The Salona 42 carries 838 square feet of sail as a fractional sloop. Combined with her 15,870-pound displacement and envelope calculated for handling and speed, that sail plan reflects a performance cruiser designed for more than relaxed coastal motoring.
Cruising World testers judged her capable of holding her own in regattas while still meeting cruising needs on the continent. In her home waters of the Adriatic, period reviewers described her as an ideal boat for exploring the many ports within a quick day’s sail of one another.
Owners could choose among draft options of 6 feet 6 inches, 7 feet 5 inches, or 5 feet 9 inches. Those choices allow a trade-off between ultimate stability and shoal-water access without changing the fundamental hull.
Accommodations
Below, the Salona 42 has a warmly finished interior shaped around the realities of being at sea rather than showroom appeal. The layout addresses the practical needs of liveaboard cruising and short-handed coastal hopping, while the finish suits the boat’s performance-cruiser role. The clear aim is a sea-kindly interior for sailors who intend to use the boat.
Verdict
The Salona 42 earns her performance-cruiser label through design rather than styling. The J&J-designed hull is quick enough for regatta fleets yet composed enough for cruising. Its Adriatic pedigree is reflected in a layout built around practical seagoing needs, while the builder’s construction approach centers on infused laminates and an internal stainless steel frame.
Pros
- J&J-designed envelope calculated for handling and speed
- Judged regatta-competitive while remaining suitable for cruising on the continent
- Vacuum-infused vinyl ester construction, an internal stainless steel load frame, and transparent underwater gel coat that allows visual inspection of the laminate
Cons
- Even the shoal 5-foot-9-inch draft option offers less shoal-water versatility than a dedicated shoal-draft cruiser
