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jeanneau sun odyssey 42i review
Sailing yacht · 42 ft (13 m) · Ibiza
expert score
Key specs
- Builder
- jeanneau
- Model
- sun odyssey 42i
- Length
- 42 ft (13 m)
- Guests
- 10
- Cabins
- 3
Verdict
A well-balanced cruiser with a roomy layout, easy family-friendly systems, and respectable sailing manners. It is not a pure performance boat, but for coastal cruising and charter use the 42i remains a practical, attractive choice.
Pros
- +Spacious cockpit and interior for a 42-footer
- +Twin wheels improve access and aft visibility
- +Comfortable 3-cabin layout suits families or charter
- +Good tankage and systems for extended coastal cruising
Cons
- −Performance is more cruising-oriented than sporty
- −In-mast furling can reduce sail shape and power
- −Wide stern and twin wheels can make close-quarters docking less simple
- −Build era means many examples now depend on maintenance history
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42i is a Marc Lombard–designed fractional sloop built as a comfortable performance cruiser. Its broad beam, twin wheels, and modern deck layout give it a contemporary feel for its era, while the injected-molded deck and practical cockpit arrangement make it straightforward to live with. It sits firmly in the cruising rather than racing camp, but the design is efficient and appealing.
On the water, the 42i is generally regarded as a capable and predictable sailor. It should point and accelerate reasonably well for a cruiser, especially in moderate conditions, but the overall emphasis is on balance and comfort rather than sharp upwind performance. Features such as in-mast furling and the wide stern make sail handling manageable, though they also reinforce the boat’s easy-going, conservative performance character.
Accommodation is a strong point. The three-cabin version offers useful space for a 42-foot yacht, with a large saloon, decent headroom, and practical storage and tankage for coastal cruising or chartering. For a 2008 boat, value depends heavily on condition and upkeep, but the model’s combination of livability, brand recognition, and usable sailing qualities keeps it appealing in the second-hand market.
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