Beneteau Oceanis 42: five layouts between space and brightness.

Beneteau has presented the new Oceanis 42, a cruiser candidate to become the reference model of the French shipyard in the 40-foot segment, as well as the designated heir of the Oceanis 40.1.

The market debut coincides with the fortieth anniversary of the Oceanis range and effectively opens up a new generation of boats, while maintaining the philosophy and tradition of the French shipyard.

Oceanis 42: larger cockpit and new helm stations

The project, signed by Marc Lombard and with lines by Nauta Design, has allowed the creation of a boat designed to combine performance and style, with a better distribution of space on board. The design was developed by combining the work of the designers with the perspectives of owners, dealers, and specialized press, always starting from data collected from the fleet, in order to improve onboard systems, overall ergonomics, and reliability.

According to data provided by the shipyard, compared to the previous model, the cockpit’s usable area has increased by 12% and the seating area by 10%. Numbers that lead Beneteau to define it as the largest cockpit in the 40-foot segment.

There are two available stern configurations: open, with the swim platform extending from the cockpit, or closed, with more protected and convivial rear seating even while sailing.

The helm stations take up solutions already introduced on the Oceanis 47 and 52: integrated seats and backrests, ergonomic consoles with all controls within reach, and an engine lever incorporated into the station.

Performance and ease of handling

The boat has been designed to offer safety and ease of handling even during long passages and with a reduced crew. The hull combines performance, stability, and balance at the helm, while to improve efficiency in various sailing conditions, the rigging has been revised: the standard rig with a roller mainsail has been raised by 600 mm, while the Classic and Performance versions gain 300 mm, resulting in an increase in sail area and performance.

The interiors: a bath of light in the dinette

The Oceanis 42 has been designed for a true life on board, not just for fun: the focal point in this sense is the design of natural light inside the boat.

The hull windows in the dinette and cabins are 2.5 times larger than the previous model, creating a more direct visual connection with the sea. The volumes are generous and the atmosphere is elegant, contemporary, and defined thanks to the materials: Sand Oak wood and three variants of premium finishes, available in Ivory, Sunset, and Pacific colors.

Beyond the L-shaped kitchen (which can vary according to needs), the internal space is completed with a true office below deck, an integrated bookshelf on the bulkhead at the foot of the mast, as well as a cabinet at the foot of the descent that groups all the electrical controls of the boat, for a clear and rational organization of onboard systems.

With a refrigeration capacity of 215 liters, the Oceanis 42 offers, according to Beneteau, the largest cold storage volume in this segment.

Oceanis 42: the true distinguishing feature is modularity

There are five possible configurations of the boat:

2 cabins and 1 bathroom;
3 cabins and 1 bathroom
3 cabins and 2 bathrooms
3 cabins and 3 bathrooms
4 cabins and 2 bathrooms, designed for charters.

The kitchen, according to needs, can be L-shaped or longitudinal, while for the charter version, it is possible to request Laos Teak finishes, more resistant to intensive use.

In summary, the key points are flexibility and design, aimed at making daily life on board easier.