Any owner of 42DS??

[infinity]

Dear Friends,
I just ordered a J 42 DS,
Can you kindly seggest me the strenghts and wekness of this model?

Can you please tell me what modifications/improvement/tuning could be done on this boat?
I choosed the 2 cabin version.......

thank you for your help

[Zanshin]

Since you already ordered the 42DS you'll be more interested in the strengths than in the weaknesses of the new boat Congratulations!

What sort of sailing do you intend to do and which area will you sail in?

[infinity]

Dear Zanshin,
I am mainly (99%) intrerested in cruising with my partner in the mediiterranean area .
My principal Harbor is Lavagna (near Santa Margherita or Portofino) and this area is really nice I would like to sail with calm and tranquillity also because her (my partner) is not yet well confortable on a boat. Our project is to discover mediterranean sea step by step and year after year.
We are planning to use the boat in Ligurian sea during the winter then transfert it in Sapin or France or Sardegna, or sicily and ... .... ....

where are you? which are your sailings area?

[Zanshin]

My boat is in the Caribbean, and I hope to sail for a couple of months in November.
I think that Jeanneau is well-adapted to Mediterranean climate, but for the tropics I would recommend Dorades and ventilators.

[sailbleu]

Hello infinity , I 'm just back after a 5 month trip around the med. All the way from Belgium , passed France , Portugal , Spain and Gibraltar up to south Sardegna , Sicily (Eolian and Egadi islands , especially the Eolian archipel is wonderfull) , along the Italian west coast up to Giglio , Giannutri , Montecristo (restricted area of course) and via north Sardegna ( the breathtaking Magdalena archipel ) back home again.
Much to short , but I can garanty you , we've done some sailing.
I own a 2 cabin jeanneau 40DS btw and this baby was more than up to the task.
But beware of the fishermens buoys and lines , they tend to get strangled around the propellor and shaft.
Come to think of it , the whole mediterranean sea is filled by these damned things. Sailors nightmares is what I call them.

Remember to buy the pilot " Italian waters " by Rod Heikel. Very good book.
But maybe you can also buy up to date Italian pilots , you should know , because looking at your email you're Italian are you not ?

Piacere di fare la vostra conoscenza.
Mind you though , this is an English board and other languages are not allowded

Regards

[grantgoulding]

Hello infinity
I have owned a 2 cabin 42ds since 2006. Overall very happy with her. Have been to Portugal and back across Biscay - I suppose about 10,000 miles todate.
Weaknesses:
Joinery a bit easy to mark
Aft cabin too big. So we put in place lee cloths
Mast shake in heavy seas
Windage when berthing - you need the bow thruster
Fuel capacity far too small
Not enough book storage in saloon
Lack of Ventliation for hot climates and when it's rough/raining. Large saloon windows may need to be covered outside to stop it getting too hot.
Adjustable on the fly jib sheet tracks - aargh - well don't they do this as standard?
Winches undersized in a blow

Strengths:
Light and airy saloon
Two heads
Cockpit is great for entertaining
Easy to sail and gives a good turn of speed
Well balanced

Improvements:
We found we needed the spinnaker but without the bowsprit we have ruined several nav lights!
Two chart plotters - essential to have it on the helm and with AIS
Lee cloths
Extra harness points in cockpit
Full cockpit cushions - essential - saved my back!
Bimini for the sun and rain in the UK!

Your's will have the improvements like open fairleads, better saloon table and lighting down below. Battery capacity needs increasing too.

Hope that helps.
Cheers

Grant

[Spritz]

Dear ALL, first let me thank you for your kind advices.
yes I admit fuel is to small and water is not big too. batteries are only three and sometimes not enough.
but the boat is great, for my needs, and I enjoy a lot sailing with it.

please keep me updated if you will come to Italy and in particular to ligurian see, I will be happy to meet you all!

Kind Regards


Antonio