Beneteau replaces the Oceanis 40.1 with a boat that answers the question owners in this size range keep asking: how far can a 40-footer adapt to the way I actually sail? The Oceanis 42 offers five layout options, more than any rival at this length, and two galley configurations, an L-shaped seagoing version and a linear one built around a long working surface. Marc Lombard Yacht Design drew the hull. Nauta Design handled exterior and interior, and the difference shows in the cockpit: the aft platform opens to extend the cockpit at anchor, or closes to form a protected seating area that carries extra crew safely under way. The rig has grown. The furling mast stands 60 cm taller than the 40.1 carried, the classic and performance masts 30 cm taller, so the boat holds power in light air without asking more of the crew. Helm consoles come straight from the larger Oceanis 47 and 52, with integrated seats, grouped controls and the throttle set into the console. Below, sand-coloured oak, 2 mm wood edging and large hull portholes give the saloon a calm, contemporary feel. The galley holds 215 litres of refrigeration, the largest cooling volume in the segment, and a full-size desk faces the saloon with the electrical panel housed at the companionway. For a buyer weighing a first new-build cruiser, or trading up from a 37, the 42 makes a well-judged case.
