A superb design from Jeanneau and designer Marc Lombard, the sharp looking and ultra-comfortable new Sunsail 42i is a performance orientated coastal cruiser with modern and flowing lines and a generous sail plan - a real pleasure to sail.

Like the rest of the ‘i’ range, the Sunsail 42i features injection-molded decks (hence the "i" in the name), which means less weight, a lower centre of gravity and better structural properties.

Well set up for short-handed crew, all sail-control lines run aft from the mast, through organizers to clutches and Harken winches on either side of the companionway. Twin steering wheels make it easy to find a comfortable spot from which to steer, watch the telltales, or monitor traffic. A drop-leaf cockpit table folds up for entertaining or down to leave plenty of space. The deck layout is user-friendly with built-in storage for a six-man life raft in the swim transom and cabin top handholds running all the way to the mast.

Below deck, the Sunsail 42i offers spacious, functional accommodation with three large double cabins and two full size heads. Fine teak laminated panels and solid trim feature throughout and contrast warmly with the light coloured upholstery and liner. In the main saloon, a galley with a two-burner propane stove and oven, double sinks, and top-loading fridge and freezer are to starboard, with a table that folds down to make an additional double berth. To port there is an adjustable chart table and navigation station where technical equipment including a colour chart plotter and autopilot is fully integrated.