Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS Review: Standing Views, Smallest DS Built (2026)
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS (2007–2011) is a CE Category A deck-saloon cruiser, 12.93 m LOA, designed by Marc Lombard with Garroni styling. It offers 2- or 3-cabin layouts, a Yanmar 54 hp diesel, and solid hand-laid FRP construction. As of August 2026, used prices range from approximately €94,000 to €173,000 across ~65–70 listings worldwide. The builder doesn't publish production numbers.
12.93 m
LOA
Length Overall
2007–2011
Production Years
€94k–€173k
Used Market Range
Cat A
CE
Offshore Rated
What the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS actually is
The Sun Odyssey 42DS is a deck-saloon cruising yacht built by Jeanneau from 2007 to 2011. "Deck saloon" means the main living space sits above the waterline with large windows at eye level, giving you standing views of the anchorage without climbing into the cockpit. It was the smallest boat in Jeanneau's DS trilogy, joining the 49 DS and 54 DS that launched in 2004, and it replaced the older Sun Odyssey 43 DS, built from around 1996/1999 to 2006. In 2012 the Sun Odyssey 41 DS took over its spot in the range.
Hull design is by Marc Lombard, with deck and interior styling by Vittorio Garroni of Garroni Designers. The hull is solid hand-laid FRP with a one-piece structural grid bonded in. The deck uses Jeanneau's Prisma closed-mould resin-injection process. The rig is a fractional sloop on a deck-stepped Seldén spar, notable for having a separate storm-trysail groove. The Cruising World Boat of the Year panel flagged this as a standout feature for an offshore-rated production boat.
Key dimensions: 12.93 m LOA, 11.60 m waterline, 4.13 m beam. Draft runs from 1.57 m on the shoal keel, through 2.10–2.13 m on the standard deep keel, to 2.30 m on the Performance variant. Standard displacement is 8,925 kg per the owner's manual. Power comes from a Yanmar 4JH4AE diesel producing 54 hp, fed by a 130 L fuel tank. Water capacity is 355 L across two tanks (200 L + 155 L), with an optional 160 L extra tank bringing the total to 515 L.
Buyers chose between a 2-cabin layout (4 berths) and a 3-cabin layout (6 berths). A Performance version was also available, with a taller rig, deeper keel, and total sail area of 89.5 m² versus roughly 77–82 m² standard. For more context on where this model sits in the broader lineup, see the Jeanneau complete brand guide.
The case for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS
Light and visibility below
The defining feature is the deck saloon itself. Six curved acrylic "cat's-eye" windows ring the coachroof, flooding the interior with natural light and giving 360-degree views from the settee. In a conventional sailboat of this size, the saloon is a cave. In the 42DS, you can see approaching squalls, watch the kids on the beach, or enjoy the sunset without leaving the sofa. For liveaboard couples or anyone spending rainy days at anchor, this single design choice changes daily life aboard.
Sailing performance
This is not a sluggish floating apartment. With the deep keel and a 122% genoa, one sea trial recorded 7.4 knots VMG (velocity made good, your effective speed towards a windward target) hard on the wind in 16 knots of breeze. PHRF ratings sit at 93–102 for the deep keel. A lower number means faster. As one YBW Forum owner put it: "often overhaul most other boats around with only performance focused yachts beating us" (anonymous crew, YBW Forum, c. 2010). A Denison Yacht Sales reviewer noted the boat "tracked as straight as a die and a balanced helm allowed the steerer to sit out comfortably" (Denison Yacht Sales, c. 2008–2009).
Offshore credentials
CE Category A certification means the boat is approved for offshore passages in winds above Beaufort 8 (gale force, 34–40 knots) and wave heights of 4 m or more. The storm-trysail groove in the spar, the solid hand-laid hull, and the structural grid all support that rating. This is not a coastal weekender dressed up for blue water. The engineering matches the certification.
Practical cruising features
Water capacity of 355 L, up to 515 L with the option tank, is generous for a 42-footer. The 2-cabin layout gives a liveaboard couple an owner's cabin aft, a forward guest cabin, and a large open saloon with good stowage. The 3-cabin version works for charter or family sailing. Air draught is 18.70 m with the classic mast, tight for the ICW but manageable for most European waterways.
✓ Strengths
- •Deck-saloon light and visibility unmatched at this size
- •CE Category A offshore rating with storm-trysail groove
- •Competitive sailing speed for a cruiser (PHRF 93–102 deep keel)
- •355–515 L water capacity suits extended cruising
- •2- or 3-cabin flexibility
✕ Trade-offs
- •Window adhesive failure is near-universal on older hulls
- •Tight engine compartment complicates routine servicing
- •Interior floor-level changes create trip hazards
- •Keel bolt corrosion demands regular surveying
- •Shoal keel + in-mast furling combination weak upwind
Weak points and what they cost
Window adhesive failure: the headline issue
Every prospective buyer needs to inspect the six bonded cat's-eye windows. UV degradation causes the adhesive to fail, and it is widespread across all production years. Phil Symonds wrote in Practical Boat Owner (December 2024): "the bonding is beginning to degrade and they are leaking." Another owner on YBW Forum (June 2023) was blunter: "They are bonded in with adhesive... It's a terrible design." Jeanneau OEM replacements have been discontinued for the side windows. Aftermarket custom-moulded replacements were quoted at €3,000 for a first set of six, dropping to approximately €1,500 for subsequent sets (2024 pricing from an Algarve supplier). If the windows haven't been replaced, they will need to be. Price that in before you make an offer.
Keel bolt and backing-plate corrosion
The steel keel bolts, nuts, and backing plates corrode in a wet bilge. A marine surveyor documented this as a routine inspection point (SpinSheet, March 2020). Advanced cases require significant repair. Separately, at least one 2008 hull reported saltwater seepage at the keel-hull joint (Cruisers Forum, July 2013), with water draining from the joint for a week after haulout. During any pre-purchase survey, insist on ultrasound readings of the keel bolt areas and pull at least one bolt if corrosion is suspected.
Bilge structural laminate
At least one 2006 hull required warranty work involving strengthening and re-epoxying longitudinal beams under the saloon floor at roughly six years old (YBW Forum, December 2016). This is not documented as fleet-wide, but it warrants careful inspection of the structural grid and bilge area on any hull you're considering.
Engine access
Sail Magazine's test review (June 2007) specifically flagged the tight engine compartment as a documented con. Owners confirm that routine servicing of the Yanmar 4JH4AE is awkward. The engine sits beneath the cockpit sole in a space optimised for the deck-saloon layout above, not for a mechanic's elbows. Budget extra labour time for impeller changes and oil filter access.
Interior ergonomic hazards
The cabin sole has level changes at the mast post that catch unwary ankles. One YBW Forum owner (c. 2010) described it plainly: "The little step in the sole by the mast post is an ankle-catcher." The cockpit also has a step near the companionway that Sail Magazine identified as a trip and fall risk. Interior grab-rails were described by one offshore owner as "a joke" (YBW Forum, c. 2010). If you plan bluewater passages, retrofitting proper handholds is a sensible investment.
Other items to check
- Gelcoat crazing: Stress cracks on the coachroof and deck, particularly on the panel covering running lines. Cosmetic, but the biggest visual variable between hulls.
- Bronze/brass thru-hulls: European alloy fittings oxidise faster than North American equivalents. Valve replacement is common at 10+ years (SpinSheet, March 2020).
- Interior veneer: Attractive but easily scratched. Inspect behind cushions and under fiddles where damage reveals real use.
- Helm feedback (shoal keel): One owner reported difficulty getting feedback from the helm and round-up tendency in stronger conditions. This is consistent with the shoal-keel/in-mast furling combination being weak upwind.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS vs the obvious alternative
The most direct comparison is with the boat that replaced it: the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 41 DS, which took over the lineup in 2012. The 42DS is marginally longer (12.93 m vs the 41 DS's roughly 12.34 m), and it comes from an earlier generation of Jeanneau construction. Both are deck-saloon designs by the same builder with similar cruising missions.
The 42DS's other natural rival is the Bavaria Vision 42, another deck-saloon design from the same era. The table below compares what the fact sheet supports.
| Feature | Sun Odyssey 42DS |
|---|---|
| LOA | 12.93 m |
| Beam | 4.13 m |
| Draft (deep keel) | 2.10–2.13 m |
| Draft (shoal keel) | 1.57 m |
| Displacement | 8,925 kg (manual) |
| Engine | Yanmar 54 hp |
| Fuel capacity | 130 L |
| Water capacity | 355 L (std) / 515 L (opt) |
| CE Category | A (offshore) |
| Production | 2007–2011 |
| PHRF (deep) | 93–102 |
The 42DS's strongest competitive argument is sailing performance. A PHRF of 93–102 is fast for a deck-saloon cruiser of this size. Its weakest argument is the window adhesive issue, which is both near-universal and unique to this design. Find a hull with windows already replaced and keel bolts surveyed clean, and the 42DS represents strong value for a CE Category A cruiser with genuine offshore capability.
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS price: what the market asks
As of August 2026, approximately 65–70 Sun Odyssey 42DS listings are active worldwide across major brokerage platforms. The market breaks down like this:
| Platform | Listings | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Trader (US) | 28 | ~€118,000–€173,000 (avg ~€137,000) |
| Boatshop24 (global) | 6 | ~€94,000–€131,000 |
| Annonces du Bateau (FR) | ~8 | €119,000–€168,000 |
| iNautia (FR/ES) | ~7 | €119,000–€165,000 |
| TopBoats | ~9 | €119,000–€168,000 |
| YachtWorld (EU) | 7 | Individual listings from ~€110,000 |
The overall range runs from approximately €94,000 at the low end, typically a 2007 hull needing work, to €173,000 for a well-equipped late-production boat. The typical transaction corridor sits around €120,000–€155,000 as of August 2026. At launch in approximately 2007, the base price was $207,021, so the market has settled to roughly 45–75% of original MSRP in real terms. That is standard depreciation for a well-regarded 15–19-year-old production cruiser.
Charter-fleet provenance is common with this model. A surveyor warns buyers to inspect carefully for boats that were "rode hard and put away wet" (SpinSheet, March 2020). A well-maintained private boat at the top of the range will likely cost less long-term than a cheap ex-charter hull needing windows, keel bolt remediation, and thru-hull replacement.
Who this boat fits / doesn't
Ideal buyer profiles
- Cruising couple (50+) planning Med or Caribbean seasons: The 2-cabin layout gives a genuine liveaboard-quality owner's cabin. The deck saloon delivers light and views that make weeks at anchor comfortable rather than claustrophobic. CE Category A means you can make the ARC crossing without worrying about certification.
- Performance-minded cruisers who refuse a slow boat: With the deep keel and classic rig, this boat sails. PHRF 93–102 means you won't embarrass yourself on club race nights. The Performance variant, with 2.30 m draft and 89.5 m² of sail area, pushes this further.
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking offshore capability under €150,000: There are very few CE Category A boats of this size with this level of equipment and finish available below €150,000. The 42DS is one of them.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoal-water cruisers wanting performance: The shoal keel at 1.57 m combined with in-mast furling gives up too much upwind. Owners report poor helm feedback and round-up tendencies in stronger conditions with this configuration. If your cruising ground is the Bahamas or Chesapeake, look at a purpose-designed shoal-draft boat instead.
- Buyers unwilling to budget for known remediation: Window replacement and keel bolt inspection are not optional. If your budget is tight at the purchase price with nothing left for a €3,000 window job and a proper survey, this boat will punish you.
- Anyone who needs easy engine access: If you do your own mechanical work and want to change an impeller without contortions, the engine compartment will frustrate you.
Verdict
The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS is a deck-saloon cruiser that genuinely sails well and genuinely goes offshore. Those two qualities rarely coexist in the same hull at this price point. The deck saloon delivers what it promises: a bright, spacious interior with panoramic visibility that transforms daily life aboard.
The problems are real but bounded. Window adhesive failure is near-universal, but the fix is known, sourced, and costs €1,500–€3,000. Keel bolt corrosion is manageable with proper surveying. The engine compartment is tight and the interior has trip hazards that won't go away. None of these are structural time bombs. All are costed and predictable.
The decision formula is straightforward. A 2008–2011 hull with windows already replaced, keel bolts surveyed clean, and thru-hulls updated gives you a capable offshore cruiser for €130,000–€155,000. Buying one that needs all that work means pricing the remediation in and negotiating hard below €120,000. Skip any hull where the bilge structural grid shows signs of delamination. That is the one repair that changes the economics entirely.
The Verdict
Choose Sun Odyssey 42DS (deep keel, classic rig) if you want a deck-saloon cruiser that actually sails and is CE Category A rated
Best for: Cruising couples planning offshore passages on a sub-€155k budget
Choose Look elsewhere if you need shoal draft and upwind performance, or if your budget has zero margin for window and keel bolt remediation
Best for: Shoal-water cruisers or buyers with no maintenance reserve
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42ds Used Market Snapshot (2026)
| Years | Typical price (used) | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2012 | €140,000–175,000 | Final build years before replacement by Sun Odyssey 41 DS in 2012; latest Yanmar 4JH5-54 (54 hp) engines; check engine hours and raw-water impeller/heat exchanger service history; in-mast furling common — inspect furling motor and foil condition; later hulls may carry 3-cabin layout; keel bolt corrosion check remains essential. |
| 2009–2010 | €120,000–155,000 | Mid-production boats; Yanmar 4JH4AE/4JH5CE 53–54 hp diesel standard; solid GRP hull (no coring in topsides or bottom laminates reduces osmosis risk but adds weight); steel keel bolts, nuts and backing plates are a documented survey finding — inspect for rust and degradation; standard and shoal (1.57 m) keel variants exist. |
| 2007–2008 | €100,000–145,000 | Launch generation; Yanmar 4JH4AE 53 hp (39 kW) engine; fractional-rigged Selden deck-stepped spar with separate storm-trysail groove; two keel options (deep 2.10 m / shoal 1.57 m); steel keel bolt corrosion widely reported by surveyors — keel-to-hull joint water ingress observed; early joinery and fitting quality complaints in owner forums; fuel tank only ~130 L (34 US gal), limiting range under power. |
The Sun Odyssey 42 DS holds value moderately well for a niche deck-saloon design: European brokerage listings (2025) show 2007 hulls at €100,000–155,000 against an original new price of roughly €190,000–210,000 equivalent, implying roughly 30–50% residual value after 15+ years. Depreciation is steeper in the first five years then flattens; well-equipped, low-hours examples with recent sails command a premium, while high-hour or poorly maintained boats can fall to the bottom of the range quickly given the limited pool of buyers for the deck-saloon format.
The 42 DS was not a mainstream charter-fleet model (unlike the contemporary Sun Odyssey 42i which was widely placed with Sunsail/Moorings), so true ex-charter examples are uncommon; where they do appear — typically ex-Croatia or Mediterranean private charter — expect a 10–20% discount versus a private-use equivalent, and budget for replacement upholstery, standing rigging inspection, and likely a complete engine service given high annual hours.
How these prices compare across sizes and types → · Could this boat pay for itself in charter? →
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