W
ay back
in the
booming
years
post-WWII,
Frenchman Henri Jeanneau
added powerboating to his
passions for automobiles
and airplanes. That was
in 1957 and his early
speedboats were built of
timber. However it was
soon after when he, along
with the rest of the world,
discovered the wondrous
new boatbuilding material –
fibreglass.
Whilst the famous
brand Jeanneau Boats was
largely built on its yachting
prowess, powerboats
actually preceded their
production and have run
side-by-side throughout the
last 60 years. Nowadays
Jeanneau has the largest
production site for cruising
boats in Europe with its
main base being a 40-
acre site servicing a vast
dealership network over
80 countries. Whether
power or sail Jeanneau has
always been a world leader
in design and construction
with enticing Euro-flavoured
designs that captivate the
hearts of any seafarer.
Jeanneau say, “Quality,
Innovation and Elegance,
three values that have stood
the course of Jeanneau’s
history.”
The Jeanneau 42 Prestigewas a statement in nautical
evolution with its inception
in the mid 2000s. Their
design looks as fresh today
as it did over a decade
ago proving yet again
that premium quality is
timeless. The external lines
are simply gorgeous with
a sharp flared bow that
exudes seagoing confidence.
Call me an old fart but
I personally prefer the
striking aesthetics of this
beautiful flybridge cruiser
far more than a good many
of the slab-like, so called
chic, Euro designs of latter
years.
This is an ideal family
cruiser at a very realistic
price. Yet it’s also a bit of
a wolf in Versace clothing
with the power of a pair of
Cummins QSB5.9 425HP
shaft drive diesel engines
with electronic controls and
the added bonus of a bow
thruster for tight moorings.
Fo r m e r Trade A Boat editor
David Lockwood was
fortunate enough to run a
complete test on a sistership
package back in late 2006
and says, “Smooth, quiet,
and cutter are the three
adjectives I jotted down in
my notebook to describe
this boat’s engines. The
new-generation Cummins
are compliant, smoke-free,
and the installation added
to their smooth operation.
But some credit goes toMAIN The Prestige 42 is the perfect family or two-couple cruiser.
TOP RIGHTA functional rear cockpit features an enticing lounge.
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