Along with Beneteau’s distinctive Euro-style deck profile, the 42s7’s crowned cabin top and oval-shaped stern provide a pleasing functionality of performance.
The galley runs the length of the salon. Complemented with a 12volt refrigerator/freezer, the galley contains a microwave, a threeburner LPG stove/oven, and a double stainless steel sink with seawater foot pump. Cabinets above and below provide multiple storage areas.
included multiple Kevlar/Mylar mains, genoas, jibs, and spinnakers. With a very favorable survey, the Beneteau 42s7, renamed Shutter Speed, became mine.
mat with unidirectional fabric. Another step involved installation of a molded one-piece fiberglass grid of stringers and floors. Running the length and width of the hull, the grid was bonded using a polyester compound and then glassed around the edges. The balsa-cored deck was joined to the hull using an internal flange and 3M5200, all fastened with aircraft rivets. Although not the best for racing, Shutter Speed’s lead keel is the winglet version, one of three designs offered on the 42s7. Shutter Speed’s light to moderate displacement is about 179, a reasonable compromise for a performance cruiser.
Construction Beneteau’s 42s7’s construction process began with a gelcoat application, sprayed afterwards with the Watershield System ™, a polyester which bonds to the gelcoat to prevent blisters. The un-cored hull was laid-up using woven roving
Topside Beginning with the Sparcraft mast, the two sets of slightly swept back spreaders are a functional part of the 7/8 fractional rig. Supported by strategically inboard-placed Navtec rod rigging, this particular version of the mainsail luff is 52.49 feet. The sail area/displacement ratio for this performance cruiser is 19.5. Controlled by a line running aft to the cockpit, the ProFurl headsail roller drum is conveniently located below deck in the anchor locker forward of a Lofrans power anchor windlass. All adjustable lines, including those for halyards, rigid boom vang, reefing, and outhaul, lead aft from the mast and under the large fiberglass cover making for an uncluttered cabin top. Rolls of strategically placed Spinlock clutches on both sides of the compan-
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SOUTHWINDS May 2013
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