Looking aft. On either side of the concave steps from the cockpit are doors to two identical aft cabins.
The main dinette offers a large table for dining with comfortable seating.
ionway provide easy access in all conditions. Navtec roller bearing cars make easy work when raising and lowering the mainsail. A Navtec hydraulic adjuster is an integral addition to the backstay. Building on Beneteau’s distinctive Euro-style deck profile, the 42s7’s crowned cabin top and oval-shaped stern provide a pleasing functionality of performance suitable for this picky American. Complementing the stern is a folddown swim platform, complete with a teak insert for better traction and safety. A freshwater shower is recessed in the stern, easily accessible when the platform is deployed. The above-water height of the platform is convenient and functional for dinghy docking and boarding. On the opposite
end of the vessel is a tapered bow, departing from Beneteau’s typical plumb design. Although most 42s7s came with a teak toe rail, the aluminum option was chosen by the first owner. Supported by 24-inch-long, throughbolted stanchions, the double lifelines provide a safety zone around Shutter Speed. Two opening gates just aft of the beam offer easy access from either side when the vessel is in port. Contoured for comfort, the cockpit provides seating for up to seven, two of which can rest on seats mounted opposite one another on the stern pulpits. A 55-inch stainless steel destroyer wheel provides the helmsman a superior control advantage in all sailing conditions. To the helmsman’s right is a state-of-the-art Simrad touch-screen GPS with radar, complemented by three slave displays for wind, depth, and boat speed located on either side of the helm. A Simrad control panel is mounted on the starboard side for easy operation of the hydraulic autopilot. On the helmsman’s left is the engine ignition and dials; the gear lever is similarly located on the starboard side. Just forward of the shortened binnacle is the elaborately equipped traveler system utilizing multiple Harken adjustment blocks supporting the mainsheet and its tuning system. A single crewperson can easily adjust the mainsail from either side of the cockpit while staying clear of jib trimmers. Aiding jib or spinnaker trimming are three Lewmar winches on either side of the cockpit—two #54ST and four #44ST Lewmar winches, altogether. One of the cabin-top #44ST winches is electrically powered, providing easy hoisting of the mainsail and headsail furling at the touch of a button. Jib sheets utilize adjustable leadblocks for better headsail trimming. Shutter Speed is equipped with a Harken race rigging package.
REVIEW YOUR BOAT SOUTHWINDS is looking for sailors who like to write to review their sailboat — whether it is new or old, large or small. It can include the following: Year, model, make, designer, boat name Specifications: LOA, LWL, beam, draft, sail plan (square footage), displacement Sailing performance Comfort above and below deck Cruiser and/or Racer Is it a good liveaboard? Modifications you have made or would like General boat impression Quality of construction Photos Essential (contact us for photo specs) We have found that our readers love reviews by those who own the boats — comments are more personal and real All articles must be sent via email or on disc For more information and if interested, contact editor@southwindsmagazine.com or call (941) 795-8704
(If you hate your boat, we aren’t interested — you must at least like it) 38
May 2013
SOUTHWINDS
Below deck Passing through the 5/8” acrylic companionway, the Pearwood finish interior of Shutter Speed is used throughout this three-cabin version. Designed by Frenchman Phillippe Starck, the 13’ 6” beam and 6’ 5” salon headroom provide a contemporary environment where comfort and functionality come together to form a unique living experience. On either side of the concave steps from the cockpit are doors to two identical aft cabins. In addition to a spacious berth, each cabin contains one hanging locker and a cabinet where I store spare mechanical and electrical parts. Each cabin features easy access to the 50-HP Perkins Prima diesel engine. Additional access is gained by the removal of the stair cabinet. Under the bunk in the port cabin is an 80-gallon freshwww.southwindsmagazine.com