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Recent short video showing us sailing in Greece

FOR SALE: 2009 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS - Lying in Greece

Mistroma of Gair has been continuously owned by us since 2009. This website documents 17 years of maintenance, upgrades, cruising and ownership experience, providing prospective buyers with an unusually detailed history of the yacht.

The site contains details of equipment, improvements, maintenance work and cruising history accumulated throughout our ownership. We hope this information will be useful to anyone considering the purchase of a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 42DS.

We have had a great time sailing from the UK and eventually finishing in Greece. COVID put a big dent in our cruising, followed by some illness. Luckily we always assume a problem might arise when leaving Mistroma and our exhaustive layup list covered everything. Cleaning, servicing, lots of fogging oil and other corrosion inhibitors did their job.

Maintenance Overview

We carry out approximately 100-120 hours of maintenance at spring commissioning and another 100-120 hours at autumn layup — over 200 hours total each year. Our procedures are documented in detail.

Regular maintenance checklists and procedures:
>> Pre-launch commissioning checklist
>> Post-lift out layup checklist

An Excel spreadsheet with task history and notes is referenced on both pages above.

Major One-Off Maintenance & Replacements

Key items completed over 15 years of ownership. Click each for details and photos.

Yanmar Engine – Coolant, starter check, fuel filter assembly, Volvo seal

Coolant: Replaced 2012, 2017, 2022 (Yanmar long-life pink).

Starter motor: Inspected 2019 (brushes/commutator excellent). Next check 2027.

Fuel filter assembly: Replaced 2011 (self-bleeding type, works perfectly).

Volvo shaft seal: Replaced 2015 (precautionary, no leak). Greased annually, burped post-launch. No drips.

>> Further details and pictures

Windlass – Monitoring brush wear, seal replacement, gearbox service

Brushes: Examined 2016, 2023. Minimal wear (1.1-1.6mm over 7 years).

Seals & gearbox: Shaft seals replaced, gearbox serviced 2023.

Next check: Pre-launch 2027.

>> Further details and pictures

Electric Winch – Brush replacement (2025)

Brushes: Replaced May 2025 (old ones nearly worn away).

Commutator: Cleaned and in good condition.

Gearbox: No sign of any issues with seals or leaks.

>> Further details and pictures

Fresh Water System – new pump, pipe blockage cleared

New pump: Fitted 2025 (original kept as spare – still works).

Blockage: Debris from initial construction found in manifold, cleared. Flow restored.

Toilets (Jabsco) – outlet hose replaced, no calcification ever

Outlet hose: Replaced May 2022 (precautionary). Original hose completely clear.

Practices: Regular dilute acid rinse (every 6 weeks). Forward toilet modified for fresh water flush. No paper. No blockages.

Seacocks & Through-Hulls – annual inspections, pre-emptive replacements

Engine inlet: Replaced 2012 (old fitting kept – still serviceable).

Aft head outlet: Replaced 2022 with Tru-Design (originals kept – no corrosion).

Forward head valves: Replaced 2012 (stiffness was awkward location, not corrosion).

Current status: All fittings excellent. Annual inspections since 2012.

Electronic Bilge Pump Sensor – replacement (2023-2025)

Original sensor: Failed May 2023. Temporary float switch fitted.

New sensor: Electronic sensor purchased and fitted April 2025.

Why buy a 42DS?

We were looking for a reasonably priced deck saloon with large owner’s cabin, 2 heads, galley by companion way and reasonable sailing performance. Elan, Beneteau, Bavaria, Dufour, Elan and other Jeanneau’s didn’t meet our criteria as well as the 42DS. Other marques such as Wauquiez had stopped making smaller deck saloons and second hand ones were expensive and difficult to find.

After looking at a combination of old and new yachts we decided that the Jeanneau 42DS was the best fit. Every boat is a compromise with both good and bad points that please or irritate. We consider the 42DS to be a good buy as is a very good fit for the type of sailing we do, especially for cruising in the Mediterranean.

A few points that came to mind without too much thought are listed below.

Highlights

Large, comfortable aft cabin
Very bright and roomy saloon
Good quality equipment
A lot of boat for the money
Sails very well (See this Cruising World 2006 review)
Easy for 2 people to manage (Electric winch is a massive boon)
Plenty of storage room both above and below deck

Owner's Notes

Some poor workmanship (all problems were tracked down and rectified pretty quickly)
Original sails not great quality (Rectified later by replacing with high quality sails)
Fuel tank a little small (Plenty of storage to carry 100 litres in containers)
Exposed rudder & P-Bracket (Common in all modern designs and not actually a problem)

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