The Wauquiez shipyard, based in Neuville-en-Ferrain, is well known for the quality of its joinery. In the 1980's, in the advertising of its Prétorien, the builder even praised the ton of teak used for the accommodation. Wauquiez is also a historic shipyard with its Centurion, Gladiator and other Chance.
The Pilot Saloon range
However, the builder soon became interested in top comfort and well-motorized yachts such as the Amphitrite and Amphora. It is in this spirit, with a touch of modernity in addition, that the shipyard launched a new Pilot Saloon range in 1991.
The first of the name, the 60 was designed by Ed Dubois. It's followed by 54. But it is the 48, imagined by Olivier Racoupeau in 1997, which will make the PS take off, declined then by the 43 - 48 copy in 43, 40, 41, 47, 55, 48 and 58.
The highlight of the Pilot Saloon: a view of the sea standing as if sitting in the saloon. The new 42, with its modern hull and more accomplished design, is a new breath of fresh air for the PS range, with 300 yachts built.
Modern look
The paintings and sloping bows still present on the 48 - from the 47 -, it's over! Our 42 has very vertical ends, two softened aft chines and above all two rudders.
The silhouette of the boat has obviously been the subject of a very thorough study. For a smaller unit, it is indeed more complicated to accommodate a prominent and generously glazed deckhouse.
And yet the 42 is doing very well thanks to a noticeably higher freeboard - it is practically identical to that of the 48. In the end, the deckhouse is less prominent.
The elongated portholes are cleverly integrated into the first level of the superstructure at the bow and into the cockpit side coamings. The elegant teak sill, already present on previous PSs, is retained to refine the whole.
A deck plan for idleness
The deck layout is a successful compromise between idleness and ease of manoeuvring. Uncluttered foredeck and foredeck, teak roof and an imposing aft platform invite you to enjoy the navigation and the stopover.
A good point for the back of the sloping deckhouse, forming a comfortable backrest.
All manoeuvres, except for the second spinnaker halyard, return to the helm stations via chutes. End bails are cut out at the rear of the benches.
Surprising performance
The hull is convincing enough to play the performance game; it would be a shame to deprive ourselves of the lead ballast option. This deeper appendage allows you to gain 550 kg of displacement and enjoy a good half knot of speed as a bonus. The same goes for the membrane sails and folding propeller options.
Thus optimised, the PS 42 reaches 7 knots at 40° to the true wind from Force 4. The Polar Bears, by swinging to the beam, forecast 10 knots from 16 knots of wind. The helm, always gentle, offers a very direct grip on the course. And, a detail that will be corrected on the next units, the two consoles are too low and set back.
The mechanics, mounted in a central technical room under the floors, are perfectly soundproofed. The yard opted for a 57-horsepower Yanmar engine, an already respectable powerplant that can be pushed, as an option, to 80 horsepower.
Living at sea
A very high bridge deck - 1.50 m above the floor level of the living area - is climbed to gain access to the interior. But don't panic! The gentle slope of the companionway, the well-curved steps and the handrails make it easy to accommodate.
The construction site was keen to introduce numerous innovations, such as panoramic windows with electric variation of the glass transparency. This system can operate independently, like photochromic spectacle lenses, or be operated at the touch of a button. Just to put an end to curtains and other blinds..
There is also the on-board management system (energy, tank...) that can be controlled from your smartphone or a tablet. The quality of finish and woodwork is remarkable, as are the leather lace pulls to operate the triggers of the teams and cupboards.
We live indoors on three levels. At the lowest level are the cabins, including a magnificent owner's suite that occupies the entire stern of the boat, then the galley and chart table on the port side, and finally the saloon on the starboard side. A conclusive test, the sea view is indeed assured, standing as well as sitting.
A convincing essay
Elegant, high-performance, comfortable and luxurious, the Pilot Saloon 42 is an attractive ocean-going cruiser. It is particularly suitable for couples and small crews who enjoy long voyages.
Because the PS 42, with its standard anti-roll fabric, is well suited for the open sea. Especially as the yard has remained true to a high-quality balsa/polyester sandwich construction based on four separate moulds. The anchoring of the bulkheads, for example, is reinforced by cores cut out of the wood to ensure a strong mechanical grip with the polyester. Strong and durable!
