Catamaran Sailboat Tour Broad Blue 42. A capable spacious offshore catamaran

My friend’s BroadBlue 42 catamaran, which he kindly allowed me to film for this sailboat tour, is one I’ve also had the chance to sail on multiple occasions—and it’s an excellent boat.

For sailing enthusiasts looking for a versatile and spacious offshore catamaran, the BroadBlue 42 is a strong contender. It blends practical design with onboard comfort, making it well suited for long-distance cruising as well as full-time liveaboard life.

One of its standout features is the open, roomy layout, along with great potential for customization, making it appealing to sailors who want a balance of performance, comfort, and flexibility.

https://youtu.be/PinfgT8X_Kg

Design and Layout

The BroadBlue 42 is designed with offshore sailing in mind, offering a balance between performance and livability. Its twin-hull structure provides stability and reduces heeling, which is a major advantage for long-distance sailing. The wide beam creates generous interior space, allowing for comfortable living quarters without sacrificing sailing efficiency.

Inside, the layout is open and airy. The main saloon features large windows that flood the space with natural light, creating a pleasant environment for relaxing or navigating. The galley is well-equipped and positioned for easy access, making meal preparation convenient even while underway. Cabins are spacious with good storage, supporting extended trips or liveaboard use.

Key features of the layout include:

• Two or three cabin options to suit different needs

• Separate heads with showers for privacy and convenience

• Large cockpit area for outdoor living and socializing

• Ample storage lockers both inside and on deck

  
  

This design supports both family cruising and more adventurous offshore passages.

Sailing Performance

The BroadBlue 42 is built to handle a variety of conditions, making it a reliable choice for sailors who want to explore coastal waters or cross oceans. Its hull shape and rigging are optimized for easy handling and good speed under sail.

The catamaran’s twin engines provide excellent maneuverability in tight spaces, such as marinas or crowded anchorages. The sail plan is manageable by a small crew, which is ideal for couples or solo sailors. The boat’s stability reduces fatigue on longer passages, allowing for safer and more comfortable sailing.

Some sailing highlights include:

• Balanced helm for responsive steering

• Efficient sail handling systems with furling sails

• Good upwind performance for a catamaran of this size

• Solid construction for offshore durability

  
  

These features make the BroadBlue 42 a capable vessel for sailors who want to combine comfort with confident sailing.

Liveaboard Potential

Before my friend purchased the boat, it had already been modified by the previous liveaboard owners, who tailored it for extended cruising. They added practical upgrades such as a watermaker, composting toilet, and several other systems to support life at sea.

One of the BroadBlue 42’s key strengths is its suitability as a liveaboard catamaran. The spacious interior and thoughtful layout create a genuinely home-like feel on the water, with a design that supports long-term comfort and easy daily living.

Outside, the large cockpit and generous deck areas provide plenty of space for relaxing, dining, or enjoying the surroundings. Onboard systems are designed with reliability and straightforward maintenance in mind—an important factor for full-time cruising.

Liveaboard-friendly highlights include:

• Good natural light and ventilation throughout the boat

• Comfortable indoor and outdoor seating and dining spaces

• Well-organised electrical and plumbing systems

• Practical, easy-access storage for cruising gear and supplies

Overall, the BroadBlue 42 is often described as feeling like a proper home at sea, offering enough space and comfort to make extended life aboard both practical and enjoyable.

I found this article about the catamaran.

Broadblue 42

The Broadblue 42 was introduced at the 2003 Southampton Boat Show as a modern, eye-catching multihull designed to re-establish the brand in the catamaran market. Under sail, she can feel a little sluggish in very light winds, but otherwise delivers strong performance for her displacement and offers a notably smooth, comfortable motion compared to many catamarans.

Below deck, the interior is bright and spacious, with near 360-degree visibility in the saloon. The craftsmanship is of a high standard, highlighted by details such as the saloon table with an inlaid chessboard. Accommodation includes a generous galley, practical berths, and a well-sized navigation station, making her well suited to extended cruising and liveaboard life.

Designed to carry close to 3,000kg of stores and equipment with minimal impact on performance, she is also built with watertight bulkheads at all four ends, making her effectively unsinkable and a very safe offshore cruising platform.