Puffin 42 review: Impressive performance, plenty of substance, few criticisms

Part 1 of this series shows how the Puffin 42 differs in design from conventional production yachts.

​The YACHT test takes place on the IJsselmeer off Enkhuizen, the home port of the shipyard and the designer. The conditions suit the boat. A steady force 5 on the Beaufort scale prevails over the sailing area, with stronger gusts also sweeping through. However, with an offshore wind, there are no waves, so it remains to be seen how the boat will perform in rough seas.

Even under cutter rig, the Puffin 42 nevertheless gets up to speed immediately and impressively. With the genoa unfurled, the jib set and the mainsail simply reefed, the 16-tonne Bermuda cutter ploughs through the shallow waters at a steady 8.5 knots on a half-wind course.

Even when sailing into the wind, the Van Meer design impresses with its solid sailing performance. After all, on a course of 50 degrees to the true wind, the log still reads 6.8 knots – a very respectable figure for a voluminous cruising yacht with a high displacement. With just the jib, the Puffin 42 can sail a little higher. Anyone who tries to ease off is immediately penalised with a significant loss of speed. The Puffin 42 likes to be sailed full-on and with a good pull. Then she sails strongly, smoothly and with that composed power one would expect from a boat of this kind.

Solvable teething problems

Despite its good performance figures, the test boat also revealed a weakness during the trial run: there is an unusually high amount of rudder pressure on the wheel control. When heeling over significantly, the Puffin 42 can therefore only be kept on course with considerable effort. This not only places demands on the helmsman but also puts greater strain on the autopilot, sapping its energy reserves over longer distances. It soon becomes clear, however, that the cause of the high rudder pressure is a faulty calibration of Jefa’s gimbal steering system. The lever geometry from the angular gearbox to the quadrant was set too directly on the test boat. According to the latest information from the shipyard, the steering system has since been readjusted and the steering geometry altered; the boat should now be much easier to steer and control.

A safe cockpit, a clearly laid-out interior

The cockpit of the Puffin 42 is comparatively short and offers only limited room for manoeuvre for the helmsman and crew. With several people on board, it quickly becomes cramped. The helm is also positioned very far aft. As a result, the helmsman has very little space in their working area and must make an effort to find a comfortable seating position. On the other hand, the compact cockpit layout with its deep cockpit offers precisely the level of safety required for a long sea voyage. This is in keeping with its claim to be a blue-water cruiser with ample reserves in terms of protection and security.

Below deck, the Puffin 42 features a clear division into two distinct areas. The deck saloon, with its large seating area and navigation station, is raised and offers the all-round views one would expect from a seagoing boat of this design. The actual living area is situated further forward, lower down in the hull. Despite the difference in height, however, the two areas do not feel strictly separated from one another, as is the case with some other yachts featuring a deck saloon. Rather, they merge seamlessly into one another in practical terms.

Thanks to the aluminium construction, the shipyard can respond flexibly to customer requirements within the design constraints. The layout of the test boat is therefore just one of many possible configurations. In principle, however, the design follows a layout typical of genuine deck saloon and pilothouse yachts of this size, with a spacious double cabin in the foredeck and a mid-cabin set well back under the raised saloon. On the test boat, the wet room is divided into two separate areas with a toilet and shower, which meets the owner’s specific request and also reflects a current trend in the design of cruising yachts over 40 feet in length.

The interior, technology and accessibility are impressive

The high quality of the interior fit-out is particularly noteworthy. The workmanship appears to have been carried out with great care and to a very high standard, right down to the smallest detail. Surfaces, edges, fittings and locking mechanisms give the impression of being very robust and designed to withstand heavy use. The pragmatic blue-water concept does away with unnecessary frills and decorative effects.

The high standard of finish is evident in the on-board systems. What is often hidden away behind panelling is, on the Puffin 42, installed in a neat, logical manner that is easy for the owner to understand. Almost all the key technical components are housed in the large storage locker, where they are easily accessible. The Yanmar inboard diesel engine, with an output of 80 PS, is housed beneath the deckhouse. There, parts of the seating area and the floor can be folded up with minimal effort thanks to ingenious mechanisms. This provides excellent access to the engine and the shaft drive. Brilliant!

There is no standard price list for the Puffin 42. The construction, fittings and interior fit-out are too individual. As a guide, the shipyard quotes a base price of 1.4 million euros net, or around 1.66 million euros gross, including 19 per cent VAT. Of course, that is a great deal of money by comparison, but this is put into perspective not only by the elaborate construction but also by the very extensive fit-out. The model specifications already include those individual items which *YACHT* magazine would normally add to arrive at the ‘ready-to-sail’ price and the ‘comfort’ price.

Test verdict: plenty of character, plenty of substance

The Puffin 42 is a boat with a distinct character. Heavy, sturdy, unconventional and technically sophisticated in its construction, it defies quick comparison with conventional mass-produced yachts. Anyone who values substance, individuality and genuine long-distance cruising capabilities more highly than fashionable lightness will find in it an exceptional blue-water vessel with plenty of character.

• Base price ex-shipyard: €1,666,000
• Price, ready to sail: €1,666,000
• Special offer price: €1,666,000
• Warranty: 1 year

​​For information on how the prices shown are defined as at 2026, please see here!

Anyone looking for a sturdy boat for a challenging sea voyage will find the Puffin 42 a very interesting and equally unusual option. The quality is also impressive.

YACHT review of the Puffin 42

​Anyone looking for a sturdy boat for a challenging sea voyage will find the Puffin 42 a very interesting and equally unusual option. The quality is also impressive.

​Design and Concept

Very robust construction

Extremely high level of individuality

Limited space in the cockpit

Sailing performance and trim

A surprisingly strong performance

Can be operated with one hand

A lot of rowing resistance in the test boat

Housing and build quality

Well-finished interior fittings

Plenty of storage space

High-quality fit and finish

Equipment and Technology

Extensive range of features

Impeccably installed technology

Variable fuselage attachments

The Puffin 42 in detail

​Sails as an extra

It is the owner who determines the range and quality of the sails. However, a set of high-quality, robust cruising sails – comprising the mainsail, genoa and staysail – is already included as standard equipment ex-shipyard.

​Brand and Sales

Puffin Yachts, 1601 Enkhuizen (Netherlands); www.puffin.nl

Shipyard

VMG Yachtbuilders, 1601 Enkhuizen; www.vmgyachtbuilders.nl

Alternatives for discerning sea voyages

​Ovni 430

An extremely versatile blue-water boat from France. The boats in the well-known Ovni range are built entirely from aluminium, with an integral swivel keel. The interior fittings can also be largely customised. You can read the review here.

​Pure 42

The sporty aluminium design comes from the new Pure Yachts shipyard in Kiel. The innovative concept and the high standard of build have earned the boat the title of European Yacht of the Year 2026. You can read the review here.

​Viator Explorer 42 DS

An exciting new addition to the market for robust boats designed for long-distance voyages. This high-performance boat is built from aluminium by the Berlin-based shipyard Viator Marine and is fitted with a lifting keel.

​Wanderer 40 P

With its distinctive wheelhouse, pronounced deck step and cutter rig, it bears the closest visual resemblance to the Puffin. However, the boat is built from GRP by the MFH shipyard in Emden.

​Is the Puffin 42 exactly the right choice for long journeys away from the mainstream, or is the price ultimately too high for so much individuality? Let us know in the comments.