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Maine boatbuilders are by and large not flashy types, so it was no great surprise to lay eyes on the Sabreline 42 Express. I was prepared for the visual delight of the yacht’s ruggedly handsome profile and no-nonsense lines. But what really caught my attention was the host of standard features, great and small, that enhanced comfort, safety, performance, and reliability.
The yacht’s most notable feature is the commanding presence of her raised helm deck, a tad higher than one might expect on a yacht this size and crowned by an all-business hardtop enclosure that would do a Maine lobster boat proud. Even dockside, the yacht conveys the stature of a serious express cruiser, not a mere daytripper.
Once aboard, I began to appreciate the qualities of her raised helm deck. For starters, Stidd helm and companion seats are standard, and both swivel to ease conversation with guests in an L-shape, glove-soft Ultraleather (standard) settee just aft. Oversize front and side windows let guests enjoy 360-degree visibility even when lounging on the comfortable settee. Opposite, even the wet bar is standard, although a U-Line ice maker or refrigerator-freezer is optional.
While the 42 is offered with either a hardtop or an open configuration, all owners to date have opted for the former, and I can understand why. Combining the hardtop with the standard soft-back or optional hard-back enclosure turns the helm deck into the focal point of indoor and outdoor activity. To ensure all-weather comfort, air conditioning is available here.
Complementing the open helm deck is a roomy cockpit (7’L x12’W) with aft-facing seating for three or more and space for sunning, lounging, or light fishing. My tally of standard features continued to mount as I took note of the hot-and-cold cockpit shower, the transom door, and a full-width swim platform. The last is standard in fiberglass, but our test boat sported the classier optional teak.
To keep things shipshape, there are stowage bins beneath the cockpit seats, and three hatches in the sole afford access to the steering gear and a cavernous stowage area. Hatch covers are double-side compression-molded so both sides are smooth, making them more attractive while preventing the hatch cover from chafing lines or gear. Also beneath the aft deck is a 450-gallon steel fuel tank with a T-shape cross section that drops between the inboard stringers to form a low spot, so virtually all the tank capacity is usable.
Molded steps lead from the cockpit up to wide side decks, and I was pleased to see a double set of handholds alongside the steps: one low to grasp while in the cockpit, and another higher up for when you’re standing on the side deck. Also in the safety vein, oversize stainless steel rails extend the full length of the side decks and come up above knee height (I’m 6’2”), giving me a secure feeling when moving fore and aft. Thanks to the slightly higher profile of the deckhouse, the hardtop side overhang is slightly above shoulder height (even for me), so I could walk upright beneath it.
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