Maple Leaf 42

[mvsunstar]

Looking for some general opinions on the Maple Leaf 42. Looks like it would make a great liveaboard, but can it sail well too?

[Faster]

The Maple Leaf 42 is a very roomy, comfortable liveaboard, several examples of which have proven themselves offshore.

I believe they were also built by Cooper Yachts, by the way, so quality is probably on a par with what you saw in the Cooper 416. I don't know off-hand if they are cored hulls as well.....

Again, old PY back issues/website should provide some info, and there may be more of them around than the Coopers as far as hooking up with current owners for background info and experience.

The major decision for you here is whether or not you buy into the center-cockpit idea. Visibility issues are much better than the Cooper motorsailers. ML 42s do have a walkthru to the aft cabin, so there's no need to go through the cockpit for that. Lots of engine room space (it's an actual engine"room") so good access there.

I think there was a measure of customization available so you may find varying layouts, and they were also available as hull-and-deck kits, so some may be owner-completed - that could be good or bad, of course.

The other Cooper line is the Banners - they used the Cooper hulls in a more conventional trunk cabin-aft cockpit deck plan.

Good hunting!

[mvsunstar]

Thanks Faster,

The Maple Leaf does look like a nice, comfy boat. Finding moorage is still a hassle though. At this point I'm considering just buying a recreation sailboat - 30 ft - and giving up any plans of living a board.