Makai 42 arrives in New Zealand, blending fuel efficiency and versatility

The Makai 42 arrived in New Zealand through F2 Marine, and the 42-foot power catamaran came with a very clear pitch: one platform that could handle weekend family cruising, offshore passages and social entertaining without turning into a compromise boat. Built under a brand identity that stretches across the United Kingdom, Italy and Croatia, the M42 was presented as a newcomer in the 40-foot power catamaran segment with enough flexibility to matter in New Zealand conditions, where distance and sea state both shape how a boat gets used.

At the center of the design is Makai’s patented air-glide system, which the builder says reduces drag and smooths the ride across a wide range of sea conditions. That is the technical heart of the M42’s appeal. The company is not selling the boat as a style exercise alone, but as a way to improve fuel economy, extend range and keep motion calmer for owners who actually spend long days offshore. For buyers trying to choose between a conventional monohull and a more specialized power cat, that is the real argument: the M42 tries to deliver efficiency and comfort without forcing a single-purpose identity.

The cockpit shows how far that idea goes. The aft deck can be set up as a fishing platform with rod holders, bait preparation space and dedicated storage, or left clean for entertaining. Buyers can also choose sedan, flybridge and optional tuna tower configurations, which lets the same boat lean toward family cruising, sportfishing or a more elevated social layout. Below deck, the open-plan saloon connects to the cockpit through panoramic windows, and the layout includes a full-beam master suite, a detail that makes weeklong use sound realistic rather than aspirational.

Power comes from twin Yanmar 8LV-370 diesel engines rated at 370 horsepower each, with higher-output versions available. Makai also offers an optional Q-Speed surface drive and hydrofoil system, which it says can raise speed, improve fuel efficiency and cut maintenance by more than 35 percent versus conventional propulsion. Makai says the hydrofoil package can carry up to 70% of the catamaran’s weight, reducing hull interaction with the water and improving speed, fuel efficiency and maneuverability.

Makai describes the M42 as an all-season cruiser and a major evolution of the earlier M37, which had already been nominated for both Multihull of the Year and European Powerboat of the Year 2025. Brokerage listings put the M42 at about 12.8 metres overall, with a 4.64-metre beam, a draft of about 0.55 metres, 900 litres of fuel, 450 litres of water and a displacement of roughly 12.1 tonnes. In New Zealand, that adds up to a catamaran built for owners who want one boat to cover a lot of water, and do it with a clear-eyed sense of purpose.