Dracan 42: from Poland the high-tech cruising and party catamaran
How much space can be created for life aboard a 12.60-meter boat? The answer comes from Poland with the new Dracan 42, a power catamaran designed for comfortable cruising but also perfect for weekend parties.
The name Dracan maybe doesn’t sound familiar, as it debuted this year with its first model, the Dracan 42, a 12.60-meter catamaran. However, this new brand is part of a major Polish shipyard, Model-Art, which, in its 21 years of activity (since 2023, though the company’s roots go back to 1998) and with its 1,000 employees, has built thousands of boats for various international brands.
With such a strong "parent company," Dracan made its global debut at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival, with a boat that leaves no doubts about the brand’s philosophy. The Dracan 42 is a motor catamaran that aims to offer abundant space, high-level comfort, cutting-edge technology to maximize performance, and a design that hits the right notes.
The Value of Doubling Deck Volumes
Measuring 12.60 meters in length and with a beam of 4.85 meters, the Dracan 42 catamaran, designed by Robert Błażejak – who claims to be ready to change the perception of catamaran design – offers its owners a generous 80 square meters of space, both interior and exterior.
With a monohull, it goes without saying, reaching such volumes would require significantly longer lengths. Therefore, the Dracan 42 stands out as a luxurious yet practical solution for day trips or cruising with family and groups of friends.
Three below-deck layout options
While the advantage of extra space onboard is a feature common to all catamarans, the Dracan 42 goes above and beyond. To meet the needs of different potential owners, the catamaran is offered in three interior configurations: the Supreme layout, with two double cabins; the Voyage (standard layout), with a master cabin and two guest cabins; and the Holiday configuration, with four double cabins, designed for charter use. In all layouts, there are always two bathrooms.
In any case, style is guaranteed, with high-end accessories, wood finishes, and a subtle underlying elegance, without sacrificing storage space.
Northern minimalism meets the Mediterranean
From a stylistic point of view, the Dracan 42 blends two worlds, both inside and out. Below deck, it embraces Nordic minimalism, with airy, bright, functional spaces and clean lines.
Outside, however, the design breathes the Mediterranean air, with a sleek layout that invites sailors to the aft lounge area with double sunbathing areas, or forward, where a separate relaxation zone has been designed.
The layout is one that captivates groups, combining moments of privacy with spaces dedicated to socializing, while the hardtop ensures both protection and ventilation.
For this reason, the Dracan 42 isn't just about cruising but also embraces the typical “party boat” concept. Who says you always have to sail? With such expansive spaces onboard, the boat can easily become a prime "location" for large parties with friends between sails.
Dracan 42: Propulsion
With a maximum speed of 30 knots and a cruising range of 258 nautical miles on a full 1,000-liter tank, and 387 miles for those opting for the 1,500-liter tank, these are the specifications provided by the shipyard.
All of this is made possible thanks to two 400-horsepower Mercury outboard engines, which, however, do not dominate the center of the swim platform, thereby not compromising its accessibility for guests. Instead, they are cleverly concealed from view and also minimize noise.
The aft section of the deck was specifically designed so that the engines could be covered by the two sunbathing areas, optimizing the cockpit space while also reducing noise.
The two 400-horsepower Mercury Verado outboards are the maximum engine configuration offered by the shipyard, but the base equipment always includes the innovative V10 technology from the American manufacturer, with two 350-horsepower Verados.
Hi-Tech Catamaran
Looking at the strong and extremely modern lines of this multihull, one couldn’t expect anything less than cutting-edge onboard technology. The Dracan 42 features the Nextfour Q-Experience touch display, from which the entire navigation and communication system can be managed.
It is up to each owner to decide how to personalize and enhance the technology on their Dracan 42. Those seeking autonomy can invest in the Autonomy and Autonomy Plus Packages, which include desalination systems, solar panels, and generators. For those desiring a more convenient life, there’s the Easy Life & Docking Package, which includes the Zipwake dynamic control system and a bow thruster for stress-free docking.
These are just some of the available packages, ranging from the Anchoring Package to the Audio & Music Package.
Dracan 42: the Price
The price of the Dracan 42 starts at €521,431, excluding VAT, without engines and with standard equipment, which (unusually) includes the T-Top.
The cost of the engines must be added to this base. If you choose the two Mercury V10 Verado 400 engines, you’ll need to add €86,345, but if you opt for the V10 350 hp engines, the price drops to €76,815.
With so many customization options, the price of this 12.60-meter Polish catamaran can vary significantly. However, when it comes to the interior layout, the differences are very minimal.
The price includes the Voyage layout, with three cabins and two bathrooms, but the Supreme layout with two cabins and two bathrooms only adds €2,100, while the Holiday layout with four cabins and two bathrooms comes with an extra cost of €3,750.
All prices are based on the 2024/2025 season price list.
Click here to enter the official Dracan Marine website (English version).
