Both are great boats. I love my 1989 Tayana V42 aft
cockpit. I'm the fourth or fifth owner and I've had her for 15+ years. I coastal
cruise and have been
living aboard for 3 years. Have sailed safely in 45 knots and 8-12 ft seas. The boat is very well built and strongly fitted. All
rigging and fittings are oversized and high quality. She is definitely designed and built to be a world cruiser. 150 gallons of water and 130 of
diesel. Gorgeous
interior woodwork that always draws oohs and aahs from other sailors. The cutter rig with staysail on boom is a joy to sail short handed. I find her to be surprisingly fast on the
wind for a cruising boat. Not so downwind but that is because I don't use any light air or downwind
sails, just the three working
sails. Over all she is beautiful, safe, strong, large enough for adequate tankage, with lots of room for stowage.
I also love Island Packets. If I ever sell my Tayana and move up I would buy one of the larger IPs. I fell in lust with a used 485 at a
boat show.
In my opinion you have chosen two great solid boats. With any
used boat it comes down to condition,
maintenance, and up-grades.
S/V B'Shert