I day sailed a 42. It was an early 1980's
boat. It was shot. Still good for
day sailing but it's better days were behind her and in a storm that boat would be a fright. At this point I would say it's not the brand but the mileage. In great physical condition under favorable
weather it would be easy. It's when each becomes a little bit less that the situation changes quickly. These
boats were never designed for ocean crossings so forcing the issue is more than the
designer ever expected. Most of these
boats were never intended for that purpose because most of the owners never wanted to do it. It's not so much that neither could but that neither intended on doing it.
The Atlantic has been crossed in a 9 ft boat but I wouldn't do it myself. Just because something has been done is not always the reason you could do it too.