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Are Lagoon Catamarans Good? A Complete Review

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Lagoon is a leading catamaran manufacturer famous for its luxury products and state-of-the-art boats. However, if you’re considering purchasing a cruising catamaran, you may get overwhelmed by the vast selection of boats on the market, and you might be left to wonder if Lagoon catamarans are worth the money, especially after the big “bulkhead-issues” debate started by Youtube channel Parlay Revival.

Lagoon catamarans are great if you’re looking for spacious interiors and exteriors and have a large family to consider. They’re perfect for parties, and the sturdy construction and luxurious looks are favorable. However, they are known for having bulkhead issues (L450) and are sometimes critiqued for poor build quality.

In this article, I will explore the pros and cons of Lagoon catamarans, describe the most popular Lagoon cats’ features in detail, and offer some useful tips on choosing the right cat for your needs.

Table of Contents

The Pros of Lagoon Catamarans

Lagoon has been building catamarans for almost 40 years , and with nearly 6,000 vessels under their belt, it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. They have nine different sailing models, meaning you have even more choice than ever. 

Let’s take a look at what sets Lagoon apart from the rest. 

They’re Spacious 

Lagoon catamarans are famous for being large and spacious , making them a perfect choice for big families and gatherings. Most Lagoon models have 3 or 4 cabins with lots of storage space and roomy sleeping arrangements.

The galleys feature under-counter fridges and nestled microwave ovens, creating a safe and even more spacious accommodation. Dining tables, freezers, and bench seats easily fit in the big galleys to create a homey feel.

Most models also feature large flybridges with enough room to offer navigation and relaxation at the same time.

Lagoon cats’ saloons and cabins are famous for being friendly to tall sailors. Most of them feature double-berth accommodations with individual showers and head compartments.

They Are Bulit Strong (Most…)

One of the biggest advantages of Lagoon cats is their sturdy construction. Made of balsa wood covered with fiberglass layers through vacuum infusion molding, the furniture in the interior and exterior constructions are strong and lightweight. 

Plus, all parts of the boats are well-finished with vinyl ester resin to avoid osmosis.

The interior is also a combination of luxury and long service life with core-mat sandwich or solid glass and Alpi wood laminates.

They use dry layering instead of wet layering, leading to more resistance and precise positioning. Plus, the dry technology allows for the use of less resin, making the designs more lightweight.

Every corner has perfect seals to avoid any leakage or cracks, and the infusion technology makes sure the construction is soundproof, durable, and rigid.

BUT! And this is a big but, there have been some issues with the Lagoon 450 bulkheads, the issue involves some very poorly constructed main bulkheads which tends to break and once broken it will transfer the loads to other smaller bulkheads. This starts a chain reaction that in the end weakens the boat’s structural integrity to the point where I would question its seaworthiness.

If you are buying an Lagoon 450 it is a MUST to check the bulkheads for cracks! Gabo

If you want to better understand this problem I suggest you check out this video from parlay revival.

They Boast Spacious and Clean Decks

Another strength of Lagoon cats is their exterior spaces. Like the interiors, the decks are spacious and wide, with many storage compartments and lockers with trampolines and sunbathing areas.

There are sliding doors between the exterior and interior spaces that can provide extra room for big gatherings, and all parts on the flybridges are easily accessible.

In some models, the stairs directly go to the cockpit, leading to more safety, too.

A few weeks ago a went on a day trip on a Lagoon 380, the boat is quite small with its 38ft, but Lagoon really utilize every centimeter and the boat feels huge.

Lagoon Has a Huge Owners Community

Since there are so many Lagoons sailing around the world, getting an experienced sailor to answer your model-specific questions is never hard. This, I believe, is one of the largest benefits of having a Lagoon, since sooner or later you will have to do repairs, it is a comfort to know there will be people around you that can help you out.

They’re Luxurious

Luxury is the word intended to come to mind when thinking of Lagoon catamarans. All the sturdiness, rigidness, and durability come wrapped under a rich layer of anti-UV finishes.

The interiors are very well-lit, with big windows at eye level offering panoramic views, making it seem like an exclusive hotel room rather than a boat’s cockpit. 

Most of the boats have U-shaped seating areas and pleasant furnishing, and the Alpi wood finish gives everything a sleek, elegant look, combining comfort and sophistication.

They’re Safe

Lagoon cats are all well thought out for safety considerations, with handrails all over the place for safe movements even in bad weather conditions. The decks are wide and clutter-free, and the running rigging is suitable for short-handed sailing.

They all conform to the Conformitè Europëenne ( CE ) standards for the unsinkability of multihulls. Everything in the living space is waterproof, and all the wiring is high quality and reliable.

If you are looking for some serious offshore cruising, there will be things you will have to change on every boat so that it fits your specific needs, if you want to know more about offshore cruising, I suggest you read some other articles I wrote called:

• What is the best-size catamaran for offshore sailing
• 9 best cats for circumnavigation and why

Cons of Lagoon Catamarans

As with any product on the market, nothing is perfect. Lagoon catamarans may exceed in luxury and safety, but there are some areas that customers find they are lacking. 

Below are some of the areas that may leave you opting for another catamaran manufacturer.

They’re Bulky

Although Lagoon has tried hard to reduce weight, some experts still consider them to be bulky. For example, some models, like the Lagoon 440, are among one of the heaviest models on the market. Some call it a “condomaran” to refer to its lowered performance due to its large size.

However, the company has tried to address this issue by making more compact models while allowing for more volume.

They Can Be Costly

Lagoon cats’ high costs are probably the most significant drawback compared to other big names with similar features. Their hefty prices may be a real turn-off for some sailing enthusiasts. But with their large selection of boats from different models and specs, they have a boat for every budget.

Expect to pay a little bit more just because of the name.

They’re Not Very Fast 

These wide spacious catamarans come at the cost of speed. However, newer models have addressed the issue and perform reasonably well both upwind and downwind. 

Lagoon catamarans will never be Gunboat or an outremer so if your looking for exciting and fast sailing this is probably not the right boat for you.

But, If you don’t have much sailing skill and want to make sure you have some extra margins of safety Lagoon cats might be the best choice for you.

The Tall Rig Can Be an Issue in Ports and under Bridges

Some models, such as Lagoon 52, have tall rigs to increase windward efficiency and improve the performance in the wind. However, the tall rig can be a problem under bridges.

Popular Lagoon Models

Lagoon has constantly been trying to address its most common issues with newer models and beat their previous models, even if they were wildly popular. 

This sense of competition has led to plenty of innovations. For example, it launched its Lagoon 420 in 2006 as the first catamaran in the world with hybrid propulsion.

Below are some of the most popular Lagoon cats in its history, starting with the best seller and working down in terms of units sold. If buying new is not an option, some of these older models may be just what you’re looking for. 

The Lagoon 380 is the top seller catamaran globally, although the company has discontinued it.

As mentioned before, I sailed an L380 just a few weeks ago, and here is a short description of that cat.

The L380 has four cabins with two bathrooms, is 11.5 m (38 ft) long, and has two engines. Its most praised feature is its comfortable, simple, and convenient accommodations with oodles of overhead clearance, spacious galleys, and large cabins.

Although it’s slow, it gets the job done because it’s easy to control and performs well enough in poor water and weather conditions. It’s also easy to dock because of its small size, and the two engines make it highly maneuverable.

The 380 is said to reach up to nine knots in good weather with a decent breeze , (we maxed out at 6kts during my sail) – an acceptable speed for cruising catamarans. It sails up to six knots to windward, which is not impressive but not surprising. Though it hobby horses in medium to high waves, it can be managed by putting the weight in the center of the boat.

It also features Lagoon’s signature vertically-positioned windows that provide maximum space in the cabin while at the same time allowing a lot of light inside.

That said, it’s not lightweight, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given its bulky construction. Below the waterline, it features solid fiberglass and a mix of balsa wood and foam.

Although the interior looks cozy and spacious, the furniture finish wears pretty quickly because it’s not the highest quality. And like other Lagoon’s older models, the top bimini is soft, which you can replace with a hard one if you can’t take care of it.

All in all, the 380 is good value for money and stands up well to frequent, private cruising. It’s a classic catamaran that delivers more than what it promises.  

For a more detailed review of the cat, watch the YouTube video below:

The 400 is another highly successful Lagoon model produced between 2009 and 2017. The 400 S2 was a refresh introduced in 2012.

Like most Lagoon models, the 400 also suffers from being heavy, struggling in lighter airs. It belongs to the company’s third-generation boats that favor comfort over speed and performance.

That said, it’s easy to maneuver and performs well in a breeze. In lighter winds of under ten knots, you can perform well if you fly the larger sails by the bowsprit.

It features a mainsail with a square top that boosts the sail area and makes her tack well. The rig is also easy to handle because all the line sheets come back to the helm with one manual winch.

The deck is clean and clutter-free so that you can get around the boat safely. The flush decks are wide with recessed hashes, and the bow lockers can accommodate all the lines, sails, and fenders.

This model has many different variants on the market in terms of living space. There are three or four cabins with different head configurations, and the refreshed model (the 400 S2) added cupboards aft and made space for a freezer by moving the electrical panel from the galley to the nav station in the saloon.

For a more detailed review of the 400, you can watch the YouTube video below:

The 40 is one of the most reasonably-priced Lagoon cats that combines luxury, comfort, and performance, making it another top seller. Compared to the 400, it’s lighter and has a wider mast. Plus, the company shed 800 kg (1763.7 lb) of its weight compared to its predecessor, the Lagoon 39.

Watch this YouTube video to see more of the Lagoon 39:

Although space isn’t a rarity on lagoon cats, the 40 is the best in its class space-wise. The bigger windows and the more angular look are pretty easy on the eye, with the signature Lagoon look on the inside. However, it has a more streamlined appearance due to its stretched windows.

Its performance is impressive upwind, and the square-top mainsail makes it sail well in a breeze. Still, it needs a bit of wind to get going fast because it doesn’t perform well in light airs. 

It’s also easy to handle short-handed because you can handle all the sheets and lines from the helm. However, the saloon’s roof doesn’t have ventilation, making the area down below stuffy. 

There are three or four-cabin options with two to four heads, and the other parts of the saloon and galley are standard lagoon layouts with plenty of storage space.

Check out this YouTube video for a detailed review of the Lagoon 40:

Lagoon 450F

The Lagoon 450F (F: Flybridge version) is fourth in line in terms of the units sold. It’s one of the two versions of the 450 series, the other one being 450S. Although it doesn’t boast high performance, it sails well upwind.

Compared to its predecessor, the 440, it’s quite an improvement in terms of luxury and comfort. The flybridge is easily accessible from down below, and it has a new basking lounge.

The elegant, luxurious interior is big enough for up to 12 people to sleep in, with four bathrooms, four to six cabins, and eight to 12 berths.

The 450S, which is not even a performance cat, does surprisingly well in different weather conditions, and the boom is lower than the 450F, increasing performance due to reducing the rig inertia. It also prevents the cat from hobby horsing, leading to faster and more stable rides.

One of this model’s winning features is its semi-raised helm station which doesn’t stand out from the rest of the boat. It gives the cat a pleasing look and makes the helm more easily accessible.

This YouTube video shows a walkthrough of this model:

The Lagoon 55 is Lagoon’s latest model, launched in March 2021 with Lagoon’s characteristic sleek look. Generous living space, an outdoor galley, a forward cockpit, and a roomy flybridge featuring a dining table are the new design’s features.

It also has internal overhead windows that take the sky-watching experience to the next level. It comes with several three to five-cabin layouts, and the internal furniture comes with a walnut wood finish.

Check out this YouTube video to get an exclusive look into the new beauty:

Tips for Choosing a Catamaran

Choosing the catamaran that suits your needs can be confusing and overwhelming. After all, you’re putting a considerable amount of money into the purchase, and you want it to be a long-time investment.

Here’s what I consider when looking for a cat, and maybe it will be useful for you as well:

Consider Your Needs, Skills, and Budget

If you’ve chosen a catamaran over a monohull, you know the advantages of the former over the latter. For example, it’s more stable, better for big families, and offers more visibility due to raised helms.

For a deep dive into the differences, I suggest some of my other articles:

• Cats vs. Monos
• Are trimarans faster than catamarans?

But, in choosing the right cat, you should dig deeper. The first thing you should consider is your budget, as a tight budget will significantly narrow down your options. Plus, you should consider additional costs for insurance, taxes, marina fees, and maintenance. Unfortunately, this may take some Lagoon models off the table. 

How much does it cost to live aboard a catamaran ? real numbers from liveaboards!

Although, you could opt for second-hand, well-maintained cats if you’re short on budget. The best-selling Lagoon models described above are all available in used markets, and you should have no problems reselling them in the future because of their popularity.

If you need the catamaran for short-term getaways, your choice will differ from what you need for long-term living aboard. Are you going to sail around the world or spend most of your time at anchor? These factors determine the type of catamaran in terms of performance, space, and comfort.

Want to see some good examples of offshore capable cats ?

Since Lagoon is known for its spacious interiors and luxurious finishes, it might be worth spending a little more if you’re planning on longer journeys. 

If you don’t have great sailing skills (yet), you should opt for a smaller cat setup for solo sailing.

How to learn to sail a cat!

Inspect Everything

Before you buy the boat, inspect every little corner to make sure it’s safe and secure, and pay attention to all structural details such as main and support bulkheads, standing and running rigging, etc.

What are the parts of a catamaran called?

Pro-tip; if you entertain frequently or have a big family, you need to think of both space and privacy. 

What about fixed vs. removable furniture? Is it important for you to move everything outside when entertaining? Even round and square furniture can prove to be a nuisance in different situations.

The amount of light, airflow and ventilation, and ceiling height are also important considerations. If you’re tall, you don’t want to be crouching all the time when you’re inside.

When buying new, you should have no issues getting all the little details your need on your Lagoon catamaran. However, if you purchase second-hand, you may need to compromise on certain amenities to account for the lower cost. 

How Much Weight Can You Carry?

Boats have certain limitations in terms of the allowed payload, and excess weight will affect your catamaran’s performance . With full water and fuel tanks, there’s a fixed amount of gear you can take on board. 

Does the cat offer emergency water or fuel storage on deck? Lightweight cats sometimes have more wiggle room for adding extra gear and provisions.

The galley layout also plays a major role, especially if you travel with your family. Can you live with the current size of the galley, and is there room to add appliances such as a microwave, ice maker, or coffee machine?  

Check out this guide to choosing the right design!

Think about where you’ll be preparing food, putting the dishes to dry, or laying out plates to serve. How much space do you need for cooking?

In general, Lagoon cats are known to offer plenty of room inside , and most of the kitchens come with plenty of optional extras to make your time aboard as stress-free as possible. 

Do Your Homework

Finally, never jump into buying the first catamaran that catches your eye. Shop around online and offline, considering every little detail. Talk to experts and perform “sea trials” if possible. 

Some companies let you try the boat by staying on it for a few days. This way, you’ll get a real feel of what it’s like.

It’s also possible to work with a broker who can help you search for and negotiate when buying new and used catamarans. 

I have put together a few buyers guide that could help you on your journey towards a good buy!

• Catamaran buyers guide
• How to buy a used catamaran
• How much does it cost to liveaboard a catamaran?

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering getting a cruising catamaran, Lagoon is one of the brands I would recommend looking into. It’s famous for its luxuriously spacious interiors, sturdy and safe construction, and easily accessible and manageable decks.

Since there are a lot of Lagoons roaming the planet there is also a huge community and help is never far away.

However, the Lagoon models aren’t the best performers, especially in upwind due to their bulkiness. Although you can find them at various prices, they can be too steep for some budgets. If you don’t mind the lower speed, you can find some used ones at reasonable prices.

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

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CatamaranReviews.com

Lagoon 42 catamaran.

From stealing the spotlight in the Sydney International Boat Show to bagging four awards within one year of its launch, the Lagoon 42 catamaran is famous for its almost oxymoronic quality of being remarkably spacious yet compact enough to be easy to navigate. 

Table of Contents

DESIGN – EXTERIOR & INTERIOR

The Lagoon 42 catamaran is a powerful yet graceful product of Patrick Le Quement’s exterior designing combined with France’s VPLP Design. The interior has been designed by Italy’s Nauta Design and the Lagoon 42 boasts a generous space not only in the cockpit but also the helm and the saloon, thanks to the unique uniform cockpit to saloon leveling. 

The Lagoon 42 catamaran’s helm station easily fulfills the need for a large area. The helm station allows for one person to  work the lines while the other helms – making it very convenient for couples or two-person crews. If the need arises, the proximity of the helm station to the line management area even allows the person on the helm to simultaneously do both – manage the lines while also working on the helm.

The equipment at the helm station is not only efficiently angled and placed but is also protected from harsh weather conditions by the hard-top bimini and Plexiglass panels. The Plexiglass panels also provide excellent visibility of the sails, given that the low seat at the helm is not occupied by someone of a short stature which might not make viewing over the high coachroof an easy task. The seat, however, does have room to be comfortably occupied by two people. 

The helm station does have one drawback, though. The helm person is exposed to the sea with nothing but a cockpit tent precluding the fall into the side deck and even potentially into the water on a particularly rough sea day. The safety, therefore, might be something to consider when looking into buying the Lagoon 42 catamaran. 

Another unique feature that the Lagoon 42 catamaran boasts is the replacement of grab rails with the recessed rails around the coachroof. The recessed rails are not characteristically easy to hold onto and might pose a risk to those who do not make holding onto them a strict priority. 

Overall, the helm is spacious, ideally equipped and also easily accessible from the cockpit. 

ACCOMODATIONS

The Pixel glass sliding panels form the way from the cockpit to the saloon for which 3-cabin and 4-cabin versions are available. 

The U-shaped galley does not provide a lot of space with its narrow bench but does have a direct access to the cockpit. It is divided into two parts and has a single sink, three-burner gas stove, an icebox that acts as a refrigerator and a microwave oven. 

The master suite has a 175 cm wide bed, a desk in the middle and a large shower room. The rest of the guest cabins have a relatively smaller  shower rooms but overall there is enough room for 3 couples to be easily aboard the Lagoon 42 catamaran. All hulls, constructed with a Balsa wood core, are light, spacious and bright and have plenty of storage area in the form of underfloor storage as well as cupboards, drawers and shelves. The cabins themselves have multiple opening hatches to allow for ventilation.

The saloon front of the Lagoon 42 catamaran has vertical windows which means there is no unfiltered sunlight but almost a 360° view that can be enjoyed. There is also enough seating space to accommodate a considerable number of people in the cockpit along with an L-shaped settee and an Ottoman.

The build of the interior includes veneer front plywood which is not thin and flaky. The cabinetry is lined with solid wood so the veneer will not peel off very quickly. The joinery also stands out as being of good quality and is considerably fine. The color range is also refreshingly different from the trend of lighter colored interiors. 

ENGINE ROOMS

The engine rooms of the Lagoon 42 catamaran are easily accessible from the stern of the boat without the need for a complete dismantling of the bed. All key steering systems can also be very easily accessed from the engine rooms, making the practical design compatible with safety. The access also means that evaluating filters or belts is not cumbersome and plant machinery can be easily maintained. 

The life raft position is in the middle of the transom which is also very easy to get to and hence definitely a plus point for the Lagoon 42 catamaran.

Perhaps the best part of the Lagoon 42 catamaran design is its compatibility with function. It has been popularly described as being “curvaceous”, owing to the absence of sharp edges. All the corners and edges at the Lagoon 42 catamaran are curved away so there are no hazards if you choose to take the cat into rough seas. 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Lagoon 42 is a 42-foot tall catamaran with an overall length of 12.80 meters and a 7.70 meters beam. It has 300 liters of water and fuel capacity each and a maximum 10 day passenger capacity. The Lagoon 42 catamaran has 45 hp power and a minimum draft of 1.25 meters. The main sail area is 55 sq. meters while the genoa area is 35 sq. meters. 

In conclusion, the Lagoon 42 catamaran provides a good value for its money. It is beamy, fast, light and very spacious for a couple. Although there are issues that can be adjusted with varying levels of effort, Lagoon 42 is quite promising for a catamaran of its price, given the amount of comfort and ease it provides to its owners. 

Lagoon 42 Specs

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• Boat Test: Lagoon 42

48° North Editor, Joe Cline, puts the sails up on the Lagoon 42 — one of the latest evolutions of technology, comfort, and sailing performance in the world of cruising catamarans.

“Man, this thing is effing massive.” I replied candidly, if inelegantly, when my tour guide for the day, Dan Krier, stepped aboard the Lagoon 42 catamaran on which I stood and asked me what I thought.

Any new boat I review is a voyage of discovery. Yet, each time I’ve tested a new cruising catamaran, the result is at least as much ‘your author learns about cruising cats and cat sailing’ as it is a boat review. My lovely afternoon on the Lagoon 42 was hardly an exception though, perhaps with a number of these under my belt now, I’m not quite as green about it all as I once was. Nonetheless, my first impression still revealed my monohull-sailor’s-lens — the size, space, and luxury of the living areas on the Lagoon 42 were simply astounding; lovelier than some of the Lake Union houseboats nearby.

A number of years ago, I reviewed the Lagoon 39, a design predecessor to the 42. The big development with the 39 had been that Lagoon chose to move the mast aft, allowing for a more balanced and high-aspect sailplan. A few years later, some of those innovations were employed and improved in a 42-foot design and the Lagoon 42 made its debut. Several of those evolutions center on weight reduction and hull design, and our sailing experience positively reflected these steps forward.

Sailing the Lagoon 42 was simple and enjoyable. As is often the case, the light to moderate conditions on Lake Union weren’t what the boat was built for — but let me assure you, I had more fun than I expected. The boat’s sail plan is made more powerful and effective by the addition of a Code Zero. Dan told me he orders all stock boats with one because you really want it for cruising in the PNW — I agree completely, but more on this sail and its application later.

We casually untied dock lines and maneuvered out of the marina area. Even with all of its heft and windage, the boat is maneuverable enough with its two Yanmar-powered saidrives that there’s no need for a bow thruster. We hoisted the main effortlessly with the electric winch and unfurled the jib. The total time from leaving the dock to sailing was approximately 86 seconds. Easy.

The boat moved admirably to weather with the square-top main and self tacking jib. In 4 to 8 knots, we were able to make 3 to 4 knots of boat speed and push our true wind angles close enough to the breeze to compete with many cruising monohulls. To be fair, everything about the boat feels better if you sail a bit fatter, a little further from the wind — it’s certainly how I would sail it, anyway. So, real-life performance to weather is good by cruising catamaran standards, but that’s not among the design’s top priorities. And, as I like to say, all boat design is a compromise.

Driving and trimming were a cinch with the go-to sailplan (main and jib), and the raised helm station is really a full-on control center. Everything you need to sail the boat — from engine ignition and controls to sheets and sail adjustments and the impressive navigation and instrument display — leads to that single helm station where there is a bench seat wide enough to accommodate two sailors. There are two adjacent winches to share the load, one of which is electric. Rather than overwork ourselves with the top-handle winch, we used the electric winch more frequently. The position of the helm station is important because of how high it is above the deck and the water. Visibility can be a challenge on a boat this big and broad; but both standing and sitting at the helm gave me 360 degree views and I never once worried about my ability to see around me.

Trimming the boat is an interesting balance between a somewhat adjustable jib and an extraordinarily adjustable main. It’s not news that self-tacking jibs can leave something to be desired in terms of malleability and shape for those, like me, with CSTS (Compulsive Sail Tweaking Syndrome). Overall, I liked the shape we achieved with the self-tacker, and I appreciated the athwartships-adjustable stopping pins on the track, which enabled alteration of the sheeting angle. The mainsail on the other hand, is highly adjustable thanks in part to an unthinkably wide traveller track. Adjusting the traveller is important, because the mainsheet does double duty for standard sheeting and boom height — as with most cruising cats, there is no boom vang. In windy downwind conditions, I imagine you’d be glad to have every inch of that traveller. On our test day, it stayed within about two feet of center and drove the boat well.

Maneuvers are a slower proposition on any cruising cat compared to a similarly-sized monohull, but the Lagoon 42 went through her paces with leisurely grace. With even a small amount of boat speed, getting through a tack required no assistance from backwinding the jib (kind of challenging with the self tacker) or goosing the turn with motor power.

After making our way upwind toward the south end of the lake, we unfurled the massive Code Zero and started to have even more fun. The big sail offers a great deal of versatility, adding a lot of sail area and oomph for headings ranging from a close reach down to a full run. Not that I think anyone is likely to choose to spend much time at it, but we even played with sailing wing-on-wing with the Code Zero.

There was lots to like about the sail right out of the box, and the sheeting and trimming appointments were well placed. Unlike pretty much everything else, the Code Zero can’t be trimmed from the helm. Instead, it sheets to winches on the aft quarter of the cockpit area. These winches are waist height when standing, giving a powerful ergonomic position for the trimmer. True sail shape geeks may look to add a clever aftermarket tweaker of some kind to offer twistier profiles in lighter air, but the sail design gives a lot of versatility for upwind sailing. The Code Zero adds a lot to the way the boat sails. On reaching angles, our speed jumped up to 5 knots — really nice in those conditions. With the Code Zero furler little more than a couple feet forward of the jib furler and headstay, one must furl the sail to change tacks. It’s a smooth running furler, so you don’t need to be an America’s Cup athlete to wind the sail in for a maneuver.

Our light lake conditions didn’t really show another important innovation on the Lagoon 42 while sailing, but winding the Yanmars up to the max did. The design of the hulls is focused on bow buoyancy. These aren’t flat-bottomed daggers aimed at planing, but when we brought the boat up to 9 knots (a speed you would very reasonably expect to see and exceed when reaching or running in a stiff breeze), the boat had a very bow-up trim. Images of the boat sailing in heavy air confirm what we felt under power. This boat trim tendency is crucial for a cruising cat which, with its surplus of space, may get loaded down with gear while living aboard. You don’t want even a heavily loaded cat to be bow heavy or at risk of digging into waves, and the Lagoon 42’s hull forms offer all the assurance a sailor could hope for in this department.

I’ve written and maintain that a cruising catamaran would be my boat of choice when it comes to pure enjoyment at some quiet PNW anchorages. The interior accommodations almost leave me speechless. The expansive cockpit is perfect for all-season cruising since it is covered by the coachroof, and I imagine that most meals would be enjoyed around its table. Single-level living with a modern indoor-outdoor feel is handsomely accomplished between that large cockpit and the saloon just ahead of it. In that saloon, you’ve got what is clearly among the most functional and luxurious galleys around — if there was such a thing as a chef’s kitchen on a boat, this is it. The galley would be a challenge on a heeling monohull with few options for bracing, but on a stable cat like this, it works and I’d love to cook there.

The two hulls are broad enough to offer a full queen aft-berth with walk around sides, lots of light, and standing headroom. Depending on intended use, there are three- or four-cabin layouts available. Our test boat’s three-cabin “owner’s version” would no doubt be my choice, with the comfort and privacy of your own hull with the aforementioned queen berth, as well as lots of additional storage, a desk for working remotely, and a gigantic head with separate monster shower.

As I said to Dan at the start of our day, this is a seriously big boat with oodles of room, style, and comfort. These cruising catamarans are getting to be better and better sailing vessels, and the Lagoon 42 is one of the latest and best designs embodying this balance of performance and the combination of strength, stability, storage, and space you’d want on a go-anywhere cruising boat. The bonus with the Lagoon 42 is that you get all of that liveability in a package that is still manageable in tight quarters and easy to sail for a family, a couple, or even a singlehander.  

Joe Cline has been the Managing Editor of 48° North since 2014. From his career to his volunteer leadership in the marine industry, from racing sailboats large and small to his discovery of Pacific Northwest cruising —Joe is as sail-smitten as they come. Joe and his wife, Kaylin, welcomed a baby girl to their family in December 2021, and he is enjoying fatherhood while still finding time to sail, make music, and tip back a tasty IPA every now and again.

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Lagoon 40 Catamaran Review

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: June 22, 2018

Conditions in Miami’s Government Cut were nearly perfect for testing the new Lagoon 40’s waterproof hatches. With a stiff onshore wind blowing straight down the channel to meet a brisk outgoing current, the cat’s bows plowed repeatedly into seriously steep waves, sending green water up and over the cabin top and raised helm, soaking Lagoon’s managing director, Yann Masselot, who happened to be at the wheel. Beneath the Bimini, though, sitting at the teak cockpit dining table and enjoying the splendid view — ahead through wraparound windows and astern across the wide-open transom — the ride was thoroughly dry and comfortable, as it should be on a catamaran capable of long-range cruising.

The 40 replaces a 39-footer in the Lagoon range as well as the popular Lagoon 400, which is being phased out after a 10-year run. Like its big sister, the Lagoon 50 , it bears the look of a new generation of catamarans from the French builder.

Both boats were designed by a longtime Lagoon collaborator, naval architectural firm Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost, with exterior styling by Patrick Le Quément and an interior by Nauta Design. They made their North American debut last winter at the Miami International Boat Show.

This latest breed of Lagoons still carries the brand’s vertical saloon windows, but its cabin roofs and Biminis have evolved and now seem to float atop the house. Larger ports are embedded in the hulls, bringing loads of light into the living space within, and the masts have been located farther aft (reflecting lessons VPLP has learned from its racing multihulls). The new sail plan translates into larger headsails and higher-aspect-­ratio square-topped mains for increased power.

Once in open water, we cut the engines and sailed first with a full main and the self-tacking jib set. The breeze wavered between 15 and 20 knots and moved us along closehauled at 7 knots through boisterous chop. On a broad reach and with the (optional) genoa unfurled, I saw 7.8 to 8 knots on the GPS, which jumped to 9 on occasion as we took off surfing. Good stuff.

I found the raised helm station on the 40 to be quite user friendly. You could reach it from both the cockpit and the side deck, and from the two-person seat, visibility was good on all four corners of the boat. An overhead canvas Bimini provided protection from the elements, but was fitted with roll-up flaps and windows so you could see the sails overhead. Winches were within reach, and with all lines led to the helm, trimming and tacking shorthanded was straightforward.

Lagoon these days infuses its balsa-cored hulls (solid fiberglass below the waterline), bridgedecks and decks with polyester resin and a layer of anti-osmotic resin to prevent blistering.

Interior furniture on the 40 is made from a walnut-colored Alpi; the dark woodwork and leather accents on things like stainless handrails contrast smartly with light-colored fabrics that cover cabin sides and ceilings.

The boat we sailed had a single owners cabin in the port hull. Its queen-size berth was aft and a head and separate shower forward, with storage spaces and a desk in between. There were cabins fore and aft in the starboard hull, each with queen-size bunks and hanging lockers. They shared a large head and separate shower amidships. The 40 also comes in a four-cabin layout, with either two or four heads.

Upstairs in the saloon, a large dining table is forward to starboard and has an L-shaped couch around it. The nav station is to port; its bench can be moved to add more seats at the table for guests. The galley, also L-shaped, is to port and aft, a convenient location when the sliding saloon door is open because the cockpit table is adjacent to it. Across the cockpit, there’s a lounging area under the helm station; another cushioned, forward-facing bench spans the bridgedeck from transom to transom.

The new design reflects a change in CE regulations that require engine rooms to have hatches that open from the safety of the cockpit. Previously, on most cats, hatches were lifted while standing on the transom or transom steps. In a following sea of any size, the benefit is obvious.

The 40 comes standard with two 29 hp Yanmar ­diesels. Delivered at the factory in France, the base price is just under $330,000. The boat we sailed had optional 45 hp Yanmars and saildrives. The power upgrade, plus a host of other options, brought the sticker price up to just over $540,000.

Forty feet is an attractive size for cruising families and charterers who want to enjoy no-heel sailing and the living space a multihull provides. The length makes the boat easy enough for a shorthanded crew to handle and maintain, but large enough for bluewater passages. The Lagoon 400 had a good 10-year run of it. As its replacement, the 40 should enjoy more of the same, but with a fresh new look.

Mark Pillsbury is CW’s editor.

• More: 2011+ , 31 - 40 ft , Bluewater Cruising , Lagoon Catamarans , multihull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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