The World’s Most Popular Multihull
If you walk down the dock of any major marina in the world—from the Caribbean to Croatia—you will see a Lagoon. In fact, you will probably see ten.
Lagoon Catamarans is the 800-pound gorilla of the multihull industry. They have built more cruising catamarans than any other shipyard in history (over 7,000 and counting). For many buyers, the word “Lagoon” is synonymous with “Catamaran.”
But does popularity equal quality? For the prospective buyer, Lagoon represents the safe, logical center of the market. They are the Toyota Land Cruiser of the seas: reliable, comfortable, available everywhere, and holding rock-solid resale value.
In this brand profile, we break down why Lagoon became the market leader and what you need to know before joining the thousands of owners who call these hulls home.
A Brief History: From Racing Roots to Cruising Comfort
It is a common misconception that Lagoons were always “floating condos.” The brand actually began in 1984 as the racing division of Jeanneau Technologies Avancées (JTA). Their early DNA was forged in high-tech offshore racing multihulls.
However, the brand’s true identity solidified in 1996 when it was acquired by the massive Beneteau Group. This acquisition gave Lagoon access to industrial-scale manufacturing capabilities that no other catamaran builder could match.
The turning point came with the launch of the Lagoon 380 in 1999. It was a compact, affordable, and incredibly spacious boat that democratized catamaran ownership. It became the best-selling catamaran of all time, and its philosophy—vertical windows, 360-degree salon views, and “safety over speed”—defines the brand to this day.
The Lagoon Philosophy: The “Condomaran”
Lagoon is often credited (or blamed by purists) for inventing the “Condomaran”—a boat designed primarily for living space rather than sailing performance.
Their design philosophy prioritizes three things:
- Volume: Vertical windows not only reduce heat but create massive interior headroom and floor space.
- Safety: Lagoons are heavy, stable platforms. They are designed to be forgiving for novice sailors and comfortable for guests who may not be used to the sea.
- Standardization: By building thousands of boats, Lagoon has refined their layouts to a science. You won’t find experimental quirks here; you’ll find layouts that work perfectly for daily life.
Decoding the Fleet: From 40 to 80 Feet
Lagoon’s range is vast, but it splits into three clear categories for the buyer.
1. The Core Range (40′ – 55′)
This is the bread and butter of the charter and private owner market. Models like the Lagoon 42, 46, and 51 are the industry benchmarks. They feature the mast moved further aft (a recent design shift) which makes the mainsail smaller and easier to handle for a couple, while a larger self-tacking jib handles the power. These boats are designed for “easy sailing”—you can control almost everything from the helm station.
2. The Luxury Line (SIXTY & SEVENTY)
Recognizing that wealthy buyers wanted the Lagoon reliability but with superyacht finishes, Lagoon launched their “Big” series: the Sixty 5 and Seventy 7. These are not just scaled-up versions of the smaller boats; they are completely different animals with separate crew quarters, hydraulic doors that fold out from the hull owner’s suite (a stunning “private beach” feature), and custom-grade finishes.
3. Lagoon Power
Lagoon’s power catamarans (like the Sixty 7 and Seventy 8) are built on the same hulls as their sailing sisters but with different transoms and powerful engines. They are true trawler-yachts, offering trans-oceanic range with the stability of a tennis court.
The Buyer’s Perspective: The Realities of Ownership
The Pros:
- Resale Liquidity: Selling a Lagoon is easier than selling almost any other boat. The market is huge, and banks love financing them because the value is predictable.
- Parts & Service: Because they are part of the Beneteau Group, you can find spare parts and qualified technicians in almost every corner of the globe. If you break a rudder bearing in Tahiti, a Lagoon dealer is likely nearby.
- Liveability: Pound for pound, you simply cannot buy more interior volume. If your priority is a comfortable home on the water, Lagoon wins.
The Considerations:
- Performance: A Lagoon is not a Gunboat. It is heavy. It will not sail fast upwind. If you are a sailor who craves 15 knots of boat speed, you may find the performance “sluggish.”
- The “Charter Stigma”: Because they are the favorite boat of charter fleets (The Moorings, Dream Yacht Charter), some buyers feel they lack exclusivity. At an anchorage, you will likely look exactly like your neighbor.
- Bulkhead Inspections: Some older models (specifically certain generations of the 450 and 400) have had well-documented bulkhead issues. While Lagoon has addressed this, savvy used buyers should always demand a specific bulkhead inspection.
Conclusion
Lagoon is the market leader for a reason. They don’t build the fastest boats, and they don’t build the most exotic boats. They build the most liveable boats. For the buyer who wants a proven platform to cross an ocean safely and live in total comfort upon arrival, a Lagoon is the standard by which all others are measured.
Stay tuned to Yacht-Review.blog as we look at the specific differences between the legendary Lagoon 450F and the new Lagoon 46.