Lagoon, the world chief in cruising multihulls (with 7,000 constructed since 1984), didn’t use all its most inventive concepts through the euphoria that gripped when COVID-19 struck. Now that the market is harder, the producer is pulling out all of the stops with two new crusing catamarans, the 43 and the 60, every to be offered on the upcoming Cannes Yachting Competition (Sept 10-15, 2024).
It was the bigger of the 2 catamarans, now the flagship of the “normal” vary, that we bought the possibility to find within the crystal-clear waters off the northern finish of Menorca, Spain.
Changing the previous first-in-class mannequin was by no means going to be a simple process. On this case, the shadow of the 620 was hanging over the 60. Lagoon bought 169 items of the bigger 620, earlier than the Premium model of the mannequin launched, and it was an ideal success.
Again in March in Bordeaux, the place all Lagoon yachts over 50ft are constructed, we have been in a position to see for ourselves, on the first presentation of the Lagoon 60, how all the important thing factors of the 620 had been taken up and, in fact, optimised to satisfy at this time’s necessities. Now we bought to see them in motion.
Model supervisor Thomas Gailly and product developer Bruno Belmont welcomed us to Fornells Bay, Menorca.
There we have been, in circumstances very near these of correct cruising: the Lagoon 60 was anchored right here, with the Lagoon workers staying on board. The massive catamaran had simply accomplished a protracted sea trial, and the crew had been requested to report again to the shipyard on all sensations, good and unhealthy. The purpose, in fact, being to fine-tune this new catamaran earlier than the large industrial launch in September.
As quickly as we step aboard, the evolution from the 620 is instantly perceptible – it’s surprisingly straightforward to climb the steps as much as the cockpit, or reasonably the seaside membership. Gailly and Belmont set out the positioning baseline “Openness, fluidity, consolation, generosity: the Lagoon 60 is a dream stage”.
Past the advertising and marketing language, the figures verify the XXL atmosphere on board: a 36sqm cockpit with pivoting terrace, a flybridge equally as huge, a 20sqm proprietor’s suite, a cockpit accessible through a ahead door, and saloon area of over 20sqm. Such options are just about remarkable on this dimension vary.
A Prolonged Growth
Numbers alone could be inadequate to explain the particularities of this new mannequin. Belmont instructed us that it took two years of growth to reconcile passable efficiency below sail with the last word in yacht consolation.
It wasn’t straightforward to suit the immense area of the cockpit-terrace lounge on the identical degree because the ahead cockpit. As for the central bay window, it opens out to its full width, and the aft beam has been completed away with to permit an unobstructed view over the water.
The entire structure is designed to stiffen the platform, making it extra proof against torsional forces. The return to a forward-stepped rig provides a number of benefits: a extra forgiving and highly effective sail plan in mild uneven climate, a extra open saloon due to the elimination of the mast compression submit, and a flybridge that’s now completely unobstructed.
The decreed specs have been clear: the Lagoon 60 needed to stay a easy catamaran, straightforward to handle, and extra energy-efficient.
For the powertrain, Yanmar was requested to develop a particular 150hp motor with sail-drive transmission, an association that saves area and is extra dependable than a V-drive.
As for the chilled-water air-conditioning, it consumes 25 per cent much less vitality – it’s designed to run all night time on the lithium battery financial institution. With two 125A alternators on every engine, the generator solely must run for eight hours out of each 24 to satisfy substantial on-board ‘resort’ necessities.
Ease of Use And Versatility
All of the technical points have been designed to optimise on-board consolation, together with ergonomics and modularity. In these latter areas, the 60 boasts options instantly impressed by the premium Lagoon SIXTY/SEVENTY vary.
It’s straightforward to get round on board, due to a rigorously thought-out circulation system. The 45-degree flybridge companionway, with vast steps the place you’ll be able to go each other, and the single-level ground are a lot appreciated.
The aft terrace, with its massive modular desk and fold-down wings – facilitating boarding when alongside the dock – is successful. As for the full-width bathing platform, it’s a must have characteristic. The saloon is equally convincing, particularly within the galley-down model. The area features a counter/bar, half outdoors and half inside, the place all of the visitors on board can meet for a snack, that’s merely sensible. The desk and couch are very comfy and revel in an unobstructed sea view.
The sunbathing space ahead on the flybridge is extraordinarily nice. Below the exhausting high, the immense area is modular to the proprietor’s style, with choices obtainable from {the catalogue}. The selection of 4 or 5 cabins is set by whether or not to have the galley down or up. The proprietor is pampered with a collection that has direct entry to the aft deck.
Space for storing is each plentiful and spacious, and finishes, such because the oak Alpi, are of the best high quality. The choices information for customising finishes and selecting equipment runs to a minimum of 150 pages.
Energy and Stability
All this consolation, in fact, comes with a excessive displacement (34 tonnes versus 30t for the Lagoon 620 and 28.2t for the Fountaine Pajot Samana 59). With an upwind sail space of 233sqm, the sail area-to-weight ratio is 6.85sqm/t (7.67sqm/t for the Lagoon 620 and seven.23sqm/t for the Samana 59).
Would the Lagoon 60 be geared up to deal with the sunshine air on the day of our check, although? “It’s not simply the ability to weight parameter that dictates the efficiency of a cruising catamaran,” warned Belmont. “The hull kind and the prismatic coefficient additionally play an necessary function.”
All of it is dependent upon what you’re on the lookout for: lengthy, exhilarating crusing at over 20 knots, or a cushty common velocity in most circumstances? On the face of it, the Lagoon 60 ticks the second field.
With sails set, our multihull headed off on a slight swell. We saved a detailed eye on the GPS to maintain monitor of the acceleration, and the Lagoon 60 finally settled down at 8 knots, regardless of a real wind that wasn’t exceeding 10 knots.
The ability provided by the gennaker additionally helps stabilise this flattering velocity, because the hulls easily trip the waves. Even in these mild circumstances, we might see that this large catamaran, as soon as it will get going, is an effective performer. Underfoot, you too can really feel that the construction is completely inflexible.
When it’s time to drop sail, it’s a must to go as much as furl the primary within the stunning Lorima canoe increase; it’s only a disgrace {that a} furling increase isn’t (but) included within the catalogue of choices.
Final however not least, the stern-mounted engines are notably discreet, which is an plain asset with regards to sustaining a median velocity of eight knots within the absence of any breeze.
A contemporary cruising catamaran is a platform that’s changing into more and more advanced as consumers demand ever extra consolation. Lagoon’s designers are effectively conscious of this evolution and have succeeded in combining ease of use with nice consolation.
The Lagoon 60 advantages from the expertise gained with the Premium vary: and with only a few extra toes, it’ll be a superyacht.
Picture courtesy of Lagoon and the writer
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This story was first seen on Yachtstyle.Co.
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