Builder · Mid · Bordeaux, France

Lagoon

French cruising catamaran builder, 1984-founded. Owned by Groupe Beneteau. Volume builder of cruising catamarans 40 to 78 feet.

Founded: 1984
Headquarters: Bordeaux, France
Ownership: Groupe Beneteau
Tier: Mid
Website: cata-lagoon.com

Lagoon is the volume cruising catamaran builder under Groupe Beneteau. Founded in 1984 in Bordeaux, France, the brand has been Beneteau-owned since 2014. Production stays at the Bordeaux facility.

The brand argument is the volume cruising catamaran segment. Lagoon is the largest production cruising-cat builder by volume and competes with Fountaine-Pajot, Bali, and Leopard on the volume cruising-cat segment.

Our reviews

Lagoon hulls we have on the water.

Lagoon

Lagoon 42

The French-built cruising cat that dominates the European charter fleet. The 42 is the volume seller in the segment and the boat other 42-foot cats get compared to.

Lagoon

Lagoon 42

The French-built cruising cat that dominates the European charter fleet. The 42 is the volume seller in the segment and the boat other 42-foot cats get compared to.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Lagoon 40 / 42 / 46 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 78

Cruising catamarans 40 to 78 feet

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Lagoon Lagoon 40 / 42 / 46 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 78

The Lagoon line is the volume cruising-catamaran range. Twin Yanmar diesel saildrive, full master suite plus 2 to 4 guest cabins.

Things we like

· Volume production gives broad used-market availability
· Charter-fleet placement supports the resale floor

Things we don't

· Build tier mid-segment, premium hardware grade trades against Fountaine-Pajot Saba
· Used catamarans returning from charter fleets warrant additional pre-purchase inspection

Buyer's guide

The Lagoon story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Lagoon was founded in 1984 in Bordeaux. The brand grew as the cruising catamaran segment expanded through the 1990s and 2000s.

Groupe Beneteau acquired Lagoon in 2014, consolidating with the broader Beneteau Group catamaran portfolio.

Design philosophy

Lagoon catamarans use moderate-displacement asymmetric demi-hull form. The brand differentiates on volume production and charter-fleet placement rather than novel hull architecture.

Yanmar diesel saildrive is the standard engine rigging across the lineup.

Used-market notes and known issues

Yanmar saildrive seal pattern on 2017 to 2020 hulls warrants inspection.

Charter-fleet hulls (Lagoons in particular) warrant additional pre-purchase survey for chafe and high-hour wear.

Bridge-deck slamming on pre-2017 Lagoon 40 hulls in following seas was a documented complaint, post-2017 redesign tightened the bridge-deck geometry.

Beneteau Group dealer network supports nationwide service in Europe; US coverage is mid-density.

Resale

Lagoon holds resale at the European cruising-cat mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 18 to 24 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 28 to 35 percent. Charter-fleet returns put downward pressure on the floor.

Where Lagoon fits

Buyers cross-shop Lagoon against Fountaine-Pajot, Bali, Leopard, and Robertson and Caine on the cruising-catamaran segment. The argument is volume production and charter-fleet liquidity.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Are charter-fleet Lagoons a good buy?: Charter-fleet returns are part of the Lagoon used market. Pre-purchase survey by a catamaran-experienced surveyor is non-negotiable. Charter hulls have higher hours but typically have documented service history. Buyers can find good value if the survey clears the hull.
Lagoon vs Fountaine-Pajot?: Both volume cruising-cat builders. Lagoon has larger volume and broader charter-fleet placement; Fountaine-Pajot gives slightly higher hardware grade. Cross-shop on dealer proximity and intended use (private vs charter).
What's the maintenance cost on a Lagoon 46?: Annual service on twin Yanmar saildrives runs $3,500 to $5,500. Bottom paint $1,500 to $3,000 (two hulls to paint). Sail service $1,500 to $3,000. Storage $3,000 to $8,000. Insurance for a $700K hull runs $4,500 to $7,500.
Where are Lagoons built?: Bordeaux, France. Groupe Beneteau facility.

Compare

Categories Lagoon fits.

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