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 more durable, the producer is pulling out all of the stops with two new crusing catamarans, the 43 and the 60, every to be introduced on the upcoming Cannes Yachting Pageant (Sept 10-15, 2024).
It was the bigger of the 2 catamarans, now the flagship of the “customary” vary, that we acquired the prospect 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 activity. On this case, the shadow of the 620 was hanging over the 60. Lagoon offered 169 items of the bigger 620, earlier than the Premium model of the mannequin launched, and it was an amazing success.
Again in March in Bordeaux, the place all Lagoon yachts over 50ft are constructed, we had 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 acquired to see them in motion.
Model supervisor Thomas Gailly and product developer Bruno Belmont welcomed us to Fornells Bay, Menorca.
There we had been, in circumstances very near these of correct cruising: the Lagoon 60 was anchored right here, with the Lagoon workers staying on board. The big catamaran had simply accomplished an extended sea trial, and the crew had been requested to report again to the shipyard on all sensations, good and unhealthy. The intention, in fact, being to fine-tune this new catamaran earlier than the large business launch in September.
As quickly as we step aboard, the evolution from the 620 is straight away perceptible – it’s surprisingly simple to climb the steps as much as the cockpit, or fairly the seashore 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 affirm the XXL atmosphere on board: a 36sqm cockpit with pivoting terrace, a flybridge equally as huge, a 20sqm proprietor’s suite, a cockpit accessible by way of a ahead door, and saloon area of over 20sqm. Such options are just about exceptional on this measurement vary.
A Prolonged Growth
Numbers alone can be inadequate to explain the particularities of this new mannequin. Belmont advised us that it took two years of improvement to reconcile passable efficiency below sail with the last word in yacht consolation.
It wasn’t simple 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 finished away with to permit an unobstructed view over the water.
The entire structure is designed to stiffen the platform, making it extra immune to torsional forces. The return to a forward-stepped rig gives a number of benefits: a extra forgiving and highly effective sail plan in gentle uneven climate, a extra open saloon due to the elimination of the mast compression put up, and a flybridge that’s now completely unobstructed.
The decreed specs had been clear: the Lagoon 60 needed to stay a easy catamaran, simple 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 evening 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 ‘lodge’ 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 simple to get round on board, due to a rigorously thought-out circulation system. The 45-degree flybridge companionway, with extensive steps the place you possibly can go each other, and the single-level ground are a lot appreciated.
The aft terrace, with its giant 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 exterior and half inside, the place all of the friends on board can meet for a snack, that’s merely good. The desk and couch are very comfy and luxuriate in an unobstructed sea view.
The sunbathing space ahead on the flybridge is extraordinarily nice. Underneath the arduous 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 set that has direct entry to the aft deck.
Cupboard space is each plentiful and spacious, and finishes, such because the oak Alpi, are of the very 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 outfitted 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 type and the prismatic coefficient additionally play an necessary position.”
All of it depends upon what you’re in search of: 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 observe 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 facility supplied by the gennaker additionally helps stabilise this flattering velocity, because the hulls easily trip the waves. Even in these gentle circumstances, we may see that this large catamaran, as soon as it will get going, is an efficient performer. Underfoot, you too can really feel that the construction is completely inflexible.
When it’s time to drop sail, you must go as much as furl the primary within the lovely 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 significantly discreet, which is an simple asset in terms of 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 complicated as patrons demand ever extra consolation. Lagoon’s designers are nicely 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
catamarans-lagoon.com
asiamarine.com
This story was first seen on Yachtstyle.Co.
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