The Lagoon 43 is a cruising catamaran from the shipyard of the same name. This 13-meter multihull, designed by VPLP Design, has the challenging task of succeeding the Lagoon 42. Now that several units are sailing, what is the verdict? Let’s take a closer look at this cruiser, which will appeal to both those planning a long voyage and sailors looking for a week-long charter.
The Lagoon 43 is the latest creation from the French Lagoon shipyard, the world leader in cruising catamarans. Launched in 2024, it succeeds the famous Lagoon 42, which needs no introduction. Imagine, it sold over 1,000 units. In short, the Lagoon 43 faces high expectations. Designed by VPLP Design and styled by Patrick le Quément and Nauta Design, this 13.85-meter catamaran stands out with a redesigned hull, optimized interior space, and increased openness between indoor and outdoor living areas. Yet, the classic Lagoon look remains. Aimed at both owners and the charter market, the Lagoon 43 focuses on comfort, modularity, and easy handling with a reduced crew.
Key Points
- Launch: 2024, unveiled at the Cannes Yachting Festival.
- Designers: VPLP Design (hull), Patrick le Quément and Nauta Design (interior and exterior).
- Construction: Polyester/balsa sandwich hull and deck, vacuum infusion, local reinforcements in carbon and flax.
- Major Innovations: Rear opening in the hulls for easy access, owner’s cabin forward, lounge area on the flybridge, sliding door connecting the saloon and cockpit.
- Program: Coastal and offshore cruising, suitable for families, friends, or charter.
- Direct Competitors: Fountaine Pajot Astréa 42, Bali 4.2, Leopard 42, Vaan R4.
Presentation of the Lagoon 43
The Lagoon 43 is the result of a long-standing collaboration between the Lagoon shipyard and VPLP Design, which began in 1984 with the Lagoon 55. The shipyard, founded in 1984, has established itself as the world leader in pleasure catamarans, with over 7,000 units produced to date. The Lagoon 43 is the result of a reflection aimed at succeeding the best-selling Lagoon 42, while integrating the current expectations of sailors:
- more space,
- more modularity,
- and increasingly intuitive navigation.
The goal was clear: to offer a catamaran that is even more generous in volume, without sacrificing sailing performance. In short, the ambition of all shipyards, but never easy to achieve. To accomplish this, the designers rethought the shape of the hulls, particularly at the bow, to offer more spacious cabins and increased comfort, while maintaining a fine waterline to reduce drag. The Lagoon 43 is thus a synthesis of the expectations of the charter market (4 cabins/4 bathrooms) and those of owners (3-cabin version with an owner’s suite forward).
The model was unveiled in preview at the 2024 Cannes Yachting Festival, where it generated strong interest, with 70 units sold in the first three months of marketing. Its competitive price and innovative layout make it a major player in its category.
Interior Layout
The Lagoon 43 stands out for its innovative approach to onboard space. The sliding door between the saloon and cockpit creates a unique living area, accommodating up to 12 people around a single table. This layout is inspired by Bali catamarans. All cabins, both forward and aft, are of equal size, offering comparable comfort, with double berths and private bathrooms. The owner’s version features a forward suite with a large bed and an aft bathroom, reducing noise from the engines.
The bright and airy saloon opens onto a well-equipped L-shaped kitchen with a clear view forward. The finishes, designed by Nauta Design, combine Alpi composite wood and Corian for a warm and contemporary atmosphere. Emphasis has been placed on natural ventilation, with numerous portholes and hatches, and on the modularity of the spaces, allowing for a transition from an intimate lounge to a large convivial area in just a few steps.
The flybridge, accessible from the helm station, offers an additional lounge area, ideal for relaxation or sailing. Finally, the rear access facilitates docking maneuvers and swimming, enhancing the boat’s practicality.
Sailing Performance
The Lagoon 43 surprises with its liveliness and responsiveness, despite a displacement of 13.3 tons. Press tests revealed a lively catamaran at the helm, with quick tacks and a reasonable turning angle. The full hull and generous bows reduce backwash aft, improving sailing comfort. Under sail, the Lagoon 43 easily reaches 7 to 8 knots with a 10 to 12-knot wind and exceeds 5 knots upwind. The rigging, positioned forward, and the standard overlapping genoa make maneuvers easier, even with a reduced crew.
The raised helm station to port offers excellent visibility over the hulls and the surroundings. The winches and cleats are well-sized, allowing for easy sail handling. However, the lack of handrails in the saloon and a dedicated navigation station may disappoint demanding sailors in terms of safety and ergonomics.
At sea, according to initial tests by the specialized press, the Lagoon 43 proves stable and comfortable, even in rough conditions. The voluminous hulls provide good buoyancy, while the optimized hull reduces drag and pitching.
Owners’ Reviews
Initial feedback from owners and charterers is overwhelmingly positive. Highlights include the space on board, the modularity of the layout, and the ease of handling. The owner’s version, with its forward cabin, is particularly appreciated for its privacy and comfort. Some, however, regret the lack of handrails in the living areas and a less functional indoor navigation station.
On specialized forums, the Lagoon 43 is praised for its value for money and adaptability to various sailing programs. Owners also appreciate the robustness of the construction and the quality of the finishes, although some point out details to improve, such as the ergonomics of the kitchen or access to the flybridge.
Lagoon 43 Technical Specifications
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Length Overall | 13.85 m |
| Beam | 7.69 m |
| Draft | 1.31 m |
| Air Draft | 19.94 m |
| Light Displacement | 13.3 t |
| Mainsail | 60 m² (standard), 68 m² (option) |
| Genoa | 37 m² (on furler) |
| Code Zero (option) | 71 m² |
| Engine | 2 x Yanmar 4JH57 (57 HP) |
| Fuel | 570 L (2 tanks) |
| Fresh Water | 300 L |
| Waste Water | 3 or 4 tanks of 80 L each |
| Berths | 6 to 12 (depending on configuration) |
| Heads | 3 or 4 |
| CE Certification | A12 / B14 / C20 / D30 |
| Construction | Polyester/balsa sandwich, vacuum infusion, carbon/flax reinforcements |
| Batteries | 3 x 95 AH (service) + 2 x 50 AH (start); lithium option (6,000 €) |
| Base Price (2025) | 593,810 € ex-VAT |
| Ready-to-Sail Price | 618,640 € ex-VAT |
| Comfort Price | 662,260 € ex-VAT |
In conclusion, the Lagoon 43 confirms the shipyard’s ability to innovate while meeting the demands of a challenging market. Its commercial success and user feedback already make it a benchmark model in its category. To follow: its long-term performance and adaptation to the most varied sailing programs.