Lagoon Catamarans: Buyer Guide, Costs and Models

Quick answer: Lagoon is the world’s highest-volume sailing catamaran manufacturer, producing over 400 vessels per year from its French-owned facilities. Their range spans the entry-level 40 through the flagship 77, with the 46 and 51 commanding the largest share of both new sales and brokerage transactions globally. This guide covers what buyers need to know before buying new or used — including real prices, model comparisons, charter ROI benchmarks, and survey priorities.

For a general introduction to catamarans — including the monohull vs. catamaran decision, market segments, and category-level pricing — see our Catamaran Buyer Guide.

Who Makes Lagoon Catamarans and Where Are They Built?

Lagoon started in 1984 in Bordeaux as a specialist catamaran builder when most major yards still dismissed multihulls as a niche. The Bénéteau Group acquired them in 1995 — and that acquisition is the single biggest reason Lagoon dominates the market today. Being part of the world’s largest recreational marine conglomerate (alongside Beneteau, Jeanneau, and CNB) gives Lagoon supply chain advantages that no boutique catamaran builder can touch.

Production takes place at Lagoon’s dedicated facilities in Bordeaux-Mérignac, with hulls manufactured via vacuum-infused fibreglass — a process that reduces resin weight and improves structural consistency over traditional hand-layup. The group’s scale means standardised hardware, a global dealer network, and parts availability in ports where boutique brands leave you waiting weeks for a replacement winch.

In 2024, Lagoon delivered approximately 420 vessels globally, making it substantially the highest-volume sailing catamaran brand by unit count. By comparison, Fountaine Pajot — the second-largest volume catamaran manufacturer — delivers approximately 200–240 vessels annually. Leopard (Robertson & Caine) competes closely in the 40–50 foot charter segment but lacks Lagoon’s upper-range models.

This production volume has a direct implication for buyers: Lagoon vessels are among the most liquid assets in the catamaran brokerage market. When you need to sell, there is always an established pool of buyers who know the brand, have researched it, and are ready to transact.

The Current Lagoon Model Range: Sizes, Configurations, and What Each Is Actually For

Buying the wrong Lagoon model for your actual use pattern is the most common error among first-time catamaran buyers. Each model is designed around a specific use case — length-overall alone tells you almost nothing.

Lagoon 40 (LOA 12.38m / 40.6 ft)

Redesigned in 2022 in collaboration with VPLP Design — the naval architecture firm behind many of the world’s fastest multihulls. The 40 offers three cabins as standard (expandable to four in the owner’s version), twin 40hp engines, and a beam of 7.05 metres. Draft under sail with the keels retracted sits at 1.10m — enabling access to very shallow anchorages across the Bahamas, Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific. New price: approximately $400,000–$480,000 depending on spec and options.

The 40 is best suited to owners or couples who want a capable bluewater catamaran at accessible price points, or to those entering the charter market with a modest fleet investment. It is not the optimal choice for operators wanting maximum charter income — the 46 and 51 consistently outperform it on revenue per charter week.

Lagoon 46 (LOA 14.04m / 46.1 ft)

The 46 is Lagoon’s highest-volume model and the backbone of professional charter fleets worldwide. Here is a number that tells you everything about the 46’s market position: more Lagoon 46s change hands annually in the Caribbean and Mediterranean brokerage markets than any other single catamaran model from any manufacturer. It offers four cabins and four heads in the standard owner’s configuration, twin 57hp Yanmar engines, and a sail plan area of 112 square metres. Cockpit area is noticeably larger than the 40, and the navigation station is set up for single-handed or double-handed offshore sailing with clear sightlines over the helm.

Charter operators value the 46 for its combination of guest accommodation (eight berths comfortably, ten at stretch), manageable operating costs, and strong residual values. In established charter markets — BVI, Greek islands, Croatian coast — a well-maintained Lagoon 46 in commercial charter generates gross revenues of $90,000–$140,000 per year depending on peak season availability and management company. Net return to the owner after management fees (typically 35–45% to the operator) and operating costs commonly runs $25,000–$45,000 annually — though these figures are highly location-sensitive and should be verified independently before purchasing with charter income as a primary motivation. New price: approximately $600,000–$720,000.

Lagoon 51 (LOA 15.75m / 51.7 ft)

The 51 bridges the gap between the volume charter market and serious owner-cruiser territory. With a beam of 8.45 metres, it offers noticeably more interior volume than the 46 — particularly in the owner’s cabin, which occupies a full hull on the owners’ version and approaches the quality of a premium hotel suite. Twin 75hp engines give meaningful motoring range in light air or anchorage scenarios.

The 51 is the most popular model among buyers who want a genuine liveaboard platform that also functions as a charter asset. Its increased beam improves stability at anchor compared to the 40 and 46, which matters for extended blue-water passages where comfort at sea is as important as performance. New price: approximately $850,000–$1,050,000 fully equipped.

Lagoon 55 and 65 (LOA 16.8m / 55 ft and 19.8m / 65 ft)

Above 50 feet, Lagoon enters a different buyer demographic: experienced owners, professional crews, and buyers for whom the vessel is a primary lifestyle asset rather than a charter investment. Both models are available in owner-use and skipper-cabin configurations. The 65 introduces a flybridge helm station and can be fitted with a crew cabin forward — making it viable for private use with a professional captain.

These models typically sell to buyers who have owned a Lagoon 46 or 51 previously and are stepping up in size as their cruising ambition grows. New prices run $1.3M–$1.8M for the 55 and $2.8M–$3.5M for the 65.

Lagoon 77 (LOA 23.5m / 77 ft)

The 77 is Lagoon’s flagship, introduced in its current form in 2019. It occupies a semi-custom tier: standard architectural platform with extensive personalisation of interior layout, materials, and systems. The 77 typically delivers with four guest cabins, a separate owner’s suite, crew quarters, and a flybridge entertainment area. Twin 150hp engines provide comfortable passagemaking range under power. New price: $4.5M–$5.5M depending on specification.

Lagoon vs. Fountaine Pajot vs. Leopard: How Do They Compare?

Buyers researching Lagoon typically also evaluate Fountaine Pajot and Leopard (Robertson & Caine). Here is a direct comparison across the factors that matter most to buyers in the 40–55 foot range.

Factor	Lagoon	Fountaine Pajot	Leopard
Production volume	~420/yr (largest)	~220/yr	~180/yr
Primary market emphasis	Charter + owner-cruiser	Owner-cruiser + bluewater	Charter-optimised
Sail plan style	Fractional sloop	Fractional sloop	Fractional sloop
Bridgedeck clearance	Moderate	Higher (better offshore)	Moderate
Resale liquidity	Very high	High	High
Charter operator preference	Very strong	Moderate	Strong (especially BVI)
Typical price premium vs. FP	Comparable	—	5–10% below Lagoon

Fountaine Pajot consistently offers higher bridgedeck clearance (reducing slam in offshore conditions) and a slightly more performance-oriented sail plan. For Atlantic crossings and extended blue-water work, that bridgedeck clearance difference is not marketing — it changes the comfort equation on a 2,000-mile passage. Lagoon counters with broader beam, more interior volume at equivalent length, and stronger parts availability globally. In the Marquesas, Cape Verde, or any remote anchorage, finding a Lagoon-compatible Yanmar part is dramatically easier than sourcing for a Fountaine Pajot.

Leopard catamarans dominate the British Virgin Islands charter market, where Robertson & Caine’s relationships with The Moorings and Sunsail historically drove large fleet purchases. This creates deep brokerage liquidity in the Americas specifically — if you’re buying a used charter cat in the BVI, you’ll see three Leopards for every Lagoon.

Why choose Lagoon over the alternatives? Parts availability and resale liquidity. In any anchorage, any marina, any brokerage market on earth, Lagoon is the brand surveyors know, insurers quote without hesitation, and buyers search for by name. That ubiquity is Lagoon’s actual competitive advantage — not the sail plan, not the interior design, not the bridgedeck clearance. If you value offshore performance over market liquidity, test-sail a Fountaine Pajot Alegria 67 back-to-back with a Lagoon 65 and decide for yourself.

What Do Running Costs Look Like on a Lagoon?

Annual running costs on a privately-used Lagoon catamaran commonly fall in the range of 8–12% of vessel value, below the 10–15% often cited for comparable monohulls. The cost advantages of catamarans stem from their shallow draft (reducing haulout frequency in some markets), twin-engine redundancy (which reduces single-engine repair urgency), and absence of keel maintenance. Key cost items:

Marina and berthing: Catamarans are typically charged by beam, not length, in most Mediterranean and Caribbean marinas. Expect 30–50% higher berthing fees for a Lagoon 46 relative to a 46-foot monohull in many commercial marinas. This cost differential is partially offset by the catamaran’s ability to anchor in shallower water, reducing overnight berthing expenditure for cruisers who prefer anchoring.

Engine servicing: The Yanmar engines in Lagoon’s standard spec are workhorse units with wide global service networks. Annual service cost per engine (filter, impeller, zincs, oil change) typically runs $800–$1,400. Fuel consumption at cruise is modest — twin 57hp engines in the Lagoon 46 at 7 knots consume approximately 5–7 litres per hour total.

Sails and rigging: The primary financial exposure in the Lagoon range is sails. The main and genoa on a Lagoon 46 (Dacron standard spec) last 6–10 years under moderate use. Replacement cost for a full suit: $18,000–$28,000. Upgrading to laminate sails (carbon or Dyneema reinforced) adds performance but reduces sail life to 5–7 years.

Insurance: Marine insurance for a Lagoon 46 used privately in the Mediterranean or Caribbean typically runs $8,000–$14,000 per year, depending on navigating area, skipper qualifications, and agreed value. Charter-use vessels require commercial hull insurance and are rated at 1.5–2x private insurance premium.

Buying a Used Lagoon: What the Survey Should Cover

The pre-purchase survey is even more important for catamarans than for monohulls, because the stress concentration points differ significantly and many surveyors without catamaran-specific experience will miss key structural checks. When commissioning a survey on a used Lagoon, confirm that your surveyor has documented catamaran-specific experience.

Priority survey items for Lagoon catamarans:

Bridgedeck underside: The area of the bridgedeck closest to the water is subject to impact loading in offshore conditions. Check for delamination, cracking, or repair evidence. Even cosmetically minor delamination can indicate underlying structural compromise if water ingress has occurred.

Crossbeam and hull-to-crossbeam joints: This is the highest structural stress point on any catamaran. Inspect visually for cracking at the joint, and tap-test the deck in the area for delamination. Any evidence of movement or cracking here is a major survey finding requiring shipyard assessment.

Both engines and their mountings: Saltwater intrusion into the engine bilge is common on catamarans used in charter, where the vessel is frequently sailed hard and not adequately maintained between charters. Check engine hours against service records; verify that service has been carried out at recommended intervals.

Electrical system: Charter-use Lagoons commonly have complex 12V and 240V electrical systems installed by multiple operators over the years. Non-standard wiring is among the most common defects found on survey. Hire an independent marine electrician if the surveyor identifies any concerns.

Osmotic condition: Lagoon hulls from the 2000s and early 2010s are prone to osmotic blistering if not barrier-coated. Inspection should include moisture metering across both hull skins. Any vessel with 15 years of age that cannot demonstrate a barrier coat treatment history in salt water should be moisture-tested extensively before offer.

For a complete survey checklist applicable to catamarans, see our yacht survey checklist guide.

Where Are Lagoons Sold and How Liquid Is the Market?

The deepest Lagoon brokerage markets globally are the Mediterranean (particularly France, Spain, Croatia, and Greece), the Caribbean (BVI, Martinique, St. Martin), and the US East Coast (Florida and the Chesapeake Bay region). Australia has a growing used Lagoon market, particularly for the 46 and 51 models.

Lagoon maintains an official pre-owned programme (“Lagoon Certified Pre-Owned”) that offers inspected used vessels through Lagoon dealers with limited warranty extensions. These vessels command a modest premium — typically 3–7% over comparable private-sale vessels — but the certified inspection documentation can simplify the buyer’s due diligence process.

Brokerage transactions for Lagoon catamarans typically take 30–90 days from listing to accepted offer in active markets. The 46 and 51 are the most liquid models; the 65 and 77 can take 4–12 months to find qualified buyers due to the smaller pool of buyers at those price points.

Read our full catamaran buyer’s guide at yachts/catamarans/ or start the broader buying process at guides/yacht-buying-guide/.

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GlobalYachtGuide Editorial Note on Lagoon

Independent perspective from our buyer research team.

Lagoon’s dominance in the catamaran market is the result of a consistent strategy: optimise for charter economics, build at volume, and back the product with a global dealer and parts network. For buyers who want this — a proven charter asset with excellent resale liquidity and parts availability anywhere in the world — Lagoon is the default choice, and the case for looking elsewhere is not obvious.

Where Lagoon attracts reasonable criticism is in the offshore cruising community. Long-distance sailors often prefer the higher bridgedeck clearance of Fountaine Pajot, the narrower beam and more aggressive sail plan of performance cruising catamarans, or the stiffness and tracking of a well-designed monohull for sustained offshore passages. The Lagoon 46 is not a performance catamaran — it is a comfort platform, and buyers looking to sail competitively or complete fast ocean passages should evaluate that honestly before committing.

The other consideration is charter wear. A significant fraction of used Lagoons have spent time in commercial charter fleets, where maintenance is often deferred, systems are stretched, and cosmetic condition masks underlying wear. Budget for a thorough survey, and be sceptical of any used Lagoon where the full maintenance and engine service history cannot be produced.

Get matched with a vetted catamaran specialist broker →

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Where this fits in the buyer journey

Use this Lagoon Catamarans: Buyers Brand Guide 2026 — Buyer Guide page as one decision layer, not as a standalone verdict. Cross-check it against the brand comparison hub, then pressure-test the numbers with the yacht buying guide. If the vessel profile still makes sense, send the brief through our matched shortlist request so we can route you to the right broker, surveyor, lender, or registration specialist for this exact case.

Source note for Lagoon Catamarans: Buyer Guide, Costs and Models

For Lagoon Catamarans: Buyer Guide, Costs and Models, brand, order-book, resale, and running-cost references are buyer-intelligence benchmarks, not manufacturer representations or live inventory. Confirm current delivery slots, warranty terms, closed-sale comparables, and service support with the yard, central agents, and independent surveyors.

Related Guides

• ownership cost guide
• buy vs charter comparison

Buyer scenarios for lagoon

Weekend coastal owner (lagoon): Plan 40–60 sea days per year within 200 nm of home port. Prioritise simple systems, familiar yards, and insurance in a jurisdiction your lender accepts.

Liveaboard cruiser (lagoon): You need passage-making range, comfortable berths, and predictable service networks in the Med or Caribbean. Budget 15–25% of hull value annually for running costs on this use case.

Charter-offset investor (lagoon): You accept crew, management, and VAT/flag planning in exchange for limited personal weeks. Treat charter income as uncertain — never as guaranteed yield.

Apply this lens to lagoon before you sign any MOA or build contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a new Lagoon catamaran cost? +

New Lagoon prices in 2026 range from approximately $450,000–$550,000 for the Lagoon 40 (base ex-VAT ~€424K) to $600,000–$720,000 for the 46, $850,000–$1.05M for the 51, and $1.7M–$2.6M for the 55 (base ex-VAT €1,565K per the official 2026 price list; equipped configurations are substantially higher). The flagship Lagoon 77 starts at approximately $4.5M. Charter-configured vessels typically add $40,000–$80,000 in options over base spec.

What is the most popular Lagoon model for charter? +

The Lagoon 46 is the most widely deployed model in professional charter fleets globally. It balances eight-berth guest capacity with manageable operating costs and strong resale values. In established charter markets like the BVI and Greek islands, a Lagoon 46 in commercial charter generates gross revenues of $90,000–$140,000 per year depending on availability and operator.

Is a Lagoon catamaran good for offshore sailing? +

Lagoon catamarans are capable offshore platforms but are designed primarily for coastal and charter use. Their lower bridgedeck clearance (relative to Fountaine Pajot, for example) can increase slamming in short choppy seas during offshore passages. Long-distance cruisers who prioritise offshore performance often prefer higher-bridgedeck designs or narrower-beam catamarans for sustained bluewater work.

How should I compare a used Lagoon 46 vs Lagoon 51? +

The key differences are beam (7.99m vs 8.45m), interior volume (roughly 25% more in the 51), engine power (57hp vs 75hp per side), and price — used 51s typically trade at a 30–40% premium over used 46s of similar vintage. The 51 is meaningfully more comfortable for extended liveaboard use; the 46 typically generates better charter ROI per dollar invested due to its lower acquisition cost.

What inspection points are unique to catamarans vs monohulls? +

Catamaran-specific survey priorities include the bridgedeck underside (slam and delamination), crossbeam-to-hull joints (primary stress concentration point), moisture metering on both hull skins, and the electrical system — which on charter catamarans often has non-standard additions from multiple previous operators. Always hire a surveyor with documented catamaran experience.