CATALINA

Matt's Take

About the Lagoon 40

The Lagoon 40 is a mid-range catamaran that blends comfort and ease of handling, making it ideal for charter groups. It replaces the older Lagoon 39 and Lagoon 400 models, offering a more modern, streamlined design. One of the key updates is its aft-positioned mast, which improves balance and allows for a larger headsail, resulting in better sailing performance, especially when combined with the optional square-top mainsail. It performs well in moderate wind conditions, reaching speeds of 7-8 knots on a beam reach, but like many Lagoon models, it’s not particularly fast in lighter winds.

In terms of layout, the Lagoon 40 offers either three or four cabins, making it flexible for different group sizes. However, some drawbacks include the lack of roof ventilation in the saloon, which can make it feel stuffy, and the somewhat obstructed flow between the saloon and cockpit compared to more open designs. The boat also lacks a full flybridge, which keeps the helmstation closer to the action but sacrifices some visibility and convenience found in larger models. Overall, the Lagoon 40 is a solid option for budget-conscious crews looking for a manageable and comfortable catamaran.