Yachting Monthly visits Boot 16 in Düsseldorf, Europe’s largest boat show, to see the new Lagoon 42
Lagoon 42
I can almost hear the snorts of derision from here in Dusseldorf but, dear reader, consider this: a boat is meant to be lived in, not looked at. A boat that is easy to sail, functional, bright, spacious, airy and comfortable – luxurious even – is not an aberration. It is immensely clever design aimed at a growing family market that doesn’t fancy living on a damp, dark slope and probably won’t be going round Cape Horn most weekends.
Passing food and drink from the galley to the aft cockpit or saloon is a doddle
She’s designed by the VPLP partnership, which knows a thing or two about performance sailing, but this boat is all about ease and convenience. She’ll trundle along at speeds a well-sailed, similar-sized monohull might be able to match, but most multihulls won’t give you that ‘part of the boat’ feeling you get through the helm on a well-trimmed monohull. Her self-tacking jib makes tacking a turn-the-wheel proposition. Sailing her is a one-person job and there’s not much to do so stick her on autopilot and enjoy the view instead.
You can see three of the four corners from the helm position, and control all sails
From the elevated helm position, you can see three corners clearly and the fourth if you duck down beneath the aft cockpit’s solid bimini. With two engines and a little practice, close-quarters manoeuvring will not be a problem, regardless of her windage.
Plenty of shady lounging space in the aft cockpit, and two bathing platforms
At anchor you’ve a fabulous shady space in the aft cockpit with plenty of room to lounge about, huge amounts of stowage, two bathing platforms and davits that take the effort out of launching and retrieving a tender.
Fabulously wide side decks for the stroll forward
If you fancy a spot of sun, stroll down the boulevard-wide sidedecks to the expanse of the foredeck and settle down, or climb through the helm station and use the sun lounger atop the bimini.
On the three-cabin version, the owner’s cabin to port has its own little drawing room
The en suite to the owner’s cabin
After all that sun, step through the sliding doors, grab a cool drink from the fridge freezer in the galley starboard aft, glance at chart to think about tomorrow’s anchorage then settle down in the saloon and enjoy the view. Ready to shower and change? Step down into the starboard hull, pop your phone on the desk in the small sitting room, drop your book on the huge berth aft and wander forward into the en suite.
Up forward is the smaller of the two en suite cabins in the port hull
Yours kids/guests have two en suite cabins in the port hull. There is also a four cabin version, all cabins en suite.
Who would she suit?
For a family looking for a holiday cruiser in the Med, or a couple thinking about sailing around the world, this boat should be very high on the shortlist. Spend some time onboard first and she’ll sell herself.
Price as seen €350,400 inc VAT (Around £266,274 inc VAT)
LOA 12.8m 42ft
LWL 12.5m 41ft
Cabins 3/4
Beam 7.7m 25ft 3in
Draught 1.25m 4ft 1in
Displacement 12,000kg 26,460lbs
Contact Ancasta (in the UK)
Tel 02380 450000
Website www.ancasta.com