REDEFINING COMFORT

34 YEARS ON FROM ITS ORIGINAL 55, LAGOON SHOWS HOW MUCH CATAMARAN DESIGN HAS EVOLVED TOWARDS LOFT LIVING WITH A SEA VIEW FROM THE TERRACE. FRANÇOIS TREGOUET REPORTS

-  FRANÇOIS TREGOUET

The number 55 holds a special place in the history of Lagoon – it was its inaugural model, launched back in 1987. The 2021 version, still designed by VPLP, is the quintessential modern cruising catamaran according to the world leader in the multi-hull market. Yachting World was able to hop aboard to measure just how far we’ve come from one millennium to the next.

Legend has it that the first 55 was christened Lagoon, and that her owner drew the logo, the now-famous palm frond, on a restaurant tablecloth. After years of sailing on the family’s First 456, she wanted to ‘sail flat and have more space’. Convinced of the advantages of the catamaran, she wanted the silhouette to ‘resembles that of a monohull’.

Thirty-four years later, three design studios were involved in the creation of the brand new Lagoon 55, including former Renault chief designer Patrick Le Quément on the exterior design. The imposing topsides deliver taut lines, sculpted bows, and a pronounced lower chine to maximize interior living space yet minimise wetted surface area.

A new feature from the Bordeaux-based yard is that the sugar scoop transoms extend beyond the topsides to make access to the boat easier. Once aboard, two steps lead up to the cockpit which is flush-decked with the aft platform. With the mainsheet track now on the bimini, the aft beam disappears, freeing up the view and your options for moving around: this is a real terrace on the sea.