Lagoon 42

A curvy cat that also makes tracks

- Zuzana Prochazka

I stopped counting the number of times the Lagoon 42 marketing materials mentioned the word “curvy” at six. Then I saw the boat and understood the emphasis. Lagoon’s newest cruising cat is, indeed, both curvaceous and sleek, not to mention fun to move (or lounge) about. The freshly designed 42, which replaces the 420/421 of which over 270 hulls were built, also makes tracks, whether on short island hops or a bit farther afield.

DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION 

Exterior designer Patrick Le Quement teamed up with the naval architects of France’s VPLP Design, renowned for their racing hulls, to create the Lagoon 42’s swoopy lines. The underside of the gullwing bridgedeck was configured to minimize pounding in rough seas; the glazed vertical windows that bend around corners cut down on heat inside; the composite bimini angles up, giving the impression of suspension; and the circular coachroof forms a compound curve all around the cabinhouse. Yes, the curves abound.

The boat has also slimmed down, thanks to the infused, injection molded construction that yields an all-up lightship weight of just over 26,000lb. A structural center beam adds strength and also secures the forestay fitting, a Code 0 sprit, the anchor roller and an anchor-chain well that runs atop the beam rather than below.