Lagoon 400

Compared to most 40-foot catamarans, the beam of this 400’s hulls and its high freeboard are impressive...yet after the 100% comfort-oriented 420, which motored well, this model marks a slight backward step in the bid for more volume. Here, whatever the purists may say, an eye has been kept on the performance aspect, with a tall rig (taller than that of a Nautitech 44), a square-headed mainsail (it was an option, and we recommend it!) and 100% sailing hulls. Indeed the sail area/weight ratio is 8.16 m²/t, whilst the ever-popular 380 displays 10.61. But we are dealing with a very beamy platform: 7.25m as against 6.50 for the Lavezzi 40, its competitor at the time. Have a look between the hulls: you will find a very carefully designed surface under the nacelle, perched 50 to 70 cm above the sea.
While maneuvering in the harbor, you will however have to beware of the significant windage with the wind on the beam. As for the rest, by playing with the two gearboxes, the 400 is very maneuverable. The builder offered two 29 hp motors as standard, and a pair of 40s as an option. As for sail handling, many models are equipped with electric winches. All control lines – sheets, reef pendants and others – converge on the steering position, fitted at mid-height on the aft end of the coachroof. The helmsman’s seat is big enough for two and is protected by a removable bimini. Visibility from the steering position is good.

Maximum freeboard for comfort in the hulls, but a tall rig for good performance, even in light weather.

The most comfortable of the 40-footers

Although the 400 doesn’t enjoy very light weather, it comes to life from a force 2/3 upwards, and the helm is sensitive. To windward, it will quickly reach 5 knots, but the pointing angle is not so good. There is no point in trying to point high: rather settle at 60° to the true wind, and sail the boat well; this is how you will obtain the best VMG. From a close reach, the gennaker on its bowsprit offers a significant gain – so it would be a shame to go without!
In a good breeze, the 400 easily manages 8 knot average speeds. With a good swell on the stern, it can even surf at 12/15 knots. Apart from this decent performance, we remember the 400’s seakeeping qualities. For Jean-Pierre Frery, a Lagoon dealer who knows the 400 particularly well, this model is an excellent vessel for leaving...to sail a very long way. It’s clear that for this ocean cruising program, the 400 does not have too much close competition among the 40-footers: few models offer such a pleasant life aboard. What convinced Eric Bouhanna, 55, whom we met at the Escapade Lagoon in Porquerolles, France, was “the superb interior, the very clean finishing and the large volume for living aboard”; he lived aboard for over a year and is dying to do it again, but for longer!

At anchor, the 400 is particularly pleasant to live aboard. A genuine ocean cruising boat!

Simple, efficient deck plan

The deck plan provides a U-shaped cockpit, completely protected by a rigid bimini. The small table is interchangeable with the big one in the saloon (153 cm x 80 cm). The fixed, plastic model is finally more practical: the children can eat inside while the parents drink an aperitif outside... The side decks are uncluttered. They are so wide that the builder has moved the stanchions 30 cm in from the toe rail. Which has no point...unless it’s to soften the overall silhouette a little. But it’s actually the coachroof which is this 400’s signature. Again covered in large vertical windows, as are all the Lagoons, it offers maximum volume inside, excellent ventilation possibilities and optimal protection from the most vertical of the sun’s rays – which are the hottest. All that is lacking is a step, to be able to climb easily onto this coachroof. We liked the two seats integrated into the pulpits and the two trampolines. The lockers are spread around the mast foot and in the cockpit. Right aft, the two sugar scoops are accessible thanks to a few steps.

The accommodation on the S2 version is cozier: this explains its higher price on the second-hand market.

XXL nacelle

The nacelle, on the same level as the cockpit, will surprise you by the amount of volume – that, you already knew, but also by its brightness. The white interior moldings, light-colored woodwork, and an impressive glazed area are perfect antidotes to claustrophobia...perhaps too perfect: the first purchasers regretted this very stark atmosphere. So from 2012, the builder brought out a much cozier S2 version. And to be honest, it is very successful. If you have the choice between a first generation 400 and an S2, opt for the latter. Even if the prices are not the same... The L-shaped galley communicates directly with the exterior. It is well-equipped, but seemed a bit light on stowage space to us. Provisions can however be stowed under the saloon settees. The chart table, also L-shaped, has three drawers and a stool. For the cabins, there are two possibilities. The private owner’s version reserves the starboard hull for the skipper. A large berth, 2m x 1.43m, with a bit of space at the sides and a slatted base, a desk and a huge heads – you will be better here than in a hotel suite! And there are numerous stowage spaces: under the berth, in the lockers and hanging lockers. The second configuration offers two identical hulls, with two cabins on either side. Note: the forward berth, which measures 2 m x 1.74 m can be turned into two separate berths - practical for the children. Masked in white for the sake of the design, huge fixed panels provide abundant natural light in these cabins. But be careful not to allow the fenders to bear on this area. As for the heads, they are in the middle of the hull...the builder offered one or two heads in the hulls equipped with two cabins.
For a 12-metre boat, the Lagoon 400 provides a lot. Volume, seakeeping qualities, and great reliability – the technical choices, which have been well tried and tested, without a doubt have something to do with this. It’s not surprising that many models regularly set off for a nice Atlantic circuit. Your turn to cast off!

The private owner’s version, which offers the skipper a complete hull, with a large heads and a desk, is the one we prefer. The companionway can even be closed to isolate the hull from the nacelle.

The points to check

There are no flaws in this model, which is renowned for being strongly built and seriously rigged. Our preference is of course for the S2 model, not because it is more recent, but because it is much more attractive inside, with lots of light-colored woodwork and wider berths. On ex-charter 400s, it is advisable to check the condition of the engines (to remind you: 10,000 hours is a bit like 300,000 km for a car!), the sail wardrobe and the peripherals – plumbing, electrics and on-board electronics.

We liked:

The exceptional comfort
The nacelle, very pleasant in hot weather
The good performance off the wind

We didn’t like:

The disappointing pointing angle
The rather heavy silhouette
The quite cold accommodation in the first version

Technical specification: Lagoon 400

Builder: Lagoon
Production: 501 examples since 2009
Architects: VPLP
Material: glass/polyester sandwich
Overall length: 11.97 m
Waterline length: 11.45 m
Beam: 7.25m
Draft: 1.21m
Unladen displacement: 10.22t
Mainsail area: 58.00 m²
Genoa area: 37.00 m²
Engines: 2 x 29hp diesels
Fuel: 2 x 200 liters.
Water: 300 liters
New price: 261,600 € exc. tax
Second-hand price: from 220,000€ inc. taxes