While the two large hulls of the catamaran were being lifted off the truck by the travelift, ready to put it in the water, Ludovic could feel his heart beating. This moment had been eagerly awaited, particularly because the plan was to live on board. So it’s actually their new home which is hanging by a few ropes. The catamaran had actually arrived a few days earlier, but sorting out the mast, the rigging and other preparatory work such as installing all the covers and awnings as well as checking the electronics and other technical issues had taken longer than planned. The month of May also sees a lot of launches, but after the long winter wait, the important thing is that the boat is there. So the new owner is relieved, but now that the boat is in the water it’s time to tame the beast, which will be the owner’s new challenge.
Although Ludovic is a novice under sail (his only experience was on board a cat chartered by a friend and a few hours on an Optimist), he is far from a boating beginner. He is actually on his seventh boat. The holder of an offshore license, he began on a RIB, and then upscaled, owning among others, a Fountaine Pajot motor catamaran, and then having decided to make his boat his home he ended up buying an Azimut 58. While the equipment and comfort of a motor yacht were appealing initially, there were soon some aspects which he felt were not particularly pleasant or even outdated. The first thing to crop up was the impression of being in below decks in the galley, with no visibility, dark cabins on the lower deck and difficulty getting around the narrower parts of the deck, not to mention a forward sunbathing area that was unusable when under way. These issues have obviously been addressed on newer models, but the habitable area will never be comparable to a catamaran… And there was also the financing of the after sales service for a system that is difficult to maintain (2 x 750cv MTU), plus a big appetite for diesel which put him off motoring at faster and louder speeds. These motor boats require a budget that is 5 or 6 times higher than a sailing boat. So, once he was reassured by friends who owned catamarans that they would help on his first few outings and who would be ready with any advice, he took the first step, signing the order forms with Chemin d’Océans, a Lagoon dealer who, apart from advising during the purchase also organized (as part of the contract) a very thorough handover.
Livability is the Big Thing!
The list of requirements had to be well thought out. As Ludovic’s wife wasn’t an ardent sailor, living on board year round with two big dogs, and children coming and going, would require plenty of space and comfort. With its 14 x 8 meter platform, the 45 foot cat had a bigger surface area than the 18 x 5 meters of the 58 foot motor boat. After hesitating for a while over the Saba 50, Ludovic finally plumped for the Lagoon 450F, because of its mix of price/livability/ease of use, which fitted in perfectly with his plans. He also felt that the 50 would have been too big for them. They quickly chose the 3 cabin version with the well-insulated owner’s suite in the starboard hull, along with other options such as diesel heating with circulating water, washer and dryer, freezer, a retractable TV, a rigid bimini and side covers. All are options which make life on board as comfortable as possible whether it’s raining or there’s a heatwave. The only option which Ludovic didn’t go for was the air-conditioning, as the La Rochelle climate means that it isn’t indispensable and ventilation is well thought out on the 450. To facilitate sailing maneuvers, he opted for electric winches and the gooseneck was lowered by 30cm so that the luff of the mainsail is easily accessible. However, the most important option taken out by Ludovic and his wife was the four days of training with a professional skipper. This is really worthwhile when buying a sailboat!
Meeting Their Expectations
The final checks and inspections were carried out and the motors didn’t show any issues when running. All that was flagged up was a drawer which didn’t close properly, but this was quickly sorted out. The shipyard is however on its 608th Lagoon 450! This means that the production is a well-oiled machine, and the issues that cropped up with the first boats have long since been ironed out. Ludovic mentioned that although the global crisis has had dramatic consequences for shipyards, there is no doubt that the quality of service has improved markedly. Cruising really can be a pleasure again.
Upon getting on board, there is a wonderful feeling of satisfaction, as the living areas are huge and various, and it’s easy to get around anywhere on board. Between the flybridge and the forward and aft cockpits, there is plenty of opportunity to live outside. The cockpit enclosures transform the eating area into a proper restaurant terrace. It just needs a heater for the winter. The galley is fully equipped and has large worktops allowing them to prepare great dishes every day. The owner’s cabin which occupies a whole hull is very spacious and particularly light thanks to its large hull which certainly didn’t give the impression of the cabin being below deck. The Italian shower is also a very practical year-round addition. A real success.
An Important Handover
After a few days installing everything, the serious work began with the planned sailing initiation with the skipper. Although the handover on delivery day had been a breeze for Ludovic, who was well used to the way a motor yacht functioned, and going from a 750hp motor on the Azimut to 57hp on the Lagoon was no problem, it was a different story when he arrived back after the first day of being under sail in light airs. The day had centered around basic actions such as hoisting, unfurling and dropping the sails. Although he had been through a theoretical training, he did think that the handling would have been easier. You need to think about loads of different things, keeping an eye out port and starboard… And he particularly noticed that the bimini needs to offer an extra view over the sails to keep an eye on the rigging during maneuvers… So he mixed a bit of theory with the practical side, and in between classes with the skipper he got a few of his friends to stick to their promises made before his purchase. Remember all that? Sailing with friends was more relaxed, but these occasions still offered new and different experiences which all contribute to a comprehensive learning program. Ludovic recognized this and decided to make sure that he would make sure that he took all the time necessary to get a proper initiation. The crucial thing is to sail safely, all in the knowledge that if things get complicated, he can dump the sails and use his motoring experience to get out of a sticky situation.
As the sorties continued, with the wind getting stronger and stronger each time, he got used to the adjustments, tacking, gybing and reefing and started to develop his own reflexes. And then once Ludovic had started to get a proper feel for his boat, he took her out on his own in 20 knots of wind. Not bad eh? He is very enthusiastic and is pleased with his decision to opt for a sailing catamaran as it is more involved and in keeping with the real spirit of sailing. However he doesn’t ignore the mechanical side of things. He decided to get involved with the motor maintenance which are simpler and easier to understand than the big MTUs. There is also good news from his wife who is impressed by the silence of motor-free sailing and is much more positive towards it. Sailing is another way of crossing and understanding the sea. Even though on the motorboat he rarely went over 8-10 knots, getting around and life on board is totally different and much more pleasant on the catamaran. The stability means that one can get around and live life without paying any particular attention, and all the while sailing along. The width of the passageways means getting around is easy, and the cockpit with its secure seating means that the sea can be contemplated in total comfort. Each space can be used differently, and you can be in the sun or the shade, out of the wind or enjoying the view from the flybridge. You can be comfortable everywhere. In fact the couple’s two daughters who were studying away from home, soon took over the two cabins in the hull opposite their parents at the weekends. “They can do their own thing and we don’t hear them. The distance between the hulls means that everyone has their own space,” Ludovic tells us. Even the dogs who used to hide when the big motors were switched on have found their spot on the catamaran’s deck. And Ludovic has been surprised by the speeds reached under sail, especially the average speeds without even realizing as life goes on onboard. So they will soon be heading for Brittany in convoy with friends, and why not Portugal a little later…
