Lagoon 39

In 2013, the launch of the Lagoon 39 surprised everyone, given its positioning – slipped in between two wellestablished models, the 380 and the 400. Two “older generation” catamarans that were almost to outlive it, since the 400 was discontinued in 2017. The Lagoon 39 was nevertheless one of the first two representatives of the latest Lagoon generation.

Not off to the best of starts…

Let’s get straight to the nitty gritty of the reasons for a bad reputation in terms of performance. The first tests of the Lagoon 39 done by the boating press, dealers and customers were mostly undertaken without unfurling the gennaker, and on boats that weren’t equipped with the overlapping genoa. The downwind sail was not always on board. And while the Lagoon 52 managed to do well with her self-tacking jib from 7/8 knots of wind, the same could not be said for her smaller sister, stuck to the water in light airs. In 10 knots of breeze, we noted an inglorious speed and course: 4.5 knots at 60° off the wind, whereas the overlapping headsail would allow you, according to the architects’ polars, to gain 5° in heading and half a knot of boatspeed. So, the shipyard had therefore been referring to the...