The test of the Lagoon 400allowed us to appreciate a comfortable, agile catamaran,more playful than its predeces-sors. The renewal of the rangetoday concerns the 450 and560, presented at the autumnBoat Shows, and seems to be inspired by the same values.I invite you to a discovery testaboard the 450.

114 Multihulls world - January/February 2011

LAGOON 450 :A CONCEPT’S

MATURITY

TEST Text: Philippe Echelle - Photos: P. Echelle - Nicolas Claris

A bright, attractive catamaran,with an efficient sail plan for

really pleasant sailing.

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THE INHERITANCE OF A BREAKAWAY MODEL

In 2004, the concept defendedby the 440 dared to stand outclearly from the dominant cul-ture, and completely rid itself ofthe dogma in force. Off the bea-ten track, it opened up its ownroute, going out to meet a deve-loping family clientele. Not reallyobsessed by aerodynamics,over-engined as an option, thisiconoclast with the slightlyclumsy looks, joyfully trampledthe classic references under-foot, and sent the helm andmanoeuvring ‘upstairs’! Thisbreakaway positioned theguests, the wife, and the chil-dren at the centre of the preoc-cupations. Ulysses wavered!The heroic posture of the skip-per, dripping wet in front of acurled up crew took a step in thedirection of happy memories!400 orders later, the adventureillustrates the relevance of themarket study and the company’sstrength. Not having been oneof the first to be full of praise,left with the memory of unwan-ted windage, and laborious per-formance in moderate condi-tions, I was impatient to seehow the VPLP-Lagoon-Nauta triohad reinterpreted this ambitiousand difficult specification. Wouldthe magic potion used for the400 still be effective?

A MORE CONSENSUALSILHOUETTE

Our test 450 was waiting for usquietly in the port of La Rochelle,ready for a full day’s sail. Thegeneral lines really benefit fromthe effects of new in-house des-igns: the curve of the rigid biminiand the lip around the coachroofsoften the lines of the super-structure. The extension of thehull’s sheer line associated withthe cut out of the almost verticalsugar scoops generates a morestretched line. The deck area isidentical to that of the 440, butthe 450, 35cm longer, comesout of it better. This appreciationis reinforced by the cut out workof the Perspex and access to thecoachroof, which hints at a wel-coming, well-lit internal area.

ACCOMMODATION: BETTERSTYLE AND QUALITY

The collaboration with one ofthe reference interior designoffices, Nauta Yacht, has bornefruit; the 450 offers cleanvolumes, and trendy but not

annoying architecture. The furni-ture is rich with numerous ima-ginative solutions and practicalstowage, and never saturatesthe space. The choice of Alpi(lamination of wood reconstitu-ted from species selected accor-ding to environmental criteria)allows superb grain and finishingto be obtained. The flatteringappearance of the panels, thepresence of decorative filets andthe harmony of the shades usedcreate an appealing atmos-phere, which visitors to therecent Boat Shows noticed. Theirreproachable assemblies and areal sense of detail (dampedautomatic cupboard and doorclosures) participate in a rene-wed perception of the com-pany’s interiors. The absence ofadded visible interior mouldings,the quality of the floors, the pre-sence of carpet in the gang-ways, the choice and taste ofthe decorative elements seemto have put ‘made to measure’within reach of productionboats. The solidity of the movingparts (drawers, table leaves anddoors) is reassuring. Afterhaving spent 36 hours aboard, Ican also testify to the real com-fort of all the services: insula-tion, light (natural and electric),the ergonomics of thebathrooms and toilets and thebeds will find favour. Nauta’simagination and artistic exper-tise, Lagoon’s reinforced requi-rements and the talent of thecraftsmen has allowed the 450to take a decisive step. Grabhold of a handle, close a cabindoor, and you will immediatelyunderstand the results of thisdevelopment!

PERFORMANCE ANDMANOEUVRABILITY:

A GENERATIONAL LEAPAccess to the circuit breakers(general and engine) is easy andprotected (in a housing with ahinged cover at the foot of theberth in the aft cabin), the elec-tricity switch panel is intuitiveand simple to use, the realisa-tion is serious, but a protectivecover for the electronic chartswould be advisable. Our testboat was equipped with dualelectric engine controls at theflybridge/chart table, potentiallyattractive for certain winter sai-ling conditions, but its price isdissuasive (11,000 euros). 7.3knots at 2,500 rpm, 8.8 at 3,200;both cruising speed and topspeed are satisfactory with the

2 x 54hp Yanmars and the fol-ding three-bladed propellers(Flexofold 17/14). There were 6of us aboard, grouped aroundthe manoeuvring area, each ofus immediately got our bea-

rings; the mainsail was hoistedby hand at the mast foot by oneof the two reader-racers invitedto join us. This manoeuvre allowed us to check that theHarken cars, the 2:1 halyard,

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Pleasant and lively behaviour in light winds, the 450 is surprising...

The forward cockpit: a particularly nice place to be, both at anchor and at sea.

The cockpit is particularly pleasant: space, volume and differentliving areas allow everyone to find their place.

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116 Multihulls world - January/February 2011

TEST

the jammers, the positioning ofthe winch and the work carriedout on friction were perfect, onlythe access to the lazy jacks andthe headboard remain athletic.The power and winching speedof the Harken electric wincheswe had were remarkable, theirconviviality is the essential com-

plement to the pleasure of usingthis type of flybridge deck plan.Bearing away to fill the main, the450 got under way gently at 4.5knots under main alone in 7 – 8knots of true wind! This simple

test (ease, speed of hoisting,understanding of the controllines, manoeuvrability undermainsail) is essential; the 450scores a point.Unrolling the genoa, we appliedourselves to finding the rightadjustments for these superbIncidences sails. The cut and the

construction deserve praise; therealisation of the volumes andtheir harmony are superb. Ofcourse Dacron will perhaps notbe exceptionally long-lasting,but careful use will preserve

their qualities. These profiles cor-respond perfectly to the spirit ofa heavy cruising catamaran; theslender sailplan gives it thenecessary power to remaindynamic and swift in less than10 knots of breeze. To windward‘a la catamaran’, with 110° bet-ween tacks, we preferred to trimfor ‘volume’, with the extradospennants on the genoa about toflutter and the mainsail twistedfor power. The 450 rewarded uswith pleasant, lively behaviour inthe light to moderate conditions;it jogged along with a spring in

its step at 6.5 knots in 8 – 10knots of true wind. Beyond thespeed itself, the pace was sus-tained, regular and allowed us toeat in the cockpit with an appre-ciable impression of the nauticalscenery passing before oureyes. Bearing off in theCharente estuary, we enteredthe river with the flood; on thetrampolines, the lads wereenjoying manoeuvring and hois-ted, easily, a superb sky-blueasymmetric spinnaker. The200m² of sail got the advantageback downwind and we were

A flybridge packed with clever features, and pleasant for everyone to live with; the concept has reachedmaturity.

The steering position is comprehensive, and the feel of the helmdeserves praise.

A high-performance suit of sails,a well-designed hull, and here isa cat which is both comfortable

and seaworthy.

« Our racers got well into it, andplayed with the boat, positivelyamazed by its behaviour insuch conditions. »

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sailing at 7 knots (9 knots ofwind), and luffing. With the 2.5knots of favourable current, wequickly crossed the plateau northof Fort Boyard (soundings of lessthan 1m at low tide!) then gybedin the middle of the current toplay at rock-hopping under sail offthe beaches of the Ile d’Aix. Our

racers got well into it, and playedwith the boat, positively amazedby its behaviour in such condi-tions. In four tacks, we escapedfrom the tricky area, close to thepoles, and left behind a 12mmonohull which was trying tokeep up. To keep the speed, it isadvisable to come out of thetacks well off the wind and besure the keels are doing their jobbefore luffing. Remaining on thebest course/speed compromise isthen a question of attention andreactivity at the helm, whose feeland directional effect deservepraise (the steel cables are somuch more sensitive than theawful hydraulic transmissions!).The attitude of these experiencedsailors illustrates the distance tra-velled, the 450 is coming to meetmore demanding sailors and isallowing them to appreciate akind of boat which has alreadywon over their families: the new450 is doing brilliantly!

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• pleasant to live with and sailsuccessful general ergonomics (deckplan, interior)• quality product

THE MINUSES

THE PLUSSES

• the flybridge in 30 knots of wind?• a few assembly imperfections in theless accessible areasobligation to resort to numerousoptions

THE COMPETITORSMODEL

Builders:

Windward sail area in m2:

Weight in t:

Price in euros exc. VAT:

ORANA 44’ NAUTITECH 441 DEAN 441 PRIVILÈGE 445

Fountaine Pajot Nautitech Dean Alliaura

109 95 123 114

8 9 13 10

322 000 372 000 375 000 488 000

Architects: Van Peteghem/Lauriot-

Prevost

Builder: Lagoon

Accommodation design: Nauta

Length: 13.96m

Beam: 7.84m

Draft: 1.3m

Keels/daggerboards: keels

Equipped weight: 15.5t

Bridgedeck height: 50 to 67cm

Mainsail area: 85m

(option: square-headed mainsail)

Genoa: 52m

Gennaker: 105m

Engines: 2 x 40 or 55hp sail-drive

Water: 350L (option: 700L)

Fuel: 2 x 500L

Price: Charter: 360,000 € exc. VAT.

Owner: 355,000 € exc. VAT

A few essential options, exc. VAT:

Square-headed mainsail: 438 €Carpet in saloon and cabins: 1,150 €Bowsprit, gennaker, spinnaker

rigging: 7,000 €Cockpit cushions: 2,525 €Electric mainsail and genoa winches:

8,800 €Equipment levels:

essential: 19,700 €cruising : 24,400 €comfort : 26,550 €

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CONCLUSIONThe 450 outstrips its predeces-sor in all respects and joins itsyounger sister (the 400) interms of general pleasure.Well-finished, comfortable andsuited to its programme, it willappeal to family crews. Thenautical qualities are good, theboat is coherent, manoeuvra-ble, thanks to a generous sailplan, served by a choice ofmodern high-performance sailsand an efficient deck plan. The450 has a fun temperament inmoderate conditions; there isno doubt it will behave well instrong winds.

View from the bed in the owner’s cabin: brilliant!

« The 450 rewarded us with pleasant, lively behaviour in the lightto moderate conditions; it joggedalong with a spring in its step... »

The internal atmosphere reinterpreted by Lagoon-Nauta allows the 450 to express its ambitions and reveal the real care taken

with quality...

In the gangway in the owner’s hull: and you are ‘only’ aboard a 44-footer...

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