lagoon 500 catamaran price

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• By Jeremy McGeary
• Updated: May 3, 2006

Catamarans have been around long enough that their sheer size and the vast expanses of living quarters they provide should no longer surprise us the way they once did. Yet still they do, especially when a builder incorporates a design wrinkle that adds yet more living and working space.

Lagoon Catamarans introduced the concept of the flying bridge to its line of cruising catamarans on the Lagoon 440, and the new Lagoon 500 exploits it to the full–in this case, on a platform that’s designed for luxury ocean cruising in either a private-ownership or a charter context. The flying bridge is a dramatic solution to the old problems of where to put the steering station and whether it’s best protected behind the bridgedeck saloon or exposed on the quarter, on the port side, on the starboard side, or on both sides. Every location has its boosters, but the flybridge trumps much of the debate, although it does add another factor to the appearance equation: Sun protection over the flybridge adds another visual layer and requires the boom, and the entire mainsail, to be elevated farther to clear it. Perhaps that was sufficient reason why the Lagoon 500 we saw during the 2006 Boat of the Year (BOTY) testing had no bimini over the flybridge, just a spray dodger over the steering station. According to Nick Harvey, director of Lagoon America, a bimini with windshield is provided standard.

Being at the helm so high above sea level takes a little getting used to. Still, there can be no doubt the elevation is a great help in negotiating tricky entrances in clear waters. A guaranteed plus is having the helm on centerline. You don’t have the parallax error inherent in steering from an off-center station: You know the boat really is going where you’re pointing it.

With the boat’s control station removed, complete with the sailhandling equipment, the traditional cockpit isn’t the cockpit any more but purely a lounging and dining area, and it’s well sheltered beneath a solid roof. Its communication with the bridge is via three deck hatches; the only vestige of sailboat gear is one end of the mainsheet, led to a winch so it can be dumped from below if a gust comes up. “There’s no possibility for the sheets and halyards to become entangled in the feet of owners or guests relaxing in the cockpit,” says Harvey.

Those so inclined can sit with the skipper aloft, enjoying the scenery and watching for sea life from an advantageous vantage point, something that isn’t easy to do on many cats on which the bridgedeck saloon blocks much of the view from the cockpit. Others looking for a quiet place to chat, read, or simply bask will find it in a sunken seating area forward of the house.

Numbers can be deceiving. The Lagoon 500 may be “only” 51 feet long, but it’s a catamaran: The sails are big, and the gear is beefy and heavily loaded. If the prospective crew doesn’t include a couple of young, athletic types, the electric winches aren’t really an option, a sentiment shared by Harvey, who says, “The Lagoon 500 is equivalent to a 75-foot monohull in every aspect, from sail plan to living space belowdecks.” For that reason, he insists that all his dealers recommend the electric option for the primary winches as well as the mainsheet/traveler winch, all of which were installed on the test boat.

With sheets eased, the Lagoon 500 behaved as though 20 knots of wet wind were nothing, zooming along at 10 knots and over, steady as a ferryboat, and giving a preview of how it would devour the passages that lie between the Caribbean’s Windward Islands. It was also a little disconcerting, because from the elevated bridge, it was impossible to see rapidly approaching hazards behind the jib. A simple remedy is to post a crewmember in one of the bow-pulpit seats to enjoy a fine ride while keeping the necessary lookout. “To the issue of seeing hazardous objects,” points out Harvey, “the genoa is equipped with a clear window to allow the helmsman to see through.”

On the wind, the boat is a little less agile, which is more a function of the type in general than it is of this boat in particular. The 500 has fixed keels and not daggerboards, so it won’t cling terribly close to the wind, and the rapid loss of momentum when you turn two hulls into the wind means tacking lacks the drama it creates on a fin-keeled monohull. We did notice that the big cat handled the chop very well. Lagoon’s designers, Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost, have been studying the interaction between waves and the hulls and bridgedeck of cruising catamarans. The Lagoon 500 embodies the results of their research in the gull-wing configuration that fairs the hulls into a nacelle molded under the centerline of the bridgedeck.

To get an idea of what it’s supposed to do, I peered through the escape hatch in the aft stateroom. Given the underlying wave train, the wind waves, and the bow waves off each hull, there was a lot going on, but whenever it appeared that a wave was big enough to slam into the bridgedeck, the center of the gull wing deflected it with a gentler impact. I don’t know what the motion would be like in a sloppy ocean seaway, but on Chesapeake Bay in a moderate northeast blow, it was very comfortable.

Pushed by a pair of 75-horsepower Yanmars with saildrives, the Lagoon was among the quieter third of the boats we tested in CW’s 2006 BOTY contest. At 2,800 rpm, she made 8.3 knots and generated 75 decibels of noise in the main saloon; at 3,400 rpm, she made 9.1 knots and 78 decibels. The boat also comes powered by a pair of 55-horsepower Volvos.

If the word “lagoon” conjures an image of cool tranquility, it’s manifested inside the bridgedeck saloon. The absence of angular “speed” shapes might have something to do with it. Lagoon has stuck to its rectangular, vertical windows, now firmly established as a brand identifier, because when compared with windows on a slope, they allow less direct sunlight, and therefore heat, to enter the boat. They also allow full headroom around the perimeter of the saloon, and the style permits mounting grabrails on the exterior at a height someone walking on the side decks can easily reach.

From the interior, the windows give the saloon a sedate feeling; they’re not trying to make it look as though the boat’s going 35 knots. Coupled with the simply styled yet nicely made furniture, which includes a handsome expandable table, they create a relaxing atmosphere. On a boat yet to receive its owner’s impress, it was a little clinical perhaps, but the basic decor of dark mahogany bulkheads and trim set off by white gelcoat surfaces lends itself to many interpretations. Someone who knows how to work with fabrics and seaworthy decorations could make it cozy, charming, or showy at will.

The galley is “up” but set down a step to bring the cook’s head near to the same level as seated company, which also provides him or her with a view outside without stooping. It’s not a large space, but it’s backed up by an adjacent pantry area in the port hull that provides extra work surfaces and storage.

To starboard of the galley is the nav station and a duplicate set of engine controls so the boat can be driven from inside, something it might be very nice to do on a dreary, wet, windless day when steering from the flybridge would be better for the complexion than for the spirits. These controls need protection–it’s too easy for curious fingers, whether of BOTY personnel or children, to render the helmsman above impotent. But, Harvey points out, “The engine controls are quite high, out of reach of a child. The Raymarine joystick won’t engage until you depress the button at the top. Before that, moving the joystick from side to side won’t have any impact on the steering.”

Lagoon offers three interior layouts in the 500. In all three, the port hull houses a forward stateroom and an aft stateroom, each with a private head, and the pantry. The starboard hull gets rearranged. In the “charter version,” it mirrors the port hull except that a small crew cabin occupies the space opposite the pantry. The “owner’s version with skipper”–the version I sailed–keeps the forward cabin and devotes the rest of the hull to a larger stateroom, and the “owner’s version” gives the owner the entire hull.

Lagoon has long experience both in eliminating the railroad-coach effect that’s common to the interiors of all catamarans and at using the available width efficiently. An ergonomic bonus resulting from the gull-wing hull form is a gentle pitch to the stairways leading down to the hulls. Also, because the extra width along the upper inboard sides of the hulls is at eye level, it adds to the sense of spaciousness. Further, it creates more stowage space in the cabins and permits easier access to the athwartships berths in the forward cabins.

In the sheer volume of the interior, the Lagoon 500 echoes Harvey’s comments about the boat’s size in relation to monohulls. “This boat is right on the edge,” he says, referring to the demarcation between a boat that might be handled by an experienced owner and family and one that’s more likely to be put in the charge of a professional crew of a skipper and cook/mate. I have to agree with him. As a young, ambitious skipper, I’d have enjoyed the challenge of maintaining such a vessel, with all its high-end equipment and its auxiliary systems, just for the chance to sail it to the islands. Now that I’m silver around the temples, I’d prefer to hire that skipper and his mate to take care of the boat, so I could simply call from the office and say, “Pick me up in Fort de France a week from Sunday.”

Harvey says the Lagoon 500’s twin hulls were designed to carry a significant payload, so that loading the boat up with cruising toys, gear, fuel, and water (254 gallons of each) shouldn’t have much effect on performance beyond softening the motion somewhat.

To operate all the boat’s appliances when under way or at anchor, a generator, too, is essential. It’s housed in a large machinery space in the bridgedeck forward of the mast, accessed through the sunning cockpit, along with the propane storage locker and other auxiliary equipment. The Lagoon satisfies European standards for an oceangoing yacht, but here’s a case in which it runs afoul of U.S. standards. According to the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), propane should be in its own self-draining, self-ventilating locker constructed so that nothing else can be stored in it. ABYC’s reasoning: In the event of a leak, escaping gas, which is heavier than air, ought to disperse without entering any enclosed area, especially one containing such an ignition source as a generator.

Says Harvey: “The propane bottles are stored in a ventilated, sealed, and waterproof locker. A ventilation drain runs directly from this propane locker out to under the bridgedeck. This locker happens to be in another larger compartment, but the bottles themselves aren’t loose in that compartment. In the event of a leak, the gas wouldn’t be able to escape the actual propane locker and would be drained outside the boat.”

Standards conflicts aside, the systems are carefully installed and generally easy to service. The main electrical panel is a good example: It’s on the aft bulkhead in the saloon, and the back of the aft-facing seat in the cockpit hinges up, supported on gas springs, to provide generous access to its inner workings.

The engine compartments are separate from the accommodations and entered via hatches in the deck at the top of the transom steps, an arrangement that in still waters offers excellent access.

The Lagoon 500 is truly a crossroads vessel. Someone moving up in size is going to have to think about crew, which is why Lagoon provides for that eventuality in all its layouts. A sailor tempted to go to power might choose it as a transition boat, gaining space, comfort, and the flybridge view without yet having to give up the sails. And then there’s the lure of the charter business, which the builder has also anticipated. In sum, the Lagoon 500 offers a sea of possibilities.

Jeremy McGeary is a Cruising World contributing editor. For his take on the growing cruising-catamaran scene, see the upcoming July issue.

LOA 51′ 0″ (15.54 m.) LWL 49′ 0″ (14.93 m.) Beam 28′ 0″ (8.53 m.) Draft 4′ 7″ (1.40 m.) Sail Area (100%) 1,193 sq. ft. (110.82 sq. m.) Displacement (light) 38,808 lb. (17,603 kg.) D/L 147 SA/D 16.62 Water 254 gal. (960 l.) Fuel 254 gal. (960 l.) Mast Height 78′ 0″ (23.77 m.) Engines 2 x Volvo 55-hp. diesel saildrive Designer Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot Prévost Price (base) $700,000

Lagoon America (410) 280-2368 www.cata-lagoon.com

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Lagoon 500 - One of the best choices for getting started. And with a flybridge as an added bonus!

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• Builder : LAGOON CATAMARANS
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• Available in issue # 143

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A recent model, this 50 footer is an excellent choice for sailing far and wide in outstanding comfort… And what’s more, this big Lagoon is rather elegant, and fast. A sound second-hand investment!

The Lagoon 500 is typical of the “440 generation”, which succeeded the 410. The vertical panoramic windows remain, but the curves of the coachroof have given way to more angular lines. The 500 also brought us the concept of the flybridge, with its helm station raised up compared to that of its little brother. The debate began in 2006 with the 440 - for or against the flybridge. A debate which is still far from resolved… Lagoon remains a yard which is as provocative as it is innovative. Today’s catamaran sailors are more than aware of the well-founded principle, which leaves the cockpit entirely free for relaxation. The boom, however, is very high up, which can make stowing the main in the lazy bag a bit tricky, not to mention the issue of dealing with reefing lines. With an extra two meters of overall length compared to the 440, the 500 becomes a real ocean cruiser. And with that, even more ambitious projects can become a possibility. Maneuvering this model in harbor poses no difficulties: the visibility is good from the flybridge and the two motors (55 or 75 hp) set seven meters apart allow for tight turns with one motor ahead and the other astern. You get the same feeling when...

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2007 Lagoon 500

Used sail catamaran for sale-vessel summary.

"KEY FINDER"

Basic summary, dimensions & specifications, hull and deck configuration, engine details.

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Boat Description

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors to investigate such details as the buyer desired validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may not properly reflect the current condition of the actual vessel offered for sale. In some cases stock photographs may have been used.

Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing.

Dinghy Disclaimer

All dinghies are considered separate vessels and should have separate titles and documents. There is no guarantee as to the title of the dinghy on this vessel so Buyer accepts that while he may receive the dinghy included in the transaction, he may not receive the proper title to it.

Lagoon 500 Catamaran Review – Is it a Smart Choice?

The  Lagoon 500  Catamaran is an updated and improved version of the earlier  Lagoon 440  model. The 500 was designed with a special emphasis on luxury without compromising efficiency, ease, or aesthetics.

The following Lagoon 500 Catamaran Review will touch on the most important aspects of the vessel that will help you determine if the Lagoon 500 is the right boat for your charter experience.

Table of Contents

Accommodations

The Lagoon 500 is only 51 feet in length, which may seem small to the novice catamaran sailor, but, in reality, is the ideal size for its purposes. The boat may be deceptively small, but Lagoon does not skimp on the luxuriousness of the living spaces.

Decks are wide, below-deck cabins have plenty of room to move, the galley is convenient, and the wood and accents used for decoration are tasteful. Storage space is ample, another significant improvement over the 440 models. The stateroom spares no expense in layout and design.

From its furnishings to the indulgent shower stall, the stateroom is reminiscent of a pricey hotel suite instead of a living space aboard a ship.

Under sail, the Lagoon 500 handles with ease and transitions smoothly at different speeds and conditions. The catamaran handles wind well but can lose some speed in stiff wind. This loss of speed does not detract from the thrill of the sailing experience.

In fact, the 500’s design allows for ease of control even in poor weather circumstances and choppy water. These undemanding controls make the 500 a vessel perfect for even a novice sailor to operate without anxiety or difficulty.

Lagoon 500 Compare to Other Catamaran Models

Lagoon manufactures a variety of catamaran models for cruising. Here’s how the 500 measures up to some of the other models available.

Lagoon 500 vs. 52

The main difference between the 500 and the 52 is the setup of the aft mast. This sail has been raised on the Lagoon 52 to make the vessel faster and easier to steer, but it is common for sailors who have driven both vessels to comment that there is no real significant difference in the sailing.

Lagoon 500 vs. 420

The  Lagoon 420  is an older vessel with an outdated design and a motor that has long since been changed in designs that are more modern. Compared to the 500, the 420 is old-fashioned and has the feeling of being too heavy or bogged down.

Lagoon 500 vs. 440

The 500 tends to handle bad weather a bit better than the  Lagoon 440 , but the 440 offers a spectacular view due to its layout. Both are very similar at first glance, but small details may appeal to or repel prospective sailors depending on personal preference.

Why Sail the Lagoon 560

• The flying bridge design raises the helm, making the vessel easier to navigate and steer
• Comfortable, spacious living areas
• Lots of room on the deck to spread out
• Quiet engine
• Window designs provide more shade, and less direct sunlight, keeping the interior cooler.

In Conclusion

The   Lagoon 500 is a conscientiously designed vessel that employs the sailing techniques of larger Lagoon models into a more compact vessel. The 500 is ideal for cruising but is not built for excessive speeds.

A novice sailor would find this boat easy to operate and a joy to sail. The vastness of space on board will accommodate a family or group of friends without everyone feeling they are squeezed together. The Lagoon 500 is a smart choice for a long or short family charter trip.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: Lagoon
• Length Overall: 15.54 m
• Beam: 8.53 m
• Draft Min: 1.40 m
• Water Capacity: 960 L
• Fuel Capacity: 960 L
• Number of engines: 2
• Power: 55 – 75 Hp
• Cabins: 2 to 5
• Berths: 4 to 10

Did you sail the Lagoon 500? If so, feel free to share your experience in the comment below

Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.

Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.

4 thoughts on “Lagoon 500 Catamaran Review – Is it a Smart Choice?”

Wow….This is my first time ever reading through a review on Yacht. I have always dreamed about charting one when I was in Greece, but never give it a serious thought.

However, I would like to say this is a very good post that gives great overview and it is very information!

Thanks for sharing this post! Alex

I am glad you liked my review, I hope you’ll make your dream come true soon! Have a great day

Wow! 4 toilets in a yacht! Am I reading this correctly? It’s like an apartment or a chalet on water. Perfect for if I want to spend some quiet time with my friends and family, and definitely a romantic date. Or maybe even a cozy celebration. Thanks for sharing!

Yes, you said it, it’s an apartment that float on the water! It is the perfect holiday to have unforgettable time with families and friends. Have a nice day

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Sailboat specifications

• Last update: 2nd April 2020

Lagoon 500's main features

Lagoon 500's main dimensions, lagoon 500's rig and sails, lagoon 500's performances, lagoon 500's auxiliary engine, lagoon 500's accommodations and layout.

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Technical specifications - Lagoon 500

Photos of the boat, technical features.

• Length HT : 51ft (15.54m)
• Max. width : 49ft (14.93m)
• Weight : 17.07 tons
• Draft : 5ft (1.40m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 14
• Number of cabins : 3 to 5
• Bathrooms : 5
• Water capacity : 960L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 110hp
• Fuel capacity : 1920L

Standard canopy

• Total sail area : 797sqft (243m2)
• Mainsail area : 322sqft (98m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 476sqft (145m2)

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Technical specifications

2012 lagoon 500.

The Lagoon 500 is the first of our "big" catamarans (over 50') and a benchmark in the world of fast, blue water cruising multihulls (more than 130 boats delivered to date). Not only are its speed and manoeuvrability impressive, in terms of comfort and luxury it is the stuff of dreams!

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