Lagoon 52 - With or without flybridge

Late 2012, Lagoon went all out by presenting two models with the rig stepped far aft on the coachroof: the 39 and the 52. The larger of the two understandably featured more harmonious lines thanks to a better integrated superstructure. As for the “diamond” shape bows at the stemhead, they offered a welcome sporty touch... For almost 10 years, the Lagoon 52 was the brand’s largest catamaran capable of being sailed by a family without the need for a professional skipper. Only just out of production, this model, available in a SporTop version (without flybridge) from 2016, is becoming a devilishly seductive second-hand catamaran.

The Lagoon 52 was therefore the initiator of a new generation, one that was much more innovative than the shipyard’s previous models. This model was the replacement for the 500, of which only 150 were built, and remained faithful to the Lagoon philosophy - maximum comfort for life on board, ease of handling, vertical coachroof windows, etc - but it went much further, with its aft-set rig: the mast is no longer stepped forward of the coachroof but on top of it, which required the creation of a supporting structure - a galvanized steel beam integrated into a composite reinforcement, the forces of which are taken up by the bulkheads and hulls. The initial idea was to optimize performance while simplifying the life of the crew. The theoretical advantages are numerous – a sleeker mainsail, better centered weight so less pitching, less compression with wider shroud angles, so smaller and lighter profile, shorter boom for easier gybing and reefing, larger and more versatile headsails and therefore an efficient self-tacking jib. For Marc Van Petheghem of VPLP, the aft-set rig also meant “Finer bows, more buoyancy aft, but also better visibility forward”.

Convincing performance in 10 kn...