Lagoon 38

A Worthy Successor to the 380?

The spectacular setting of the Strait of Bonifacio, where the Mediterranean slips through the gap between Corsica and Sardinia, is where Lagoon had chosen to unveil their replacement for their unmistakable best-seller, the famous Lagoon 380. With almost 900 examples built since its debut in 1999, that catamaran set the bar very high in terms of accessibility, robustness, and pure boating pleasure. Suffice to say that the all-new Lagoon 38 has been eagerly awaited, not only by loyal fans of the brand, but also by charter industry professionals.

Practical info

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Test location: Bonifacio, Corsica, France
Conditions:20 to 30 knots, short swell

Launched 26 years after the 380, the new 38 logically stands out, having had a thorough structural overhaul. In reality, it’s more like a “little 43” than an evolution of the 380, and you’ll find many features already seen on the 43. Gone are the very aft-set rigs of previous Lagoon generations - the mast has been moved forward again, as on the 43, while the front of the coachroof acts as a compression post, simplifying construction in terms of process and cost and freeing up space in the saloon.

Modern and Accessible

Clément Daël, Lagoon’s sales director, has been involved in the L38 project since the very first sketches. When asked about the place of this new model in the range, he doesn’t beat around the bush: “We needed a modern, compact catamaran with a competitive price tag. The 38 fulfills this mission. Development costs are high, but the return from the image for the brand is essential.” According to him, the target production rate of 100 units per year is realistic, with a 50% split between charter companies and private owners. The announced base price is very competitive for this...

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