Design and Layout
The most striking thing about the Lagoon 38 is how little it feels like 38 feet. The complete departure from previous design efforts makes the Lagoon 38 look and live like a 42-footer, a feat achieved through relentless optimization of every square meter. The hull form has been thoroughly reworked — this is more like a "little 43" than an evolution of the 380, carrying forward features already proven on the larger sibling. Gone is the far-aft mast position that characterized 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 and freeing volume in the saloon below.
The deck layout piles on relaxation zones with impressive efficiency. A cushioned mini-lounge was added to the foredeck behind the trampoline, the asymmetrical mesh bifurcated by a composite longeron handling the anchor chain. A second sunbed sits atop the Bimini, and another occupies the port side of the cockpit at deck level. The swim platforms extend aft of the hull sides so stepping on and off from a side dock is straightforward, aided by a solid outboard handrail — practical details that matter enormously on passage.
Indoor-Outdoor Flow
The defining interior gesture of the Lagoon 38 is a three-panel glass door that separates the cockpit from the salon and tucks up ahead of and below the helm. When open, it joins the two spaces in what the SAIL reviewer called an impressive and dramatic manner. The continuity and flow from inside out is this model's best feature, adding a sense of vastness that is genuinely unexpected at this length. The cockpit dinette to port includes a movable bench that can face in or out, while a wide fixed transom seat sits just ahead of the davits — a perfect vantage point for watching the kids playing in the water.
The galley spreads mostly across the forward bulkhead beneath the front windows, breaking from the traditional aft-galley convention and further opening the saloon. A three-burner Eno propane stove and oven, floor-to-ceiling refrigeration, and — notably — UV filtration of the tank water as standard all feature here. With UV filtration standard on all Lagoon designs, tank water is potable and plastic bottles don't need to find their way aboard, a meaningful quality-of-life addition for extended voyaging.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The Lagoon 38 carries a full-batten mainsail with generous roach and a self-tacking jib as standard, with a square-top main and Code 0 available as options. On a gusty Chesapeake Bay day with 16-18 knots of true wind, the boat reached 7.2 knots on a beam reach. Pointing up to 50 degrees apparent, speed settled at 6.5 knots with the square-top main and self-tacking jib — pretty good for a multihull. Tacks are quick, the helm is light, and visibility from the single starboard helm station is good in all directions.
With only one winch for all the lines, the jammer arrays will be put to the test, and the sheet bag at knee level is too small to handle all the running rigging when sailing actively. The double-ended mainsheet runs on the Bimini with no traveler, which may not be missed by casual cruisers. At just 237 square feet the self-tacking jib is modest, making the Code 0 an absolute must for versatility and performance on passages where the wind eases forward of the beam. She does hobby horse some, but with a tall rig and short waterline that's to be expected in a cat this size.
Twin 29-hp Yanmar diesels with Saildrives are the sole propulsion option, delivering six knots at cruising speed. Tankage overall is a bit light with 106 gallons of fuel and only 79 gallons of water, making a watermaker a sensible addition for any serious offshore passage plan.
Accommodations
The 38 is offered in three- or four-cabin configurations, each with two heads. In the owner's three-cabin version, the stateroom takes over the entire port hull with the bed forward and a colossal head and shower aft. This arrangement — first introduced on the Lagoon 43 — moves the sleeping quarters away from noisy engines and loud dock traffic in a marina, though the tradeoff is that owners may hear the chain along the bottom when the boat shifts position at anchor. To starboard, two double cabins share a single head with a shower stall — a more civilized approach than trying to fit in two tiny wet heads.
The four-cabin charter layout is a popular choice, and a substantial share of Lagoon 38s enter charter service. For a charter skipper, the manageable size combined with the quality of the platform makes it an excellent vacation platform without overwhelming the crew. CE certification runs to Category A for eight persons, underscoring the structural confidence behind the design.
Recognition and Pedigree
Industry reception has been unambiguous. The Lagoon 38 collected Best New Sailboat Overall at the 2025 Newport For New Products Show, a Highly Commended citation at the British Yachting Awards, Best Boats SAIL winner for 2026, and Multihull of the Year 2026 under 45 feet from Multicoques Mag. That sweep across English and French-language press, covering both editorial and industry audiences, is unusual for any debut. The design team — VPLP for naval architecture, Patrick Le Quément for exterior styling, and Nauta Design for the interior — brings together the same caliber of collaborators responsible for the most commercially successful catamarans of the past generation.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 38 is a genuinely accomplished design that earns its award haul through thoughtful execution rather than specification-sheet theatrics. The indoor-outdoor glass door, the forward-shifted galley, and the owner-cabin reorientation all reflect real decisions about how people actually live aboard — and the sailing numbers confirm that liveability has not come at the expense of motion. The modest tankage and single-winch line management are the two areas most buyers will want to address early; a watermaker and an organized line-handling upgrade belong on the commissioning list. For charter operators and private owners alike, the 38 delivers a living standard that took decades to coax out of the 380's shadow, and it appears to have finally succeeded.
Pros
- Exceptional indoor-outdoor flow from three-panel sliding glass door
- Owner's cabin takes over the full port hull for genuine privacy and space
- Mast moved forward, freeing saloon volume and simplifying structure
- Award-winning design by VPLP, Le Quément, and Nauta Design
- UV water filtration standard; potable tank water out of the box
- Solar-ready Bimini and davit arrangement supports off-grid capability
- Extended swim platforms and solid handrails for safe, easy boarding
Cons
- Single winch for all lines places heavy demands on jammer arrays
- Fuel and water tankage light for extended offshore passages
- No Code 0 included at base — essential for light-air versatility
- Hobby-horsing in chop is inherent given tall rig and short waterline
- Anchor chain noise may intrude into owner's cabin in open anchorages
- Two-rung helm-to-Bimini ladder lacks adequate handholds when underway
