Lagoon 400 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Lagoon 400 is fundamentally a cruising platform, prioritizing stability and livability over raw speed. However, with a sail area-to-displacement ratio that sits comfortably for its class, it offers respectable performance, particularly off the wind. According to an editorial review by Sail Magazine, the boat’s performance is bolstered by its optional square-top mainsail, which adds significant power in light air by capturing cleaner wind higher above the water.

Handling is characterized by the starboard-side raised helm station, which provides the skipper with excellent visibility of all four corners of the boat—a critical feature for docking a vessel with a 23’ 9” beam. The lines are led back to a cluster of winches at the helm, allowing for "single-handed" sail management from the safety of the cockpit. While the 400 tracks well due to its fixed fins, like most cruising catamarans with high freeboard and shallow draft, its windward performance is modest. Sailors can expect tacking angles of approximately 100 to 110 degrees. Crucially, the 400 features a relatively high bridge deck clearance for its size, which significantly reduces the "slamming" effect in choppy head seas compared to smaller or older multihull designs.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The Lagoon 400’s primary selling point is an interior volume that rivals many 45-foot monohulls. The 400 was offered in several configurations, most notably the 3-cabin "Owner" version and the 4-cabin "Club" or charter version. In the Owner version, the entire starboard hull is dedicated to a master suite featuring a large island berth aft, a dedicated desk/vanity area, and an expansive forward head with a separate walk-in shower. The 4-cabin variant utilizes the same footprint but mirrors the port hull, providing two cabins and two heads on each side.

According to technical specifications from Cruising World, the 400’s salon is notable for its 7-foot headroom and the seamless transition to the cockpit via a large sliding glass door. The "U-shaped" galley is positioned to serve both the interior dining table and the cockpit guests through a pass-through window. The 400 S2 update brought more refined joinery, using Alpi wood finishes and more storage solutions, addressing earlier criticisms of the "boxy" feel in the original 2009 models.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Lagoon 400 has gained significant traction in the "vlogger" and long-term cruising community due to its reliability on the second-hand market. It is frequently cited in various "Best Used Catamarans" lists by major sailing publications for its balance of price-to-volume. While it lacks the extreme fame of specific racing hulls, it is a staple of the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers), often appearing in the fleet lists of the cruising division as a preferred choice for families crossing the Atlantic.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should conduct a focused survey on several high-signal areas typical of this model and era:

• Bulkhead Structural Integrity: There have been documented reports in cruiser forums and surveyor circles regarding movement in the main structural bulkheads, particularly in vessels that have seen heavy offshore use or charter service. Look for cracking in the tabbing or "creaking" sounds when under sail.
• Goiot Escape Hatches: Like many catamarans of this period, the 400 was equipped with Goiot escape hatches. These were subject to a safety notice regarding the adhesive failing, which could cause the glass to drop out. Many have been replaced with the "bolted" version, but this should be verified.
• Rudder Bearings: The self-aligning rudder bearings can wear prematurely if the boat is kept in silty water or if the steering system is not regularly lubricated, leading to "play" or stiffness in the helm.
• Standing Rigging: Because the 400 is a powerful catamaran with high righting moments, the standing rigging (specifically the diamonds and shrouds) undergoes significant stress. Most insurance companies require a full replacement every 10 years, which is a major cost consideration for original 400 models.

Community & Resources

Owners of the 400 are supported by a robust network. Club Lagoon is the official manufacturer-sponsored association providing technical manuals and event access. Additionally, the Lagoon Owners Group (LOG) is a highly active independent technical community that maintains a vast database of DIY repairs and modifications specifically for the 400 and 400 S2 models.

The Verdict

The Lagoon 400 remains one of the most successful 40-foot catamarans ever built, striking a nearly perfect balance between interior luxury and offshore capability. While it is not a performance-oriented "sailor’s boat" in the vein of an Outremer or Catana, it excels at its intended purpose: providing a safe, stable, and immensely comfortable platform for coastal hopping or tradewind crossings.

Pros:

• Exceptional interior volume and headroom for a 40-foot hull.
• Excellent visibility and ergonomics from the raised helm.
• High bridge deck clearance minimizes slamming in rough conditions.
• Strong resale value and a large global support network.

Cons:

• Limited windward sailing ability (typical of high-volume cats).
• Earlier "pre-S2" models have a more utilitarian, angular interior finish.
• Requires careful survey of bulkheads and escape hatches on older units.