Design and Construction
What strikes you first about the 42 is its refusal of convention. Where other production cats default to angular lines, Le Quément and VPLP pursued compound curves throughout — the gullwing bridgedeck underside, the glazed windows that bend around corners, the composite bimini angled to suggest suspension, the circular coachroof that forms a continuous curve all around the cabinhouse. These are not merely aesthetic choices. The gullwing underside of the bridgedeck was specifically configured to minimize pounding in rough seas, a persistent complaint against production catamarans.
The structural engineering is equally considered. Infused, injection-molded construction yields a lightship weight of just over 26,000 pounds, lean for a boat of 42 feet with a 25-foot beam. A structural center beam adds strength while also securing the forestay fitting, Code 0 sprit, anchor roller, and anchor chain well atop the beam rather than below — a tidy solution that consolidates loads in one engineered element. Interior design was handed to Nauta Design of Italy, whose combination of elegance and softness with contemporary woodwork gives the saloon a character that feels more crafted than typical production work.
Rig and Sailing Performance
The sailplan reflects the VPLP influence directly. The mast has been set aft to open up the foretriangle and allow for more downwind sail choices while keeping weight centered to reduce pitching. This aft-spar arrangement pairs with a shorter boom and taller mast, yielding a high-aspect-ratio sailplan that extracts more power from clean air aloft. With the optional square-top mainsail, an additional 40 square feet of sail area is gained over the standard high-roach main.
The self-tacking jib runs on a track forward of the mast, which makes tacking hands-off and allows genuine shorthanded cruising. On the test sail conducted at Biscayne Bay in 10 knots of true wind, the boat tacked smoothly without stalling as the bows came through. With the 732-square-foot Code 0 deployed at 75 degrees apparent wind angle, the boat sailed at nearly seven knots in 10 knots of breeze. The same hull subsequently reported doing 15 knots in 22 knots of true wind in flat water with the gennaker up — numbers that confirm the VPLP design pays dividends when conditions build.
Under power, the optional twin 57hp Yanmars with saildrives and Flexofold folding propellers delivered 7.8 knots at 2,000 rpm and 8.7 knots at 3,200 rpm. Standard propulsion uses twin 45hp engines. One limitation worth noting: the mast clearance of nearly 68 feet makes the 42 unsuitable for the Intracoastal Waterway and many bridged waterways; this is a boat built for open water.
On Deck and Helm Station
The deck layout rewards the effort Lagoon invested in ergonomics. Wide transoms make boarding from dock or dinghy uncomplicated, and just two low steps lead from the swim platforms to the single-level cockpit. The cockpit dinette seats eight to starboard; a lounge to port suits a pair who want to watch the water rather than the table.
The helm pod, offset to port, is one of the more thoughtfully executed steering stations in the class. There is room for two people to work simultaneously — one steering, one handling the two Harken winches that manage most lines — and even room behind the helm seat for a third person to stand or pass through. A window cut into the composite hardtop provides a clear view of the mainsail, and the B&G multifunction display, engine throttles, and Spinlock rope clutches are all within reach of the wheel, enabling genuine singlehanded operation of a big, powerful boat.
One recurring criticism: the smoothly finished fiberglass edge of the coachroof carries no nonskid, which becomes a slip hazard with wet feet. And there is no easy way for anyone but the most agile to reach the mainsail bag except via the steps at the helm. These are quality-of-life details that distinguish owners who live aboard from those who charter.
Accommodations
The saloon connects seamlessly to the cockpit through a three-panel glass door, placing both spaces at the same level. Inside, the U-shaped galley is split — three-burner Eno stove and sink to starboard, refrigeration to port. The top-loading refrigerator sits at the edge of the portside companionway stairs, and shorter crew may find it awkward to reach into its depths while balanced on the second step. The L-shaped settee serves double duty as seating for the outboard-facing nav station, which has a second set of B&G instruments for position checks when the autopilot is driving.
In the owner's three-cabin layout, the entire starboard hull is given over to a private master stateroom with a low island berth for easy access, a desk amidships, large hull windows, and a head forward that consumes nearly a third of the hull length, with a generously sized shower. The port hull carries two cabins and two heads; the aft stateroom mirrors the master's island berth and has its own private head with a separate shower stall. A charter four-cabin arrangement is also available, configuring both hulls with two cabins each.
One ventilation shortcoming runs through all layouts: the saloon has no overhead hatch, with the only ventilation coming from two forward-opening windows and the main cockpit door. In the tropics, where so many of these boats spend their lives, this will prompt owners to keep the door open or add a hatch.
Known Issues and Safety Recalls
Owners of the Lagoon 42 — along with owners of several other Lagoon models built during the same period — should be aware of a documented safety recall affecting the Goiot escape hatch model 49.42. The acrylic lens on this hatch can pop out, leaving a hole in the vessel near the waterline; the failure mechanism is inadequate silicone adhesion between the silicone and the lens. Lagoon coordinated with Goiot following a formal press release to communicate remedies to affected owners, and a dedicated recall resource page was published at Lagoon's website. Any prospective buyer or current owner should verify whether the escape hatches have been inspected and remediated; the fix is straightforward but the consequence of an uninspected hatch is serious.
Refits and Upgrades
The production run through the mid-2020s means that earlier hulls now have enough mileage on them to benefit from targeted upgrades. Lagoon offered a Code 0 on an optional sprit — owners of base-spec boats without the downwind sail will find that adding one transforms the boat's light-air performance. The standard 45hp Yanmars are adequate but the twin 57hp option with Flexofold folding propellers noticeably lifts motoring speed and range margin, making it the preferred configuration for passagemakers. The water tankage of 79 gallons is modest for a long-distance vessel, and owners planning extended passages routinely add a watermaker — which Lagoon offered as a factory option. Fuel capacity at the factory is more generous, which helps on longer ocean legs, though passagemakers often supplement both tanks regardless.
The Goiot escape hatch recall aside, the fiberglass construction and infusion-built structure have proven durable. The center beam arrangement that consolidates structural loads and houses anchor tackle simplifies maintenance access by keeping gear out of the bilge runs.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 42 is a genuinely accomplished cruising catamaran — one that managed the difficult balance between bold design and practical liveability when it launched, and has held that balance through a long production run. It is not a racing boat, but the VPLP pedigree shows in its speed potential, particularly with the Code 0 and square-top mainsail combination. The Nauta Design interior sets it apart aesthetically from most production competitors. Serious passagemakers will want to address water tankage and the sail inventory, and every buyer should verify the Goiot hatch recall status before closing.
Pros
- VPLP-designed rig with aft mast and high-aspect sailplan delivers genuine sailing performance
- Infused construction keeps displacement low at just over 26,000 pounds for the size
- Thoughtfully engineered helm station supports genuine singlehanded operation
- Flexible layouts — owner three-cabin or charter four-cabin — from the same hull
- Nauta Design interior brings Italian elegance rarely found in this class
Cons
- Goiot 49.42 escape hatch recall requires owner verification and possible remediation
- Saloon ventilation is poor with no overhead hatch
- Water tankage of 79 gallons is modest and often supplemented for extended offshore passages
- Coachroof edge lacks nonskid, creating slip hazard in wet conditions
- Air draft of nearly 68 feet restricts access to ICW and many bridged waterways
