Design and Hull Architecture
The 43 measures 45 feet 5 inches overall on a 25-foot-3-inch beam, and its waterline is maxed out with noticeable chine in the hulls — a deliberate engineering choice to expand interior volume in the staterooms without simply widening the platform. VPLP's influence shows in a hull form that prioritizes both living space and sailing performance, while le Quément maintains the distinctive coachroof treatment that overhangs the forward windows, a recognizable Lagoon signature since the 410 and 470 era. Construction relies on an infused laminate incorporating E-glass and polyester resin with balsa core in the hull, deck, and coachroof. The raised helm station sits to port — an arrangement unusual among cruising cats, which typically position the helm to starboard — positioned beneath a hard Bimini with adjacent sun pads and a wraparound settee that functions as a practical semi-flybridge without raising the center of gravity of a full flybridge.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
The most structurally consequential change from the 42 is a forward shift of the mast position, which relocates the compression post toward the windows and out of the salon center. The mast is 2 feet shorter at 65 feet 5 inches, but the longer boom increases the square-top mainsail area by 100 square feet over the predecessor, and since cats derive most of their power from large mains, the reduced foretriangle is unlikely to impact overall performance. The self-tacking jib track is gone, replaced by more traditional headsail sheeting. In testing on the Chesapeake Bay in 14 to 17 knots of breeze, the boat sailed 7.7 knots in 16 knots of true wind at 65 degrees apparent wind angle and held 6.3 knots tightening to 50 degrees. Closehauled in lighter air of 10 to 12 knots, the boat made just shy of 7 knots with a helm that was light and responsive. Twin 57-hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives are the only propulsion package available, and in motoring tests the boat cruised at 7.1 knots at 2,200 rpm with a top speed of 8.7 knots at 3,200 rpm. Fuel capacity has been nearly doubled from 79 to 150 gallons compared to the 42, extending range for offshore passages. A Silent Package option includes lithium batteries, upsized engine alternators, a large inverter, and solar panels for those wishing to eliminate generator reliance.
Cockpit, Deck, and Entertaining Layout
The deck rethink runs deep. Side boarding doors carved into the aft hull sections on either side eliminate the awkward step from dock to swim platform and make loading provisions from a dinghy far more practical. Forward, the 43 borrows the U-shaped foredeck lounge from the Lagoon 46, wrapping seating around the windlass pedestal above a footwell, with a galley window that opens to pass food and drinks to the forward cockpit. The aft cockpit was reconceived around a three-panel glass door that vanishes into casings on either side, connecting interior and exterior dining surfaces. Multiple table configurations can accommodate up to 12 guests in a banquet-style layout with moveable benches and cushions. On the coachroof, a new semi-fly lounge with U-shaped seating and a sunbed replaces the previous simple sunpad, giving helmsman and guests proximity while keeping the center of gravity lower than a full flybridge. The netting integrated into the davit bar forms an aft trampoline when the davit is lowered, adding another lounging zone when the dinghy is deployed.
Accommodations Below
The owner's cabin occupies the starboard hull in a layout Lagoon describes as a script flip on traditional catamaran arrangement — the berth is positioned forward where air circulation from an overhead hatch is unobstructed and engine noise from the aft machinery is minimized. This leaves the wider aft section of the hull to an oversized head with a massive shower stall, ample vanity, and an enclosed separate toilet, along with a sliding rather than a hinging door between the head and cabin. A long desk amidships creates a home-office zone. In the port hull, a chine-driven hull volume gain means both the fore and aft cabins share identically sized berths — typically the forward cabin is truncated in this size range. The heads are also matched, each with its own shower stall where sinks hinge up and outboard to enlarge the stall when in use. A pullman berth drops from the inboard bulkhead of the aft port cabin, functioning as either a child's berth with lee cloth or a dedicated stowage shelf. The galley sits in the forward port corner with two sinks, two refrigerator drawers, and a 152-quart front-opening fridge, along with a UV filtration system standard from the factory so that tank water is drinkable without plastic bottles.
Known Considerations and Trade-offs
The semi-flybridge furniture arrangement — while socially appealing — leaves limited space for solar panels, constraining the passive energy budget to around 640 watts from four panels tucked around the traveler. The shift from a self-tacking jib to conventional headsail sheeting demands more active crew involvement when tacking, though it aligns with how distance cruisers typically manage sail anyway. In-boom furling is offered as an option, but at least one experienced reviewer expressed preference for the simplicity and reliability of a conventional sail bag. A significant share of all 43s built are expected to enter charter service, meaning many examples will see heavy utilization cycles — a factor worth considering when evaluating the longevity of soft furnishings and interior fittings on any particular hull.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 43 is a genuinely considered redesign rather than an incremental update. VPLP and le Quément took structural risks — moving the rig, eliminating the self-tacking jib, repositioning the owner's cabin — that required confidence in their naval architecture rather than reliance on a proven template. The result is a catamaran that performs credibly under sail, entertains generously at anchor, and lives aboard comfortably for extended passages. Its strong charter penetration reflects the versatility of the layout; its reception at boat shows and early sales pace suggest the private-owner market agrees.
Pros
- Forward-shifted rig removes compression post from salon center, freeing social space
- Owner's cabin layout genuinely improves on class convention with forward berth, large private head, and reduced engine noise
- Side boarding doors on both hulls meaningfully improve dock and dinghy access
- Fuel capacity nearly doubled over predecessor for greater offshore autonomy
- Modular cockpit/salon dining system handles both intimate meals and large group entertaining
- Silent Package option supports generator-free liveaboard setup
Cons
- Semi-flybridge furniture limits solar panel real estate to roughly 640 watts
- No alternative engine package; twin 57-hp Yanmars are the only option
- Conventional headsail sheeting requires more active sail handling than the self-tacking jib it replaced
- High charter-fleet penetration means a significant share of production hulls will carry heavy utilization cycles
