Design and Construction
The 43 is built as an infused laminate using E-glass and polyester resin, with a balsa core carried through the hull, deck, and coachroof anchor. The coachroof itself extends aft and over the cockpit to shelter the helm and crew from sun and weather, while wide side decks are given a molded-in bulwark for security underfoot. A distinctive exterior move is the pair of side boarding doors cut into the aft hull sections on either side, letting crew step aboard from a dock or dinghy at the widest point rather than only over the transom anchor. Each hull also gains an additional aft entryway, a feature the builder describes as new to this model. The foredeck borrows the U-shaped lounge from the larger Lagoon 46, though it remains asymmetrical because the longeron sits off the centerline, just as it did on the 42.
Rig and Handling
In reworking the boat, the designers moved the rig forward, which shifts the compression post toward the forward windows and clears it out of the middle of the saloon anchor. The mast stands 65 feet 5 inches tall, two feet shorter than before, but the boom is longer and the square-top mainsail grows by roughly 100 square feet over the predecessor. Gone is the track for a self-tacking jib; the 43 returns to more traditional headsail sheeting, carrying a 398-square-foot furling genoa and an optional 785-square-foot Code 0. Test sailors found the helm light and responsive, and in 10 to 12 knots of wind the cat clipped to weather at just under 7 knots, easing to nearly 6 on a beam reach. With the upgraded Elvstrom square-top main the upwind sail area reaches 1,130 square feet; in stronger testing the boat made 7.7 knots in 16 knots of true wind at 65 degrees apparent, and still held 6.3 knots hardened to 50 degrees. Twin 57-hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives are the only propulsion offered, and on the test boat they cruised at 7.1 knots at 2,200 rpm, topping at 8.7 at 3,200.
Accommodations
Below, the galley has migrated to the forward port corner with two sinks, two refrigerator drawers, a 152-quart front-opening fridge, and an Eno four-burner stovetop, plus a sliding cupboard that captures dead space behind the tall refrigeration. A window between the galley and the forward cockpit opens to pass food and drinks. The saloon and cockpit carry adjacent dining tables configurable a dozen ways; with the three-panel glass door open they pair for a banquet seating up to 12, and when closed the saloon table lowers with cushions added to make a roomy berth. The owner's cabin places the bed forward for better airflow and quiet, with an ensuite head aft holding a massive shower stall, ample vanity, and an enclosed toilet behind a sliding door, plus a long desk for a home office. The port hull gives fore and aft cabins with equally sized beds thanks to a pronounced hull chine, identical heads each with their own shower stall and sinks hinged up outboard, and a pullman berth that drops from the inboard bulkhead. Berths range from 6 to 13 depending on layout. New topside, a "semi-fly" coachroof lounge with U-shaped seating and a sunbed replaces the old sunpad, and the transom gains a seat with twin hinging backrests.
Equipment and Systems
The vessel management center sits in the forward starboard corner with Raymarine VHF, a Fusion stereo, AC and DC panels, and a popup TV; outside, a Harken Flatwinder winch works alongside Spinlock clutches and a Quick windlass, with four solar panels totaling 640 watts tucked around the traveler. A UV filtration system is standard so owners can drink tank water and skip plastic bottles. Lagoon also offers in-boom furling and a "Silent Package" of lithium batteries, upsized alternators, a large inverter, and solar. Netting integrated into the davit bar becomes an aft trampoline once the dinghy is launched and the davit lowered. Fuel tankage nearly doubled from the 42 to 150 gallons, with 166 gallons of water, and a generator meets heavier power needs.
Warranties and Ownership
The builder backs the 43 with a 7-year structural warranty, a 5-year Yanmar-only engine warranty, and a 3-year general warranty, all with exclusions. CE approval ratings run A:12, B:14, C:20, D:30. With ambitious production goals and the model already nominated across two major awards, the 43 is positioned as the new benchmark in Lagoon's mid-size cruising range.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 43 is a thoughtful evolution of a proven platform, trading the 42's self-tacking jib for more conventional and versatile headsail control while opening the interior volume and refining the deck flow for both private and charter use. It sails with real purpose for its size and carries the creature comforts a modern cruising cat is expected to deliver.
Pros
- Forward-shifted rig clears the saloon and enlarges the square-top main for stronger upwind performance
- Side boarding doors and added aft entryways simplify docking and swimming access
- Owner's cabin and port-hull layout balance privacy, storage, and berth flexibility from 6 to 13
- Standard UV filtration, generous solar, and optional Silent Package suit extended off-grid cruising
Cons
- Return to traditional headsail sheeting loses the self-tacking simplicity of the predecessor
- Wide side decks and asymmetrical foredeck reflect the 42-derived hull geometry rather than a minimalist cruiser
