Designed by VPLP, with exterior styling by Patrick le Quément and interiors by Nauta Design, the Lagoon 43 is a thoroughly modern cruising catamaran. It has been nominated for both European Yacht of the Year 2025 and Cruising World Boat of the Year, and about half of the boats built are expected to enter charter service.
Design and Construction
The Lagoon 43 measures 45 feet 5 inches overall, with a 25-foot-3-inch beam, a draft of 4 feet 5 inches, and a listed light displacement of roughly 29,400 pounds.
Construction is infused E-glass and polyester resin, with a balsa core throughout the hull, deck, and coachroof. The coachroof extends aft over the cockpit, sheltering the helm and crew from sun and weather. Wide side decks have molded-in bulwarks for greater security underfoot.
One of the boat’s most distinctive features is a pair of side boarding doors cut into the aft sections of the hulls. They let the crew board from a dock or dinghy at the boat’s widest point rather than only over the transom. Each hull also has an additional aft entryway, which the builder describes as new to this model.
The foredeck borrows the U-shaped lounge from the larger Lagoon 46. It remains asymmetrical, however, because the longeron is set off the centerline, as it was on the Lagoon 42.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Propulsion
The designers moved the rig forward, shifting the compression post toward the forward windows and clearing it from the middle of the saloon. The mast stands 65 feet 5 inches tall—two feet shorter than before—but the boom is longer, and the square-top mainsail is roughly 100 square feet larger than the predecessor’s.
The self-tacking jib track is gone. Instead, the Lagoon 43 returns to more traditional headsail sheeting, with a 398-square-foot furling genoa and an optional 785-square-foot Code 0.
Test sailors found the helm light and responsive. In 10 to 12 knots of wind, the catamaran sailed to weather at just under 7 knots and made nearly 6 knots on a beam reach. With the upgraded Elvstrom square-top main, upwind sail area reaches 1,130 square feet. In stronger conditions, the boat made 7.7 knots in 16 knots of true wind at 65 degrees apparent and still held 6.3 knots when hardened to 50 degrees.
Twin 57-hp Yanmar diesels with saildrives are the only propulsion offered. On the test boat, they delivered a cruising speed of 7.1 knots at 2,200 rpm and a top speed of 8.7 knots at 3,200 rpm.
Cockpit and Interior
The galley has moved to the forward port corner of the saloon. It includes two sinks, two refrigerator drawers, a 152-quart front-opening fridge, and an Eno four-burner stovetop. A sliding cupboard makes use of otherwise dead space behind the tall refrigeration unit. An opening window between the galley and forward cockpit provides a convenient pass-through for food and drinks.
The saloon and cockpit have adjacent dining tables that can be configured a dozen ways. With the three-panel glass door open, the two tables pair to create banquet seating for up to 12. When the door is closed, the saloon table lowers and takes cushions to form a roomy berth.
In the owner’s cabin, the bed is forward for better airflow and quiet. The ensuite head is aft, with a massive shower stall, an ample vanity, and a toilet enclosed behind a sliding door. A long desk provides space for a home office.
The port hull contains forward and aft cabins with equally sized beds, made possible by a pronounced hull chine. Their heads are identical, each with its own shower stall and a sink that hinges upward outboard. A Pullman berth drops from the inboard bulkhead. Depending on the chosen layout, the boat sleeps from 6 to 13 people.
Up top, a “semi-fly” coachroof lounge replaces the old sunpad. It has U-shaped seating and a sunbed. The transom also gains a seat with twin hinging backrests.
Equipment and Systems
The vessel-management center occupies the forward starboard corner and includes a Raymarine VHF, Fusion stereo, AC and DC panels, and a pop-up TV.
Outside, a Harken Flatwinder winch works with Spinlock clutches and a Quick windlass. Four solar panels, totaling 640 watts, are tucked around the traveler. A standard UV-filtration system allows owners to drink tank water and avoid plastic bottles.
Lagoon also offers in-boom furling and a “Silent Package” comprising lithium batteries, upsized alternators, a large inverter, and solar. Once the dinghy is launched and the davit lowered, netting integrated into the davit bar forms an aft trampoline.
Fuel capacity has nearly doubled from the Lagoon 42’s, reaching 150 gallons. Water capacity is 166 gallons, and a generator handles heavier electrical demands.
Warranty and Certification
The builder provides a 7-year structural warranty, a 5-year Yanmar-only engine warranty, and a 3-year general warranty, all subject to exclusions. CE approval ratings are A:12, B:14, C:20, and D:30.
With ambitious production goals and nominations for two major awards, the Lagoon 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. It trades the Lagoon 42’s self-tacking jib for more conventional and versatile headsail control while opening up the interior and improving movement around the deck for both private and charter use. It sails with real purpose for its size and provides the comforts expected of a modern cruising catamaran.
Pros
- The forward-shifted rig clears the saloon and allows a larger square-top main for stronger upwind performance.
- Side boarding doors and additional aft entryways make access from docks, dinghies, and the water easier.
- The owner’s cabin and port-hull layout balance privacy, storage, and berth flexibility from 6 to 13.
- Standard UV filtration, generous solar capacity, and the optional Silent Package suit extended off-grid cruising.
Cons
- Traditional headsail sheeting gives up the self-tacking simplicity of the Lagoon 42.
- Wide side decks and the asymmetrical foredeck reflect the Lagoon 42-derived hull geometry rather than a minimalist cruising approach.
