Built from 1998 through 2005, the Lagoon 470 had a production run of 51 boats. It measures just over 47 feet overall, with a beam approaching 26 feet. At about 10 tons in light trim, it remains light enough to respond noticeably to an increase in sail area.
Design and Construction
CNB Marine built the 470 in Bordeaux using vacuum bagging and resin-infusion molding with vinylester resin. Cruising World credited this high-end practice for the era as central to the laminate quality.
The deck edge is left uncored. At the hull-to-deck joint, the overlap is bonded with Sikaflex and mechanically secured with stainless-steel compression rivets—a robust detail.
The deckhouse combines a vertical leading edge with 14 windows, intended to improve visibility and reduce the greenhouse effect. According to the builder, the vertical members between the windows contain extra reinforcement, while a high-tech adhesive sealant holds the glazing in place.
The hull is rated for both intentional and unintentional beaching. CNB also built the boat to ISO standards for Category A certification.
Rig, Handling, and Engines
The 470 carries a straightforward double-headsail fractional sloop rig. Its mast stands 69 feet above the water, and the working sail plan, including the genoa, totals 1,292 square feet. The 807-square-foot mainsail is manageable enough for a medium-sized crew to reef and handle without drama.
A traveler spans nearly the full beam. The single helm is set to port, a position that Cruising World found worked well.
Small keels provide the lateral plane, reducing leeway and improving pointing. Without deep daggerboards, however, the 470 doesn’t climb to weather as well as board-equipped catamarans.
Standard power comes from twin naturally aspirated 40-horsepower Yanmars with saildrives. In calm conditions, they will push the boat to hull speed. Optional 56-horsepower Yanmars were available to bridge the gap.
Accommodations and Tankage
The charter layout has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, along with a roomy bridgedeck saloon. A spacious galley sits to port, while an elliptical settee to starboard surrounds a table with seating for eight.
Two personal-use layouts were also offered. One has the galley down; the other uses a galley-up arrangement similar to the charter version. Every layout includes a forward-facing chart table with room for electronics and chart stowage.
Astern, an efficient davit arrangement can handle a decent-sized RIB.
Tankage comprises 158 gallons of water, 126 gallons of fuel, and a 15-gallon holding tank. Cruising World noted that the holding tank meets only the letter of the law.
Known Issues
The period review doesn’t document structural defects. However, the builder’s own description points to an area that deserves attention during a survey. The window surrounds depend on adhesive sealant and added reinforcement rather than structural framing, making sealant failure the weak point in an otherwise robust deckhouse.
The twin Yanmar saildrive installations are another area where seal integrity matters because the legs pass through the hull.
Equipment and Refit Considerations
The review boat carried a Profurl headsail-furling system, a Lofrans 1,500-watt anchor windlass, and an extensive Raymarine electronics package with radar and GPS. An 11.5-kilowatt Onan generator and a Mastervolt inverter supported the refrigeration.
That equipment illustrates the electrical and ground-tackle systems found on a well-equipped 470. It also provides a baseline for considering what later owners may have upgraded or renewed.
Verdict
The Lagoon 470 is a carefully considered second-generation cruiser. It trades the upwind ability of daggerboards for a forgiving, light-displacement platform backed by disciplined laminate construction. Deckhouse visibility and the port-side helm are genuine practical strengths, while the choice of charter and private layouts broadens its appeal without sacrificing the forward-facing chart table.
Window sealing and saildrive maintenance remain the principal ownership watch points.
Pros
- Resin-infused vinylester laminate, an uncored deck edge, and a riveted hull-to-deck joint
- Nearly beam-wide traveler and manageable 807-square-foot mainsail
- Four-cabin charter layout or two private layouts, all with a forward-facing navigation station
- Category A certification and a hull rated for beaching
Cons
- No deep daggerboards, limiting upwind ability compared with board-equipped catamarans
- Window sealant and saildrive seals are potential failure points
- The 15-gallon holding tank meets only minimum compliance
