Hull Design and Construction
VPLP gave the Lagoon 50 attractively tapered hulls that depart from the blunter bow profiles common among charter-oriented cats. The construction method is equally considered: vacuum infusion with balsa coring above the waterline and in the deck keeps weight low in all the right places. Aluminum spars are standard, and one of the more consequential structural decisions is the aft placement of the mast. Moving the mast aft helps prevent hobby-horsing and yields a shorter boom, making the mainsail dramatically more manageable for a shorthanded crew. To compensate for the reduced mainsail area that comes with an aft-stepped spar, the designers gave the boat an air draft of 87 feet, letting the higher-aspect rig reach stronger winds aloft while also enlarging the foretriangle.
Deck Layout and Helm Station
Few production cats have rethought the deck as thoroughly as the Lagoon 50. The aft end alone received significant attention: hatches over the engine rooms open up and aft, so an owner checking engines underway stays safely in the cockpit rather than teetering on the transom steps. A hydraulic swim platform doubles as a teak beach that stows the tender in flip-down chocks. In the cockpit, the port-side table seats eight when fully extended, while to starboard an outdoor galley with sink, fridge, and countertop handles provisioning without trafficking through the saloon.
The helm station sits to port, elevated above the cockpit by a series of steps. A long bench accommodates the skipper and several companions alongside a comprehensive dash with B&G multifunction display, wind instruments, autopilot, and remote windlass control. An electric Harken traveler drive means the large mainsail can be managed in a blow with little effort. One honest caveat: the helm sits on centerline, so a skipper seated directly behind the wheel looks straight into the mast — most sailors will shift off to one side. Both stairways to the side deck could also benefit from additional handholds for offshore conditions.
Accommodation and Interior Versatility
The defining character of the Lagoon 50 below decks is choice. The model is available with three, four, and six-cabin layouts, and a six-cabin, six-head arrangement is possible for charter operations, though twelve aboard a 50-footer tests the limits of comfort. For owners choosing private use, the starboard hull becomes a master suite dedicating the entire hull length to the owner's comfort — the most comfortable stateroom on a production cat of this size according to one thorough review, with a walk-in closet, three rows of drawers, and a desk. Interior headroom of 8.17 feet ensures the space never feels compressed.
The saloon reimagines where life happens aboard a cat. The ultra-inviting settee stretches nearly full-beam, and a clever table drops and tilts forward to create a cocktail lounge facing a pop-up television. The galley is split between two counters, letting a meal be prepared at the three-burner stove while a second person preps at the opposite counter. A full-width nav station to starboard, complete with a second B&G MFD and autopilot control, makes driving from inside on long passages a practical option rather than an afterthought. Interior design was handled by Nauta Design, and the central saloon window lowers to let in the breeze or allow conversation between crew inside and out.
Sailing Performance
The Lagoon 50 carries 1,549 square feet of upwind sail area in standard trim — a full-batten mainsail and an 87-percent self-tacking jib. At displacement, she is not a light boat, and fully loaded, the figure can climb by roughly 20,000 pounds. In real-world sailing in lumpy conditions and 12-16 knots of true wind, a test showed 5.1 knots at 60 degrees off the wind, accelerating to 7.4 knots when cracking off to 140 degrees. Adding the optional Code 0 substantially changes the picture: in beam-reaching conditions with the Code 0 set, the boat reached 11.4 knots. With the larger optional genoa set in 15 knots, another review logged 9 knots and change on a reach with the big headsail. The SA/Displacement ratio of roughly 20 places the 50 at the upper edge of the "reasonably good performance" band for a catamaran of this displacement class.
Under power, the optional twin 80hp Yanmars return 9.5 knots at 3,000 rpm, with a more economical 7.5 knots at 2,200 rpm. The twin-engine layout allows the boat to be pivoted easily by working the engines against one another during slow-speed maneuvering.
Handling Considerations
The self-tacking jib and electric winches make routine tacking a one-person affair, and with autopilot, a self-tacking jib, and electric winches at your fingertips, it is possible to keep things simple. Switching to the optional overlapping genoa changes the dynamic: with the big headsail set, additional hands are needed to manage steering, the sheets, and the square-top main simultaneously. The boat benefits from a bow thruster and networked plotter for close-quarters work, a prudent inclusion given the 26-foot-7-inch beam. Backing into tight marina berths may require an assistant or a camera regardless.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 50 represents what is possible when a production builder commits to genuine innovation rather than cosmetic revision. VPLP's hull design, the aft-mast configuration, the rethought aft deck, and the Nauta-designed interior together produce a catamaran that earned its industry awards honestly. It is a comfortable passage-maker and a genuinely livable floating home, and its layout flexibility means it serves an unusually wide range of owners. The tradeoffs are real but manageable: displacement means performance expectations need calibrating, the Code 0 is effectively mandatory for light-air passages, and the wide beam demands confident dock handling.
Pros
- Clean-sheet VPLP hull with vacuum-infused, balsa-cored construction keeps weight honest
- Aft-mast placement reduces hobby-horsing and simplifies mainsail handling shorthanded
- Exceptional interior versatility — three to six cabin configurations serve private, liveaboard, and charter use
- Master owner's suite among the most spacious on any production cat of this length
- Electric traveler, self-tacking jib, and bow thruster make solo or shorthanded sailing genuinely manageable
- Comprehensive indoor helm station for passagemaking in all conditions
Cons
- Heavy displacement means the Code 0 is a near-necessity rather than a luxury in light air
- Centerline helm position requires offset seating to maintain a clear sightline past the mast
- Six-cabin charter layout sacrifices the walk-in dressing room that makes the owner's suite exceptional
- Both cockpit-to-side-deck stairways would benefit from additional offshore handholds
- Wide beam demands careful attention to marina handling; camera or crew assist recommended when backing in
