Lagoon 50 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Lagoon's styling had grown more angular by the time the 50 appeared, with hard transom lines and a coachroof that slopes downward to the bow, and the 50 follows that language with attractively tapered hulls. Weight stays low through vacuum infusion, using balsa coring above the waterline and in the deck, while wrap-around glazed vertical windows — actually assembled from panels rather than one continuous pane — give a terrific view from inside and contribute to the panoramic sightlines the builder cites. The hulls and rigging are credited with the boat's contemporary signature look and exceptional performance. Two low steps from the transoms make the move into the cockpit especially easy, and a second set of steps to starboard drops to the side deck. The hydraulic swim platform forms a teak beach and carries the tender in chocks that fold away.

Rig and Handling

The mast has been moved aft, which helps prevent hobby-horsing and gives the boat a shorter boom that makes the mainsail easier to handle anchor, while the 87-foot air draft lets the higher-aspect rig capture stronger winds aloft. Spars are aluminum, and three Harken winches route all lines through clutches into three integrated sheet bins that keep the cockpit clear. An electric drum to starboard works the continuous traveler sheet so the large mainsail can be trimmed in a blow with little effort. The standard full-batten main with an 87 percent self-tacking jib gives about 1,700 square feet of upwind sail area, and an optional Code 0 pushes beam-reach speed dramatically. Testers off Miami sailed 5.1 knots at 60 degrees off the wind in 12 to 16 knots of true breeze, accelerating to 7.4 knots at 140 degrees, and the Code 0 later delivered 11.4 knots on a beam reach. Twin 80-horsepower Yanmar diesels with saildrives pushed her to 9.5 knots at 3,000 rpm, though the standard pair is 57-horsepower and a 2,200-rpm cruise settles around 7.5 knots.

Accommodations

The 50 is offered with three, four, or even six cabins and up to six heads, an unequalled layout selection for the size. Cabins are spacious and well laid out for rest, and shared spaces like the saloon and cockpit optimize comfort and access. The cockpit table to port folds in for a quick breakfast or opens to seat eight, with a detachable end seat that moves forward for more room; to starboard sits a twin lounge and an outdoor galley with sink, fridge, bottle cutouts, and a large counter. Up the steps, the helm bench seats the skipper and companions, with a B&G multifunction display, wind instruments, autopilot, and remote windlass control on the dash, plus a triple-wide sun pad behind. Inside, the saloon settee stretches nearly full-beam around a table that folds out for dining then articulates forward into a cocktail lounge facing a pop-up TV. The starboard master suite holds an aft island bed, a forward double, huge hanging lockers with storage behind, a sliding door bookcase, a desk with settee, a walk-in closet with three drawer rows, and a skylight to the saloon. The split aft galley carries a three-burner Eno stove and two Isotherm refrigerators.

Known Issues

The centerline helm means a skipper sitting directly behind the wheel looks straight into the mast, so clear forward sightlines require sitting off-center. When the boat is bouncing along in a seaway, the two stairways would benefit from added handholds. Engine-room hatches open up and aft so checks can be made from the cockpit rather than out on the steps, a detail that matters in motion.

The Verdict

The Lagoon 50 is a versatile, award-recognized cruising cat that balances generous living space with manageable handling for owner-operators who have outgrown a 45-footer. Her aft-stepped mast, tall rig, and low-weight construction deliver real performance, while the layout flexibility from three to six cabins suits private and charter use alike. The centerline helm sightline and stair handhold gaps are minor but worth noting.

Pros