Lagoon 500 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 500’s hull forms reflect VPLP’s research into the gull-wing configuration. The hulls fair into a nacelle molded beneath the bridgedeck centerline, smoothing the bridging structure through the water.

Fixed keels, rather than daggerboards, limit draft to 4 feet 7 inches, making the boat suitable for tropical anchorages and shoal passages. With a 28-foot beam and a light displacement of 38,808 pounds, the 500 has a displacement-length ratio of 147 and a sail-area-displacement ratio of 16.62. Those figures place it firmly among moderate-displacement cruising catamarans.

Rectangular vertical windows became a brand identifier on this model. The builder also claimed that the twin hulls were engineered to carry a significant payload without compromising motion.

Rig, Helm, and Handling

Lagoon introduced the flying bridge on the 440, and the 500 makes full use of the arrangement. The centerline helm sits above the main deck and had a spray dodger over the steering station during the 2006 trials.

That leaves the traditional aft cockpit free from most sailhandling duties. Instead, it becomes a sheltered dining and lounging area beneath a solid roof, connected to the bridge by three deck hatches. The only remaining sailhandling control below is one end of the mainsheet, led to a winch so the crew can dump it from the cockpit’s shelter if a gust hits.

During Cruising World’s 2006 Boat of the Year trials, test sailors found that the 500, with sheets eased, behaved as though 20 knots of wet wind were nothing. It surged along at 10 knots and more, remained “steady as a ferryboat,” and handled the chop very well.

Under power, twin 75-horsepower Yanmars with saildrives drove the boat to 8.3 knots at 2,800 rpm and 9.1 knots at 3,400 rpm. The 500 also ranked among the quieter third of the boats tested that year, registering 75 decibels in the saloon at the lower rpm.

Accommodations and Layout

Lagoon offered three interior plans. In every version, the port hull contains forward and aft staterooms, each with a private head, as well as the pantry.

The layouts differ to starboard:

The charter version mirrors the port-hull arrangement but adds a small crew cabin opposite the pantry.
The owner’s version with skipper retains a forward cabin and opens the rest of the starboard hull into a larger stateroom.
The pure owner’s version devotes the entire starboard hull to the owner.

The galley is “up,” but it’s dropped by one step so the cook’s head is level with seated companions. A pantry in the port hull provides additional work surfaces and storage. To starboard, a navigation station with duplicate engine controls allows the boat to be driven from inside.

Forward of the deckhouse, a sunken seating area provides a quiet retreat. The bridgedeck machinery space lies forward of the mast and contains the generator; it’s accessed through the sunning cockpit.

Systems and Service Access

The main electrical panel is mounted on the saloon’s aft bulkhead. For access to its inner workings, the back of the aft-facing cockpit seat hinges upward on gas springs, exposing the panel generously.

The engine compartments are isolated from the accommodations. They’re reached through deck hatches at the top of the transom steps, keeping mechanical service work separate from the living spaces.

On the flying bridge, the helm seat fitted during the 2006 trials had only a spray dodger rather than a full bimini. The builder’s director said that a bimini with a windshield was standard. He also insisted that dealers recommend the electric option for the primary winches and the mainsheet/traveler winch.

Known Issues

The elevated helm introduces a notable sightline problem. Testers found it impossible to see rapidly approaching hazards hidden behind the jib. The builder responded by fitting the genoa with a clear window for the helmsman.

The 500 also conflicts with U.S. propane-storage standards because its propane locker sits inside a larger compartment. The builder says the bottles are housed in a ventilated, sealed, waterproof locker with a drain leading out beneath the bridgedeck, but the surrounding compartment remains the compliance problem.

The Verdict

The Lagoon 500 is a thoughtfully engineered cruising catamaran that replaces the traditional working cockpit with a sheltered lounge and moves the helm to a protected flying bridge. Trials found it stable and quiet underway, while its three interior layouts give owners a choice ranging from charter accommodation to a full owner’s hull.

Its principal compromises are the elevated helm’s blind spot behind the jib and the propane-storage conflict with U.S. standards. Design tweaks mitigate both issues but don’t eliminate them.

Pros

Gull-wing bridgedeck nacelle and fixed-keel shoal draft suit ocean cruising
Stable and quiet underway, with 10-knot surges in strong breezes during trials
Three interior layouts, ranging from charter accommodation to a full owner’s hull
Generous, isolated access to the engines and electrical panel

Cons