Design and Construction
Moving the mast aft demanded solutions that simply did not exist on the previous generation. VPLP's Marc Van Peteghem described the logic succinctly: finer bows with more buoyancy aft, together with better visibility forward. To carry those mast loads without the old forward bulkhead as a base, Lagoon engineered a big stiff reinforced grid concealed within the cabin and hull, and a strong compression post in the middle of the boat. The hulls were resharpened at the bow, and the center of buoyancy shifted aft to keep the boat balanced under the enlarged foretriangle that the aft-stepped rig requires. The result, according to the builder's technical record, is a fractional-sloop rig on a twin-keel catamaran with an LOA of 52 feet, a beam of nearly 29 feet, and a displacement of 57,403 pounds. Construction throughout is vacuum-infused balsa-cored hull and deck, solid glass below the waterline, with solid glass or core-mat sandwich interior liners — a specification that a test reviewer found produced no deck flexing or noise during the test sail.
Rig and Handling Under Sail
The theoretical gains of the aft-set rig are significant: a sleeker mainsail, better-centred weight for less pitching, less compression with wider shroud angles, a shorter boom for easier gybing and reefing, and larger more versatile headsails. In practice, all of it works. The tall rig — over 89 feet from waterline to masthead — carries 1,679 square feet of upwind canvas as standard, and the mast position places halyards and sheets naturally to hand for either the helmsman or the crew. The optional square-top mainsail and Code Zero transform the performance envelope considerably; during a test in 18 to 20 knots, the boat reached 10 to 11 knots on a beam reach with the Code Zero set, and on the boat's Atlantic delivery 200-mile days were apparently common, with a best day's run of 220 miles. The Multihulls World review notes that the aft-set rig configuration makes the most sense when equipped with downwind sails, and that the VMG package — square-topped mainsail and overlapping genoa — is the right formula. One handling caveat noted in independent testing: the helm response was a bit vague, making it harder to keep the boat precisely in the groove compared to smaller sisterships.
Deck Layout and Helm Station
The 52 is available in two distinct deck configurations: the 52F with a flybridge and the 52S (also called SporTop) with a large sundeck. On the flybridge version, all the action happens on a big flybridge, one flight upstairs from the passenger cockpit and far above the water, with a central pedestal and electronic displays arranged ahead of the helm. The wheel can be flipped to starboard, port, or center positions so the driver isn't staring directly up the mast. Because the flybridge top is hard and structural, you can walk anywhere on it, giving outstanding access to the boom even for shorter sailors. The SporTop variant offers weight savings, less windage, and allows the gooseneck to be anchored lower on the mast. On the S model, the helm station is located against the aft bulkhead of the saloon, facilitating sailing, and can be entirely enclosed in heavy weather by an optional pivoting gate to the sidedeck.
Accommodations
Interior volume on the 52 is genuinely impressive. Headroom throughout is 6 feet 9 inches, and the saloon connects to the cockpit via big sliding doors that make the cockpit and saloon into a single large area with no visual barriers. The layout options are broad — anywhere from three to six cabins, with berths from 6 to 14 persons depending on configuration. In the four-cabin model, the aft starboard cabin is a big bright space with a large shower and sink area walled off by glass, and a toilet in a separate compartment near the dressing table; the aft port cabin adds its own direct entry from the cockpit. Forward double-berth cabins each have their own head compartments and showers. The Alpi wood finish combined with soft light-color fabrics and large windows creates an elegant overall effect, with teak joinery available as an option. Tank capacity reflects the boat's cruising ambitions: 262 US gallons of fuel and 253 US gallons of water.
Under Power and Seakeeping
Under power, the 52's twin-engine layout delivers predictable close-quarters behavior. At 2,400 rpm the test boat recorded an easy 8 knots with a sound level of 62 dBA that permitted comfortable conversation, and close quarters manoeuvres were simple and predictable. The standard specification calls for twin 80 hp engines. Motion comfort in short seas is lively rather than easy; a reviewer noted the motion in 5-to-7-foot seas was lively, particularly sailing to windward, though this partly reflects the speed at which the boat was encountering those waves. The air draft of over 89 feet is a real-world constraint: the boat will not pass under any standard 65-foot highway bridge, a consideration for US East Coast cruisers planning to use the ICW.
Known Considerations and Refit Points
The rig height is both the boat's greatest performance asset and its most persistent operational constraint. The same tall mast that enables big daily runs and speeds in double figures downwind requires careful planning around bridge clearances and is a factor in marina air-draft limits worldwide. The standard self-tacking jib keeps shorthanded sailing manageable, but the aft-set rig configuration can get a bit boring without downwind sails — the Code Zero or spinnaker options are not luxuries on this boat. The electric halyard winch is described as still essential for raising and furling the mainsail, so buyers should budget for a functioning electric package. The electrical house bank at 840 Ah is moderate for a boat of this size and intended purpose, and owners planning extended bluewater passages commonly upgrade power generation and storage. The SporTop variant deserves attention for buyers who sail rather than motor: in addition to the handling benefits, the lower gooseneck position improves access to the sail controls from the cockpit.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 52 represents a genuine evolutionary moment for the marque — a design that put engineering substance behind what could have been a merely cosmetic restyling. VPLP's aft-stepped rig solved real performance problems, and the execution of the structural solutions was thorough enough that a first-generation example emerged without the teething issues that typically accompany such a significant departure. For a couple or two couples serious about offshore miles, the boat's hull form, construction quality, and sail plan combine into a capable bluewater package that also happens to be exceptionally comfortable at anchor.
Pros
- Vacuum-infused, balsa-cored construction with solid glass below the waterline; no deck flex noted in independent testing
- Aft-stepped rig enables finer bows, reduced pitching, easier gybing, and access to a large, versatile headsail range
- Genuinely hotel-grade aft cabin accommodations in the four- and six-cabin layouts
- Optional square-top mainsail and Code Zero unlock strong passage-making speeds, with 200-mile days on an Atlantic crossing documented
- Two distinct deck-layout options (flybridge and SporTop/Sundeck) suit different cruising styles
- Twin 80 hp engines give relaxed and predictable motoring with low cabin noise
Cons
- Air draft over 89 feet rules out most bridged waterways and some marina berths worldwide
- Helm feel is vague relative to smaller Lagoon sisterships, requiring more concentration to maintain a precise angle to wind
- The aft-set rig underperforms without downwind sails; the Code Zero or spinnaker should be considered near-mandatory for bluewater use
- Moderate standard house bank for a boat of this size; extended cruising typically demands upgraded electrical systems
- Mast height brings added exposure in storms and requires careful rigging inspection intervals on older examples
