Design and Construction
Moving the mast back to the 43 percent point to open a larger foretriangle forced Lagoon to shift the hulls' center of buoyancy aft as well, and the aft-set rig theoretically brought finer bows, more buoyancy aft, and better forward visibility according to Marc Van Peteghem of VPLP. Supporting the rig demanded a big, stiff, reinforced grid concealed within the cabin and hull, plus a strong central compression post, while a galvanized steel beam set into composite reinforcement carries the loads down through bulkheads to the hulls. The vacuum-infused balsa-cored hull and deck — solid glass below the waterline — should enjoy a long service life, and interior liners are solid glass or core-mat sandwich with Alpi wood surfaced laminate joinery, teak offered as an option. The builder is noted for proper electrical and plumbing installation with good access to systems and engines.
Rig and Handling
The aft mast position yields a short boom, which in turn called for a taller rig to recover lost sail area; that tall rig proves efficient, and the mainsail is easy to trim, raise, and furl though the standard electric halyard winch remains essential. Roller-furled headsails behave nicely, and the aft-set rig theoretically gives a sleeker mainsail, less pitching from better centered weight, wider shroud angles with less compression, and a shorter boom for easier gybing and reefing. With the helm at the mast base on the flybridge, halyards and sheets fall naturally to hand, and a center pedestal spreads electronic displays ahead while the wheel flips to starboard, port, or center. The hard structural flybridge top allows walking access to the boom even for shorter sailors. Under sail the 52 came through the wind smoothly on tacks and accelerated well, though writing in Boat Review: Lagoon 52, a tester found the helm response a bit vague when holding best angle. In short 5-to-7-foot seas the motion was lively, yet close-quarters maneuvers were simple and predictable, the cat stopping, backing, and turning as it should. Under power, 8 knots came easily at 2,400 rpm with a low 62 dBA sound level.
Accommodations
Life aboard follows the Lagoon philosophy of maximum comfort, ease of handling, and vertical coachroof windows. The big sliding doors merge cockpit and saloon into one barrier-free space, and the interior is friendly to tall sailors throughout, with 6-foot-9 headroom and berths of 6-foot-9 by 5-foot-3. The four-cabin layout sailed by one reviewer held pleasant forward double berths with private heads and showers, while the two aft cabins qualified as owner or VIP quarters — the starboard side a bright space with a large glass-walled shower and sink, the head separate near the dressing table, and the port cabin with its own direct cockpit entry. The owner's cabin reads like an upscale hotel room. A central nav station enjoys a panoramic view for remote sailing in bad weather, and a large dining table with well-equipped galley completes the plan. The coachroof carries a fluid silhouette and large sundeck, and the saloon helm against the aft bulkhead facilitates sailing, optionally enclosed by a pivoting gate in heavy weather. Berths run from 6 to 14, and CE certification covers 14 persons in A and B, 16 in C, and 30 in D.
Performance Under Sail
Moderate displacement and moderate sail area still produced respectable speeds. The test boat's optional square-top mainsail and Code Zero powered it to 10–11 knots on a beam reach in 18–20 knots of wind, against about 9 knots under the self-tacking jib. Owner reports from the Atlantic delivery cite common 200-mile days and a best run of 220 miles. The SporTop version from 2016 shed the flybridge for weight savings, less windage, and a lower gooseneck, while Multihulls World judged the VMG package's square-topped mainsail and overlapping genoa the right formula.
The Verdict
The Lagoon 52 is a thoughtfully engineered owner-operated flagship: its aft-stepped rig and concealed grid show real design intent, the accommodations are genuinely luxurious across multiple layouts, and the Atlantic passage speeds confirm blue-water ability without a crew. The vague helm and lively short-seas motion are the trade for its size and innovation.
Pros
- Aft-set rig with larger foretriangle and efficient tall rig anchor
- Concealed reinforced grid and steel beam support structure anchor
- Luxurious multi-cabin layouts with panoramic nav station anchor
- Atlantic delivery runs of 200-mile days under owner report anchor
Cons
- Helm response a bit vague when sailing at best angle anchor
- Lively motion in short 5–7 foot seas anchor
