Lagoon 40 vs Lagoon 42: Picking the Right Catamaran for Your Croatian Sailing Trip

The Croatian coast, with its many islands and clear waters, is a fantastic place for sailing. A catamaran is a really popular choice for exploring it, especially for charter holidays. Why? They're stable (less rocking!), offer lots of living space, and their shallow draft lets you sneak into quiet bays that boats with deeper keels can't reach.

Lagoon catamarans are a common sight and a top pick for charters here. Lagoon's been building these boats for over 40 years, and they have a solid reputation for comfortable cruising boats. Their popularity in Croatia is helped by good local support. The Lagoon 40 and the super popular Lagoon 42 (a global bestseller!) are two models you'll often find available.

So, why are catamarans, especially Lagoons, a good fit for Croatia?

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• Stability: Less seasickness, more comfortable living onboard.
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• Space: Much more room to spread out compared to a regular sailboat of the same length. Great for families or groups.
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• Shallow Draft: Lets you anchor closer to beaches and explore shallower coves.
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• Proven Design: Lagoon focuses on comfort and practical cruising features, which is exactly what most people want on a sailing holiday.
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If you're thinking about chartering a Lagoon in Croatia, you'll likely come across the Lagoon 40 and the slightly bigger Lagoon 42. They're both great boats, but which one suits you better? Let's break it down.

Lagoon 40: The Easy-to-Handle Cruiser

The Lagoon 40 is a modern catamaran that balances comfort with being relatively easy to manage.

Key Points:

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• Size: 12.75m (41'10\") long, 6.76m (22'2\") wide. A manageable size, which can be helpful when docking.
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• Layouts: Usually comes in 3 or 4 cabin layouts. The 3-cabin often gives one hull over to a spacious owner's suite. The 4-cabin works well for larger groups sharing the cost.
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• Living Space: The main saloon is bright with big windows. The kitchen (galley) is typically at the back, making it easy to pass food out to the cockpit. The cockpit is set up for relaxing and eating outside. Some reviews mention the saloon might get a bit stuffy as ventilation mainly comes from front hatches.
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• Sailing Performance: Known for being easy to sail, even with a small crew. Cruises comfortably at around 6-8 knots in decent wind. The standard engines might feel a bit weak, so many charter versions have the upgraded 45 HP engines, which is better for motoring against wind or current. It sails reliably for a cruising catamaran but isn't optimized for racing or speed.
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• Build Quality: Modern construction with solid interior finishes for this category of boat.
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Strengths: Easier to handle, might be slightly cheaper to charter, good layout choices, comfortable outdoor space.

Considerations: Less spacious than the 42, standard engines can feel underpowered, saloon ventilation could be improved, some owners have reported long-term build concerns common to production boats.

Lagoon 42: The Roomy Bestseller

The Lagoon 42 is hugely popular worldwide for a reason – it offers a lot of space and comfort.

Key Points:

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• Size: 13.22m (43'4\") long, 7.68m (25'2\") wide. You'll notice the extra space onboard compared to the 40.
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• Layouts: Various configurations available. The owner's version dedicating a whole hull to the main suite is especially popular. Sleeps up to 12 people comfortably across different cabin options.
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• Living Space: Its standout feature is the single-level flow between the cockpit and the saloon – no steps! This makes the main living area feel expansive and very connected to the outdoors. The galley is typically U-shaped for efficient meal prep. The cockpit is sheltered and offers easy access to water stairs. One design note: a structural pole for the mast is visible inside the saloon, and some owners wish for more overhead hatches to improve ventilation.
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• Sailing Performance: Comes with more powerful standard engines (57 HP), which makes a noticeable difference. Sails nicely at around 8-9 knots, and can reach higher speeds downwind with the right sails (like a Code 0). Performs well in varied conditions with a self-tacking jib that simplifies maneuvers. Can feel slow in very light winds without extra sail options.
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• Build Quality: Features nice modern interior design with quality materials. Some owners note that wood veneer finishes can scratch more easily than expected, and there are shared discussions in owner forums about potential long-term structural wear on various Lagoon models.
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Strengths: Impressive living space, excellent indoor-outdoor connection, powerful standard engines, flexible owner's cabin layouts, bigger fuel tank for extended range.

Considerations: Costs more to charter, feels like a bigger boat to dock and handle, the helm seat position is often criticized, some blind spots when docking, can feel slow in light winds, some owner reports mention watermaker issues, and shared concerns about long-term build durability. Safety notes include needing more handholds in certain areas and slippery coachroof edges.

Quick Specs: Lagoon 40 vs 42

*Based on spec sheet, though some base models might have smaller engines.

So, Which Lagoon Should You Charter in Croatia?

Honestly, the \"best\" boat depends on your crew and what you want from your trip.

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• Choose the Lagoon 40 if: You're a smaller group or family, don't need maximum space, prefer easier handling (especially when docking), and want to manage your charter budget carefully. It's a reliable, comfortable coastal cruiser.
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• Choose the Lagoon 42 if: You need room for more people, really value that expansive living area, want flexibility with cabin layouts including a separate owner's cabin, appreciate stronger engines and longer range, and are comfortable handling a slightly larger boat.
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Important Perspective: While Lagoons are built for comfortable holidays, it's worth being aware of discussions among owners online regarding potential long-term issues common to many mass-produced boats, like wear on bulkheads or water affecting interior wood. Always choose a well-maintained charter boat from a reputable operator.

Leaning towards the Lagoon 42 but curious how it compares to other popular models? Read our Lagoon 42 vs Bali 4.2 comparison — a very different kind of catamaran that's gaining popularity in Croatia.

Ready to Find Your Boat?

Both the Lagoon 40 and 42 are solid choices for an amazing sailing trip around the Croatian islands. The 40 is practical and comfortable; the 42 offers more space and power. Hopefully, this breakdown helps you decide which one fits your plans.

You can see which Lagoon 40 and Lagoon 42 catamarans are available for charter in Croatia right here on Yachtaris.

Feel free to contact us if you have more questions – we're happy to help you find the perfect boat for your trip!