Lagoon 42 vs Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42: Catamaran Comparison for Croatia

The Lagoon 42 and Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 are the two most prominent 42-foot charter catamarans in the Adriatic. Both come from France"s dominant catamaran builders, both target the same charter sweet spot, and both deliver the space, stability, and ease of handling that families and groups expect. With 42 combined boats in Croatian fleets, choosing between them is one of the most common decisions charter guests face.

This Lagoon 42 vs Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 comparison cuts through the marketing to examine what actually differs: sailing behaviour, living space philosophy, and charter value. The Lagoon prioritises the flybridge lifestyle and interior volume. The Astrea leans toward sailing performance and cockpit-level living. Your preference depends on how you plan to spend your week.

Key Takeaways

• Different design philosophies: The Lagoon 42 emphasises flybridge living and interior volume. The Astrea 42 prioritises cockpit-level entertaining, sailing performance, and a more connected-to-the-water experience.
• The Astrea sails better upwind: Berret-Racoupeau"s hull forms and slightly higher sail area give the Astrea 42 a noticeable edge when pointing, particularly in the 10–15 knot range that defines most Adriatic sailing days.
• The Lagoon"s flybridge is the differentiator: If your crew values an elevated outdoor living area with 360-degree views, the Lagoon 42"s integrated flybridge is a feature the Astrea can"t match at this size.
• Charter availability favours the Lagoon: With 36 boats versus the Astrea"s 6 in Croatian fleets, the Lagoon 42 offers more choice on dates, bases, and pricing.
• Both are excellent charter catamarans: Neither is a bad choice. The decision comes down to whether you prioritise flybridge living (Lagoon) or sailing feel and cockpit design (Astrea).

Lagoon 42 Overview

The Lagoon 42 is the world"s best-selling charter catamaran in its size range, and Croatian fleets reflect that popularity. VPLP Design created hull forms that balance interior volume with improved windward performance over the previous Lagoon 400 S2. The defining feature is the integrated hard-top flybridge with helm station, dining area, and sunbeds — a self-contained upper living area that becomes the social centre of any charter.

Inside, the four-cabin layout with en-suite heads provides privacy for eight guests. The galley-forward saloon opens to the cockpit through large sliding doors, creating the indoor-outdoor flow that Lagoon has refined over decades. Twin 30 HP Yanmar engines and a self-tacking jib keep the sailing simple.

Strengths: Flybridge living area, proven charter reliability, wide availability in Croatia, spacious saloon with excellent natural light, simple sail handling.

Considerations: Light-air performance limited by 30 HP engines, less engaging sailing feel compared to performance-oriented catamarans, bridge deck slapping in short chop.

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 Overview

The Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 takes a different approach to the same brief. Berret-Racoupeau designed the hull forms with a sharper entry and finer waterlines, prioritising sailing efficiency over maximum interior volume. The result is a catamaran that feels more responsive under sail — it points higher, accelerates faster, and gives the helm a more connected feel.

The Astrea"s cockpit is its centrepiece. A wide, open aft deck with integrated seating flows directly to twin sugar-scoop transoms and swim platforms. Rather than concentrating social life on a flybridge, Fountaine Pajot designed the cockpit as the primary entertaining space, with the saloon extending it forward. The result is a lower centre of gravity for living and a more intimate connection to the water.

Strengths: Better sailing performance — particularly upwind, well-designed cockpit and transom access, lighter displacement for improved responsiveness, quality construction and finish from Fountaine Pajot.

Considerations: Smaller Croatian fleet (6 boats) limits availability, no equivalent flybridge to the Lagoon"s, slightly less interior volume, fewer charter company options in Croatia.

Lagoon 42 vs Astrea 42: Specifications Compared

Specification	Lagoon 42	FP Astrea 42	What it Means
Length Overall	12.80 m (42 ft)	12.58 m (41 ft 3 in)	The Lagoon is 22 cm longer — marginal difference, but contributes to slightly more interior volume.
Beam	7.70 m (25 ft 3 in)	7.39 m (24 ft 3 in)	The Lagoon is 30 cm wider — noticeable in cabin width and saloon space.
Draft	1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)	1.25 m (4 ft 1 in)	Identical draft; both access the same shallow Croatian anchorages.
Displacement	12,350 kg	11,460 kg	The Astrea is nearly 900 kg lighter — translates to better acceleration and light-air performance.
Engines	2× Yanmar 30 HP	2× Yanmar 40 HP	The Astrea"s 33% more engine power compensates for situations where the Lagoon relies on sail alone.
Fuel Capacity	500 L (2× 250 L)	400 L (2× 200 L)	The Lagoon carries 25% more fuel — meaningful for motor-heavy itineraries.
Water Capacity	400 L (2× 200 L)	520 L (2× 260 L)	The Astrea carries 30% more water — a practical advantage for crews who prefer anchoring over marinas.
Sail Area (Upwind)	87 m²	92 m²	The Astrea carries 6% more sail area on a lighter boat — the performance difference is noticeable.
Cabins / Heads	4 / 4	4 / 4	Both offer four en-suite cabins in standard charter configuration.
CE Category	A (Ocean)	A (Ocean)	Both fully certified for offshore passages.

What the specs tell you: The Astrea 42 is lighter, more powerful per kilogram, and carries more sail area relative to displacement — engineering choices that favour sailing performance. The Lagoon 42 is wider and longer with more fuel capacity — choices that favour living space and cruising range. The numbers align with each boat"s design philosophy.

Decision Guide: Choose the Lagoon 42 or the Astrea 42

Choose the Lagoon 42 if:

• The flybridge is important to your crew: The Lagoon 42"s integrated flybridge with helm, dining, and sunbeds is a genuine second living area. If your group spends more time lounging than sailing, this feature alone may decide the choice.
• You want maximum charter availability: With 36 boats versus 6 in Croatian fleets, the Lagoon 42 offers dramatically more choice on dates, departure bases, and pricing. Peak-season availability is far easier to secure.
• Simplicity is a priority: The Lagoon 42"s self-tacking jib and straightforward sail plan suit crews who want minimal fuss. Two people manage the boat while everyone else enjoys the ride.
• Interior volume matters most: The wider beam and longer hull create a more spacious saloon and slightly larger cabins. For groups who spend time indoors — rainy days, evening meals — the Lagoon"s volume edge is felt.

Choose the Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 if:

• Sailing performance is a priority: The Astrea"s lighter displacement, higher sail-area-to-weight ratio, and sharper hull forms deliver a more engaging sailing experience. If your itinerary includes longer passages or upwind legs, the Astrea makes those passages more enjoyable.
• You prefer cockpit-level living: The Astrea"s wide aft cockpit with integrated seating and direct transom access creates an intimate, water-connected social space. If you"d rather be at sea level than elevated on a flybridge, this layout suits your preference.
• Build quality and finish matter: Fountaine Pajot"s construction reputation is strong. The Astrea"s interior materials, hardware, and fit are consistently well-regarded. Charter boats tend to age gracefully if well-maintained.
• You"re an experienced sailor seeking more response: The Astrea rewards trim adjustments and active sailing. If you find the Lagoon"s sail-and-forget approach understimulating, the Astrea provides more feedback and engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which catamaran is better for families with young children?

The Lagoon 42 has a slight edge for families with young children, primarily because the enclosed flybridge provides an additional supervised outdoor space, and the trampoline nets between the bows are popular with kids. The Astrea 42"s open cockpit and sugar-scoop transoms also work well for families, but require more attention near the water access points. Both are stable, safe platforms — the Lagoon simply offers more contained outdoor areas.

How different is the sailing experience in practice?

Noticeably different for experienced sailors, less so for casual charterers. The Astrea 42 points 5–10 degrees higher upwind and accelerates more crisply from tacks. In 10–15 knots of true wind, the Astrea feels responsive and alive while the Lagoon feels comfortable and predictable. For guests primarily interested in anchoring, swimming, and dining, the sailing difference is secondary to the living space comparison.

Why is the Astrea 42 harder to find in Croatia?

Lagoon"s market share in charter fleet sales significantly exceeds Fountaine Pajot"s, particularly in Croatia. Charter companies invest in boats they can maintain efficiently at scale — and Lagoon"s larger installed base creates a network effect. The Astrea 42 is an excellent boat; it"s simply less established in the Croatian fleet ecosystem. If an Astrea 42 is available for your dates, don"t hesitate based on availability concerns — the boat is well-supported.

Are charter rates similar for both models?

Weekly rates are generally comparable, with the Astrea sometimes commanding a slight premium due to scarcity. The Lagoon 42"s larger fleet creates more pricing competition — you"re more likely to find promotional rates or last-minute deals on a Lagoon. For comparable build years and condition, expect to pay within 5–10% of each other.

Can both catamarans handle a one-way charter in Croatia?

The Lagoon 42"s larger fleet makes one-way charters more readily available — charter companies can reposition boats between bases more easily. One-way Astrea 42 charters are possible but depend heavily on the specific charter company"s fleet distribution. Book early and discuss one-way options directly with the charter operator.

The Bottom Line

The Lagoon 42 and Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 are both excellent 42-foot charter catamarans that approach the same brief differently. The Lagoon wins on living space, flybridge lifestyle, and fleet availability. The Astrea wins on sailing performance, cockpit design, and responsive handling. Neither is the wrong choice — the right one depends on whether your crew prioritises lounging and socialising (Lagoon) or sailing and water-level living (Astrea).

For most charter guests in Croatia, the Lagoon 42"s wider availability and flybridge make it the practical default. But if an Astrea 42 appears in your search results and you value sailing engagement, it"s worth booking. Browse both models on Yachtaris: Lagoon 42 catamarans and Fountaine Pajot catamarans for current availability and rates.