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?

• Stability: Less seasickness, more comfortable living onboard.
• Space: Much more room to spread out compared to a regular sailboat of the same length. Great for families or groups.
• Shallow Draft: Lets you anchor closer to beaches and explore shallower coves.
• Proven Design: Lagoon focuses on comfort and practical cruising features, which is exactly what most people want on a sailing holiday.

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:

• Size: 12.75m (41’10") long, 6.76m (22’2") wide. A manageable size, which can be helpful when docking.
• 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.
• 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.
• Sailing: 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 fine for a cruising boat but isn’t built for speed racing.
• Build: Modern construction with decent quality interior finishes for this type of boat.

Pros: Easier to handle, might be slightly cheaper to charter, good layout choices, comfortable outdoor space.
Cons: Less spacious than the 42, standard engines can be underpowered, saloon ventilation could be better, some owners have raised concerns online about long-term build issues (like plywood durability) 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:

• Size: 13.22m (43’4") long, 7.68m (25’2") wide. You’ll notice the extra space onboard.
• Layouts: Various layouts available. The owner’s version dedicating a whole hull to the main suite is very popular. Can sleep up to 12 people, though fewer is more comfortable!
• Living Space: Its best feature is often considered the single-level flow between the cockpit and the saloon – no steps! This makes the main living area feel huge and very connected. The galley is usually U-shaped. The cockpit is sheltered and has easy access to the steps down to the water. A structural pole for the mast is visible inside the saloon. Like the 40, some wish for more overhead hatches in the saloon for better airflow.
• Sailing: Comes with more powerful standard engines (57 HP), which helps. Sails nicely at around 8-9 knots, and can go faster downwind with the right sails (like a Code 0). Can feel a bit slow in very light winds without those extra sails. Has a self-tacking jib, which makes turning simpler. Upwind sailing is average for a cruising catamaran.
• Build: Nice modern interior design. Uses quality materials, but some owners find the wood veneer inside scratches easily. It shares the same general online owner discussions about potential long-term structural wear (like bulkhead worries reported across various Lagoon models) and water getting into woodwork over time.

Pros: Loads of living space, great indoor-outdoor area, powerful standard engines, excellent owner’s cabin layout, bigger fuel tank for going further.
Cons: Costs more to charter, feels like a bigger boat to handle/dock, the helm seat position is often disliked (too low/uncomfortable), potential blind spots when docking, can be slow in light wind, some owner reports online mention watermaker problems, and shared concerns about long-term build robustness. Safety mentions include needing more handholds in places and the coachroof edge being slippery.

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.

• Go for the Lagoon 40 if: You’re a smaller group or family, maybe don’t need maximum space, prefer a boat that feels a bit easier to handle (especially docking), and are keeping an eye on the budget. It’s a great coastal cruiser.
• Go for the Lagoon 42 if: You need room for more people, really value that big open living area, want the option of a separate owner’s hull, appreciate stronger engines and longer range, and are comfortable handling a larger boat.

Good to Know: While Lagoons are built for comfortable holidays, it’s worth being aware of the 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.

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!