112-115 Essai LAGOON 40_MM170-US_essai 12/03/15 16:48 Page112
TEST
LAGOON MY 40’
“Thirty years is great, and enviable.
And let’s just say that Lagoon celebrated their 30th birthday last year as
well… And this is how it goes with
great vintages following one another!
Congratulations to all the team at the
magazine to have sailed your own “multihull” for so many years through the
oceans of specialized media! 30 years
as THE symbol of multihulls around the
world, a wonderful story, which is only
just beginning. We remain, and will
remain, your most faithful of readers.”
A great little cruising catamaran…
Yann Masselot - Lagoon
Strong, compact and able to take the
ground, the MY40 is well-suited to
going AWOL cruising.
The majority of powercats on the market are high-powered luxury models.
However, there is a growing demand for handy-sized habitable boats which
are less speedy, but consequently have a better range and a lower fuel
consumption. This is where the Lagoon 40MY comes in. We spent two
days trying it out in the Mediterranean.
Text: Philippe Echelle
Photos: N.Claris & P.Echelle
MOTOR CATAMARANS A DESIRABLE MARKET
In the early nineties, Jeantot Marine
launched their Euphorie 40 and 44. They
met with critical success, but the
concept was based too much on the
idea of transposing the theory and design of a motorboat onto a catamaran
hull, and also the engines that they used
limited their range. From the end of the
nineties, Fountaine Pajot was the only
company to have produced a range, and
to have believed in the concept… And
we had to wait until 2010 to see any
renewed interest on the part of other
builders.
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pite being referred to as trawlers at the
beginning, multihulls have never seen
the success of vagabond cruisers such
as the Grand Banks, and have only
attracted a small number of converts
from the traditional motorboat market.
Most projects have failed to really define
the principle in depth, or to set themselves apart from fast, noisy, thirsty
monohulls (with the notable exception
of a few heavy duty, basic and steady
boats). For sure, the aspects of stability
and habitability make them attractive,
but the increase in power (often insisted
on by customers!) pushes these boats
beyond what they were meant for,
mixing up both their appearance and
their behavior.
TRAWLER CAT, MULTI YACHT OR
POWER CATAMARAN?
LAGOON’S POWER CATAMARANS
This promising market sector, which had
been somewhat overlooked, has suffered from a bit of an identity crisis: des-
The Power 43 designed by Xavier Faÿ and
Philippe Subrero was an excellent boat in
the twin 180hp version, but the race for
power and desire for speed ended up
affecting the reliability of the transmissions, and led to the thirstier twin 350hp
version. Evolving to become the 44 didn’t
give rise to an enduring model, and the
world-leading manufacturer withdrew
from this area of the multihull market.
The appearance of a new power catamaran whose DNA has been totally reworked demonstrates a rethink on their position, and a willingness to develop a more
rational program.
AN ORIGINAL CONCEPT. ONE WHICH
IS MORE AMBITIOUS THAN IT
APPEARS.
The basis of the MY40 is taken from the
Lagoon 39 sailboat, whose geometry
gives it the qualities of a large and habitable platform, designed for the open
sea. This makes it a boat which is really
aimed at cruising, with all the advantages
of generous interior volumes, encoura-
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ging a gentle, nomadic life. The reasonable size also allows it
to sneak in to some of the more rustic ports (always the most
interesting!) and to check out some of the more off-piste anchorages. Drying out is an option, on the little skegs which protect
the rudders and the drivetrain. The two 75hp motors are well
suited to the boat’s specifications, with the proviso that you are
swapping instant speed and acceleration for a smooth ride and
a promising range.
PLEASANT LINES
With lengthened sugar scoops, small windshield, rigid bimini
over the helm station and the mast in the form a cross, for holding the antennae (as seen on the 44), the 40MY affirms its
new identity (keeping the martingale stay on the forward beam
appears not to be necessary). For the rest, the comfortable
aspects of the sailboat on which it is based seem to suit the
vocational nature of wandering the seas, and without recourse
to an arrogant and complicated design which you might find
with a motor yacht! Below the water, the aft third of the hulls
have been redesigned to create a tunnel and the keels have
been done away with, to make way for beaching skegs.
AN INTERIOR LAYOUT WHICH IS GREAT AT SEA
On this type of boat, the outdoor spaces play a large part in the
living experience: they interact with the essential goals of cruising and are often the determining factor in the enjoyment of
it all. The MY40 is a compact multihull whose boat/marine
environment interfaces are functional and simple to use. The
davits and the boarding area on the sugar scoops clearly highlight the role the dinghy plays in the cruising program (the permanently-rigged bathing ladder, which serves also as a safety
handrail and bracket for the liferaft, is cleverly integrated into
the line of the tunnel). The foredeck is a big space for friends
or relaxation: the trampoline is in two parts, separated by the
compression beam, which also serves as the track for the
anchor chain. Access to the sunbathing area on the coachroof
is easy, but this space is really only usable when it is calm. The
wide sidedecks open into the highly adaptable cockpit. Well
1
2
3
4
-
sheltered from the wind, and with the bimini protecting you
from the sun, it really is the boat’s center of activity. When
under way, as it is close to the helm station, it can be transformed into a proper living space. Canvas enclosures can be
added when boating out of season, or it makes a useful porch
area if you are over-wintering on board. The double sliding
doors open the salon up wide to the cockpit; the Nauta design
is, as always, very effective and the Alpi oak cabinetry helps
create a cozy atmosphere. The quality is evident everywhere,
even under the closest inspection. The galley, refrigeration,
desk, dining area are all functional and enjoyable to use.
Privacy in the salon is easily preserved with the blackout curtains. Direct ceiling lighting by LEDs, and indirect by strip
lights gives a warm atmosphere and perfect color. The insulation of the hot water pipes could be better. The addition of forced-air heating and a watermaker gives this adventurous little
boat a great level of self-sufficiency. The cabins (4 on the version we tested) are perfectly fitted out with the “comfort” pack
(insulation, ventilation, curtains, mosquito screens, etc.)
Obviously the three cabin version would be even better suited
to private owners.
THE ENGINE INSTALLATION
The two 75hp Yanmars are 1995cc, 4-cylinder, 16-valve
machines. Installed as standard in the First 50, the Sense 55
or Lagoon 420, they develop modest power for multi-valve,
turbo-charged motors, but this gives them better longevity.
They weigh in at 249kg including the saildrive. The durability of
a propshaft is always preferable, but the advantages of a saildrive for their compactness and simplicity of installation are
obviously beneficial to the builders. The saildrive is a mechanical unit which, being submerged, requires regular checking
and proper maintenance.
Access to the engine compartments is via a deck hatch, and then by lifting a false floor which
consists of three insulation panels. The installation is clear, the
working space is good and all the essentials are visible. A raw
water cooling alarm would be a useful addition, as the holes in
the strainer are small and could easily be blocked by bits of
plastic trash, and the overheating alarm is really only a secondbest option here. The insulation is good, but little improvements could be made by using a foam sandwich material combining insulation and absorption.
ELECTRICITY AND FUEL
The two 300-liter aluminum tanks are high quality and well
secured in the hulls. They have inspection hatches for cleaning, and can be removed if necessary. What a great idea! The
use of good quality fuel and regular servicing of the filters
A gentle cruising speed makes the MY40 ideal for long trips…
With its sailboat-based geometry, the MY40 has good bridgedeck clearance and bows which are good in a choppy sea.
It has very good maneuverability, and the original design of this 40’ power catamaran includes some great living spaces.
Family cruising is at the heart of the MY40.
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TEST
should prevent any problems. It’s best to fill up using two different pumps, to avoid the possibility of contaminating both
tanks. Each motor has its own starter battery, and the house
bank, which consists of 4 x 120A batteries, is located below
the bunk in the port aft cabin. It is securely fixed to the frame,
but doesn’t have covers for the terminals. The battery switch
panels are of high quality and are well located.
SEATRIAL
We undertook our trip in February off La Camargue on the
Mediterranean coast of France the day after a Mistral had been
blowing at more than 80 knots. The temperature was “fresh”
and really made us appreciate the shelter provided by the
coachroof, and its excellent visibility. Despite the chill, I was
able to stay at the helm station quite comfortably on the double helm seat for several hours. Our first day went well, doing
all the essential maneuvering tests in Aigues-Mortes Bay,
before setting a course for the small harbor at Saintes Maries
de la Mer, some 20 miles away. With a light favorable wind as
we set off, the MY40 reached its top speed of 11.8 knots at
3,400 rpm. I settled at 11 knots (which is the maximum cruising speed) for the whole trip (with 15 knots of wind forward
of the port beam) aiming to arrive before dusk at the entrance
to the Petit Rhône river. The boat was trimmed a little “bowsup” at this speed, and the motors were audible, but it wasn’t
particularly unpleasant. There was a long, barely noticeable,
swell moving in the opposite direction to the chop, and the
MY40 made the most of this, enjoyably accelerating up to 13.5
knots (as measured by my Garmin Quatix) down these waves!
This observation shows that good use of the weather forecast
could lead to some clever navigation for longer trips with this
model. In the evening we enjoyed cooking and staying on
board this little home on the water. I found that going down
into the hulls when underway showed that the hull-cooling
works well, and that the forced-air ventilation is effective. The
engine temperatures remained stable and the engine noise
was ok. The following day we had a different plan, and we
made the most of the MY40 in what I believe to be its true
vocation. You’ll be aware that the perception of speed is relative: Jacques-Yves Le Toumelin used to say he was perfectly
happy at six knots, and was ecstatic when the Kurun reached
seven. Yesterday at 11 knots average we were really going
along, but by dropping that to ten, we could still be making 240
miles in 24 hours… enough to make the north coast of Sardinia
from here! On this lovely winter morning I wanted to try a cruising rhythm. Over a run of 20 miles I would try the cruising
speed that I would have used with the MY40 over a long run.
At 8 knots, I almost forgot the motors were running, the trim
was perfect and the movements gentle, as the boat felt like it
was peacefully swimming across the surface: life on board
could carry on as if one were on a sailboat on a nice day! At
this pace we were using 0.96 liters per mile and the sea was
truly ours! We had dreams of carrying on to the Italian coast,
or the fantastic anchorages around Corsica, or even Greece,
out of season. The idea of taking a winter’s sabbatical came to
mind (which would probably be less attractive in a sailboat!).
Heating, wind generators, watermaker and solar panels mean
fewer visits to the dock and so on, and my sedate speed would
allow us to make up to 600 nautical miles without refueling.
Unfortunately time didn't allow this, and back in the real world,
I realized that the harbor was ahead of us… shame! A final
test going astern to come alongside the dock confirmed the
perfect maneuverability of the MY40, and my time on board
was (unfortunately!) over.
CONCLUSION
I really liked the idea of the
MY40: it is comfortable and spacious, yet compact for maneuvering in harbor and in an anchorage. Easy to understand, use
and maintain, its great sailing
aptitude opens the doors wide to
offshore and semi-coastal cruising and wandering. Its modest
engine power corresponds with
what many enthusiasts are looking for in this type of catamaran,
favoring a style of nomadic cruising, which is economical and
which respects other users of
the sea (marine life included),
while offering efficient runs and
good sea-keeping qualities. This
boat is going to be a fore-runner
in a transition that I like, and it
offers an enviable level of freedom.
COMPETITORS
Model
Aquila 38
Power
2 x 100 CV
Designer
Morelli/Melvin
Price in € ex-tax
287 000
Leopard 39
2 x 60 ou 120 CV
Fountaine Pajot MY37
2 x 110 ou 220 CV
Fusion 40
2 x 150ou 260 CV
Morelli/Melvin
289 000
Daniel Andrieu
284 000
Garry Lidgard
455 000
5 - At 11.9 meters, the MY40 is a big boat, yet remains easy to live with.
6 - The size of the cabins is remarkable, and the finish is excellent.
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7 - Top-quality fuel tanks, which can be removed, and are fitted with inspection
hatches.
Technical Specifications
Naval Architect: VPLP
Builder: Lagoon
Interior Design: Nauta
Length: 11.99 meters
Beam: 6.70 meters
Draft: 0.91 meters
Motors: 2 x 75 hp Yanmar 4JH4TCE
Transmission: Saildrives
Alternators: 12v 125A
Diesel: 2 x 300 liters or 2 x 400 liters as an option
Fresh water: 300 liters
Basic price ex-tax: 3-cabin version €272,000 / 4-cabin version
€277,220
Principal options in € ex-tax: Comfort Pack/ Electronics: 20,250
Cockpit cushions and stainless backrest: 2,329
Mattress for coachroof sunbathing area: 1,841
3x120A solar panels: 4,435
Cockpit enclosure screens: 2,466
12V - 220V/2000W inverter: 3,065
Sea Recovery watermaker 65 liters/h : 9,859
Diesel forced-air heating : 10,700
Antifouling and epoxy primer: 1,919
Delivery and launching at Sables d’Olonne, France: 6,941
Price ex-tax of the boat we tested: €320,512
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The double sliding doors open up onto a
large friendly space, joining the salon
and the cockpit
The little antenna-carrying mast
allows sensible space for
the electronics, and fits well
into the lines
The hard-top offers
effective protection
from the sun, and an
enclosure kit can be
added
In addition to its role as a sun shield
and wind break, the MY40’s bimini can
also be fitted with solar panels and
a wind generator to increase your
self-sufficiency at anchor
The wide sidedecks and
the trampoline contribute
to both the safety and the
fun of this kind of multihull
Cleverly designed boat
Enjoyable to use
◆ Comfortable on board
◆
◆
Maintenance of the sail drives
No protection for the terminals of
the service batteries
◆ Engine insulation could be improved
◆
◆
The cockpit makes for a
great living space, and
the optional screens
with which it can be
enclosed will prolong
your boating season, or
even mean you could
winter on board
The fixed bathing ladder also
serves as a handrail for getting in and out of the dinghy
The person on watch is sheltered
behind the windshield and sits
comfortably on the double helmseat, while still being linked with
the interior.
The lengthened
sugar scoops
transform the aft
third of the hull
into a better
tunnel-form
Generous freeboard is valuable on a power multihull it gives good height to the
platform and minimizes
spray.
Fuel consumption (Manufacturer's figures)
RPM
Speed in knots
Consumption (both motors)
1800
7,35
6,18 l
2150
8,01
7,61 l giving 0,96 l/mile
2800
9,25
18,93 l
3200
10,2
28,72 l
3258
11,3
33,56 l
Weight: 11.2 tonnes
Fuel and water 1,280 kg
Crew 150 kg
Safety and anchoring equipment 220 kg
Giving a displacement of approximately 13 tonnes
18x16 LHSD 3-bladed propellers
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