Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Lagoon 40

Two near-neighbours in the 40–51 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot

Astrea 51

The Astrea 51 is a 51-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for family, luxury, performance. A proven family-friendly layout.

Lagoon

Lagoon 40

The Lagoon 40 is a 40-foot 3-cabin catamaran launched in 2018. Best for couples, small family. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Astrea 51	Lagoon 40
Length overall	51 ft (15.55 m)	40 ft (11.97 m)
Beam	8.1 m	6.78 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	3 + 1
Max guests	8	6
Year introduced	2020	2018
Best for	family, luxury, performance	couples, small family
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$18,000	$8,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$44,000	$26,000
View full detail	View →	View →

Pricing data drawn from current-season bookings across BVI and Mediterranean bases. Updated quarterly.

What Would Each Boat Actually Cost You?

Design & Comfort Differences

The two boats feel meaningfully different on board, even within the same nominal size class. Three specific differences worth knowing:

Saloon and deck space. The Astrea 51 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lagoon 40 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 (Astrea 51) vs 3 (Lagoon 40) guest cabins. If you need 4 equal cabins for a multi-couple charter, the Astrea 51 is the better fit. Otherwise they're both fine for a single-family layout.
Amenities & kit. Astrea 51 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, BBQ. Lagoon 40 adds a similar kit, with the same core list.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Astrea 51.

In light air (under 10 knots true wind), the heavier-displacement boat will feel slightly sluggish; in 15–20 knots trade-wind conditions both perform similarly. In big Med Meltemi/Mistral conditions (25+ knots) the Astrea 51's wider 8.1 m beam will initially feel more stable but pushes more water resistance.

For bareboat charters both behave predictably under sail and under power. We rarely see either one out-sail the other in normal charter conditions.

Price & Value

In current-season data, the Astrea 51 starts at $18,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Lagoon 40 starts at $8,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Astrea 51 reach $44,000/week and the Lagoon 40 reach $26,000/week.

For most charterers the price difference is small (~$500–$1,500/week) compared to the total trip cost — meaning amenities, layout and your destination matter more than sticker price when choosing between two boats this similar.

Which Should You Choose?

If you're a family with kids

Choose the Astrea 51. It's the calmer, family-oriented platform; the layout is forgiving for first-time charterers with kids aboard.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Astrea 51. It was designed with sailing performance in mind — the helm feels more responsive and you'll enjoy being on the wind.

If you want luxury / open-space

Choose the Astrea 51. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Astrea 51 bigger than the Lagoon 40? ▾

The Astrea 51 is 51 ft (15.55 m) long with a 8.1 m beam, while the Lagoon 40 is 40 ft (11.97 m) with a 6.78 m beam. The Astrea 51 is the longer boat, but the difference of 11 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Astrea 51 or Lagoon 40? ▾

The Astrea 51 is the stronger family pick — it was designed with family / luxury in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout that's forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Lagoon 40 leans couples / small family — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Astrea 51 or Lagoon 40? ▾

The Lagoon 40 is the lower-priced option (starts around $8,000/week bareboat), with the Astrea 51 starting around $18,000/week. The price difference of ~$10,000/week is usually worth it if you specifically want family; otherwise the Lagoon 40 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Astrea 51 and Lagoon 40 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Astrea 51: Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East. Lagoon 40: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida. Where they overlap (often the Caribbean + Mediterranean), they're both well-supported by local charter fleets and you can usually get a checkout sail either way.

How many guests can each boat sleep? ▾

Astrea 51: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Lagoon 40: 3 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 6 guests. The Astrea 51 sleeps more; pick that one for larger groups.

Keep Comparing

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