Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 vs Lagoon 46

Two near-neighbours in the 46–51 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 46

The Lagoon 46 is a 46-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2017. Best for family, couples. A proven family-friendly layout.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Astrea 51	Lagoon 46
Length overall	51 ft (15.55 m)	46 ft (13.99 m)
Beam	8.1 m	7.96 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	4 + 2
Max guests	8	8
Year introduced	2020	2017
Best for	family, luxury, performance	family, couples
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East	Caribbean, Mediterranean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$18,000	$9,500
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$44,000	$36,000
View full detail	View →	View →

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

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 46 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Fountaine Pajot typically uses a forward-galley / island-berth layout, while Lagoon often offsets the galley aft. Worth seeing both layouts before deciding for a couples-only trip.
Amenities & kit. Astrea 51 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, BBQ. Lagoon 46 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 46 starts at $9,500/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Astrea 51 reach $44,000/week and the Lagoon 46 reach $36,000/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 46? ▾

The Astrea 51 is 51 ft (15.55 m) long with a 8.1 m beam, while the Lagoon 46 is 46 ft (13.99 m) with a 7.96 m beam. The Astrea 51 is the longer boat, but the difference of 5 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Astrea 51 or Lagoon 46? ▾

Both boats are well-suited to families. Astrea 51 is best for family / luxury; Lagoon 46 leans toward family / couples. The Astrea 51 has more equal-sized cabins which is helpful for two- or three-generation trips. Talk to a 2Hulls expert about specific cabin configs.

Which is better value — Astrea 51 or Lagoon 46? ▾

The Lagoon 46 is the lower-priced option (starts around $9,500/week bareboat), with the Astrea 51 starting around $18,000/week. The price difference of ~$8,500/week is usually worth it if you specifically want family; otherwise the Lagoon 46 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Astrea 51 and Lagoon 46 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Astrea 51: Caribbean, Mediterranean, South Pacific, South East Asia, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East. Lagoon 46: Caribbean, Mediterranean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, 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 46: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. Both sleep the same number — your choice depends on layout and amenities.

Keep Comparing

More 46–51-foot Catamaran Comparisons

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