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Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 vs Lagoon 55

Two near-neighbours in the 40–55 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot
Isla 40

The Isla 40 is a 40-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2022. Best for couples, small family, first time charter. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

Lagoon
Lagoon 55

The Lagoon 55 is a 55-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for family, luxury, long range. A proven family-friendly layout.

Quick Comparison

Spec Isla 40 Lagoon 55
Length overall 40 ft (11.93 m) 55 ft (16.56 m)
Beam 6.65 m 8.8 m
Cabins (guest + crew) 4 + 2 4 + 2
Max guests 8 8
Year introduced 2022 2020
Best for couples, small family, first time charter family, luxury, long range
Standout amenity AC, watermaker AC, generator
Charter regions Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, US East Coast & Florida Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos
Indicative price (bareboat low season) $7,000 $7,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season) $57,500 $57,500
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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:

  1. Saloon and deck space. The Isla 40 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lagoon 55 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
  2. 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.
  3. Amenities & kit. Isla 40 comes with AC, watermaker, dinghy, solar. Lagoon 55 adds generator, bow thruster, ice maker. The Lagoon 55 has a bow thruster — easier docking in tight Med slips.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the neither — these are cruising-first boats.

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 Lagoon 55's wider 8.8 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 Isla 40 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Lagoon 55 starts at $7,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Isla 40 reach $57,500/week and the Lagoon 55 reach $57,500/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 Lagoon 55. 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

Neither boat is a true performance catamaran; both are cruiser-first. If sailing feel matters most, look at the Excess 14 or Nautitech 46 Open as alternatives.

If you want luxury / open-space

Choose the Lagoon 55. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Isla 40 bigger than the Lagoon 55? ▾
The Isla 40 is 40 ft (11.93 m) long with a 6.65 m beam, while the Lagoon 55 is 55 ft (16.56 m) with a 8.8 m beam. The Lagoon 55 is the longer boat, but the difference of 15 ft may be marginal once you step on board.
Which is better for a family — Isla 40 or Lagoon 55? ▾
The Lagoon 55 is the stronger family pick — designed with family / luxury in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Isla 40 leans couples / small family — fine for older families with sailing experience.
Which is better value — Isla 40 or Lagoon 55? ▾
In our tracking, the two boats are priced within ~$0/week of each other at the low end, so value depends on which features you weight: the Isla 40 gives you AC, watermaker, dinghy; the Lagoon 55 gives you AC, generator, watermaker.
Can the Isla 40 and Lagoon 55 charter in the same destinations? ▾
Isla 40: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, US East Coast & Florida. Lagoon 55: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos. 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? ▾
Isla 40: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Lagoon 55: 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

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