Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Lagoon 46

Two near-neighbours in the 46–59 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot

Samana 59

The Samana 59 is a 59-foot 5-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for large group, luxury, owner investor. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

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	Samana 59	Lagoon 46
Length overall	59 ft (17.97 m)	46 ft (13.99 m)
Beam	9.46 m	7.96 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	5 + 3	4 + 2
Max guests	10	8
Year introduced	2020	2017
Best for	large group, luxury, owner investor	family, couples
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos	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)	$7,000	$9,500
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$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 Samana 59 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lagoon 46 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 5 (Samana 59) vs 4 (Lagoon 46) guest cabins. If you need 5 equal cabins for a multi-couple charter, the Samana 59 is the better fit. Otherwise they're both fine for a single-family layout.
Amenities & kit. Samana 59 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, ice maker, BBQ, jacuzzi. Lagoon 46 adds a similar kit, with the same core list.

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 Samana 59's wider 9.46 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 Samana 59 starts at $7,000/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 Samana 59 reach $57,500/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 Lagoon 46. 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 Samana 59. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samana 59 bigger than the Lagoon 46? ▾

The Samana 59 is 59 ft (17.97 m) long with a 9.46 m beam, while the Lagoon 46 is 46 ft (13.99 m) with a 7.96 m beam. The Samana 59 is the longer boat, but the difference of 13 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Samana 59 or Lagoon 46? ▾

The Lagoon 46 is the stronger family pick — designed with family / couples in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Samana 59 leans large group / luxury — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Samana 59 or Lagoon 46? ▾

The Samana 59 is the lower-priced option (starts around $7,000/week bareboat), with the Lagoon 46 starting around $9,500/week. The price difference of ~$2,500/week is usually worth it if you specifically want family; otherwise the Samana 59 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Samana 59 and Lagoon 46 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Samana 59: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos. 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? ▾

Samana 59: 5 guest cabins + 3 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 10 guests in standard charter config. Lagoon 46: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. The Samana 59 sleeps more; pick that one for larger groups.

Keep Comparing

More 46–59-foot Catamaran Comparisons

Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Fountaine Pajot Astrea 51 59 ft vs 51 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Lagoon 50 59 ft vs 50 ft · 4 cabins Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Lagoon 55 59 ft vs 55 ft · 4 cabins Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Fountaine Pajot Tanna 47 59 ft vs 47 ft · same brand Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Nautitech 52 59 ft vs 52 ft · same cabins Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Bali 5.4 59 ft vs 54 ft · same cabins

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