Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Lagoon 42 vs Lagoon 55

Two near-neighbours in the 42–55 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Lagoon

Lagoon 42

The Lagoon 42 is a 42-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2016. 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	Lagoon 42	Lagoon 55
Length overall	42 ft (12.8 m)	55 ft (16.56 m)
Beam	7.7 m	8.8 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 2	4 + 2
Max guests	8	8
Year introduced	2016	2020
Best for	couples, small family, first time charter	family, luxury, long range
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, 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
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 Lagoon 42 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Lagoon 55 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Lagoon 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. Lagoon 42 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, dinghy. Lagoon 55 adds solar, 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 Lagoon 42 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 Lagoon 42 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 Lagoon 42 bigger than the Lagoon 55? ▾

The Lagoon 42 is 42 ft (12.8 m) long with a 7.7 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 13 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Lagoon 42 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 Lagoon 42 leans couples / small family — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Lagoon 42 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 Lagoon 42 gives you AC, generator, watermaker; the Lagoon 55 gives you AC, generator, watermaker.

Can the Lagoon 42 and Lagoon 55 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Lagoon 42: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Mexico & Central America, Red Sea & Middle East, Northern Europe & Baltic, 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? ▾

Lagoon 42: 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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