Lagoon 51
In keeping with many of the more recently launched models created by French multihull builder Lagoon, the Lagoon 51 is all about comfort, “en plein air,” in particular, as the French might say. Topside, a whopping 80 percent of the boat’s flybridge is given over to lounging space in the form of a pair of large sun pads forward of the single centerline helm and a truly enormous C-shaped lounging area aft—the latter complete with a small table. Forward is another spot to hang out in, complete with a small drinks table. A pair of stairways to either side connect the helm to the standard cockpit aft, which is sheltered by an extensive hardtop that also anchors the main traveler. A pair of extended transoms make boarding the Lagoon 51, either from a dinghy or the dock, a snap. Between the two transoms, the boat’s Tenderlift feature also serves, in Lagoon’s words, as a kind of “super large balcony by the sea” when the boat is at anchor. Anywhere from three to six cabins are available.
LOA 50ft 4in BEAM 26ft 7in DRAFT 4ft 6in DISPLACEMENT 43,910lb (light ship) SAIL AREA 1,615ft2 Lagoon, cata-lagoon.com
Fountaine Pajot Isla 40
Despite its being the smallest boat in the Fountaine Pajot catamaran line, you’d never guess it stepping aboard the new Isla 40. As the successor to the highly popular Lucia 40, the Isla had big shoes to fill, which it successfully does by incorporating a number of the design features found aboard its larger siblings. Among these are a pair of sporty-looking inverted bows that serve to reduce pitching while retaining a long waterline in the interest of speed under sail; a reverse sheer that keeps the weight out of the ends while maximizing accommodation volume amidships; an expansive lounging area forward; and an intelligently configured saloon that includes a cleverly unobtrusive chart table adjacent to the passageway leading to the cockpit aft. The boat is available with either three or four cabins and includes a single elevated helm station to starboard. A high-aspect square-top main will provide plenty of drive sailing hard on the wind, while the boat’s composite fixed sprit will make for a great tack point when flying screechers and other A-sails on a reach or run.
LOA 39ft 2in BEAM 21ft 8in DRAFT 3ft 11in DISPLACEMENT 21,000lb (light ship) SAIL AREA 1,022ft2 Fountaine Pajot, fountaine-pajot.com
Excess 14
The latest addition to the Excess catamaran line, which now includes four models with LOAs from 37ft to 48ft, the Excess 14 carries on the tradition of cruising comfort with a dash of performance and a unique, new aesthetic. As is the case with the rest of the boats in the fleet, the Excess 14 boasts twin helms set well aft, a reverse sheer, a low-slung cabintrunk also set aft and the option of a standard rig or a higher performance “pulse” rig, which is taller with increased sail area. An A-sail can be flown from a surprisingly long fixed sprit (at least for a cruising cat) and in the three-cabin layout, the entire starboard hull is dedicated to a truly sumptuous owner’s cabin for a boat with this kind of LOA. If it’s anything like the Excess 11, in particular, expect some great performance out of this sharp new design. As is the case with the rest Excess line, the saloon windows are specifically figured to accommodate a clear view forward from the helms. And how about those sharp-looking bows!
LOA 45ft 9in BEAM 25ft 9in DRAFT 4ft 10in DISPLACEMENT 25,794lb (light ship) SAIL AREA 1,270ft2 Excess Catamarans, excess-catamarans.com
Fountaine Pajot Aura 51
In its new 51-footer, Fountaine Pajot has sought to combine comfort with “sustainable cruising” in a sharp-looking catamaran with the company’s now trademark reverse sheer, sharp lines and tumbehome bows. As part of the “comfort” package, the Fountaine Pajot 51 has a wide-open transition between the aft cockpit and the saloon, facilitating freedom of movement between the galley and spacious cockpit that will be just the thing when at anchor, especially. With an eye torward sustainability, the boat includes sufficient surface area to mount a battery of solar panels providing an impressive 2,000 watts of “green” energy. Four different layouts are available, including a six-cabin version with a bathroom in every cabin. The boat also includes a forward lounging area and an elevated lounging area aft of the helm station. A fixed sprit forward can be used to fly an A-sail off the wind, complementing the power of the boat’s genoa and fully battened main.
LOA 51ft BEAM 26ft 6in DRAFT 4ft 3in DISPLACEMENT 39,900lb SAIL AREA 1,650ft2 Fountaine Pajot, fountaine-pajot.com
MHS Summer 2022
