The Bluewater Sailboat Lagoon 380 is the catamaran that sells the most globally. Ever. You can detect the family resemblance and the fact that they were launched after the 410.
Over the course of manufacturing, Lagoon delivered more than a thousand boats. Despite the fact that manufacture of her has since ended, she nevertheless outsells the Lagoon 46 catamaran and the 42. She might eventually be passed by the 42. The Lagoon 40 is currently the entry-level boat at Lagoon, but sibling business Excess has a 37-footer on its books: the Excess 11.
An experienced ocean traveller is the Lagoon 380. She replaced the Lagoon 39, a yacht that is no longer manufactured, and she continues to draw admirers. She also maintains her worth fairly well on the secondary market, which is impressive given the abundance of 380s.
This Bluewater sailboat is affordable, comfortable, and performs at a level that is acceptable. While the 380 is a production boat, it is not the lightest boat of its size, but it does pack a good sail plan with a SA/D ratio of 22, which is higher than many of Lagoon’s current models.
Below the waterline, the hull is made entirely of fibreglass, while above the waterline, it is cored with a mixture of foam and balsa. To prevent scorching, Lagoon uses a vinlyester resin in the laminate’s outer layers. Under the regions that require extra strength, the deck has a balsa-core and solid laminate.
The exterior sides of the hulls are linked to inside bulkheads.
Check out the Bluewater Sailboat Lagoon 440 catamaran, which is ideal for intimate gatherings or couples, is a well-liked charter sailing yacht.
The Lagoon 380’s social and meeting area is located on the deck that is located above the two hulls. Compared to a monohull of a comparable length, this offers you a lot more open area and light.
The good news is that this yacht has lots of space for spreading out. In the cockpit, there is an additional seating area with a larger table. You can either step down into the wraparound bench in the cockpit from the stern or the starboard (right) side, or you can slide into it from the middle of the cockpit. It is moulded into the deck. When a group is seated, it is difficult to get in and out because this does take some scooting.
There is storage behind these benches, much like in the cabin. It is easy to move large coolers into the bench that is closest to the galley because it completely rises off the floor.
The trampoline is one element that really distinguishes cats from monohulls. The trampoline provides a cosy spot to take advantage of the pleasant weather either at anchor or sailing in calm waters. We had such a beautiful position on our small “private island” that we actually didn’t spend much time on the beaches. A hard deck is a standard feature of most power catamarans, and it is also increasingly seen on contemporary sailing catamarans. As the bow gets shoved into waves in severe seas, hard decks are advantageous.
Excellent interior design makes the best use of the available space. There are two sliding doors that connect the saloon to the aft cockpit, vertical windows to make the most of the space (and reduce solar heat gain), a galley on top, seating for six people in the cockpit that is safe, and a helm position with good visibility that is situated near the living quarters of the boat. A nav station, fridge, and galley are all located in the wonderfully cosy saloon table and seating area, which is perfect for entertaining. Pretty outstanding. For a 38 footer, the staterooms are roomy, and the restrooms are useful.
Although the finish is not of the best calibre, it is affordable and simple to restore. You will need to take care of her because they are known to look fatigued soon and the veneer is prone to deterioration. The previous versions’ soft top bimini is another significant drawback; you can either accept it given the price point or dig out your pocket and purchase a hard top bimini and dodger. Later models come standard with a hard top bimini and a nifty sliding sunroof that you can stick your head out of. The traveller for the mainsheet stayed on the back beam.
The galley (kitchen) is situated next to the cockpit in the back of the main cabin of the Lagoon 380. This makes access to the cockpit, which houses the helm as well as a table and bench, as well as the dinette in the cabin, quite convenient. In reality, a window above the counter glides open, allowing it to be extended out into the cockpit for passing drinks and dirty dishes. The galley contains a two-bin sink, three-burner propane stove, and oven.
The foot pump is useful for rinsing dishes without using fresh water or turning on the water pump. The sink contains hot and cold fresh water as well as a foot pump for sea water.
A bench that spans the majority of the space’s width is built into the dinette’s moulding and is located against the front of the cabin. On the opposite side of the table, there’s a tiny bench as well. Underneath the cushions of both benches is storage, and this is where the charter business had all of our safety equipment stored. For eight individuals, this seating area would be rather constrained. A group that size cannot be accommodated at the small table in the middle for anything other than beverages.
The Bluewater Sailboat Lagoon 380 is not well recognised for its power or speed, but it does the job. The engine runs well and can easily navigate turbulent waters. Even in bad weather, docking is simple and controlling the boat is not difficult.
In a good breeze, you may anticipate sailing at 6 to 9 knots, which is ideal for cruising. She won’t sail to windward like a dagger-board cat. You’ll probably be travelling at 6 knots while pointing at 55 to 60 degrees to true. Use the leeward engine to accelerate and raise the heading by about 15 degrees. She moves really well off the wind! The low teens occasionally appear in respectable condition. When the waves are high, she does have a reputation for being a bit of a hobby horse. During longer trips, you might need to concentrate on moving weight off the nose and away from the stern; do your best to centralise the weight. Yet overall, she’s a little, cosy boat.
The Lagoon 380’s design is well-thought-out and strikes the sweet spot for a boat of size. Some could contend that Group Beneteau’s more recent Excess 11 Catamaran deserves to win, but the 380 has the sales to prove it. The sail plan will cheerfully protect you from winds of 9 to 35 knots, and bridgedeck clearance is good. It is entirely fine for safe long-distance travelling to travel 150 miles per day at an average speed of 7 knots SOG. Another issue is that because the helm is on the port bulkhead, it is challenging to sight and trim the mainsail while sailing on a starboard tack. Yet, the 380 is not the only vehicle with this problem. The running rigging was designed with short handed sailing in mind. She is simple to manage on your own thanks to the electric winch for the main halyard, and Lagoon overspec’d the standing rigging on this boat. She moves with safety.
The boat’s windward performance isn’t exactly great, but that’s the price you pay for a boat this size that is so comfortable. You can always turn on the leeward engine or sail carefully! On later boats, the square headed mainsail choice is unquestionably one to watch out for. She will sail at 55 to true. The speed decreases and you will be pulled sideways at 45 to 50 degrees. Set the traveller to windward a few feet from centre when close hauled in light to moderate breezes, and loosen up the main sheet a little. Before a tack, keep the boat moving forward and steer it cleanly and consistently in the wind to prevent stalling.
Dagger-boards are ultimately required to sail well to windward, which results in less space and comfort. Probably an older Catana could handle that. Unless you have a bowsprit installed and a Code 0 or gennaker to fly, the speed will decrease if you are sitting at 50 degrees or less to apparent, and in any wind less than 10 knots, you will need to turn on the engines. Depending on your sail angle, start the first reef at about 18 knots, and the second reef when the wind reaches over 25.
Make sure to move the weight back on longer portions as the 380 does hobby horse (including the main anchor, for example). You might hear some pounding in a moderately to very rough sea, especially moving into the weather, but no more than cats of equivalent size.
The Bluewater Sailboat Lagoon 380 was designed to be a reasonably priced ship. Hence, the cost was taken into account when this model was developed, and cost-saving methods were included to keep the final cost low. While renting a boat like the Lagoon 380, sailors can ignore its flaws and concentrate on its advantages.
The Lagoon 380 excels in safety and comfort for its intended use, handles weekend excursions or longer trips effectively, and maintains a straightforward layout and style that makes familiarising yourself with the ship simple. One of the most enjoyable experiences of a lifetime might be sailing this catamaran as a couple, or with a group of friends or family.
The Bluewater Lagoon 380 catamaran’s layout has been thoughtfully planned to maximise convenience and passenger comfort.
The following Lagoon 380 catamaran review will go through every aspect of the boat, with a focus on its design, performance, and construction-related advantages and disadvantages.
However, it should be emphasised that each sailor’s experience might vary, and not all pros or cons may be perceived in the same manner based on an individual’s expectations, wants, and standards. For any new or potential Lagoon 380 sailors, the review that follows is more of a useful guide to the boat.
If you’re looking for a used sailboat for sale, check out the Bluewater sailboat data and specs to make an informed decision. Ocean Wave Sail has data for over 10000+ boats that can help you select one to meet your sailing needs.
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