Lagoon 43 2025 review

The Lagoon 43 replaces the Lagoon 42, a model responsible for more than 1000 sales worldwide but in its sunset days now being sold as the Lagoon 42 Millenium.

The 43 features a semi-flybridge built into the trailing edge of the coachroof that introduces roof-level seating and a sun lounge. The design allows the boom to sit lower than if the catamaran was designed with a traditional full flybridge, as well as making the mainsail and jib/genoa easily visible from the raised, but still well-protected, helm position.

The key to the new Lagoon 43’s design are more generous interior volumes that have extended to the cabins.

If the Lagoon 43 is to regularly have more guests onboard – think charter operations – two cabins in a mirror image of the starboard twin-cabin setup can replace the owner’s cabin.

There's a lot of real estate in a modern catamaran – two hulls, two engines and numerous berths – and the $1.435 million Lagoon 43 is no different. It can facilitate four cabins, all with ensuites, and three levels of usable space, which is remarkable for a 45-foot (13.85m) hull.

Lagoon’s Australian importer, TMG Yachts (formerly The Multihull Group), brought the first example of the 43 Down Under – hull No. 12 – just in time for the 2025 Sanctuary Cove Boat Show.

The most frequented location on cruising catamarans is the aft cockpit, with acres of open space is not particularly desirable at sea. To that end, the Lagoon 43’s cockpit is beautifully proportioned and the dining part is sheltered below the fibreglass saloon overhang

Our review boat came with artificial teak underfoot and the upgraded transom two-way folding bench with a clever netted swim platform and davits. Benches each side and ample storage are other notable points, with the single elevated helm on port. The hull side doors add flexibility to this space as well.

The hull shape is substantially different from predecessors in that volume is more forward – which creates space for the large owner's bed. While possibly increasing drag, it also enhances buoyancy, which is good.

Construction is infused polyester with balsa core above the water and below the water – the latter a weight-saving change from solid GRP on previous models. At 13.3 tonne, this still makes for quite a heavy boat compared to the Lagoon 42 (12.1 tonne).

Our review boat came with upgraded twin 57hp sail drive Yanmars which are accessed via the aft deck hatches. Given the wide hulls, there is ample space around them for servicing the gearbox oil, filters and impeller.

Another notable system on the Lagoon 43 is the Seanapps black box and software system that relays real-time information such as engine data, batteries and even security issues to a laptop or smartphone app.

The optional folding propellers were welcome on our review boat, given the drag created by mini keels and sail drive gearboxes

Our review boat was the owner's version with a three-cabin layout that uses the entire starboard hull with bed forward and bathroom at the aft with generous storage and desk between.

Guests have the port hull with berths at each end and ensuites between; which is ideal for privacy. Cabin access is downstairs on each side of the nacelle, and the stairs are removable for quick access to the escape hatches – an essential feature on seaworthy sailing catamarans.

In the four-cabin layout, both aft cabins are the same, as are the two in the bows. More volume aft makes these cabins the largest, with the double bed given a slot to allow movement alongside it.

I'm again amazed by how much volume there is in a 45 feet cruising catamaran, thanks to voluminous hulls with tall topsides. No claustrophobia concerns like on similar-sized monohulls.

The cabin is full of natural light, and there's ventilation from skylights, portlights and an aft opening in the bathroom. Other impressive features include slatted mattresses with memory-style foam, although protruding cupboard handles can hurt occupants on their way to bed.

The bow berth uses an island bed for easy access, and there’s a human-size escape hatch into the forepeak – which also aids airflow.

Cabin locker space includes an under-bed drawer, while the long rectangular portlight provides panoramic views to ward-off stuffiness. The bathroom benefits from being in the largest part of each hull, so comes with a spacious separate shower cubicle and large sink-vanity between the head. Again, ample ventilation and the only negative is the sharp edges on some bulkheads.

Access to plumbing and seacocks, with hatches in various places, is excellent, and another sign that Lagoon has been building interiors for a long time – 1987 in fact – which few surprises or quirks.

In the guest hull, a corridor with bathrooms in the middle separates the double bunks fore and aft. My pick would the aft cabin, which benefits from hatches aft and a kinder motion at sea. Both have large island beds, tall wardrobe space and shelves, and the bathrooms have electric fresh water heads and share the sink space with the shower. They are more than adequate for most uses, and are easily wiped-down.

The Gold Coast sheltered waterways, including the Broadwater, are ideal catamaran cruising grounds, so a good place to experience the shallow-drafted Lagoon 43.

Departing the busy Gold Coast waterway is always an interesting proposition, especially the Seaway entrance which tests out all vessels.

On the Lagoon 43 I steered us steadily over the swells, with the Yanmars pushing us along at 6.5 knots while spinning at 2000rpm. Despite no outboard lifelines, the large bucket seat and helm layout gave me good support and clear views to the bows as I watched carefully for surfers paddling across to South Stradbroke Island.

Once clear, the electric Harken 46 and lazyjacks easily allowed the mainsail to be hoisted before the jib was unfurled and trimmed via its tracks on the coach roof. Pointing at 70 degrees in the 16-knot breeze the speed showed an impressive 8.1 knots; an ideal angle for this kind of cruising catamaran with only mini keels.

The large steering wheel and mechanical linkages gave sufficient feedback to tell me how the loading was going on the twin rudders. Tacking was also drama-free despite bashing into one-metre swells, with all sheets near me on the helm – so it could have been a one-person job. Easing to a beam reach as we sailed past the skyscrapers of the Surfers Paradise the wind had increased to 19 knots and our speed to 8.5 knots; nothing spectacular but a steady motion which sums up the Lagoon 43.

The Lagoon 43 is typical of the brand: it does everything it's built for, while doing so in a very comfortable way. Outside, is a very usable deck with sheltered aft cockpit with good ergonomics at the helm station for solo or double-handed operation. Inside is a spacious saloon – perhaps with too much open space – which is ideal for most situations.

Price: $1,435,000 (base boat)
Price: $1,752,569 (review boat)
LOA: 13.85m
Beam: 7.69m
Mast height: 19.94m
Draft: 1.40 m
Displacement: (ECC) 13,319kg
Upwind sail area: 97m²
Full batten mainsail: 60m² (68 m² square top option)
Jib: 37 m²
Water: 2 x 300L
Fuel: 2 x 570L
Engine: 2 x 57hp Yanmar sail drives
Supplier: TMG Yachts