440: Lagoon 440 or 420 ?

[Wellington]

I came to Martinique to test sail a FP Bahia, a FP Belize and a Lagoon 440. It turns out that I now hesitate between the L440 and the L420. I feel that the Lagoons are definitely better for (our kind of) family cruising.

Here's the dilemma: which would you choose between the following, knowing that there's "only" a difference of 50000 euros / 70000 USD between them:

- 2007 Lagoon 440, 4 cabins, ex-charter, 55 HP engines with 3500 hours, basic equipment (2 solar panels), small cosmetic issues in the galley

- 2009 Lagoon 420, 3 cabins (owners' hull), never chartered, 40 HP engines with 600 hours, fully loaded (1 gennaker, 2 fridges, 1 deep freeze, 4 solar panels, electric heads, dinghy with 5HP engine, Raymarine E120 with radar)

If it were not for the poor reputation of the 420 as a sailor (deemed very slow by most people), and if money were not an issue, it would be a no-brainer I guess.
Is the 420 that much slower than the L440, Orana, etc ?
Let me add that I intend to sell the boat in NZ or Australia after a 20-month Carribean and Pacific family cruise.
The most important factor for me is the ease of resale. Which do you think would sell faster / with minimum loss in two years' time, if priced "right" ?

[Double Z]

If it matters to you, the tankage on the 44 is substantially greater. I have not sailed either boats so take this for what it's worth. I like the owners versions better for the room offered in that hull. Fewer heads means less complications. The 44 has a nicer interior helm space but many dislike the raised exterior helm. The 42's lower exterior helm allows for a more social rear deck area.

[Intentional Drifter]

Putting aside the specifics of the two boats, the 440 will be the better sailor, overall, in just about all conditions. When you're talking about the SoPac passage, the difference in an average of 1 knot is three days. Not trivial. Personally, of the Lagoons you have on your "wish list", I'd go with the 410. Not as much space as the 440, but it doesn't have the flybridge, it sails almost as well as the 440 and definitely better than the 420. Not to mention it will cost less to buy and your depreciation is probably close to done, assuming good condition both now and later.

The 440 will be the more comfortable, both in terms of space and motion at sea, except if you're on the flybridge. (Many 440 owners disagree on this point; I just know a delivery skipper that has delivered several trans-ocean and doesn't like it, she calls it 'riding the camel.')

There are plenty of other boats in the same price and size range that, unless you're just committed to a Lagoon, you might also want to consider.

ID

[Grey Perna]

Lagoons are great, we own a 2007 owners bersion 420 and find it to be a great cruiser for my wife and I and for groups up to 6 with no problems.

She is for sale now ready for a new owner, if your interested let us know, she sits in the Abacos, Bahamas.