What $190k Gets You: Updating a Lagoon 440

[Nahbrown]

Correct me if I'm wrong but all this work is a tax write off due to your charter business. That certainly doesn't make it free but it can ease the sting somewhat of putting $190K into an 11 yrold boat.

[sailjumanji]

Wow, really enjoyed the write-up. Sounds like you have a boat that works well for you now. That's all that really matters.

As for the crappy comments saying you paid too much, or whatever, unless you are flipping boats the economics of spending money on one to "improve" it never make financial sense. That's not the reason we do it. Enjoy your boat. I would be proud of it were mine.

[J. M. van Swaay]

Absolutely Beautiful!!!

I admire your skill and tenacity!

We passed by your boat many times before the update project. I'm certain I wouldn't recognize it now.....

J. M. van Swaay
"NAUTICAT"
Key Largo

[solecollector]

Thanks all! Will be sailing in the south Bahamas for a few months - if anyone wants the nickel tour just roll on by!

[Dulcesuenos]

Dinghy'd by the boat in front of chat n chill she looks great! Almost as good as the gunboat you are next to! 😀

[Dave852]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Dinghy'd by the boat in front of chat n chill she looks great! Almost as good as the gunboat you are next to! [emoji3]

He should stop by Elvis and ask Scott if he needs help with that patch on the starboard side. Lol. Plus he outshines the Gunboat at night for sure.

[Dave852]

[solecollector]

Originally Posted by Dave852

He should stop by Elvis and ask Scott if he needs help with that patch on the starboard side. Lol. Plus he outshines the Gunboat at night for sure.

Nice pic! And that sole patch.... really need to have a great color match before laying that base! And those Lumitec lights are a beast!

[solecollector]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

Dinghy'd by the boat in front of chat n chill she looks great! Almost as good as the gunboat you are next to! [emoji3]

Thanks! And man- I wish I had the time to wash it - the sides were a little dull from sitting in hold 2 for 3 months.

[Dave852]

Originally Posted by solecollector

Nice pic! And that sole patch.... really need to have a great color match before laying that base! And those Lumitec lights are a beast!

Fishing must be a bit slow out there in Exuma sound for you to be posting. Keep a look out for Avanga who should be sailing south from Staniel today.

[Thalas]

This entire thread has been a minor miracle as a) it's got incredibly detailed information that can help other sailors make decisions, b) it's staying remarkably on topic, and c) even dissenting opinions were handled with mutual respect!

I've never really liked the Lagoon looks as I feel the vertical salon windows, while practical, give it a very frumpy look. That said this is a gorgeous boat. It looks better than any 2016 Lagoon to me. Congratulations on the vision and seeing it through.

[dirkdig]

As a fellow 440 owner this looks hot, great upgrades too.

[Deuces]

Thanks for putting together an amazing, thread. We recently acquired our 2010 Lagoon 440. We have read and read this thread. Some brilliant ideas, and inspirational tenacity. Right now we are refitting in Cyprus. Do you have engineering drawings for the hard top? Oh, had to acknowledge the positive handling of the pessimists. Dreams are meant to be followed.

[solecollector]

Thanks all for the kind words! I have the last few projects being completed this month... one of which should make some people here smile....


Deuces -

Here is the design - but it was very rudimentary. I drew it on a tech program but it wasn't all that nice. Here is my advice on the hardtop - make sure you find someone that does this for a living. Mangrove Marine - who did this hard top - has been doing this for decades. He knew I wanted to keep the top as thin as possible as none of us want the boom any higher - but we want to be able to walk on it (by the way - walking on it is SWEET! so easy to put the main back in the bag and service anything). My guy put some carbon fiber on the outside long edges to make sure the smaller thickness wouldn't be a problem. Also - have to make sure the right coring is uses and fully enclosed wire runs.

We ended up with a wire run just on the edge of the hatch (back side) so I have full access to go between the runs.

Lastly - my friend had a hard top on his 440 and it was just too small. I love the size of this one as I can still see everything going on when I raise the main - but we don't have to do the sun dance where we keep moving with the shade of the original top. This top is one of my favorite upgrades.



The lights are placed two over the instrument area and two behind the bench seat. I have them on two separate toggle switches on the helm. The lights work so darn well. White dimmable / red / blue... White at very low levels and red are used all of the time.

[solecollector]

Well - I need to take something back. In the original write up I was very disappointed in the FLIR night vision camera. Now I'm in love with it. We were anchored off Egg Island before the jump to the Abacos. We got up around 3 am to shove off - which isn't a big deal as we have done this many times... we had a track out so simple Sam.



Well there was no moon and it was DARK. We swung around and started out when I noticed a boat showing up on the radar. I couldn't see it with my eyes and of course - it didn't have lights on it... and it was moving and at fairly close range. We throttled down and watched the screen and scanned the horizon with a light. Nothing and nothing. We sped up and went on our merry way - all while keeping an eye on the screen.



Also - seeing pilings that aren't on the chart.... works like a champ.

Is it worth it - or do you need it? Probably not. But since I have it - I have to say - I like it. Gives the people with me the feeling of calmness as they can see the ocean at night.