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Intentional Drifter · 02-07-2009, 19:40

There is also a Yahoo group specific to the 420. I initially signed up to buy one of the 420 hybrids (before hull #1 hit the water), but decided to cancel it. Nonetheless, I've kept up on the progress of the system and boat. This is because I really do find that there could be a number of significant advantages to the concept. It was how I saw it actually being implemented on this boat, and some of the other design and build issues I saw with it, that caused me to back out.

To greatly summarize, there have lots of on-going problems with the system. Lagoon has gone through a number of alterations and changes of the controller chips in the system. Some of these have led to additional problems, at least for some boats. However, to their great credit (and, I mean that), Lagoon does not seem to have stranded owners, but has continued to support the system. For your personal decision, I think one of the things you need to strongly consider is how close you are planning to stay to a dealer, for on-going support. If you're looking at long-distance voyaging to places with little or no support, then you might want to consider a conventional system that won't require that specialized knowledge and support. If, on the other hand, you'll be staying close to such a place, then it becomes more do-able. Though -- be prepared for some frustrations that no other cruisers will be able to help you with. There are many technical aspects of the system that your buddies on the dock will simply have never encountered.

As a boat, the 420 is a definite condomaran. Great living spaces and layout. It will be as comfortable a boat as a cat of that size can be. If you also want sailing performance, you will likely be disappointed. It is simply too heavy, has lots of windage, and fat hulls that won't go to windward very well.

All boats are compromises. Your own happiness with any boat will very much depend upon which compromises are important to you. Get that nailed down, first and then get a boat that best fits that set of compromises. The 420 may be exactly what you want or, it might not.

Hope this helps.

ID

02-07-2009, 19:40	#3
Intentional Drifter Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pac NW, but presently cruising Boat: St. Francis 44 cat, "Orca" Posts: 737	There is also a Yahoo group specific to the 420. I initially signed up to buy one of the 420 hybrids (before hull #1 hit the water), but decided to cancel it. Nonetheless, I've kept up on the progress of the system and boat. This is because I really do find that there could be a number of significant advantages to the concept. It was how I saw it actually being implemented on this boat, and some of the other design and build issues I saw with it, that caused me to back out. To greatly summarize, there have lots of on-going problems with the system. Lagoon has gone through a number of alterations and changes of the controller chips in the system. Some of these have led to additional problems, at least for some boats. However, to their great credit (and, I mean that), Lagoon does not seem to have stranded owners, but has continued to support the system. For your personal decision, I think one of the things you need to strongly consider is how close you are planning to stay to a dealer, for on-going support. If you're looking at long-distance voyaging to places with little or no support, then you might want to consider a conventional system that won't require that specialized knowledge and support. If, on the other hand, you'll be staying close to such a place, then it becomes more do-able. Though -- be prepared for some frustrations that no other cruisers will be able to help you with. There are many technical aspects of the system that your buddies on the dock will simply have never encountered. As a boat, the 420 is a definite condomaran. Great living spaces and layout. It will be as comfortable a boat as a cat of that size can be. If you also want sailing performance, you will likely be disappointed. It is simply too heavy, has lots of windage, and fat hulls that won't go to windward very well. All boats are compromises. Your own happiness with any boat will very much depend upon which compromises are important to you. Get that nailed down, first and then get a boat that best fits that set of compromises. The 420 may be exactly what you want or, it might not. Hope this helps. ID __________________ Intentional Drifter Observations are gold; hypotheses, silver; and conclusions, bronze. Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.--Ben Franklin Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.--Daniel Patrick Moynihan