lagoon 3800

[Popeye99]

any advice base on empirical experience gratefully appreciated
I sail small monohull now Beneteau 32s5, love it sail thousands of miles with it
anyhow (thanks to the gods)ill be retiring soon and plan to buy a cat my idea has always looking for a decent condition lagoon 380 to keep the budget around 175 or less
what should I be looking for and what to avoid on prospects
should I consider SouthAfrican cats?
sturdiness comfort and reliability are priorities over performance
thanks in advance to the ones who know

[Dulcesuenos]

My 2 cents for what it's worth. Is 175k your total budget including modifications and improvements refits etc? I ask as many better equipped lagoon, leopard 38s close to this price, could still need lots of cash in terms of rigging, sails electronics etc.
A lesser expensive fountains pajot Athena, Mahe, fidji, etc or even a more modern prout 38 manta, privlige 37 or 38, could be had from 120k or way less (I've seen sprouts and privlige in the 60 to80k range needing refits.) And you could equip and refit as you wanted.

[boatman61]

A nice boat..
Decent accomodation, decent helm position, easy to singlehand.. go with the owners version, much nicer having a whole hull and ensuite to yourself.
I like em a lot.

[belizesailor]

+1.

The L38 is a good boat. Ive sailed few miles on them in various venues (as charter captain in protected waters, as delivery captain in open waters around the Carib basin). You can find them in your price range pretty easily. A good value buy I think.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Dulcesuenos

My 2 cents for what it's worth. Is 175k your total budget including modifications and improvements refits etc? I ask as many better equipped lagoon, leopard 38s close to this price, could still need lots of cash in terms of rigging, sails electronics etc.
...

Good point. Is $175K your total budget or just purchase?

Case in point, a friend with a $200K budget bought a very nice L38 from Dream Yacht Charters in Martinique for $165K. I was very impressed with their maintenance and the good condition of the boat. It did not need a refit, but was of course set up for the charter biz, not cruising. He has easily now spent the remainder of his budget, but he did serious outfitting: Spectra water maker, new Highfield dink + motor, dive compressor, upgraded electronics, SSB, life raft, etc...

[Popeye99]

thanks for the advice all useful
about the same 200k total so i can do watermaker etc
the southafrican cats look interesting ,i will check
my inclination for the lagoon is because ,many had already circunnavigated,many owners and fans that can help with comon repairs