400: 38 vs 39 vs 400

[Whomda]

Is it possible to get a clear set of differences in the 38 vs. 39 vs. 400?

Why does lagoon even make all these barely different sizes?

I was pricing a 400 and 38 (I can see 400 has twice the fuel storage, bigger engines, etc), but what about a 39? Is there really the need to justify that minor difference in size to a 400?

[Sand crab]

My guess is that they will retire one or both of the older models. The L380 is Lagoons best seller with over 700 made but it is 15 years old now. The 400 is 6 years old but it is interesting that the 420/421 is now 9 years old so there might be a new one in that range soon with the L39 as the new entry level cat.

The 39 has an aft of center mast which makes the main smaller and easier to handle according to the lit. It does have a self tacking jib which is much easier than a genoa. This one is the little brother of the L52 which has a similar sail arrangement. I think any new models will be close to this setup.

[TOT]

Go and look at the L400 S2 it is a very nice design....


SV TOT 😃
Wayne

[TOT]

Although l purchased the L450 the L400 S2 was my next option, you will see a difference between the models and well worth a look.


SV TOT 😃
Wayne

[arsenelupiga]

38 for me not enough space. 39 same.

400 good enough. it is f**king big boat when cleaning. feels more like a ship. hate to think how much extra cleaning on 450.

[TOT]

Don't ask as it is a pain in the butt..... And then some.....


SV TOT 😃
Wayne

[arsenelupiga]

on the positive side i lost 5kg since owning boat. With 450, it could be double that

[monte]

380 is the oldest design currently running, and the only lagoon of that era still in production. I believe they will make 1000 then stop production.
The 39 is of the new design style, along with the 52 which most sizes will gradually switch to over the next few years if they become a popular choice. Major difference is the bows and mast to the rear, smaller main, larger headsails and quite heavy boats.
The 400 is a 5 year old design which is the same as the 450 in styling, high top sides and flush decks to replace the stepped deck design of the 440. Also a squarer profile.
Lagoon usually does S2 model updates every few years on popular models with some changes in appearance and layout, but no structural or rig changes.
My guess is the 420 size will be replaced by the newer 39 or the 400 style as it's the odd one out.
The internal design has changed a lot on the newer models. You will notice hull linings throughout on the newer models that are flow coated glass on the older models, including the 421. My guess is the next new model will replace the 421 in either the style of the 450 or 52 and the next models to be dropped will be the 421 and 380.

[monte]

Btw whomda, we had a 380 for a few years and now have a 400. We were very happy with the 380. Comparing it to the 39!id say it has slightly more storage space and is probably a better performer given that the 380 is 7T and the 39 is 11 T and I think sail area is similar. The 380 performed very well upwind with 90 degree tacks the norm.
Some advantages of the 400 are a lot more space and storage and a 3T payload instead of 1T, while also being the same price in marinas as it's under 12m. The 400 is a bit more stable with less hobby horsing and maintains it's speed well, partly as it's 10T
The newer square styling is much better than the 380 for practicality. You can sleep on the couches in the cockpit or salon as they are straight, unlike the 380, also you can walk around the aft without having to climb across the seats. The 400 is also about 600mm wider. The 400 is around EU50 K more expensive than the 380 of similar spec.
Both are great boats. I think the 380 might win a race to windward and the 400 anywhere off the wind.
Good luck shopping and drop us a line if you have any specific questions.
Cheers

[timbenner]

The 380 is the only Lagoon that fits under the 65' bridges on the east coast, USA IntraCoastal WaterWay. Some people have cut the masts down.

[Fiveslide]

Originally Posted by timbenner

The 380 is the only Lagoon that fits under the 65' bridges on the east coast, USA IntraCoastal WaterWay. Some people have cut the masts down.

You sure about that? Sailboatdata lists the mast height of the 39 at only 60.4' from dwl

Sent from my XT1080 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Sand crab]

The L410 is only 60' bridge clearance.
LAGOON 410 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com
Lagoon catamarans : building, sale and chartering of luxury cruising catamarans

And the older L42 is 56.82'.
LAGOON 42 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com


Both of these are out of production though.

[timbenner]

Originally Posted by Fiveslide

You sure about that? Sailboatdata lists the mast height of the 39 at only 60.4' from dwl

Sent from my XT1080 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Good point, however the mast height of the Lagoon 39 is listed at 64' in the catamaran company listings. The factory quote of 60' mast height on the Lagoon 39 might be the length of the mast, plus the height of the boat might, explain the difference. I'm not sure, but would want to be before navigating an IntraCoastal Waterway Bridge (ICW). Does anyone know for sure?

Point taken on the Lagoon 41, nice boat, except I'm partial to engines outside, instead of under the bunks. Pluses and minuses both ways, but we have a lot of crap to store and I don't want to have to wake up and evict from bed the wife and guests before I can check the engines, before getting under way in the early AM. I've heard that the 41 does not "hobby horse" as much, which would be nice. I've found that if I empty 100 gallons of water (800+ lbs), leaving 50 gallons in the tanks, my 380 sails much better.

If you live on the east coast of the USA, not being able to use the ICW is a tremendous handicap. It's the only continental coast in the world that you can, for the most part, transit inside or outside, popping in and out anywhere along the way. From Jacksonville, FL north it's breath taking wilderness, for the most part. From Jacksonville south, it's bars, restaurants, marinas, etc. I've sailed 10 knots in the ICW from Titusville to Sebastian Inlet with a northeaster many times, then on to the Bahamas.

One more thought about boat size. Before I bought my 380, I read some advise from an old salt I thought to be wise and after 10 years of ownership I can affirm. He said to never buy the biggest boat you can afford, but rather buy the smallest boat you can live with. This advise has a number good reasons why: 1) bigger boat means bigger crew, 2) bigger boat means more money for purchase, maintenance, docking, etc. 3) Most important to me, being a single handler, is bigger boat means bigger LOADS! Loads on sails, winches, dock lines, etc. All of which are my problem.

38 vs 39 vs 40 mast height is a unique problem to the east coast (and Gulf Coast) of the USA, ICW. For me, excluding the ICW from my cruising grounds is a deal killer. Chopping the mast down so that it will fit under the bridges is a deal killer as well.

[careka]

380 & 400 sails better then the 39, it has less speed. But al of them have something that is beeing liked by customers. keep on makeing them, cat marked is incr. in volume every year.

[arsenelupiga]

Originally Posted by careka

380 & 400 sails better then the 39, it has less speed. But al of them have something that is beeing liked by customers. keep on makeing them, cat marked is incr. in volume every year.

that should be reworded. 38 and 40 sail better than 39 with base model sails.

Boats are different shape and designer decided where is optimum point for size of base sail is.

All lagoons really need extra light wind sails to feel right.

Reefing on L 400 - not that good. Or my technique sucks. Too much friction. One has to go to the mast anyway, so may as well get better reefing.