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.
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