Lagoon 380 - Post-Charter Review

[sigmasailor]

Just returned from a great sailing trip (Antigua to SVG) on a Lagoon 380. This was our first experience with a cat (Purrrfect) having sailed on Monohulls exclusively.

Some time ago I promised my feedback, well here it is:

Pro:
Room is enormous (much roomier than a 473 or even a 50 ft monohull);
Cockpit and saloon are pleasantly connected;
Fun about monohulls when anchored at rolly anchorages;
Maneuvering is a piece of cake, drives like a tank without even using the rudder;
Speed: 8-9 knots with 21 knots at 90 degree true (and with somewhat foul bottom);
Safe feeling in cockpit and saloon (even too safe to my liking, sailing with 35 knots in 8 ft waves seems not spectacular at all (you get used to the bumping noise), that is until you stick your head above the cabin roof);
Much less engine noise when motoring.

Cons:
Bumpy ride with lots of noise of waves slapping saloon bottom between the two hulls (and you still get whet);
Feeling in wheel is poor (feels like driving a truck);
Sail is very heavy; always needed winch to get it up (no problems with main on a 473 mono)
Overall sailing experience not as nice as in a monohull.

Conclusion: hard to say. For the sailing experience a mono without a doubt, overall comfort when at anchor the cat is the clear winner. Maybe a lighter cat is the solution?