All About Our Boat

Sailing vessel Hope is a 2018 Lagoon 450F made in France by Lagoon, in partnership with VPLP Architects and Nauta Design Studio. This catamaran is constructed to be a blue-water cruising catamaran with an emphasis on space, comfort, functionality, and livability. Although she is not a performance cat, she sails quite well and is a very comfortable ride.

The prior owner kept the boat well maintained since their purchase of her at the Annapolis boat show in 2019. She is a great catamaran, and the perfect boat for us in this season of life!

SPECIFICATIONS

Hull Length45.80 ft.
Beam25.72 ft.
Draft4.4 ft.
Mast height from DWL75.7 ft.
Light displacement (MLC)34,171.61 lb

EQUIPMENT

Engines2 x 57 HP Yanmar 4JH57 Engines
SailsLarge Square Top Mainsail, Genoa, Screecher, Code Zero
NavigationB&G Zeus 3S 12″ Display at Helm and 2nd B&G Zeus 3 12″ Display at Nav Station; B&G Autopilot Remote
SaildrivesYanmar SD60
Generator13.5 KVA Onan Generator + Cacoon
A/CCruiser Air 48000 BTU (24K, 12K, 6K, 6K)
Inverter #1Critic 200 Watts, 12/110V – 2000 VA
Inverter #2Victron Quattro 4000 Watts Energy
Solar3480 Watts
Batteries5 Relion 300ah Lithium Deep Cycle Batteries (1500ah)
WatermakerRainman AC 37gph
Anchor73lb Rocna Anchor with 164′ Chain, 50′ Rode; 2nd 55lb Delta anchor
WinchesElectric Harkin Winches at Flybridge & for Davits
HardtopCustom Hardtop with Ladder
EnclosuresFull Isinglass enclosures w/windows in cockpit & flybridge
Cabins3 cabins (full owner’s version on Starboard hull)
Heads3 heads with Quiet Flush Fresh Water Electric Toilets
Propellers2 x 3-Blade Folding Props
WindlassWindlass + Remote Control at Flybridge w/Chain Counter
RefrigerationFrigonautica Fridge; Frigonautica Freezer; Waeco Cockpit Fridge; Ice Maker; Dometic CFX 75L Dual Zone Cooler
VHFB&G VHF V50; 2nd VHF Handset at Helm Station
RadarB&G 4G Radar
AISAIS 500 B&G Transceiver with Antenna Coupling
DinghyHighfield CL 340 Hypalon Tender with 25 HP Electric Start Yamaha Outboard Safety Gear

Pros

One of the best things about the Lagoon 450F is the fly bridge, hands down. We can fit 6-8 people up there comfortably during day sails or overnight passages. Also, we can completely enclose the flybridge and back cockpit, so we never have to worry about someone falling overboard.

There is great visibility from the flybridge. You can see all four corners of the boat from up top which is especially helpful when docking and anchoring, and it is easy to communicate with one another when anchoring or getting a mooring ball.

The flybridge is a fantastic place to hang out when you are anchored. It’s a great place to have a cup of coffee, read a book, and admire the scenery.

There is also a great sunbathing area in front of the helm which I utilize almost every time we sail or sit on the hook. We’ve had people sleep up there and watch the stars as well. It’s very comfortable

I love the interior cabinetry. The 2018 Lagoon comes with a walnut finish which compliments the lighter floors really well. It looks really classy and modern. The cabinetry can get nicked easily if you drop something on it, so we’re just mindful of laying down a towel on it if we’re going to be putting heavy tools there, etc. The cabinets are easy to clean with a microfiber rag and either a vinegar/water solution or my favorite Sprayway glass cleaner. Its the best!

Cons

There are a lot of ways to hurt yourself on this boat, particularly going up and down the stairs to the flybridge. You have to watch your footing up there too while you’re working the winches, raising the mainsail, tacking, etc.. If you step back the wrong way you are down the steps into the aft cockpit. We have learned to watch ourselves and have not fallen yet. We’re just always aware that the steps are there.

The most uncomfortable thing about our catamaran is sailing upwind, but that’s probably true of most catamarans. The bridge slap is intense and it sometimes sounds like the boat is going to come apart. It’s not going to because we know the boat was designed for that and so much more, but it can be very unpleasant at times. We have found that it’s best to find the right weather windows where we don’t have to sail up wind and put excess stress on our boat. Things tend to break more that way, and we just don’t want to chance it. When we do have to go upwind, it helps to slow the boat down or tack often so we are on more of a beam reach.

Why we named our boat Hope?

Check out the details here: An Anchor For the Soul

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