Charting the Course Behind the Scenes
This page hasn’t quite made it out of the harbour yet. We’re still charting the final details, but your next great adventure is just over the horizon.
Go BackThere's a moment, standing on the flybridge of a Lagoon 51 as it slices through a gentle Mediterranean swell at nine knots, when you understand exactly why this French builder has dominated the production catamaran market for decades. The Lagoon 51 isn't just an incremental update to the brand's lineup — it's a statement. Launched as part of Lagoon's modern generation alongside the 46 and 60, the 51 takes everything sailors loved about its predecessors and stretches it, refines it, and adds a healthy dose of innovation on top.
At 15.6 metres (51'2") overall length with a beam of 8.10 metres (26'7"), the 51 sits in that sweet spot of "big enough to live aboard comfortably, small enough to handle without a professional crew." She's designed by VPLP, the naval architecture firm behind some of the most successful offshore racing and cruising multihulls on the water, with interiors styled by Nauta Design. The headline numbers — a shallow 1.40m (4'7") draft, an expansive flybridge covering most of the coachroof, and berths for up to 14 people — tell you immediately this is a boat built for both serious cruising and serious entertaining.
Deck Layout and Exterior
This is where the Lagoon 51 truly separates itself from the pack. Lagoon has always understood that a catamaran's deck plan is its calling card, and the 51 delivers a genuinely three-tiered social experience.
The Flybridge
The standout feature of this boat, full stop. The flybridge is designed with a central helm pedestal and easy access from either side deck, enhancing circulation and allowing for smooth movement around the boat. In my time aboard similar Lagoon flybridge designs, what strikes you is how this space functions as a genuine outdoor living room rather than just a sailing station bolted on top. Lagoon has also gone green here: the flybridge integrates up to 2,750 watts of solar panels, a serious amount of passive charging capacity for a cruising boat this size — ideal for at-anchor living without running the generator.
The Cockpit and Foredeck
Forward, guests get a U-shaped cushioned seating area with a table, perfect for sunset cocktails or lounging on the trampoline nets in the shade of the sails. Aft, the beamy cockpit is built for socializing, with generous seating and a wet bar — the kind of space that turns a sundowner into an event. The large transom skirts make boarding from the dinghy or water easy and double as extended sunbathing platforms, and there's an optional electric tender lift that also serves as a swim platform.
A clever, less glamorous detail worth flagging: the boom mechanism on the 51 is left visible rather than hidden under a cover, which sounds minor but in practice means easier monitoring of reefing and furling — genuinely useful for shorthanded crews learning the boat's systems.
Sail Plan
The mast is set further forward than on previous Lagoon models, which allows for a larger genoa and more drive — particularly useful in choppy seas. Standard rig gives you a high-roach mainsail of 89 m² and a genoa of 51 m², with an optional square-top mainsail (98 m²) and Code 0 (95 m²) for those wanting extra grunt downwind. Electric furlers on the genoa and Code 0 mean a single person can manage the sails comfortably — a real consideration for couples cruising without crew.
Interior and Accommodation
Step down from the cockpit and the Lagoon 51 continues to impress on volume alone.
Saloon: The salon is bright with the 360-degree visibility Lagoon is known for, enhanced further by sliding windows both forward and aft for improved ventilation — a thoughtful touch in warm-climate charter destinations where airflow matters as much as air conditioning.
Galley: Well-equipped, with ample refrigeration and storage — built with long-term cruising in mind, not just weekend hops.
Layout flexibility: This is where the 51 earns its versatility. She can be configured in three, four, five, or six-cabin layouts, depending on whether you're an owner-operator, a charter business, or somewhere in between. One common commercial-charter configuration runs 6+2 cabins for maximum berths.
Owner's suite: The owner's hull is genuinely indulgent — a large dressing and storage area, a separate head, and a massive bathroom with his-and-hers sinks. The open bulkhead design and oversized windows keep the space feeling light and airy, giving it a residential rather than nautical feel.
Headroom and storage throughout follow the modern Lagoon formula: generous by catamaran standards, with the kind of stowage volume that makes provisioning for a multi-week Atlantic crossing or a season of charter guests genuinely practical rather than theoretical.
Performance and Handling
On paper, the Lagoon 51 is no slouch. With 149 m² of upwind sail area against a light displacement of 19.7 tonnes, she carries a healthy sail-area-to-displacement ratio for a boat this size, and owners and testers report cruising speeds averaging 9 to 10 knots with relative ease — strong numbers for a cruising (rather than performance) catamaran.
Power comes from twin 80hp Yanmar diesels as the popular upgrade (a 40hp standard option also exists for those prioritizing fuel economy over outright punch), giving confident maneuvering in marinas and enough reserve power to push through adverse conditions or light-wind doldrums under engine.
The forward mast position pays real dividends here: that larger genoa generates more drive specifically in choppy water, which is precisely where many cruising cats start to feel undrwhelming. Combined with the shallow 1.40m draft, the 51 can tuck into anchorages and skinny-water cruising grounds (think Bahamian banks or Croatian coves) that deeper-draft monohulls simply can't reach — without sacrificing the sail-carrying power needed for genuine open-water passages.
This isn't a stripped-out performance cat chasing double-digit speeds for sport. It's a comfortable, confidence-inspiring cruiser that rewards good sail trim with genuinely satisfying speed, while remaining forgiving and stable for less experienced crews in a building sea.
Verdict
The Lagoon 51 is, in essence, a luxury floating villa that happens to sail very well — and that's precisely the point. She suits:
- Bluewater cruising couples or families wanting serious living space, shallow-draft flexibility, and manageable shorthanded sail handling
- Charter guests thanks to her configurable 3-to-6-cabin layouts and capacity for up to 14 guests
- First-time catamaran charters stepping up from monohulls, who'll appreciate the stability and intuitive systems without feeling overwhelmed
If your priority is winning multihull regattas, look elsewhere. But if you want a genuinely livable, beautifully finished, easy-to-handle 51-footer that turns every anchorage into a private resort — the Lagoon 51 is about as good as it gets in this class right now.
Thinking about Lagoon 51 of your own for your next charter holiday? Get in touch with James Teague at High Tide Yacht Charters to discuss availability, itineraries, and whether the Lagoon 51 is the right fit for your next adventure on the water.
Expert Broker Insight
Talk to James
"The Lagoon 51 is one of the most popular catamarans within the yacht charter market, and for good reason. Its a fantastic option for both crewed and bareboat clients, and we only deal with the best."
Lagoon 51 Fleet Highlights: Around the World
High Tide Yacht Charters offers Lagoon 51s across some of the world's most sought-after cruising grounds. Here's a snapshot of a few standouts currently available — scroll through each yacht's photos below.
Want to see the dates or destination you're after? James Teague and the High Tide team can also track down Lagoon 51s outside this list. Enquire now →
Start planning your yacht charter adventure with High Tide Yacht Charters, today!
