Yacht Class n°22 (sept-oct-nov 2020)

Lagoon – Groupe Beneteau

The new family of high-end catamarans from the Lagoon yard, initiated with the Seventy 7, welcomes its latest addition, the Sixty 5. Well anchored in the world of luxury yachts, she has many advantages from her elegant design to her high level of comfort. And in addition, she is dynamic and pleasant under sail.

Written by: Christophe Varène – Photos: All rights reserved

Rediscover the great outdoors. Finally! After weeks spent in a confined space, the return to the sea sounds like a deliverance. And when this renaissance takes place on an exceptional catamaran, you have to enjoy every second. Too bad if the sun is shy, Eole has decided to be generous and an outing off La Rochelle allows this new Lagoon Sixty 5 to deploy her sailing skills. Majestic, imposing, her cream hull, refined by the presence of long hull portholes housed in constrictions, contrasts with the pale usual production, while the white superstructures avoid the sometimes massive effect of large catamarans. The harmony of this silhouette is the work of Patrick Le Quément, long-time partner of the Lagoon shipyard and designer of the Seventy 7, the first model in this high-end family. Yes, this navigation sounds good.

12.6 knots, a real performance

Leaving the port of the Minimes – and it will be the same on return – allows you to appreciate the ease of manoeuvre of the Sixty 5: the two Volvo D4 175 hp, a more powerful engine than that offered as standard, associated with a propellant bow on the starboard hull allows precise and controlled movements. Once cleared from the exit channel at reduced speed, the Sixty 5 is around 10 knots at 2 200 rpm, a very appreciable cruising speed, and, with 1 300 l of fuel, her autonomy opens up an infinite range of possibilities. But the desire itches very quickly to send the sails. With all the manoeuvres grouped together at the flybridge and with the help of four electric winches, a reduced crew effortlessly manages the different combinations of sails. With nearly 20 knots of wind established, the decision is made to take a reef and unroll the staysail: the speed, once the engines are shut down, does not drop and stabilizes a little below 10 knots, upwind. The hull and the sail plan signed VPLP, with a mast moved back for more power, are effective and efficient. The wind softening very slightly, the genoa comes to supplant the staysail, before releasing the reef. The straight and tapered bows are adorned with a thick white moustache, the boat accelerates to reach and exceed 11 knots. After a few close-hauled turns, easy to carry out for two, you have to head back to the towers of La Rochelle. The code 0 replaces the genoa and the speedometer then displays a nice 12.6 knots. A nice performance for a yacht of this size where comfort, as we will see, is not lacking.

Generous exterior and interior surfaces

At Lagoon, the launch of the Seventy 7 marked an important step in bringing the manufacturer into the world of luxury yachts where customer demand is taking it one step further. For this new unit, the designers of the Sixty 5 built on the success of her predecessor by applying the same concept and the same attributes of luxury and comfort, and by turning to the principle of rapid navigation for a family programme around the world. If the desire was to maintain a great autonomy and a good stability, the specifications stipulated the presence of a more limited crew compared to the Seventy 7 that requires three sailors on board. The Sixty 5, provided of course to take a family a little familiar with the things of the sea and navigation, is satisfied with a single crew member, pledge of a greater intimacy for the owner and his relatives. The spaces have also been the subject of relevant reflection to obtain a living area of 90 m2 indoors and 87 m2 outdoors. This approach is also materialized in the fluid circulation on board with, for example, bay windows to ensure continuity between cockpit and saloon, and a passage behind the rear bench seat – the latter has a tilting backrest to sit also backwards – to cross from one hull to another without going through the cockpit. Access to the flybridge is via a pleasant openwork staircase so as not to appear too massive in the saloon and fitted with an ergonomic railing. Behind the two helm stations, various arrangements are available to decorate this beautiful panoramic terrace: it is possible, as desired, to promote idleness with a beautiful solarium or conviviality with a dining area for many guests. This modularity comes from the experience acquired by the Bordeaux shipyard during the semi-custom construction of the large monohulls of the CNB brand: meeting the expectations of a demanding clientele requires being as attentive to details as to big artwork. The forward deck also brings its touch to the conviviality of the boat with its saloon located slightly below for better protection. Its benches and sunbeds take advantage of the shelter of a shade that can be quickly installed on carbon uprights.

A high level of comfort

For the interior fittings, the Nauta Design studio has once again used all its talent to create a soft and contemporary atmosphere. The use of two types of woods, grey oak and darker wenge, plays on depth and contrasts. Other atmospheres are available using walnut or light oak. The presence of indirect lighting, barely visible in the ceilings, also contributes to creating a feeling of privacy and serenity in the cabins, starting with that of the owner. This suite, with more than 21 m2 of surface, has access from the inside but also a direct exit to the cockpit. A large double bed, with sea view through the hull portholes, a sitting area and a large shower room, which can be isolated with a sliding partition, offer a high level of comfort. The forward part of this starboard hull is occupied by a guest cabin also having a breath-taking view. On the test boat, the galley is in the port hull: this space, with dining area, large work surface and long hull porthole, is an invitation to cook gourmet dishes. At the centre of this hull, the crew benefits from a clear cabin with bunk beds and independent bathroom. To complete the accommodation offer, another double cabin occupies the front part, its bathroom being housed in the point. With the Sixty 5, the Lagoon yard is maintaining the course towards an attractive production for customers accustomed to super yachts, whether they are sailing or motor. Thanks to a refined design and elegant and neat fittings, the Sixty 5 offers a high level of comfort for a shipowner with plans for long ocean voyages, accompanied by a reduced crew. But so that the promise is kept, she also shows qualities under powerful and convincing sails.