Yacht Class n°19 (dec 2019/jan-feb 2020)

Lagoon – Groupe Beneteau

Officially launched in Cannes, the Sixty 7 submitted itself to a sea trial in the wake of the Barcelona Boat Show. Among her assets, emphasis should be placed on the layout of the open plan main deck and its 360-degree panoramic view. She also features a contemporary design that will seduce the most demanding.

Written by: Alain Brousse – Photos: All rights reserved

The catamaran builder Lagoon is undoubtedly famous for its large range of sailboats (12 models from 38 to 77 feet). Now, it seems determined to develop its motoryacht side, at its own pace, without precipitation. After the 630MY and the 23.80 m Seventy 8 launched in 2017 (Yacht Class n°11), it introduced this year the Sixty 7 that was presented last autumn during the Cannes Yachting Festival. Once again, Lagoon entrusted the design to the trio VPLP (naval architecture), Patrick Le Quément (exterior design) and Nauta Design’s Massimo Gino (interiors). Unable to sail a few miles while she was on the French Riviera, we had to wait for the end of Barcelona’s exhibition to test this unit, in Catalonia. Already really impressed when she was berthed in Cannes, we climbed on board confident that this 20 metre only had to prove her seaworthiness on a Mediterranean Sea rippled by a Force 3 wind and short waves.

Wise performances

We headed for the flybridge, accessible via a handy and design staircase, secured by well-placed handrails. The sunbridge is entirely protected by a sunroof, with three rectangular skylights forward. It can also feature an optional retractable awning to allow maximum sun exposure. As for us, unbothered by the warm rays of the sun, we settled at the helm station, bearing in mind her engine configuration: twin 440 hp Yanmar diesel engines. She can also be fitted with a twin 340 hp Volvo Penta. We also kept her 10 metres width in mind, a point to consider during port manoeuvres. Fortunately, the Lagoon is sharp and responsive. We just had enough time to spot the major refit shipyards of Port Veil, we left the coast behind to head south/southeast, with stern-quartering waves. All of this very smoothly, since she has no pretention to be a firebrand. Her philosophy is actually quite different. As the revs go up, she reached 20 knots (the top speed) in 37 seconds. Once the performance curve established, we set the cruising speed at 14 knots (2 750 rpm). And if you feel like crossing the Atlantic, you should know that the Sixty 7 has a 4 750 miles range at 7 knots, which is quite respectable for a pleasure unit with transoceanic ambitions. It leaves a significant safety margin to achieve the 3 000 miles long great circle route from France to the American East Coast. This is no utopia, do not forget that in 2018, we tested her big sister, the Seventy 8 a few days before she left for Florida. Just know that this offshore adventure definitely requires experience. But let’s remain on our corner of the Mediterranean, where the swells of less than a metre reminded us that a catamaran behaves differently than a monohull and is usually more stable. Yet, nobody’s perfect and facing the wave, she is not insensitive to pitch.

A very pleasant foredeck

At anchor, three options are available: the cockpit and its soft settee, with adjustable backrests. There is also the stern, another leisure area, which features between the two hulls a hydraulic platform for the tender, which will accommodate the sunloungers once the latter launched. Finally, the perfect comfort can be found on the foredeck terrace, accessible either via large side decks but also via the main deck, which opens onto a lounge. From this place, three steps lead to this 25m2 relaxation terrace and its two sofas.

Let the finish be! 

The word perfection is to use with the utmost care, yet it quickly came to our mind during our day aboard the Sixty 7. The bright open plan saloon, the very contemporary interior, with Tribu furniture, is undeniably attractive… Luxury is omnipresent but not showy. There is no need to dwell on the work carried out, as this new Lagoon exudes high standards. And what about this lounge/dining room /wheelhouse with wrap-around windows? Guest will enjoy a “360-degree panoramic view”, rare on a catamaran! Add to that the high-end Signature Sound System speakers (an indispensable option) that music lovers will adopt, without hesitation. And finally, the black light, a process that consists in tiny projectors, barely visible in the ceiling, providing enough light after sunset. As for the hull volumes, the Sixty 7 offers a choice of four different cabin layouts. When the galley is located in the aft portside hull, she can accommodate 4 or 5 cabins. And 5 or 6 cabins when this one is on the main deck open plan saloon. There is little doubt that the spacious master is only available with the 4 cabin version (with the galley in the hull) and the five one (galley on the main deck). No matter the layout chosen, she offers the same high level of finishing. As we left the Sixty 7, our only wish was to board again, but for a real cruise, the raison d’être of this habitable and comfortable unit.