Catamarans in the over-75 feet bracket are not widespread on the world market andare all one-off builds. Lagoon has had an eye on this sector for quite a while nowand has just joined in the game like the master player it is. As a matter of fact, thesuperyacht knowledge of CNB, partner of the Bordeaux shipyard and subsidiary ofthe Bénéteau Group, has allowed them to combine their skills and industrial know-how which is essential to building and marketing extraordinary catamarans. Here, asan exclusive preview, we test the latest sensational catamaran: the SEVENTY 7.

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Superyacht catamaran and high-tech sails make a good mix (main and genoa inDFI by Incidence Sails)

T E S T

A BIT OF BACKGROUND TO THE EARLY PIONEERSAND BIG BOATS

CNB was founded in 1987 by Dieter Gust and Olivier Lafourcadeat the Sud Ouest shipyards in Bordeaux, France (this was theyard which was responsible for the building of the 5-mastedFrance II), to build big aluminum monohulls. Mari Cha II (a 92’German Frers design) was launched in 1989, the first in a long

line of unique boats which helped to establish the CNB brand inthe world of elite sailing superyacht builders. They went fromstrength to strength. In 1992 CNB joined the Bénéteau groupand opened up to big custom boats built in composite. BuildingLagoons of over 50 feet was later to be brought into theBordeaux factory before they diversified into a semi-customrange (the Bordeaux 60 and Bordeaux 76 monohulls). JeanneauTechniques Avancées had been established in 1982 by a team of

Text: Philippe Echelle - Photos: Nicolas Claris

LAGOON SEVENTY 7LAGOON IS BRINGING IT ON!

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The Lagoon SEVENTY 7… an out of the ordinary catamaran

Elegant and powerful, the SEVENTY 7 is capable of goodperformance in medium conditions as well as in light airs

At anchor, the SEVENTY 7 makes a very effective marineleisure base

multihull fans, led by Jean-Françoisde Prémorel, to build racing proto-types. They built 50-odd prestigiousmodels (Pierre 1er, part of RMO, thehuge catamaran Fleury Michon VII,the trimarans for the film“Waterworld” and the Irens-des-igned F40s, among others) prior tolaunching the Lagoon 55 in 1985,then the 57: these were giants intheir day! JTA joined the Bénéteaugroup in 1996. 30 years later , theLagoon SEVENTY 7 is the result ofthe fusion of these two stories.

A CONTEMPORARY, CLASSICALLYELEGANT DESIGN

Since its first outing at the CannesFestival of Yachting, the SEVENTY 7has been causing a stir! The num-ber of appointments for viewingswas becoming difficult to manage,and even for the company’ s owndealers, it was difficult to get onboard! The power of the Lagoonsales network and their communica-tions partly fuelled this, but the per -sonality of the boat itself played arole. Going from the curiosity stage,to discovery, the newcomer or theenlightened fans couldn’ t fail to bemoved by this amazing colossus.The boat’s perception has beenmeticulously developed by MarcVan Peteghem and Patrick LeQuément, and the lines of theSEVENTY 7 don’ t owe anything tochance. Borne of drawing skills andexperience and smoothing softwarefor the most advanced shapes, thedesign for the most delicate sec-tions (sugarscoops, bows, entryangles, framework) has let the linesflow like those of a prestigioussedan. It’s often said that it’s easierto design a big boat than a moremodest-sized one, but I disagree. Itwould be easy to get either wrong!The important thing is getting theproportions in harmony: the creativeinspiration which shines throughmust also give a clear indication ofwhat the boat is for. The remainderis about talent, work and perseve -rance. The ultimate success has aspecial chemistry, and the boatcomes alive! The SEVENTY 7 repre-sents major stakes for CNB/Lagoon.There is no room for error at thislevel of investment in tooling and indesign. The formal language of theSEVENTY 7 is powerfully expressedwith this in mind, along with a desire

to make an indelible, long-lastingmark on the sector. The design andfinish of the anthracite-gray paint forthe hulls seems to give a certainlightness to the lines of this 60-tonne multihull. Lengthening thecoachroof and increasing its heighthave been done cleverly , with thehulls remaining predominant at firstglance and holding the eye. Theangle of the aft bimini supports andthe work which has gone into thevanishing lines allows the amazingsalon to fuse with the platform.Skillful design even makes the stepsup to the flybridge seem to delica-tely integrate into the overall lines.The canoe boom (a tricky design todeal with) is sleek and doesn’t ham-per moving around.

A GUIDED TOUR OF A 23 METERCRUISING CATAMARAN

It would be a shame to just munda-nely climb aboard this catamaranfrom the dock. Luckily , we foundourselves joining in the anchorageoff Cannes. With the T enderliftdown at the water , bringing up thedinghy as the yard designed, waseasy. The tender is an OceanMaster 500 with a 100hp 4-strokeHonda). The area provided by thisplatform, and the space on thesugarscoops is impressive, and per-mits safe access for numerouscrew to board even if they are notseasoned sailors. The mobile struc-ture also constitutes a great plat-form for swimmers or divers. Theremote control also allows for thedinghy to be launched or recoveredwithout any outside assistance.Quite remarkable! The first positivevibe you get on boarding theSEVENTY 7 is one of safety. There’sa feeling of being enveloped, withcomfort underfoot. Nothing to stubyour toes on, no sharp angles tocause a nuisance or split levels totrip over: it would appear that astroke of genius has smoothed outall the typical hazards. The entryinto the exterior salon has been theobject of just as much attention:there is a passerelle to cross theboat and to get to the dinghy, whilstavoiding the aft beam and withoutdisturbing anyone on board. Thesame precision has been applied tothe design and ergonomics of thefurniture. Gone are the straight andangular panels; in comes a world of

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A catamaran’s architectural prowess?Welcoming, pampering the crew, putting everyone at ease, creating a real feeling

of protection, all while allowing the sailor to enjoy sailing

The forward cockpit is directly accessible from the salon via a wide pivoting door. A fabric sunshade on movable carbon mounts protects the whole area if desired

A real flybridge: very safe and remarkably comfortable

friendly and seductive curves. But what use is style withoutfunction? Arriving in the lounge space of the cockpit, the twooutdoor galley units (sink + refrigerator and electric grill) areready to receive the efforts of the fisherman (or the local mar-ket). If the weather turns chilly , the fabric cockpit enclosureallows you to still enjoy this balcony without shivering. Whenit comes to sundowner time, the lounger to port, the two sun-loungers with adjustable backrests and the aft bench seat aregreat for lolling around, before making your way to the outdoortable, which comfortably seats 8 to 10, or to the indoor diningarea. In supporting Nauta (the design partner for the interiorlayout), Lagoon has opted for Sunbrella fabric to offer uphols-tery to match the standards of this catamaran. The successof this is evident, and the materials used and the form anddensity of the seats are of a very high level, which freshens upthis on board living area. Access to the boulevard decks isexceptional: there are low-height steps which mean that chan-ging levels is effortless, with the sidedecks being perfectlysecure. It is comfortable underfoot and everything is a delightto the eye. Everywhere is flush-decked, and from aft, theperspective is wonderful. Further forward, having bypassedthe coachroof, you find the forward cockpit, with its two deeploungers well protected by the arms, under which are carbonsupports, allowing for a sunshade to be erected. T aking intoaccount the abundance of upholstery , covers are provided toprotect them, without need to stow them below , other thanfor the winter. From this marine terrace, there is direct accessinside via an electric door , which is both clever and substan-tially built. The fluidity of movement about this big boat isremarkable, and first impressions of the interior layout are flat-tering. Nauta has succeeded in the challenge of fitting out thisvast space by turning it into a living thing. The complimentaryfunctionality is such that you only need to fit in with it, ratherthan adapt it to suit you. An XXL-sized screen retracts into thedeckhead and there is a fully-fitted bar , small saloon areabelow, large sofa and nav. Station equipped with a monitoringcontrol panel for all the vessels’ systems. Light is abundant,but not aggressive, and its intensity can be adjusted to suit, bythe use of electric blinds. The naval architects and designersmust surely have lived on a prototype, to have come up withsuch high standards on hull number 1? Atmosphere, ergono-mics, organization of space and style are harmonious. Theresult is inspiring.

A PERSONALIZABLE CATAMARAN

Our test boat was the 3-cabin owner’ s version, with threebathrooms (3 separate heads), with galley and crew quartersaft to port (plus one crew cabin forward to starboard). Withthis configuration, the crew benefits from a private dining areaand the chef from a real professional galley, which is well set-out and air conditioned. T o anticipate any special requests,Lagoon has left this 25m² space available to be personalizedto the wishes of future owners (multiplex meeting room,laboratory, studio or custom cabin. Anything is possible, asthe whole area is free of any structural constraints. A perti -nent idea which allows for creativity , all within a productionseries vessel.

AN EXCEPTIONAL MARINE TERRACE

The size of the boat allows it to have a real flybridge, withoutimpinging too much on the overall lines. The flybridge of theSEVENTY 7 houses two big helm stations with all the neces-

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sary instruments (great positioning of theengine controls and the bowthruster ,though some protective covering mightbe welcome). The double watchkeepers’seats offer a comfortable spot, and thepanoramic view over the deck and themast is excellent. A wet-kitchen areaseparates the forward area from thetechnical area, and on our test boat, tas-teful fitted furniture gave an almostnomadic atmosphere with comfortable,light upholstery which was perfect touse. A meal for 10 people could easily beaccommodated on the deck salon, withan additional table serving well for drinksor for the children to sit at. Safety isensured by a tubular rail around the bul-warks, with padeyes on the deck tosecure the furniture in rough weather .Access to the steps down (the very ele-gant design might need looking at again,as it’s the only area on the whole boatwhere there is a risk of a fall) is protectedby two solid handrails and pivoting door.

BEDROOMS AND SUITES

We’ll round up our tour of the SEVENTY 7with the cabins: aft, to starboard, a guest

suite is accessed via a private stairway at theentrance to the salon. Thick carpet, attrac-tive and comfortable bathroom, small corner-desk, and natural and indirect electric lightingwhich creates a luxury, but not flashy, atmos-phere. The port forward cabin offers exactlythe same, except that the bed (170x200cm)is oriented athwartships. A large pivotingdoor in the topsides opens up to become abalcony, fenced by guardwires on carbonstanchions, creating an amazing relaxationarea. This original idea really breaks awayfrom the norm. The 4-point locking mecha-nism is secured by hydraulic rams.

TECHNICAL SECTION: VERY ACCESSIBLE

The two hydraulic units (for the furlersand the Tenderlift) are easily accessible;the battery bank is located beneath thesalon floor. Apart from the bow thruster(and some parts of the reversible180,000btu air-conditioning), most of thetechnical aspects are housed in theengine rooms, around the two 230hpJohn Deere motors. These 6.8 literblocks, which can deliver 400hp in someversions, are 6-cylinder , 12-valve, directinjection turbos. CNB’ s design of thesecomplex technical spaces is great, anddespite the density of equipment, every-thing is rationally and clearly installed.On-board energy is supplied by two Onangenerators of 19 and 27 kV A, and freshwater by two watermakers (90 and 280liters/hour).

SEA TRIAL

A large part of the first day spent onboardthe SEVENTY 7 was devoted to anenjoyable, and detailed, guided tour ofdiscovery at anchor. Towards the end of

the afternoon an easterly breeze startedto pick up and we were able to lift the 7kgSpade anchor (a 3500W 24V windlass isthere to handle 120 meters of 16mmchain!). The 192m² mainsail completesthe assault on the 31 meter mast withthe help of a big dedicated electricalwinch. The hoist is fast, thanks to theHarken rails which drastically reduce the cars stacking up as they stretch outthe surface of this impressive DFI blackmembrane sail (a filament composite by

A WORD FROM THE NAVALARCHITECT, MARC VAN PETEGHEM

The design of the SEVENTY 7had to set the boat clearly in theyacht category, by being fully

part of the Lagoon family, centered around living onboard, while maintaining performances which allow220 mile days. It was important to maintain theLagoon values (family, enjoyable, welcoming). Butabove all, not to be ostentatious! The first com-ments we got from owners visiting the boat at theCannes boat show showed that together, we (theyard, Nauta and ourselves) had succeeded in crea-ting this balance. If I had to choose two words todescribe the Lagoon SEVENTY 7, they would be“gentle giant”.

1/ The two elegant helm stations offer a perfect view of the water AND the sails2/ At the same time, it’s a dining room, saloon, lounge bar, navigation station and sound system-video room (XXL screenretracts into the deckhead). The layout inside the coachroof and its links with the other spaces bring a new approach tosuperyacht catamarans3/ Luxurious yet not ostentatious. The creative and ergonomic design of the SEVENTY 7 invents a luxury lifestyle which isimmediately attractive4/ Bedroom with a view, and direct access to the sea. Unusual and very appealing!5/ Functional design leads to exceptional comfort

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The galley with crew dining area is a total success: the ultimate weapon fora chef and a happy crew!

A choice of materials, and natural lighting or indirect electriclighting, creates spaces with an atmosphere full of charm

Incidences made of pre-impregnatedbands, laminated under vacuum and hot-pressed). The Sparcraft aluminum mastwhich has three sets of self-stiffening, isheld in place laterally by two capshroudsand two lowers in Kevlar of a colossal dia-meter. The longitudinal direction is ensu-red by the genoa and staysail stays. W eunfurl the 230m² gennaker (Mylar KevlarXGold by Incidences) on its hydraulic fur -ler by hauling on the sheet with the helpof a powerful Harken electric winch. Asalways onboard a big multihull, you needto ignore the size of the sails to use themand trim them normally. The big questionwas at what kind of wind strength doesthis huge catamaran start to react? Thereply is immediately obvious: 6 knots oftrue wind inflates our 425m², and theSEVENTY 7 starts up effortlessly.The magical profiles start to fly smoothly,with a form worthy of a racing multihull.The view of the mainsail is good from thewindows in the bimini, and the helms-man has a direct view of the hugeWindex which indicates the variations inthe breeze aloft (more favorable andstronger up there!) Between two of us,we handled a series of gybes - an exer -cise more fun than physical. It onlyrequires a few seconds to ensure thateverything is under control, before easingthe main down by releasing the traveler(equipped with a fantastic Antal captivewinch) to give a lee for furling the code 0.Next, center the mainsheet car , passthrough the wind, unfurl again, and offyou go. Other than the ease of themaneuver itself, which highlights thequality of the deck layout, it’ s the res-ponse of the boat which is striking. Suchagility is amazing on a boat of this size inthese conditions. The breeze freshenedand the SEVENTY 7 bowled along at 7.2 knots

with 9 to 10 knots of wind. Aside fromthe instrument readings, the speed ofthe boat is obvious, and it is enjoyable totrim, reactive when picking up againafter gybing or in the variations in theselight to medium airs. The sensations arereal, even though they could be feltmore through overall observation of theboat rather than through the helm, whichis precise. However, the hydraulics filterout all the feel (when are the buildersgoing to start producing an equivalentsystem to the automobile industry: fullyassisted yet tight and sensitive?). Thefollowing afternoon, the easterly windwas more established (12-14 knots) andthe SEVENTY 7 slipped along effortlesslyat a senatorial pace between 8.5 and11.9 knots. Easy for such a big machine!

CONCLUSION

This 23.28 meter catamaran will attractwealthy owners who like sailing, whohave owned multihulls or monohulls andwho want to continue to enjoy thisunique way of life on the water and crui-sing… by changing size! Theblasé sailor, bored with listingand prohibitory drafts, willrediscover the pleasure ofcruising, but also there will besome converts from motoryachts, abandoning theircigars, overcome by all theattributes of this catamaranand its great multihull perso -nality which knows how to beluxurious without appearingarrogant. The presence of acrew is indispensable, but willallow this super-catamaran tobe offered for charter, where itwill be very successful.

Builder: Lagoon/CNB Naval Architects: VPLP Interior Designer: Nauta Yachts Exterior Designer: Patrick Le Quément Construction: Anti-osmosis balsa/glass/resin sandwich andpolyester, with lower hulls in monolithicLength: 23.28m / 76’5”Beam: 11m / 36’1”Draft: 1.90m / 6’3”Air draft: 36.60m / 120’1”Light displacement: 57t / 125,685lbsMaximum displacement: 71t / 156 555lbsMainsail area: 193m² / 2066sq ftGenoa: 130.4m² / 1403sq ftStaysail: 81m² / 872sq ftAsymmetric spinnaker: 500m² / 5380sq ftMotors: 2x180 or 2x230hp with shaft-driven propsFuel: 2800L/740 US gallons with transfer pumps and anti-overflow systemWater: 1600L / 396 US galPrice of the model we tested, fitted with all options (air-con,2 generators, 2 watermakers, dinghy, media center, Brookesnavigation pack, 4G wifi/internet connectivity, reversingcameras, DFI sails, spinnaker, and so on): €4,340,147excluding tax

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

◆ Not much feel to the helm◆ Flybridge access stairway◆ Access to the battery bank◆ Deckhead fixings on the flybridge and in the cockpit◆ Main halyard clutch needs upgrading◆ A few waves slap under the topsides

◆ The boat has a captivating personality◆ Elegant lines◆ Stylish and ergonomic layout◆ A fun boat to sail◆ Great dynamic qualities◆ Exceptional quality of life on board

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The level of detailed design on the hulls is commendable. The proportions, theangle of the sugarscoops, the skillful sheer, the fine line along the middle of the

panels and the meticulously smoothed shape all contribute to the perception of anelegant profile which will stand the test of time.

Not so obvious here, but the hull decks are real outdoorwalkways, and their general lines combine with the superb

20cm bulwarks giving a magnificent perspective and avisually distinctive note to the SEVENTY 7

The flybridge on the SEVENTY 7 is designeddown to the last detail and is very comfortable.

Its size allows for the handling of the boat to bekept separate from the convivial aspect. Crew

safety (crew or passengers) is remarkable.

The canoe boom is indispensable forhousing a 192m² mainsail. It is wide

enough for a crewmember to crawl insidesafely, lazy bags being a bit too delicate…

The size of the boat obviously allows the sugars-coops to house a flight of steps of unusual comfort.The extra area provided by the Tenderlift transformsthe aft end of the boat into a comfortable marineleisure area (a hydraulic diving platform / passerellecompletes the picture)

The 31m lacquered aluminum Sparcraft mast carries 337m² of sail upwind.It is stiffened by three sets of spreaders and rod diamond stays. Lowers and

capshrouds are in Kevlar.

The side door pushes the limits ofpossibilities for an owner’s suite.The design and constructionalong with the four rams ensuresits safety.

The two helm stations are really ergonomic, withbig instrument consoles, elegant carbon wheels,and have a good visibility of the boat and the sails.The deck layout is very easily understood. Theelectronic gear shifts are close to hand, as is thebowthruster. Great watchkeeping seats.

The headsails are split in traditionalfashion for this kind of big multi-hull. The power of the hydraulicfurlers (staysail, genoa and code 0)is essential for the ease of handlingsuch sail areas.

The forward cockpit is accessed viaan electric door which allows foreasy access from aft, through thesalon to the foredeck, which revealsa multitude of ergonomic gadgets towelcome a large crew.

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