55’ OF DEVELOPMENTWhen the Lagoon 55’ was laun-ched in 1987, JeanneauTechniques Avancées (JTA) wasa young structure, created by thewishes of a bunch of enthu-siasts, who were to distinguishthemselves by the realisation ofseveral exceptional trimarans(F40’ N. Irens, FLEURYMICHON, PIERRE 1er, the twoprototypes for the Waterworldfilm, ...) and gave birth to a world-wide brand. An attractivesilhouette, a judicious architectu-ral signature, and the success ofthe 2 versions (55’ and 57’) wasimmediate! The creations of theacronym VP/LP (GERARD LAM-BERT, BISCUIT CANTREAU I, IIand III which foreshadowed theOrma 60-footers, PRIMAGAZ…)would never leave the fore-ground of ocean-racing!

In 2000, the successor to the 55’– 57’ took on the in-house designand became the 570. Built in theBordeaux factory, it overturnedthe aesthetic codes, but retainedclassic ergonomics. With the560, the builder took on board awhole new design step andwent all out: creative ergono-mics, innovative accommoda-tion, suitable sail power, gene-rously-sized engines, XXL fly-bridge and improved quality.

A RELEVANT DEFINITIONWithin the Beneteau group,Lagoon enjoys an enviable posi-tion for adjusting its strategy andoptimising its models’ marketingdevelopment. The 560 demons-

trates this aspect perfectly byarriving at the right time in a mar-ket which was abstemious in2008, hesitant in 2009 but hasrevived at the end of 2010. Withthis boat, Lagoon is not seekingto beat future production recordsand is offering a luxurious cata-maran with a high added value.The challenge seemed to be toanticipate the expectations ofpeople disappointed in a motorboat industry which is drifting, toanswer the objections of thePenelopes, who have heard thatcruising under sail is nothing butsuffering and deprivation, whilstcatching hold of the wealthy sai-ling Ulysses who are ogling atthe trawler ‘sirens’. The exercisewas complicated; the designerstherefore gave themselves theadditional means to achieve thismultiple aim.

VERY IMAGINATIVE ORGANISATION OF THE AREA

The builder now has the detach-ment essential for playing withbold ergonomic solutions, andmaintains this ease, free ofhang-ups, in the 560’s choices.By calling on Nauta, it got itself ademanding partner and dis-played its ambitions in terms ofquality and creativity. The fly-bridge, an area coveted by bothowners and crews, here showsmaturity and will satisfy enthu-siasts, despite the manyconstraints it imposes aboard asailing boat (access, safety, goo-seneck height, centre of gravity,positioning of the fittings). TheR&D department’s experience

and the 560’s size allow convin-cing solutions to be found anduse made coherent, or evenpleasant. The spiral staircase iscomfortable and safe. The elec-trically-assisted ‘airlock’ type

watertight closure system (bet-ween the flybridge and the cock-pit) originates in complex kine-matics and was entrusted to asub-contractor specialising inthis set of problems; however in

During our test of the 450 in September,we discovered a successful fun, familycatamaran; the 2010 finishing and the more generous sail plan make it pleasanter and more versatile than itspredecessors. The 560, from the samematrix, meets a much more ambitiousspecification in terms of receptionaboard.

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At anchor, the 560 is quite simply ideal.

The 560 starts to sail from 3 knots of wind... Not bad for a 30 tonne catamaran!

The control lines and the steering position are on the flybridge,where huge sunbathing areas await the crew...The best!

« With the 560, the builder took on board a whole new design step and went all out… »

TEST Text: Philippe Echelle - Photos: P. Echelle - Nicolas Claris

With this brand new 560,Lagoon is offering an

incredible boat: volume and real seakeeping qualities are

on the programme.

LAGOON 560 :Life aboard, according to Lagoon

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of true wind and the speed pro-gressed as the light south-eas-terly increased in strength. Thecomparative figures from the ane-mometer and the GPS are quiteamazing up to 8 knots of truewind! After an anchoring sessionat Collioure, we sailed gently backto Canet-en-Roussillon under thebig gennaker (7.5 knots at 160° toa true wind of 9 – 10 knots). Themainsail and genoa from

Incidences deserve high praise;their shape and finishing is remar-kable.

CONCLUSIONThe 560 realises a synthesis ofsolutions used by Lagoon for afew years, it takes a decisive stepin terms of the (successful) origi-nality of its accommodation. Theprivacy enjoyed by the guests andthe overall living comfort aboardallow it to compete with moreprestigious boats. The new defini-tion of the sail plan gives it goodperformance in light and mode-rate weather. However, the highbudget, the presence of sophisti-cated technical equipment andthe power available (both undersail and engines) mean it is inten-ded for experienced owners. Thepresence of a sailor (or a mainte-nance service) with technical trai-ning will be necessary for severalweeks in the year to keep this‘pullman’ at the required mainte-nance level.

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TEST

use, a direct path from the mastfoot to the steering position islacking. The cockpit-terrace heretakes on superlative dimensions(in fine weather, or sheltered by

canvas ‘walls’ late in the season);this marine atrium communi-cates with the galley, of course,but in a more surprising way withthe starboard owner’s cabin andthe guest cabin to port! At sea orat anchor, under the Barbudansun or the frosts of the FaroeIslands, the ‘movement aroundthe boat’ plan will remain plea-sant; it invents a new kind ofconviviality, which finally res-pects the crew’s privacy.

COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE TECHNICAL AND LIVING AREAS

The 560 is a big multihull equip-ped with all the expected ser-vices, but also the associatedcomplexity. The services aregrouped in 3 separate assem-blies: the aft lockers house theengines and their peripherals, aswell as the air conditioning andautomatic pilot. The compart-ment in the forward crossbeamholds all the electrical functions.The storage (24V, 800Ah), gene-ration (7 to 15kVA generator),transformation and management(multiple dedicated invertors,regulators, ...) are groupedaround a central floor which over-hangs the battery bank. Thearchitecture, whilst complex,remains readable and showsboth an installation quality andselection of suppliers which arereassuring (a ‘panel open’ alarmseems essential). A skipper with

foresight would however havethe use and the service pro-cesses of this Airbus-stylemachinery explained to him. Thisrelevant organisation rationalises

maintenance and allows inter-ventions without disturbing therunning of the vessel.

AIM: LIFE ABOARDMost of the visitors to the BoatShows at Cannes, Genoa orBarcelona were enthusiasticabout the 560’s accommodation.Curiously, this positive point ofview seems to be shared by theprofessionals and even certaintraditionalist or even conserva-tive amateurs. Nauta and Lagoonhave therefore hit the mark! As

on the 450, the style and rise inmanufacturing standards areimmediately noticeable. Thecreativity employed in the origi-nal division of the volumes, theindividualised decorative treat-

ment of the private areas, andthe attractive atmosphere makeup this catamarans main appeal.A recent trend: the saloon tableis small fry compared to that in

the exterior dining room; the 560accommodates 6 guests insidearound a day bed (for relaxed rea-ding), whilst 10 people can easilyget together outside! The clevercentral ‘island’ (also supporting atelevision, which deserves pro-tection) turns the galley into abar, multi-function serving hatch,crossroads for conversations.The owner’s volume is superb(the opaque bathroom façadesdon’t remove any of its charm!);the famous ‘chalet’ (port, aft)gets this nickname from the ove-

rall impression felt in the depthsof this nautical lodge, with a viewof the wake! The forward cabinsbenefit from a comparable treat-ment. The soundproofing, insula-tion and the feeling of being ‘athome’ are identical in each one;which do you choose?

STRONG WINDS AND LIGHTWEATHER, THE TRUE TEST

The fury of the Tramontanewhich had swept the Golfe duLion the previous night had givenway to a force 6 – 7, laced withsunshine, which gave us a fieldday. In the absence of a bowthruster or IPS transmission, asuitable, user-friendly harbour

berth is recommended – the 560measures almost 18 x 10m andhas considerable windage. Thetest model’s big engines (2 x110hp!) were obviously impres-sive, but you have to get used tothe reaction time of the electro-nic controls, which are howeverperfectly suitable.We were under 2 reefs and thestaysail, as close-hauled as thecircumstances allowed (60° fromthe wind), facing regular gustswhich would have madeGaztibelsa (in the sung poem byBrassens) go mad. 25-37 knots,swinging by 15 to 20°, theTramontane didn’t turn us crazy,but made for an interesting testfor this spacious, comfortablytrendy, therefore heavy (32t!)catamaran. Under main alone,(square-headed, 2 reefs), theLagoon 560 sailed to windward –a convincing sign of a balancedcentre of effort. The unrolledstaysail generated the powernecessary to confront the nastysea that you can imagine. On aclose reach, the GPS displayed8.5 – 9 knots and the coastlinewas speeding by in the directionof Cap Leucate. On the edge ofthe Port-la-Nouvelle ‘wind tunnel’(a natural turbine which alwaysgenerates one Beaufort forcemore than anywhere else), wetacked at the first attempt (whichwas not easy in those condi-tions) and opened up the sailplan. At 140° to the wind, westraddled the short seas and slip-ped along at between 9 and 11knots, with a top speed of 12.The next morning, the lightbreeze allowed us to fly themaximum sail area (280m²!); the560 started sailing from 3 knots

• Accommodation • Services and finishing• Dynamic qualities

THE MINUSES

THE PLUSSES

• Absence of a barber for the mainsailand genoa and staysail sheet jammers• Accessibility of the engine dashboards• Numerous options

The incredible owner’s cabin…

Aboard the 560, you have just one wish: to go to sea!

« The next morning, the light breeze allowed us to fly the maximum sail area (280m²!), the 560 started sailing from 3 knots of true wind... »

No, you are not in a warehouse conversion, but a cruising catamaran...

The guests are not left out, with comfortable, voluminous cabins.

The design and the management of the interior areas are really innovative.

Architect: Van Peteghem/Lauriot Prevost

Builder: Lagoon

Length: 17.07m

Beam: 9.44m

Displacement: 32t

Draft: 1.50m

Construction: balsa monolithic/glass/vinylester-polyester sandwich

Mast height: 28.66m above the deck

Mainsail area: 128m (square-headed version)

Genoa: 82m

Staysail: 45m

Gennaker: 155m

Water: 960L

Diesel: 1300L

Price: owner’s version 795,000 € exc. VATwithout options

Comfort pack: 63,000 € exc. VAT

Gennaker fittings: 15,000 € exc. VAT

Hydranet, square-headed mainsail genoa:20,000 € exc. VAT

Staysail complete: 9,100 € exc. VAT

Davits: 17,000 € exc. VAT

Tender lift: 36,000 € exc. VAT

Additional charge, 110hp shafts electriccontrols folding three-bladed propellers:30,000 € exc. VAT

17 kVA Generator: 22,200 € exc. VAT

280L/h watermaker: 18,000 € exc. VAT

Air conditioning: 40,000 € exc. VAT

Commissioning: 13,668 € exc. VAT (maststepping, antifouling) at Bordeaux

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Flybridge, cockpit, saloon, forward cockpit:it’s up to you to choose your area...

The cockpit is perfectly protected by the flybridge, and is quite simply...gigantic!

THE COMPETITORSMODEL

Builder/Architect:

Weight in T:

Windward in m2:

Price in €, exc. VAT:

PRIVILEGE 515 DEAN 5000 SUNREEF 58 NAUTITECH DIAMANTE NEEL 50

alliaura/Lombard Dean/Dean Sunreef/Sunreef Nautech/Lombard Diamante/Diamante Neel/Neel

20 20 30 18.5 14 10

143 142 181 143 150 160

850 000 600 000 850 000 703 800 1 170 000 780 000

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