By admin 
The Lagoon Eighty 2 has officially secured its position as a benchmark in high-end naval architecture after being named the winner of the Sailing Catamaran Above 18m category at the Yacht Style Awards 2026. As the masterful sailing flagship of the renowned French shipyard, the Eighty 2 represents a significant leap forward from its predecessor, the iconic Seventy 7. While the vessel maintains the core DNA that has made Lagoon a global leader in the multihull sector, it introduces a suite of novelties and customizable options that cater to an increasingly sophisticated demographic of global yacht owners. Central to its design is an innovative, extendable high-low swim platform, a signature feature that underscores the yacht’s dual identity as both a high-performance sailing vessel and a luxurious social hub.
A Strategic Shift in Flagship Design
The release of the Eighty 2, which measures 24.97 meters (81 feet 11 inches) in length, signifies more than a mere incremental increase in size. In the contemporary yachting market, owners are no longer satisfied with the traditional trade-offs between sailing capability and living comfort. There is a growing demand for "pocket superyachts"—vessels under 24 meters that offer the volume and amenities typically reserved for much larger motor yachts while retaining the operational efficiency and soul of a sailing vessel.
Lagoon’s challenge was to rethink the flagship concept entirely. While the Eighty 2 shares its underlying technical platform with the Seventy 7, the shipyard has completely overhauled the layout and aesthetic direction. This transformation was achieved through a high-profile collaboration between VPLP Design, responsible for the naval architecture; Patrick Le Quément, who oversaw the exterior styling; and Nauta Design, the studio behind the interior spaces. Together with Lagoon’s in-house product team, they have created a vessel that functions as a luxury residence at sea, optimized for both private use and high-end professional charter operations.
Architectural Innovation: The Extending Aft Platform
The most prominent engineering feat on the Eighty 2 is the new aft platform, developed in partnership with Tenderlift. Historically, large catamarans have been limited by the restricted space between the hulls at the stern. The Eighty 2 addresses this by utilizing a platform that extends beyond the beam defined by the hulls. This system allows the yacht to carry tenders up to six meters in length, a capability rarely seen in this size class.
When the tender is deployed, the platform transforms into a 26-square-meter "beach club." It can be lowered to the level of the transoms to facilitate easy access to the water for swimming and diving, or raised to create a seamless extension of the aft cockpit. This versatility is essential for the modern charter market, where the transition between onboard relaxation and water-based activities must be effortless. According to Rosalie Le Gall, Lagoon’s Product Director, the goal was to provide "different functionality first," ensuring that the yacht could adapt to the specific needs of the owner at any given moment.
Design Philosophy and the Superyacht Aesthetic
The interior of the Eighty 2 marks a departure from traditional production yacht styling, leaning heavily into the "quiet luxury" movement. Nauta Design, a studio with a pedigree that includes the 180-meter Azzam (the world’s longest private yacht), applied superyacht-level cues to the Eighty 2’s living spaces. The focus shifted away from built-in, rigid structures toward loose furniture and a more residential atmosphere.
Massimo Gino, co-founder of Nauta Design, emphasized the importance of longevity in the design. By avoiding fleeting trends and focusing on timeless materials, the studio ensured the yacht remains aesthetically relevant for decades. The material palette includes:
- Sand Oak Veneers: Featuring a brushed finish that provides a warm, organic feel.
- Alpi Wood Flooring: Selected for its durability and sustainable sourcing.
- Foglizzio Leather: Used on headboards and accents, bringing a tactile, high-end finish common in custom superyachts.
- Bronze Mirror Accents: Strategically placed to enhance the sense of volume and reflect natural light.
The design team also focused on the interaction of light and space. Indirect lighting is utilized throughout the saloon and cabins to emphasize the yacht’s impressive beam, ensuring that the sheer volume of the multihull is celebrated rather than partitioned into smaller, darker sections.
Versatile Layouts and Crew Efficiency
Recognizing that the Eighty 2 will often serve in a charter capacity, Lagoon offers several layout configurations. These options allow owners to prioritize guest capacity, owner privacy, or service efficiency:
- Five-Cabin Galley-Down: Places the kitchen in the port hull, maximizing the main deck for social space.
- Five-Cabin Galley-Up: Moves the galley to the main deck, suitable for owners who enjoy a more social cooking experience or informal service.
- Four-Cabin Owner’s Suite: Features a palatial master cabin in the starboard hull, complete with a walk-in closet, a "his and hers" en-suite bathroom, and a signature fold-out balcony that creates a private terrace over the sea.
A critical aspect of the Eighty 2’s success is its focus on crew functionality. Based on feedback from professional crews operating the Seventy 7, Lagoon revised the arrangement to dedicate the forward section of the port hull to service areas. This includes the galley and accommodation for up to four crew members. By separating service circulation from guest areas, the yacht allows for a higher level of professional service without infringing on the privacy of the passengers—a key requirement for the luxury charter market.
Chronology of Development and Recognition
The journey to the Eighty 2 began with the launch of the Seventy 7 in 2016, which set a new standard for large-scale production catamarans. Over the following decade, Lagoon monitored the performance and owner satisfaction of the Seventy 7 fleet, identifying areas where the flagship could evolve.
- 2023-2024: Development phase focusing on the Tenderlift platform and the "Superyacht Interior" concept with Nauta Design.
- 2025: The first hull of the Eighty 2 was commissioned by Mario Dressler for Moria Yachting, a boutique charter operator. This hull served as the global debut model, showcasing the yacht’s ability to handle long-range cruising with expanded cold storage and professional-grade culinary equipment.
- January 2026: The Eighty 2 makes its official appearance at the Yacht Style Awards.
- Mid-2026: Recognition as the premier sailing catamaran in its class, validating Lagoon’s move toward the pocket superyacht market.
Technical Specifications and Performance Data
The Eighty 2 is built on a proven naval architecture platform by VPLP Design, a firm renowned for its success in offshore racing. This heritage ensures that despite its luxury appointments, the Eighty 2 remains a capable sailing machine.
- Overall Length: 24.97 m / 81’11"
- Beam: 11.00 m / 36’1"
- Draft: 1.90 m / 6’3"
- Mast Height: 36.90 m / 121’1"
- Light Displacement: Approx. 65 tons
- Sail Area: Optimized for ease of handling with a high-aspect rig and options for automated sail management.
The yacht’s flybridge offers approximately 50 square meters of usable area, featuring twin helm stations and an expansive lounge. The forward cockpit, which has been increased in size by 40 percent compared to previous models, provides a sunken lounge area with direct access to the main saloon, creating a continuous flow of space from bow to stern.
Market Implications and Analysis
The success of the Eighty 2 highlights a broader trend in the maritime industry: the "multihull revolution" in the luxury sector. As catamarans offer significantly more living space and stability per foot of length compared to monohulls, they are increasingly displacing traditional motor yachts in the 80-to-100-foot range.
For Lagoon, the Eighty 2 is a strategic asset that bridges the gap between series production and custom yachting. It allows the brand to compete with custom builders by offering a level of interior refinement and technical innovation that was previously unavailable in a production platform. Furthermore, the emphasis on sustainable materials, such as wood veneers instead of solid hardwoods, reflects a growing environmental consciousness among modern yacht buyers.
Mario Dressler, the entrepreneur who commissioned the first Eighty 2, noted that the yacht appeals to those who appreciate "discreet Swiss-style luxury." This shift away from ostentation toward functional, high-quality design is likely to influence future releases from other major shipyards.
Conclusion: A New Horizon for Lagoon
The Lagoon Eighty 2 is more than a flagship; it is a statement of intent. By integrating the technical prowess of VPLP, the stylistic elegance of Patrick Le Quément, and the superyacht interior expertise of Nauta Design, Lagoon has created a vessel that transcends its category. It provides a blueprint for how large sailing catamarans can meet the demands of a modern, globalized market that values space, service efficiency, and "quiet luxury." As the Eighty 2 begins its tenure on the global charter circuit and in private fleets, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of sailing when combined with the uncompromising comfort of a superyacht.
