2012 Lagoon 52 vs 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 — Comparison
2012 Lagoon 52
2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2012 Lagoon 52 | 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Lagoon | Fountaine Pajot |
| Year | 2012–2018 | 2019 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | France |
| Designer | VPLP / Nauta Design | Berret-Racoupeau |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.84 m (52.0 ft) | 13.42 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 15.10 m (49.5 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| Beam | 8.60 m (28.2 ft) | 7.67 m (25.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) | 1.28 m (4.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 20,000 kg (44,092 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 148.0 m² (1,593 ft²) | 100.0 m² (1,076 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 800 L (211.3 gal) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 1200 L (317.0 gal) | 860 L (227.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 10 |
| Cabins | 6 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2012 Lagoon 52 and 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2012 Lagoon 52 is a modern design by Lagoon from France, while the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is a modern offering from Fountaine Pajot from France. The 2012 Lagoon 52 was penned by VPLP / Nauta Design. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 was designed by Berret-Racoupeau.
In terms of size, the 2012 Lagoon 52 measures 15.84m (52.0ft) overall with a beam of 8.60m, compared to the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 at 13.42m (44.0ft) with a 7.67m beam. The 2012 Lagoon 52 is 2.42m longer than the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45. The 2012 Lagoon 52 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2012 Lagoon 52 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.40 and 148.0 m² of sail area. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45, with an SA/D of 18.86 and 100.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 Lagoon 52 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2012 Lagoon 52 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.27). The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 has a comfort ratio of 7.5 and a capsize screening value of 1.32. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2012 Lagoon 52 and 0.0% for the 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2012 Lagoon 52 provides 12 berths in 6 cabins with 1200L of water capacity and 800L of fuel. The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 860L water and 480L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2019 Fountaine Pajot Elba 45 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2012 Lagoon 52 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 Lagoon 52 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.