Lagoon 380 Refit: What Our Teams Learned in 5 Months of Work

A Lagoon 380 refit means five months of work, a hull recovered almost empty, and a complete restoration: engines, rigging, electronics, comfort. Our teams did it between September 2020 and January 2021 on the Lagoon 380 nicknamed CONTREBANDE, abandoned in the Caribbean since 2010. Here is what this project taught us about restoring a Lagoon 380 catamaran, and what it really involves.

What is a Lagoon 380 catamaran refit, and why does this model lend itself to it so well?

A catamaran refit ranges from a simple return to seaworthiness - a few targeted areas - all the way to the near-total rebuild of a boat where only the hull remains. The Lagoon 380 lends itself particularly well to this exercise: its polyester hull, designed by the naval architecture firm VPLP (Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévot), is renowned for its durability over time. Produced from 1999 to 2019 (production confirmed as discontinued), this 4-cabin model, 11.55 m long and 6.53 m wide, is today available only on the second-hand market. Most examples are between 10 and 25 years old, and many need a serious overhaul. It is precisely because the hull holds up so well that a refit makes sense on a Lagoon 380: you rebuild everything else on a solid base.

The Lagoon 380 in a few technical figures

• Length: 11.55 m
• Beam: 6.53 m
• Draft: 1.15 m
• Mainsail area: 47 m²
• Genoa area: 30 m²
• Engines: 2 x Yanmar 3YM30 (29 hp), Yanmar SD50 saildrive
• Water capacity: 300 L
• Fuel capacity: 2 x 100 L
• Production: 1999 to 2019 - architect VPLP

What condition was the Lagoon 380 CONTREBANDE in to start with, and why did we decide to refit it entirely?

CONTREBANDE had been abandoned in the Caribbean in 2010. Our teams recovered it in 2018 in a state of advanced deterioration: the boat had been stripped during the years of abandonment. When we arrived, only the polyester hull was intact. No more electrical circuit, no more deck hardware, no more sails, no more navigation equipment. An empty boat, but with a sound hull.

It was that hull that justified the decision to refit rather than walk away. On a Lagoon 380, the intrinsic value of the boat lies in its structure and in the quality of its polyester. If the hull is sound, you can rebuild everything on top of it. If the hull is compromised (deep osmosis, cracked joints, separated deck), the economic case no longer holds. Here, the hull diagnosis was clear: CONTREBANDE could be restored from top to bottom. The project began in September 2020 at our Lorient base, at Port de Kernevel.

How did our teams approach the restoration: what were the first stages of the project?

The first decision in a full refit is the order of work. Our teams chose to start with the electrical infrastructure before anything else. It is a matter of jobsite logic: you cannot fit joinery, comfort equipment or navigation instruments if the circuits are not in place. Starting with the electrics avoids dismantling the fit-out twice, and avoids discovering at the end of the project that you have to open up the bulkheads you have just installed.

After the circuits, our teams refitted the deck hardware: rubrails, pulpits, stanchions, cleats, winches. This is the structural restoration of the deck before the complex systems are grafted onto it. On a boat as stripped-down as CONTREBANDE, this order was decisive for the coherence of the project.

Why start with the electrical circuits in a catamaran refit?

On a Lagoon 380, the 12V circuit powers all the critical systems on board: navigation instruments, VHF, cabin lighting, bilge pumps, autopilot. The 220V circuit handles the battery chargers, cabin sockets, the refrigerator and the electric oven. In a complete refit on a stripped boat, both of these circuits have to be redone entirely. Redoing the electrics first offers a simple advantage: you run the cables in bulkheads and conduits that are still open, without having to take apart a finished fit-out. It saves time and guarantees the quality of the installation.

What engine and rigging work does a Lagoon 380 refit involve?

The engines and rigging are the two most structuring technical areas of a Lagoon 380 refit. On CONTREBANDE, the original engines had disappeared during the looting. We fitted two new Yanmar 3YM30 engines (29 hp each), mounted on a Yanmar SD50 saildrive. The saildrive is the most closely watched mechanical part on a Lagoon 380 catamaran: its sealing membrane, which forms the barrier between the engine housing and the water, must be replaced according to the recommendations of the manufacturer Yanmar (every 7 years in theory, sometimes extended to 10 years depending on conditions of use). On a used boat, the condition of this membrane is one of the first things to check.

For the rigging, we worked with Incidences, our sailmaking partner, whose bases cover Brest, La Rochelle and Toulon. The standing rigging of CONTREBANDE - shrouds, stays, intermediate shrouds in 316 stainless steel cables - was entirely replaced. This is a decision consistent with the boat’s history: rigging fitted before 2010 and left without maintenance for 10 years offers no guarantee of mechanical strength. Marine professionals recommend replacing the standing rigging every 10 to 12 years on a cruising catamaran subject to heavy loads. Beyond 13 to 15 years, the risk of failure through mechanical fatigue increases significantly. Incidences also remade the sails: a 47 m² mainsail and a 30 m² genoa, entirely new.

What is standing rigging, and how often should it be replaced on a Lagoon?

The standing rigging refers to the set of cables that hold the mast in position: stays (forward), shrouds (lateral), intermediate shrouds (diagonal). On a Lagoon 380, these cables are made of 316 stainless steel (marine grade). Their service life is limited by fatigue in the strands and oxidation of the swaged fittings - the ends that connect the cable to the fittings. The warning signs to watch for are rusted swages, broken strands visible on the surface of the cable, and any deformation of the turnbuckles. On CONTREBANDE, whose rigging dated back to a period before the 2010 abandonment, full replacement was not an option: it was an absolute safety necessity.

How did we approach the navigation electronics and onboard equipment?

The navigation electronics are the third major area of a complete refit. On CONTREBANDE, everything had to be redone: the boat had been stripped from end to end, including the instruments. Our teams installed a complete electronic suite from the navigation station. It covers the VHF, the autopilot, the chartplotter, the AIS (automatic identification system for vessels), as well as the onboard instruments: speed, depth, wind direction and wind speed.

Redoing the electronics in one go offers an advantage that we recommend to our clients who buy a used Lagoon 380: system coherence. A boat that accumulates equipment from different generations - a chartplotter from 2004, an autopilot from 2012, a VHF from 2018 - is a boat that is difficult to maintain, with frequent incompatibilities between protocols (NMEA 0183 vs NMEA 2000). Starting from a clean slate, as we did on CONTREBANDE, makes it possible to install a coherent, interfaced suite that is up to date with current safety standards.

What makes the difference for onboard comfort: upholstery, joinery, sanitary fittings?

The last major part of the CONTREBANDE refit concerned onboard comfort. On a charter catamaran, this is what passengers experience every day: the quality of the materials, the functionality of the storage, the robustness of the kitchen and bathroom equipment. On this stripped boat, joinery and comfort equipment were missing or out of order. Our teams installed everything: gas, oven, hobs, refrigerator, taps, water units (osmosis and hot water production), teak in the bathrooms, interior joinery (doors, drawers, cupboards), cockpit canvas and new upholstery.

The choice of materials on a charter catamaran follows a different logic from that of a private boat. The materials must be durable, easy to clean and easy to replace between charters. Teak in the bathrooms is easier to maintain than carpet or synthetic coverings in the long run. Cockpit upholstery must withstand UV, salt water and intensive use. It is these criteria - not simply aesthetics - that guided each of our choices on CONTREBANDE.

What conclusions do we draw from this refit, and what do we advise anyone considering buying a used Lagoon 380?

After five months of work, CONTREBANDE looked like new. That is the result we aim for on every refitted boat: no trace of the past in the equipment, consistency of installation, and immediate operational reliability. This project confirmed what we already knew: a full refit on a heavily deteriorated Lagoon 380 calls on 5 to 7 different trades - marine electrician, rigger, sailmaker, joiner, marine mechanic, upholsterer, plumber. This is precisely the advantage of an operator with its own technical team on each base: the trades coordinate, deadlines are kept under control, and responsibility for the entire project rests with a single point of contact.

If you are considering buying a used Lagoon 380 with a view to a partial or complete refit, four checkpoints are a priority. The condition of the standing rigging: check the installation date documented by the seller and visually inspect the swages for signs of oxidation. The Yanmar SD50 saildrive membranes: make sure they have been replaced recently, as this is the most expensive point of failure on this model. The condition of the sails: tears, batten structure and integrity of the UV strips. And the hull itself: osmosis testing, inspection of the joints between the two hulls and the general condition of the deck (separation, blistering).

Looking for a used Lagoon 380 or want to discover the entire Lagoon range available for purchase? Our advisors support you in your project, from the initial survey through to delivery of the boat. Explore our used Lagoon catamarans and the full range of Lagoon models available. To understand what sets Sailoe apart from a simple intermediary, see our About Us page - more than 20 years of experience and in-house technical teams on every base.

Frequently asked questions about the Lagoon 380 refit

How much does a complete refit of a Lagoon 380 cost?

The cost of a refit depends entirely on the boat’s starting condition. A light refit - rigging, sails, basic electronics - represents an investment in the region of 30,000 to 40,000 euros for a well-maintained boat. A deep refit on a heavily deteriorated boat - new engines, complete rigging, electronics, joinery, upholstery - calls on far greater resources over 4 to 6 months of work. A prior survey of the boat’s condition is essential to assess the priority areas and frame the budget actually required.

What are the priority checkpoints before buying a used Lagoon 380 with a view to a refit?

The four critical areas are: the condition of the standing rigging (documented installation date, signs of oxidation at the swages), the Yanmar SD50 saildrive membranes (wear or micro-cracks), the condition of the sails (tears, batten structure, UV strips), and the hull (osmosis testing, polyester joints, condition of the deck). A certified marine surveyor is essential before any purchase.

How long does a Lagoon 380 refit take?

A complete refit - like the one our teams carried out on CONTREBANDE - takes on average 5 to 6 months of work for a heavily deteriorated boat. A partial refit covering the rigging, sails and electronics can be done in 6 to 12 weeks depending on the workload of the boatyards. Plan for the boat to be fully out of service for the entire duration of the work.

Should the standing rigging of a Lagoon 380 be replaced at fixed intervals?

Marine professionals recommend replacing the standing rigging in 316 stainless steel cables every 10 to 12 years on a cruising catamaran subject to heavy loads. Beyond 13 to 15 years, the risk of failure through mechanical fatigue increases significantly. On a used boat, the installation date of the shrouds and stays must be documented by the seller.

Is it better to refit a Lagoon 380 or buy a recent model directly?

It all depends on your goals. The Lagoon 380 has not been produced since 2019. A fully refitted example offers the advantage of a lower acquisition price than a new model, with completely overhauled systems. A more recent model - Lagoon 38, Lagoon 42 - offers current technology but at a higher new-boat purchase price. Our advisors can help you weigh the options according to your budget and your sailing program.