Girotti (Bénéteau): “With the Lagoon Eighty 3, superyacht standards are now available in motor catamarans.”

Bordeaux (France) – The French shipyard Lagoon, part of the Bénéteau Group, has unveiled the new catamaran Eighty 3, its largest model ever built. The project builds on the Eighty 2 sailing yacht presented last season and features naval architecture by VPLP, exterior design by Patrick Le Quément, and interior and styling by Nauta Design. The yacht has an overall length of 24,4 meters, a beam of 11 meters, a draft of 1,27 meters, and a light displacement of 65 tons. The first unit stands out for its layout with four double cabins and a galley "below," that is, in the port hull within the crew quarters. This is the most owner-friendly layout, leaving the owner with much of the starboard hull, featuring a suite with a private bathroom, walk-in closet, and even a fold-out balcony overlooking the sea (built by Besenzoni, along with the outdoor helm seat on the flybridge). Other versions include five cabins with a galley that can be located in the port hull or on the main deck. Numerous Italian suppliers are present on board: in addition to Besenzoni, Parema is responsible for the entrance glass, Opacmare for the gangway, Mase Generators for the two 17 kW variable-speed generators installed in the engine rooms, Quick for the mooring winches and lights, and Seasmart for the bollards and fairleads. The boat's construction boasts 80% recycled fiberglass, 25% of the non-structural parts made from natural fibers, and 71% FSC-certified wood. Furthermore, 8,2 tons of resin were used, 45% of which is organic, a choice that saves approximately 10 tons of CO₂.

The Eighty 3, along with the other large models in the fleet, is built in a dedicated warehouse at the shipyard's Bordeaux base. SUPER YACHT 24 had the opportunity to tour the production facility during a press day and speak with Gianguido Girotti, Bénéteau's general manager and deputy CEO. "The new 83-footer is a significant step forward and a stepping stone to Lagoon's vision of power catamarans. We've been working tirelessly to develop real quality, both technically and in terms of the materials chosen and the solutions implemented. I'd also like to highlight our close collaboration with Nauta, with whom we continue to work to bring the standards they derive from their superyacht world to an 83-footer. This has been an important exercise for us, not only in terms of technology but also in terms of meeting and embracing increasingly demanding clients."

During the press conference, the shipyard also announced its expansion into premium services thanks to Lagoon Signature. Girotti explained that "Lagoon Signature encompasses everything from 55 feet upwards, and it's not just about production, but also about customization and service. Today, one of our owners can practically sail around the world and always have a dedicated team at key milestones to provide high-quality service, and this is incredibly valuable. We have perhaps the largest customer base in the world for 80-foot catamarans, and it would be a mistake to leave that to others."

Massimo Gino of Nauta Design was also on board the catamaran, and he explained to SUPER YACHT 24 that "the biggest challenge was defining this 83-foot motor yacht differently from the 82-foot sailing yacht in terms of details, materials, and finishes. We conducted a lengthy selection study on so-called 'loose furniture,' that is, furnishings and accessories from the world of home decor adapted to yachting. Another important aspect was playing with different materials; on board, there's a lot of reflection and shimmer. Another aspect involved the quality of the details to offer a richer perception, which shouldn't be limited to the accessories but in general. All this work led to a very different result from the sailing model. Furthermore, the level of customization on the furnishings is very advanced, and for owners like this, this is an important aspect."

Among the guests at the launch day was Simone Morelli of Nss Yachting, one of the most awarded dealers. He explained to SUPER YACHT 24 that "we sold both the Seventy 7 and the Seventy 8, the versions prior to this one, and they were exceptional boats. With the 82 sailing yacht and the 83 motor yacht, the shipyard has improved an already exceptional design. Among the key changes in the new Lagoon philosophy is the single-level saloon, without steps, which are always a source of danger and inconvenience when underway. The external bow area and access to the living area have also been improved, but above all, it is the aft tender lift that has changed the concept of using the boat, because it allows for a 6-meter tender with a 20-horsepower engine. These are the fundamental aspects, but then there is also all the part that is not visible, with improvements and technological updates that make it an exceptional boat. Now it will be important to make these products perceived at an even higher level." When asked whether the future of catamarans will be more sail-powered or motor-powered, Morelli said, "Lagoon has always had sailing in its DNA, but the motor market is 80% compared to sailing's 20%. I believe there will soon be a wave of power catamarans, just as there was a wave of sailing catamarans in the past. So, products like the Sixty 7 and the Eighty 3, I hope, will soon be joined by slightly smaller and more accessible models. I believe there will be a significant migration from motor monohulls to multihulls, because the philosophy is to cruise at 12 knots in silence, comfort, and with the spacious spaces typical of a catamaran. That will be the winning factor." Regarding the marinas' capacity to accommodate yachts of this width, Morelli replies, "Yes, mooring plans and the rest of the marinas are starting to become more flexible, adapting the spaces. This is also because these boats, despite being wide and bulky, have the advantage of limited draft, and ports are able to remodel mooring plans and docks, even fixed ones, based on the boats' draft. Those with floating docks, on the other hand, can adapt the water surface to new needs. The market will certainly move in this direction, and therefore we will all have to adapt to these devices."

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