I quickly bought in that choosing a yacht is not without considerable choices, that there isn't a perfect boat out there and accepted that the choice is about 'compromises'. So Im OK with that!

A catamaran was an easier choice, made quite quickly for the many known reasons: space, stability, engine redundancy, etc. and least of not Rose's choice for a more stable platform. We owned a mono-haul motor yacht previously which heaved/rolled/yawed like a cork and Rose had a strong preference for more stability if we were to undertake long term cruising - there was no other choices!!

I reviewed and viewed many cats and shortlisted 4 and whittled that down to the Lagoon - eventually winning over on the space, the fly-bridge, layout, short handed control, sailability, affordability, etc.

Our boat is well optioned, strong and sturdy. I had reservations about the flybridge in deteriorating weather but after the Indian Ocean crossing have became an advocate of the control and visibility it offers - we have covers to roll down if needed for wind/spray protection. The yacht can be controlled from either the salon nav station or helm as needed. The wide hulls and weight allow for excellent displacement and handling in heavy seas.

We've undertaken a nr of upgrades/options to ready her for long term cruising including:

Q4 2015

- LiFePO4 house battery banks; Mastervolt Ultra 360Ah x2; MV 100A battery charger; various configuration adjustments for the lithium charging. Installed and commissioned by 3rd party (C-Dynamics SA).
- Watt&Sea 300W hydrogenerator.
- Iridium GO with PredictWind weather/forecast package

Q2 2014

- 980W Solar System built onto a custom designed frame: Sunpower E20-327s fitted to a Outback FM80 feeding house batteries and engine/genset batteries
- SSB: Icom 801e with Pactor 4/Airmail (courtesy of Bob Smith at Sailcom UK)
- Iridium Extreme satellite phone
- 2nd anchor: Rocna primary and Delta backup
- Gennaker: UK Sails 115m2 with Profurler
- Lots of safety ie R-10s, ISO liferaft, GPS EPRIB, fi-fi, Jonbuoy Rescue Module,etc
- Storm mangement hardware: Galerider drogue/warp/bridles; ATN storm jib
- Dive system: Bauer Jr and scuba sets
- 3G/Wifi modem: Locomarine Micro
- Active Radar: Echomax
- Dual Racor fuel filters fitted to each engine and genset
- Redundant nav systems incl paper charts
- Spares: where do we stop!!
- 1 of 3 showers turned into a storage locker system (who needs 3 showers!)
- Replacement of the bilge pumps (Rule out - Jabsco 3660 diaphragms with USS float switches in)

Factory Option:

- Dingy: Highfield OM350 with Honda BF20
- Gennaker: UK Sails 115m2 with Profurler
- Watermaker: Dessalator DUO100 12V/220V
- Onan-Cummins 11kVa generator
- Mastervolt 2000W inverter

Specifications

Type: Catamaran
Manufacture/Country: Lagoon/France
Model: 450
Year Built: 2014
Registration/Flag: Langkawi, Malaysia
Call Sign: 9MTE2
CE Certification: A (12 persons)
LOA: 13.96m
Breadth: 7.8m
Draft: 1.3m
Displacement: 16Te lightships
Engines: Yanmar 2x 4JH5E/54HP with SD-60 Sail Drives; Flexofold 3 blade props
Fuel Capacity: 2x 500 liters; Aluminium tanks
Water Capacity: 525 liters n 3x tanks