We prove the electrical propulsion:

Lagoon 420 Hydrid

We already knew of him… But to prove it live is another thing!

The sensation is impressive… We cast off and in most complete silence the boat is put to walk with determination. In a single word? … Sensational!   

When finalizing the past Hall Palma de Mallorca we had the possibility of sailing a complete day and in company of the people in charge of Lagoon France, to in detail know the “emotions” that this new model transmits that comes to replace the 410. Far from to count the typical thing of a test of boats, we simply want to transmit the experience to sail with this novel system of propulsion, that we were alternating continuously with the candles to be able to understand the new concept of navigation “hybrid”.

Inside the boat is a commutator of 5 positions that we can “compare” with the gearshift of an automatic car. Once selected to the position of “navigation” the boat he is ready to respond to the two handles of “energy” that govern to each one of the two motors and to begin the exit maneuver. (to see article: Lagoon 420)

The electronic plate controls along with the “variador” of each motor all the electrical parameters of the system. The commutator of 5 positions allows to define the motorcycle of operation of energy of the boat. In one of the outer coffers one is installed the diesel generator comfortably that feeds all the systems on Lagoon 420 Hybrid.

First sensation: Sensitivity is fantastic and the control of the power without comparison. It is possible to put to only turn the motors from a few returns per second to the maximum regime of power. A fundamental difference with respect to the traditional diesel engines is in the maximum and continuous motor pair that offers an electrical motor to any regime of turn. This is translated in an immediacy of impossible answer and power with any motor of explosion. (to see article on the Motor Pair).

Everything is resent until the command post. A unique person is perfectly able to take the boat. The electrical panel indicates by means of analogical ammeters the present state of consumptions and loads of each motor. Installed in reposapiés they are the electrical controls of winchs that fit escotas and halliards without the smaller effort. On them boxes have get ready to organize the ends that do not work.

Second sensation:  Until being accustomed, we must be cautious with the power handle, since even to the maximum of power, the unique thing that we heard is the bubblings of the strong water spurt that leaves sudden flight by the sterns the helmets. The murmur is similar to the one of a mountain brook. There are no more sounds. Perhaps the installation would be advisable from a pair of account revolutions in the tree of helices, to be able to know the power propulsion that is being generated in each skate. No vibration, no murmur. Only power.

Third sensation: And without frights we noticed suddenly that the generator set has started up. The digital power station has detected that we are “eating” many amperes of the park of batteries and needs to generate current to maintain these andares. 6 knots in electrical without problems and with more than 1,000 miles of autonomy. 8 measured knots of principle to GPS. The generator will pause solito when it is necessary, in the same way that also started up. Now if that we noticed the noise of a motor but the group is remarkably quiet and astutely is located in an enormous coffer in the outside of the boat. From the cabins or in the beds, silence is total… Good they are only let hear the chapoteos of the waves against the careening. That is a delight, especially for which they like to realize long and nocturnal navigations!

In stern of each skate are both parks of batteries that feed the motors and they are loaded with the generator. Each of them has 6 enormous batteries of 12 volts connected in series to arrive at the 72 volts from continuous that need the motors propulsion. Each park. 400 Kilograms of Acid/Lead.

Fourth sensation: The day is of luxury. The bay of Palm offers magnificent conditions to sail to candle. 20 wind knots, solete moderate and 25 degrees of temperature. Somebody gives more? 

We raise greater and we removed all the Genoa. The Lagoon is equipped with winches electrical so that nothing to work like crazy people with the halliard. Everything is easy and the maneuvers perfectly are resent until the steering position so that the boat can be driven without problems (greater and Genoa) by a unique crew member.

We take the handles to the neutral position. Now the helices are continued moving dragged by the water, and generating energy electrical that recharges the parks of batteries. As soon as the helices are loaded will turn without retention and will restrain the catamaran very little.

The prow bank is immense… Another perfect place to relax while we sailed. Underneath him we found many coffers for rammer.

Very calm sea and 20 to 25 wind knots that allowed us to verify the fitted good that even sails to candle in until almost 40º of wind. To 60º and until the traverse, the “tasting” maintained the 7 knots and with the absolute comfort to sail corrected list without minimum it lists clearly. More ahead we had the opportunity to sail with genaker verifying the effectiveness of this candle and the easy thing that it is handled with a Facnor coiler.

Lagoon 420 with major and genaker comfortably making 7 knots. The window of the bathtub ceiling allows to control and to fit the candles from the command post. On the ceiling of the Roof a panoramic one is descried magnificent. Another perfect site in which to travel.

Other positions of control

The other positions of the march commutator are thought to block the propulsion in anchorage or to allow the use and enjoys the boat while we remain moored or to autolimitar the propulsion to a 60% of the maximum. Whatever chosen option, the system is totally intelligent and considers a pile of parameters to decide if the generator set must start that feeds the motors and loads the parks of batteries, when it is due to disconnect and that to do with the energy which we obtain when sailing to candle as a result of the drag the helices.

Distribution and interiors

Without being the objective of this article centered in the electrical motorization, we cannot stop commenting the careful carpentry and adopted solutions of distribution. The main stateroom is simply incredible worthy of the best hotel.

In Lagoon 420 we found different “atmospheres” like the inner hall, the outer zone that is unified with the interior when abrir the tracks, the ample and comfortable zone of prow, upon roof, the seats of the prow skates,… There is no color with sloop! those that is seated in the steering position can chat with the friendly seated in the sofa with form of “Or” of the bathtub in which the table of the inner hall or a small low small table obtaining a tempting collection point can hardly be installed in a minute.

The “tasting” can be taken from the inner steering position with tilted sidewalk. The central table mounts in the outside in a fast operation. To the right is the movable bar located next to the stairs that take to the main stateroom.

Lagoon 420 offers space and habitability in abundance: In many furniture we found drawers and doors that take advantage of all the spaces. Underneath the ground of both helmets also there is space to pack. Under the beds more space, in the coffers of bathtub more and more volume. Ideal to take absolutely everything what needs.

If you to the normal baths of any sailboats are customary she will return to surprise of pleasing form. To the ample and separated skillful bottom, own spaces of one house that of a boat, hollow until for a washing machine… In the Lagoon everything is different, and if a little more “just” sails, it is possible that it begins to him to roam by the head the idea to sell his boat and to go definitively to the catamarans. Pruébelo!

To ask for information of the financing