Which catamaran size for Croatia: Lagoon 38, 42, 46 or 51?

Four adults fit a Lagoon 38, six a Lagoon 42, eight a Lagoon 43, 46 or 47, and ten the Lagoon 51. The 2027 weekly price for the boat goes up with size, from 3.000–7.800 € on the Lagoon 38 to 9.400–20.400 € on the Lagoon 51.

I’m Miha and I do the bookings at Active Cruises. “Which boat should we take?” comes up in almost every first email, so this is how I work it out with guests.

Our catamarans compared

Specs are from our boat pages. Prices are 2027 list prices per boat per week, before early-booking discounts.

All our bases are about 10 minutes from Split Airport. The low end of each price range is April or October, the high end July or August.

Which size for 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 guests

Four guests. The Lagoon 38 is our most compact Lagoon and one of the best-value boats in the fleet. Four cabins, but two bathrooms. Fine for a family or two couples who don’t mind sharing.

Six guests. The Lagoon 42 has four ensuite cabins plus two crew cabins. Six adults and two kids fit well, and every cabin has its own bathroom.

Eight guests. The most common group, and the most choice. The Lagoon 43, 46 and 47 are our own boats and check in on Friday, so you’re out a day before the Saturday rush. The two Fountaine Pajots in our fleet check in on Saturday and can go bareboat or with a skipper.

Ten guests. The Lagoon 51 is made for this. Four ensuite cabins, two smaller cabins and two separate crew cabins. It suits a bigger family or two groups travelling together.

On the Lagoon 47, a group of ten can also use the crew cabin, with the captain in the small front cabin. That’s on confirmation only, and without a hostess.

Twelve guests. None of our boats is recommended for twelve adults plus crew. Some list a maximum of 12–14 people, but that is not what I’d put a group in for a week. For twelve I suggest two boats, and we work out the combination together.

Cabins vs comfort: what else to compare

Cabin count is half the answer. After that I’d look at these.

Bathrooms. The Lagoon 38 has two for four cabins. From the Lagoon 42 up, the four main cabins are ensuite. The Lagoon 47 has five bathrooms and the Lagoon 55 has six.

Outdoor space. The Lagoon 46 is the first size with a real flybridge. The Lagoon 43 has a semi-flybridge and a cockpit table for up to 10. On the Lagoon 47 a door leads from the saloon straight onto a 12 m² forward cockpit.

Staying at anchor. The Lagoons from the 42 up have a generator, air conditioning in all rooms and a watermaker. Our Lagoon 43 has over 1.5 kW of solar, the 47 over 1.3 kW and the 46 over 0.8 kW. Fewer marina nights just for water and power.

Light wind. The Lagoon 46 has a Code Zero, so you can keep sailing on light summer days when most boats motor.

Motion. Bigger boats usually move more gently. The Lagoon 55 is a larger, quieter Lagoon with an easy motion under sail.

Scott sailed our Lagoon 43 with four adults and wrote: “The cabin and outdoor areas were spacious and comfortable.”

Crew cabins: where the captain and hostess sleep

If you take crew, check where they sleep. On most of our boats they have their own space and you keep every guest cabin.

• Lagoon 38: four cabins, no separate crew cabin listed. With a captain, plan one of the four for him.
• Lagoon 42, 43 and 46: two small cabins, usually for the crew. All four ensuite cabins stay with the guests.
• Lagoon 47: a dedicated crew cabin with its own bathroom, plus a small front cabin for crew or kids. That’s rare on a boat under 55 feet.
• Lagoon 51: two crew cabins, separate from the two smaller guest cabins.
• Lagoon 55 and 65: separate crew cabins (two on the 55, one on the 65). The Lagoon 55 includes captain and hostess in the price.

The Lagoon 46, 47 and 51 go out with crew. The Lagoon 38, 42, 43 and the Fountaine Pajots can be bareboat or crewed. A captain is 1.600 € per week (1.800 € on the Lagoon 51), a hostess 1.400 €.

Our captains are Igor, Josip, Mauro, Jon, Žan and Ante. With one of them on board the security deposit is 0 €. I know all of them and all of our own boats, so when you ask me which boat fits your group, you get the answer from the person who also books your captain.

What size costs per guest

Boat-only price at the top July rate, split across the recommended number of guests.

Per guest, the 38, 42 and 43 are close. The 47 costs a bit more per head, but it’s a 2027 boat with five bathrooms. Extras, fuel and marinas come on top, see how much a catamaran charter in Croatia costs.

FAQ

What size catamaran do I need for 8 people?

For eight adults, look at a 43–47 foot catamaran with four ensuite cabins. Our Lagoon 43, 46 and 47 are recommended for 8 adults plus 2 crew. In 2027 the Lagoon 43 costs 5.000–12.500 € and the Lagoon 47 6.900–16.600 € per boat per week, depending on the month.

Can 10 people sail on one catamaran in Croatia?

Yes. Our Lagoon 51 is recommended for 10 adults plus 2 crew, at 9.400–20.400 € per week in 2027. The Lagoon 47 can also take 10, on confirmation and without a hostess.

Do the captain and hostess take a guest cabin?

On most of our boats, no. The Lagoon 42, 43, 46, 47, 51, 55 and 65 have separate crew cabins. The Lagoon 38 has none listed, so a captain uses one of its four cabins.

Which catamarans check in on Friday?

Our own Lagoon 43, 46 and 47 check in on Friday in Trogir. The Lagoon 55 and 65 have flexible check-in. The other boats check in on Saturday.

Why is the maximum capacity higher than the recommended number?

The maximum is the most people the boat can take. The recommended number is what’s comfortable for a week. I always plan with the recommended number.

Tell me your group size and dates on WhatsApp or through the booking page. I’ll suggest the boat that fits and send the live price for your week.