Life Aboard Casablanca, a Lagoon 50

Martin and Ann Kristin, a couple from Scandinavia, have chosen an uncommon life: to sail the world aboard their Lagoon 50.

Their story begins with a voyage, each sailing on their own, before destiny united them at sea. Today, they share a passion for sailing, learning about other cultures, and exploring the most beautiful parts of the world. In this interview, they discuss their journey, their choices, and their daily life aboard their catamaran.

Would you like to introduce yourselves?

We are Martin, from Denmark, and Ann Kristin, originally from Norway. In 2017, we each began sailing aboard our own boats, without knowing one another. Martin left from Denmark, and I left from Norway. We met in Martinique, six months after our respective departures, and then again, in Tahiti, one year later. It was there that Martin sold his 40-foot monohull and purchased a Lagoon 450 F. We first sailed separately, each on our own, before we began sailing together.
In 2020, I then sold my boat in Indonesia to join Martin aboard his boat. But because of COVID, we had to turn around and sail for Tahiti, covering 6,500 nautical miles in eight weeks, an experience that proves that a Lagoon can sail upwind on offshore crossings!

Why have you chosen a Lagoon?

We really like the design and the atmosphere aboard the new Lagoons, which reminds us of Scandinavian style, streamlined and functional. After having compared multiple brands, we found that Lagoon offered the best compromise between price, aesthetic value, and configuration.
We chose an owner’s cabin with additional cabins, which is ideal for welcoming friends and guests.

Why did you opt for this model, in particular?

The Lagoon 50 caught our attention with her flybridge, improved upon with regard to the Lagoon 450 F, with a hard top and entirely enclosed, perfect for cruising in all kinds of weather. She features a nice view while cruising in shallow waters.
The Lagoon 50 also has a very nice fit and finish and a large, comfortable saloon.

Before sailing aboard a Lagoon 50, you had a Lagoon 450 F. Why change models?

The Lagoon 450F was an excellent catamaran, but we wanted a more spacious flybridge and more cabins to host guests on charters that we would organize. The Lagoon 50 is faster, larger, and offers a more luxurious living space. The difference in speed is notable.

How would you describe your cruising experience?

We love sailing aboard our Lagoon 50. It is an excellent cruising catamaran, at once high-performance and comfortable. We can easily sail double handed, and even frequently single handed, with the autopilot. Despite her nearly 30 tons, the boat is easy to handle, and very stable, whether under way or at anchor.

What modifications have you made to your Lagoon 50?

We made numerous modifications to make her more autonomous, notably by replacing the original batteries with a 48-volt lithium battery bank and a 10,000-watt Victron Quattro inverter. This system enables us to power all our electrical equipment, including the air conditioning, without having to start the generator.
We have also added an electric diving compressor and two desalinators to guarantee a freshwater supply in all circumstances.

Tell us about your most beautiful travel memories.

Among our favorite destinations, Bonaire remains 'a must' for its exceptional diving sites. The San Blas Islands, with their pristine natural beauty and their authentic lifestyle, also impressed us.

What is your best sailing story?

One of our favorite stories goes back to our return to Tahiti during the pandemic. After having made a long passage sailing upwind, we encountered other sailors who spoke of a ‘crazy’ couple who covered 6,500 nautical miles upwind. They soon discovered it was us!

How do you handle environmental concerns on board?

We do our best to limit our environmental impact at sea. We stock our plastic recycling in bottles until we can dispose of it on land, and we try to reduce the quantity of packaging that we bring on board. The SodaStream system helps us, for example, to avoid transporting plastic bottles.

What advice would you give to those who wish to travel aboard a Lagoon?

If you have sailing experience, a Lagoon will be easy to handle. If it is your first experience sailing aboard a catamaran, we advise you to first sail with people who are more experienced to understand the systems on board. It is important to know not only how to handle the boat, but also how to maintain it.

What modifications have you made to your Lagoon 50?

We made numerous modifications to make her more autonomous, notably by replacing the original batteries with a 48-volt lithium battery bank and a 10,000-watt Victron Quattro inverter. This system enables us to power all our electrical equipment, including the air conditioning, without having to start the generator. We have also added an electric diving compressor and two desalinators to guarantee a freshwater supply in all circumstances.