Lagoon 40 vs Fountaine Pajot Isla 40: Compared

The 40-foot catamaran slot is the sweet spot of the charter market. Big enough to sleep a family of six in genuine comfort, small enough to handle in a marina without white knuckles. Two French builders dominate it: Lagoon, part of the Bénéteau group, and Fountaine Pajot, their fiercest rival. The Lagoon 40 (launched 2019) has become the default cat in bases from Split to Lefkada, while the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 (launched 2022) is the newer contender eating into that market share one hull at a time.

This comparison breaks down every metric that matters, from how they sail in a Beaufort Force 5 (17–21 knots) to how much fridge space you get for a week's provisioning. If you're weighing options on our best 40-foot charter yachts list, this is the detailed analysis you need.

Specifications: Side by Side

The Isla 40 is 19 cm longer, yet 13 cm narrower. That difference matters at the dock. The Lagoon's extra beam means tighter squeezes in crowded Med marinas, and if you plan on stern-to mooring, check your allocated berth width first. Typical allocation for this class is 7 m, and the Lagoon leaves only 24 cm of clearance on each side.

The Flybridge Question

This is the single biggest design divergence between the two boats, and it shapes your entire trip.

The Lagoon 40's flybridge is enormous: roughly 8 m² of usable area perched above the saloon, with a rigid bimini overhead. The helm station sits up here, giving the skipper 360° visibility at a height of eye roughly 4 m above the waterline. Below it, the cockpit becomes a shaded lounge connected directly to the saloon through a sliding door. You effectively get two living levels on a 40-foot boat. For families with children, the flybridge becomes a second hangout zone: adults steer above, kids sprawl in the cockpit below.

The Fountaine Pajot Isla 40 takes the opposite approach. Most charter versions ship without a flybridge, using a conventional arch-mounted bimini instead. The helm station sits at cockpit level, starboard side. This keeps the centre of gravity lower and the windage significantly less, which is a real advantage in crosswinds. FP does offer an optional fly, but it's smaller and rare in charter fleets as of 2025.

The trade-off is straightforward. If you value living space and a deck-party atmosphere, the Lagoon wins. If you value sailing feel and easier handling in a blow, the Isla's lower profile rewards you. Ask your charter company specifically whether the Isla 40 they're offering has the fly option before booking.

Under Sail: How They Actually Perform

Neither of these is a racing catamaran. Both are cruising cats designed for comfort. But the gap between them under sail is wider than you might expect.

The FP Isla 40 carries 1,600 kg less displacement and 7 m² more mainsail than the Lagoon. That translates to a measurably better sail-area-to-displacement ratio: roughly 18.5 for the Isla versus 14.8 for the Lagoon. In practical terms, the Isla will hold 6.5–7 knots in a Force 4 (11–16 knots) on a beam reach, while the Lagoon manages closer to 5.5–6 knots in identical conditions.

Upwind, the difference widens. The Isla's narrower beam and lighter displacement let her point roughly 5–8° higher, according to polar data from independent sea trials published by Voile Magazine (Issue 322, March 2023). The Lagoon's wide stance and flybridge windage force her to sail a wider angle. Over a 20 NM upwind leg, that can add 3–5 NM of extra distance sailed. That's an extra hour on a passage.

For downwind cruising, which is the reality of most catamaran charters, the gap narrows. Both track well with a genoa poled out or an asymmetric spinnaker, though charter boats rarely carry the latter. If you're planning an Ionian Islands trip where the prevailing wind pushes you south, both boats will do the job comfortably. Tackle the Cyclades route to Mykonos in Meltemi season, and you'll appreciate every extra knot the Isla delivers.

Interior and Living Space

Saloon and Galley

The Lagoon 40's wider beam pays its biggest dividend indoors. The saloon measures roughly 3.8 m across at its widest, with a U-shaped galley to port and a dining settee to starboard that seats six without elbows touching. The fridge/freezer combination totals 190 litres, enough for a week's provisioning for four adults and two children if you pack carefully.

The Isla 40's saloon is narrower by about 15 cm but feels airier, thanks to larger hull windows and a lower sill height that pulls in more light. FP positions the galley forward and slightly elevated, giving the cook a panoramic view at anchor. Fridge capacity is marginally larger at 200 litres total.

Cabins

Both boats offer four double cabins with island berths. The Lagoon's owner cabin, forward starboard, has a bed measuring 1.58 m × 2.05 m. The Isla's equivalent is almost identical at 1.55 m × 2.00 m. The real difference is headroom: the Lagoon gives you 1.96 m in the hulls, the Isla provides 1.98 m. Neither will trouble a 6-footer.

Storage is where the Lagoon edges ahead. Each hull has approximately 1.2 m³ of locker space under the berths and in hanging lockers. The Isla offers about 1.0 m³. When packing for a family trip, check our packing list. That 20% difference means one fewer soft bag jammed under the nav table.

Cockpit and Transom

The Lagoon's cockpit table seats eight comfortably. The twin transoms slope gently into the water, making swim access easy for children, which matters if you're sailing with kids. The Isla 40 takes a different approach: its sugar-scoop transoms are wider and integrate fold-down swim platforms, creating a beach-club feel that works well for snorkelling stops. Both boats offer stern showers.

Handling Under Power

In tight marina situations, the Lagoon's extra beam (6.76 m vs 6.63 m) and higher windage make her more susceptible to crosswind drift. Both boats run twin engines, and differential thrust, one ahead and one astern, is how you spin a cat in its own length. The Lagoon's 29 hp Yanmars have been workhorses for years, and service parts are available at virtually every Med base. The Isla's 30 hp Volvos offer slightly more torque, and Volvo's EVC electronic throttle gives smoother response at low RPM. That matters when you're inching stern-to in Hvar Town on a Saturday afternoon.

Both burn roughly 4–5 litres per hour per engine at cruising RPM (2,500–2,800). On a typical 7-day charter covering 120–150 NM with 60% motoring, budget €200–250 for fuel.

Pros and Cons

Charter Availability and Pricing

As of early 2025, the Lagoon 40 is available at an estimated 180+ charter bases across the Med, from Croatia to Turkey. The FP Isla 40, being three years newer to market, sits in roughly 50–70 bases. This disparity matters if you have a specific itinerary in mind. Want to start from Göcek in Turkey? You'll find a Lagoon 40 easily. Finding an Isla 40 there may require booking 6–9 months ahead.

Add the mandatory extras: security deposit (€3,000–4,000, or €150–200/week for deposit waiver insurance), end-cleaning (€200–300), outboard dinghy (€100–150/week). Our charter cost breakdown for 2026 covers all the fees your charter company won't mention upfront.

Who Should Book Which?

Neither boat is a bad choice. They represent two different philosophies of what a 40-foot cruising cat should be. The Lagoon 40 is the minivan of the sea: roomy, reliable, and available everywhere. The FP Isla 40 is the crossover SUV: sleeker, sportier, and a touch more refined. Your choice comes down to one question: will you spend more time anchored, or under way?

If you're still deciding between a catamaran and a monohull altogether, our monohull vs catamaran guide covers six key differences. For first-time charterers, start with our 7-step booking guide before committing to either boat.