Pre-Purchase Survey on Lagoon 39 “Salty Dog” – Preveza, Greece.

Another busy week in Preveza with a full pre-purchase condition survey carried out on the Lagoon 39 “Salty Dog”, a 2016 four-cabin catamaran inspected ashore at Cleopatra Marina for her new owner.

The Lagoon 39 is one of Lagoon’s most popular mid-range multihulls, designed by VPLP with the distinctive rig moved aft for a balanced sail plan and generous interior volume. This particular example had spent her life in professional charter, so it was a good opportunity to assess how these models age under regular fleet use.

The inspection followed the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) codes of practice for yachts, covering every section from the hull laminate and keels to electrical systems, safety equipment, and onboard machinery. Both hulls were percussed and moisture-tested and found structurally sound with no osmotic activity or signs of grounding. The keels, rudders, and saildrives were clean and solid, and all through-hulls and valves operated correctly.

Only minor issues were identified — typical of a well-maintained ex-charter vessel:

• A corroded toilet inlet fitting requiring renewal.

• The windlass chain stripper (plastic finger) broken and needing replacement.

• Some light corrosion on the starboard steering quadrant from a leaking emergency hatch.

• Minor gelcoat chips and cosmetic blemishes around the boarding platforms.

 Renew the toilet inlet valve fitting in the aft port cabin where corrosion was noted.

• Clean and descale corrosion on the starboard steering quadrant and reseal the emergency steering hatch.

• Replace the broken plastic gypsy finger (chain stripper) on the Quick windlass.

The chain stripper’s purpose is to guide and release the chain links smoothly from the gypsy. Its absence may cause the chain to skip or jam during anchor recovery. A direct replacement OEM part should be installed to restore full functionality and ensure safe anchor handling.

Safety equipment was largely in order, though the liferaft service and EPIRB registration were due. The LPG hoses dated 2015 and 2021 will also need replacement and a gas-tightness test.

Onboard systems, including the twin Yanmar 3YM30 engines (3,753 hours each), were clean and well presented. Electrical wiring was tidy, and a full load test on the domestic batteries was advised. The vessel had no solar installation, which is common for ex-charter boats, so an upgrade of 800–1,200 W would be sensible for private long-term cruising.

Overall, Salty Dog remains a sound and capable Category A ocean-going catamaran, ready for private ownership with only modest maintenance required.

The final valuation was placed between €245,000 and €265,000 (ex-VAT), consistent with comparable 2016 Lagoon 39s currently on the market in the Mediterranean.

For anyone considering similar multihulls, this survey reaffirmed why the Lagoon 39 continues to hold its reputation — solid construction, straightforward systems, and excellent handling for a 40-foot platform.

In recent years Lagoon has made significant improvements to its production methods and structural design. The yard’s modern boats now use vacuum-infused lamination techniques and a more rigid internal grid structure beneath the mast step and bulkheads, giving greater strength and weight consistency throughout the hulls. Earlier generations had occasional issues with localised bulkhead movement and hatch bonding, but these have been largely eliminated through reinforced joinery and tighter factory quality control. As a result, the newer Lagoon models such as the 39 demonstrate far better long-term durability and finish than the older series, while still retaining Lagoon’s trademark interior comfort and practicality.

Message me on Whatsapp ✆ +30 6973220554 WhatsApp  ✉ or Get in touch personally at steventruss1@aol.com