No generator, 2,800 watts of solar and an ICW-friendly rig — Keagan Steyn walks through a four-cabin catamaran set up for long-term living.
Some cruising catamarans wear their upgrades quietly. S/V GO, a 2009 Lagoon 420, does not — and that’s the point. In his walkthrough, Keagan Steyn of Catamaran Central opens with the headline numbers: 2,800 watts of solar, 1,800 amp-hours of lithium, and a mast cut to 63 feet so the boat can run the Intracoastal Waterway. This is a boat whose owners clearly thought hard about how they actually live aboard.
Deck, helm and rig
The tour starts aft at one of two mechanical spaces housing the first of the twin Yanmar diesels, then moves up to the raised helm station. Here you’ll find upgraded Raymarine electronics and an upgraded B&G VHF, a manual winch to port and two electric winches to starboard. As Steyn notes, all lines lead back to the helm, which makes the 420 very manageable single-handed.
Forward, a substantial grab rail runs along the weather deck to a wide-open bow — beanbag territory at anchor. The V-berth lockers are a highlight for anyone planning real mileage: the starboard side has been turned into a sail loft holding the spinnaker, spare halyards and rigging spares, while the port locker sits empty and ready for fishing rods, water toys or dive gear. A central set of steps leads up to the coach roof for lazy jack and mainsail work, or to inspect the solar panels and Starlink.
At the bow is an upgraded Maxwell windlass paired with an upgraded 55-lb anchor and chain. The headsail is new from 2021, bought when the mast was cut for ICW clearance; the mainsail was recut at the same time to suit.
Power without a generator
The defining feature of this boat is what isn’t on board. The generator has been removed, replaced by a large solar array — including bifacial panels aft — totalling 2,800 watts, feeding 1,800 amp-hours of lithium stored beneath both aft cabin berths. Steyn says the setup runs air conditioning for eight hours straight with no generator, and the owners have found it more than adequate. The array does double duty as shade over the cockpit and sun protection for the Highfield dinghy and its 25-hp Yamaha outboard.
The old generator compartment under the U-shaped cockpit seating is now toy storage: folding paddleboards, kiteboards and dive equipment. More lockers hold life jackets and shore power cables. The seating was reupholstered in 2021 and pairs with a custom cockpit table, faux teak decking throughout the cockpit and engine room tops, an electric winch for the dinghy davits, and a Magma barbecue at the stern running standard camping propane bottles.
Galley, saloon and a clever conversion
Inside, a wood countertop sets the tone. The galley carries an aftermarket fridge, an oversized sink with three taps — two unfiltered fresh water, one filtered — a gas stovetop with propane oven, and generous counter and locker space for provisions, coffee maker and air fryer. A nav table sits alongside an aftermarket freezer, with the electrical panel below showing watermaker controls, solar readouts and the 12-volt and 110-volt breakers. Isinglass encloses the cockpit for weather.
The most interesting liveaboard decision is to port: the aft head has been removed in favour of a washer-dryer, dish and galley stowage above it, and a hanging closet where the bathroom door used to be. That leaves three heads — two fresh water, one a manual saltwater unit — plus manual foot pumps for fresh water in the galley, so the boat still functions if power is lost.
All four cabins carry queen berths — the forward pair notably tall — each with its own head and shower access, good hatches and portholes for airflow, and storage under the berths. The starboard aft head is reachable from the passageway, which makes it a practical day head for guests.
Where the 420 sits
For context, YachtSite has recorded five Lagoon 420 sales in the past 24 months at a median $325,000, with six boats currently listed.
| Recent solds (24 mo) | 5 |
|---|---|
| Median sold price | $325,000 |
| Median days to sell | ~216 |
| Active listings | 6 |
| Asking range | $249,000 – $380,000 |
| Median asking | $304,450 |