We’ve sailed several lagoon 450s and recently chartered a Nautitech Open 44 and really liked it. Sailed better than a lagoon and the layout worked for us. That said we only had six on board and mostly older teens. I think it might be a bit cramped for eight - especially with four younger ones. The extra heads and the fly bridge on the Lagoon would both be nice to have with that crew as well as the overall roominess of the boat. For sailing and performance the open 44 all day long. For roominess and comfort at anchor I’d go with the lagoon.