leopard 48 power catamaran

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Leopard 48 Review: Features, Performance and Tech Specs

21st mar 2024 by samantha wilson.

The Leopard 48 is a robust bluewater cruiser mindfully designed for serious comfort on long-range voyages. In fact, everything about the 48—designed by Simonis-Voogd and built by renowned South African shipyard Robertson & Caine—focuses on stability, safety, and performance, with an obvious emphasis on elegant living spaces. 

In 2013, the 48 was named the Multihull of the Year by Cruising World magazine, an accolade that saw it catapult into the limelight, not just with private owners but for the charter market too. It was designed to replace the popular 46, building off its successes and adding yet more practical solutions and increased space. 

The layout was revolutionary when it was first built, and remains industry-influencing to this day. With a private owner layout of three cabins, including a vast state cabin, as well as twin cockpits, spacious decks, and several dining options, there is ample space for large families or groups. But the 48 is also well-designed for solo sailing too, with the twin Yanmar engine controls, Raymarine instruments, and sail-handling hardware easily accessible. Add to that the 360-degree visibility from the helm and it offers impressive control even for a solo watchstander. The 48 ultimately manages to balance high speeds and ease of handling with the comfort and space of a much larger cat.  

The Leopard 48 is a capable and award-winning bluewater catamaran. Leopard Catamarans Brokerage photo.

Leopard 48 Key Features 

One of the stand-out features of the 48 is the twin cockpits. An unorthodox design, it has proven hugely popular with a smaller, luxurious forward cockpit with seating and a drop-down table offering shade as well as privacy from other guests. The main aft cockpit has a large dining table with wraparound seating, perfect for those balmy evenings dining by the setting sun. 

The clever use of space on the 48 continues inside, with a large main saloon and aft-facing L-shaped galley to port. The galley in particular deserves mention for its high spec appliances including Force 10 burner stove and oven and spacious freezer for long-haul storage. An starboard dining table with U-shaped seating is bathed in natural light from the large wrap-around windows.

Heading into the cabins, the private owner set-up has three cabins (as opposed to the four in the charter set-up), including an expansive en-suite owner’s cabin which runs the length of the hull. Designed in rich woods and plush furnishings, the 48 offers a true home-from-home vibe for long-term living and voyages. 

The leopard 48 can be sailed shorthanded thanks to easily accessible sail-handling hardware. Rightboat seller photo.

Image 5: The owner’s set-up on the Leopard 48 has three cabins including one large owner’s suite. 

Leopard 48 Performance

Designed with the charter market as a major consideration, the 48 (along with its Leopard sisters) was built to withstand heavy use, have high safety standards, and offer a stable ride. It has intuitive handling for even a solo sailor, with over 1,500 square feet of sail area allowing for consistent speeds of up to 10-12 knots in 10-15 knots of wind. Safety performance is high, with the 48’s shallow keels filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam to keep the water out, as well as sealed bow and stern bulkheads to do the same thing. 

The Leopard 48 features a spacious and light-filled saloon and L-shaped galley with high spec appliances. Rightboat seller photo.

Leopard 48 Why Buy It

• Three cabin layout including a vast owner’s suite and full-sized head
• Award-winning design and high performance 
• Twin cockpits allow for additional space, privacy, and shade
• Light-filled, spacious saloon and galley with high spec finishings, instruments, and appliances
• Designed for bluewater voyages
• Strong build focus on safety
• Buying Used? There are both owner and charter versions to be found on the used market, offering different layouts and furnishings, so look through the different options to see which works best for you. For other tips when buying used, read our Boat Inspection Checklist

The Leopard 48 features a unique two cockpit design. Rightboat seller photo.

Leopard 48 Technical Specifications

• Length: 48”5’
• Beam: 25”
• Draft: 4”7’
• Sail Area: 1,555 sq ft
• Fuel capacity: 185 gallons
• Fuel type: Diesel
• Displacement: 31,956 lbs
• Material: Fiberglass

Check out all the  Leopard boats for sale

Written By: Samantha Wilson

Samantha Wilson has spent her entire life on and around boats, from tiny sailing dinghies all the way up to superyachts. She writes for many boating and yachting publications, top charter agencies, and some of the largest travel businesses in the industry, combining her knowledge and passion of boating, travel and writing to create topical, useful and engaging content.

More from: Samantha Wilson

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CatamaranReviews.com

Leopard 48 catamaran.

Winning the Boat of the Year Award in 2013, the Leopard 48 set new standards for cruising catamarans by not only offering a large floor plan but also twin cockpits with its sleek design. By launching the Leopard 48 in replacement of its most successful 46-footer, the catamaran company incorporated the feedback received from yacht sailors and paid close attention to improve the seaworthiness of the vessel.

Table of Contents

DESIGN – EXTERIOR & INTERIOR

The Leopard 48 catamaran is a product of South African builder Robertson and Caine and naval architects Alex Simonis and Voogd.

Boarding the Leopard 48 from the wide transom platform is easy and comfortable. First witnessed in the Leopard 44, the twin cockpits of the Leopard 48 have proven to be quite popular amongst those who prize the time spent outdoors while underway.

 The aft cockpit is spacious and houses a U-shaped dinette to port as well as a lounge to starboard. While its white table and benches give a smooth boat-like impression, the teak wood finishing turns the area into an inviting living space. The aft cockpit is protected from the weather completely with a hardtop and allows easy access to the helm station and the saloon.

Like the aft cockpit, the forward cockpit of the Leopard 48 also offers a comfortable seating area. Entered from either the saloon or directly from the forward deck, the forward cockpit houses two opposing benches and a small table for drinks. It is completely protected from the weather with a fixed hard-top and a sliding shade, offering flexibility for the mood and the weather of the people living on board.

The helm station is situated at the aft cockpit and is reached by climbing three steps or from the starboard side deck. Its raised position enables it to take advantage of the full view of the catamaran. All the lines lead back to two winches and all the electronics, as well as engine controls, are well-placed by the station. Even though the Leopard 48 can be easily sailed short-hand, the helm seat is large enough to accommodate the skipper and a companion. The helm station itself is also protected by a mini-hardtop.

The saloon of the Leopard 48 is accessed via a sliding glass door from the aft cockpit. The fresh white aesthetic of the boat is carried forward into the saloon, making it look bright and modern. The windows in the saloon are angled and offer an almost panoramic view of the outside.

The main living area of the saloon consists of a U-shaped bench that boasts storage underneath it. Comfortable and expansive, the bench wraps around a large wooden dining table. The table is adjustable and can be converted into not only a coffee table but can also be lowered down further to transform it into a large bed.

The saloon also houses a compact L-shaped galley featuring a two-burner stove, an oven, a drawer fridge and freezer as well as a double sink. The position of the galley is ideal as the person preparing or serving the food can easily reach out into the aft cockpit and can also communicate with the helmsperson without leaving their position. The galley itself does not offer any more attractive features other than those that cater to the basic necessities such as storage in the cupboards, drawers, and underneath the flooring. However, the finishing of the countertops is something worth mentioning.

The navigation station is to port and tucked in the very corner of the saloon. It has a large charter desk and a full panel for all the necessary electronics. The navigation station’s seat, however, does not have a comfortable back rest.

The water-tight door to the forward cockpit is placed right next to the navigation station and once open, both the cockpits along with the saloon are integrated into one large living space.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Leopard 48 catamaran offers either three or four-cabin layouts.  Although the saloon and the cockpits of the catamaran are primarily white and modern, the interior of the boat is rich and luxurious. With Austrian walnut laminate flooring and cherry laminate cabinetry, it is very easy to feel warm and at home while living aboard the Leopard 48.

The three-cabin version of the Leopard 48 dedicates the entire starboard hull to the owner’s suite. The master bedroom, accessed through a sleek sliding door, has a large island bed with side access and a long, horizontal window. Outside the bedroom, there is a vanity table with ample storage space in the form of shelves and a big, comfortable sofa. The owner’s suite offers a separate head and a large, walk-in shower.

The rest of the two cabins to the port side of the catamaran also boast en-suite facilities. Both the cabins are bright, well-ventilated, and comfortable but the forward cabin offers more storage than the aft cabin. There is also an option of either a child bed or extra space for storage.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The Leopard 48 catamaran has an overall length of 14.75 meters and has a beam of 7.6 meters. The Leopard 48 has a total fuel capacity of 700 liters and total water capacity of 1000 liters. The total displacement of the catamaran is 14,460 kg and it has a total sail area of 144.5 sq. meters. The Leopard 48 is powered by two 39 HP engines.

PRICE RANGE

The price of Leopard 48 varies from $500,000 to $700,000.

Almost identical to the popular Leopard 44, the Leopard 48 does offer some improved features for even better performance. Particularly noted for reduced noise and effective floor plan, the Leopard 48 seems to meet all the base-line requirements for offshore sailing and cruising.

Leopard 48 Specs

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Seawind 1600

Privilege 585

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Technical specifications - Leopard 48

Photos of the boat, technical features.

• Length HT : 48ft (14.75m)
• Max. width : 25ft (7.64m)
• Weight : 17.00 tons
• Draft : 5ft (1.47m) to 5ft (1.47m)
• Max. sleeping capacity : 8
• Number of cabins : 3 to 4
• Bathrooms : 3 to 4
• Water capacity : 780L

Standard motorisation

• Engine Power : 39hp
• Fuel capacity : 700L

Standard canopy

• Total sail area : 5078sqft (1547.85m2)
• Mainsail area : 3207sqft (977.36m2)
• Genoa/jib area : 1872sqft (570.49m2)

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Leopard 48 Owner Reviews

Simonis Voogd and Robertson and Caine have hit a sweet spot with the Leopard 48. Multiple owners report that as soon as they saw the 48, their boat search came to a sudden halt.  She's b ig enough for comfort, large accommodations and ample storage, yet easy to manage, even to singlehand. And the forward cockpit proves to be a very popular feature. 

Four Leopard 48 owners who have plans to log some serious nautical miles on their Leopard 48s, including two who are already logging them, shared their comments and stories with us.   

Happy Together, South Florida

Performance: a seriously fast cat.

"The first time we went out, we put up the main and genny and the boat sailed great and we were able to hit 8 or 9 knots. Compared to our Hunter 49 monohull, those were really great speeds. That was in 10 knots of wind, and we hit 9 knots. The boat felt very light and fast. 

The next weekend, we raised the code zero. In 5 minutes we were sailing along at around 12 knots in 10 knots of wind. I never imagined that the boat would sail consistently that fast.

Yesterday, we took the boat out in 20 knots and we hit 15.5 knots, right off of Ft. Lauderdale. We were just shocked. We were checking the knot meter against an app to see if we were missing something! The code zero was really easy to handle. And we had full fuel tanks, full water tanks, all gear aboard including tender. Fully loaded, we hit 15.5 knots.

Making the Switch: Monohull to Catamaran

"We had a Hunter 49 which we kept in the Caribbean. With this cat we're planning on going farther and wider. When we're leaving the Caribbean and heading to Panama, I don't want to be rolling downwind for 5 days. A lot of people that I had talked to had started switching to cats for distance cruising for the stability factor. Once we saw the Leopard 48, we didn't want to wait. We chose a Leopard because of the speed, size and stability. There was just nothing in our opinion that matched it. From all the owners that we've talked to, the Leopards are the fastest. " -Randy Smith

The Smiths will leave South Florida for the Caribbean later this month. Over the next few years, in addition to the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Happy Together's hulls will move through the water in the Pacific Ocean and maybe even the Mediterranean Sea. 

Rubber Ducky, Long Beach, California

Sailing her home: ft lauderdale - panama canal - costa rica - nicaragua - puerto vallarta - ensenada.

"On March 6th, we left on our 48 from Florida to Ensenada. I had never done an overnight. It was 1350 miles.

On the North side of Cuba headed toward Haiti, that was the toughest part of the trip. We were double reefed for 5 days straight into 45-50 knot winds with 10-12 ft seas. After a couple of days, it starts to get to you, but everybody adapted really quickly. The boat was unbelieveable. The boat can handle a hell of a lot more than the crew. 

Once we cleared Haiti, and got out of the lee, we were headed straight at the Panama canal doing 14-18 in 45-50 knots. Those 750 miles we did in three days. It was really fun."

5 Years of Shopping

"I started off interested in a 62 foot cat. If I can't singlehand it, I won't have it. Every broker I talked to told me I couldn't handle the 62. Then I was looking at a 55-footer. When I saw the Leopard 48 with the "front porch" I decided. Bob Ross called me and said 'Dude, your boat's here.' 

And now I'm really convinced after sailing it that singlehanding is not a problem. It's a phenomenal boat. It's a house on the water but it handles better than I expected. I can't say enough good things about it." -Ken Douthit

Ken and his wife Joyce plan to sail locally in California and then take on Hawaii and Vancouver while they complete their business exit strategy. Once they are able to fully disconnect, they plan to sail back through the Panama Canal to the Caribbean and across to the Med.

Rubber Ducky Crew pictured above: Left to right, Mark Harrison, sailor extraordinaire, Joyce Clark, first mate, Captain Ken, and Jayeson Douthit, son and medic.

DALA, Gibraltar 

A frenchman chooses a south african cat.

"Being French, I had an inclination to buy a French catamaran. I went to La Grande Motte, looked at all of the French cats, and after one day I was inclined to choose another one. We went back to the show to look at the others, went out on the 44, and loved it. The forward cockpit was a really nice idea. We loved it at first glance. But there was no chart table. My concern with the 48 [which has a chart table] was whether I would be able to handle it with my lady with my level of seamanship. We chartered for 6 days on the 48 and 5 days on the 44, to make a fair comparison. At the end of the process, I decided that I could handle to 48." - Albert Levy

Albert and Joelle crossed the Atlantic earlier this summer with the ARC Europe rally (which they won- both legs, in fact!), and after spending a couple of summers enjoying their boat in and around the Med, they plan a leisurely circumnavigation. 

WIDAGO, South Florida

Finding a family home- one that sails well.

"We knew we wanted a production catamaran and we looked at all of the models and makes that were out there. We started looking before the 48 was in production. We were looking around the 50-60 ft range and we hadn't even considered Leopard. Then once the 48 came out, once we saw it, we settled in on it for our size family. The 48 was a great fit. The forward cockpit was a new design - it was a no-brainer for us. Once we saw the Leopard line we pretty much just stopped looking at everything else. We wanted a more cruising-oriented boat. We really just wanted to be comfortable. The Leopard fit in beautifully with impressive speed for the size but uber comfortable.

We're both very happy with its performance in varying conditions and we've seen quite a bit. We've had very few warranty issues and they were fixed quickly." -Guyon Moseley

The Moseleys completed the ARC Europe rally earlier this summer and then moved straight into the ARC Baltic rally. They are sailing with their three pre-teen boys for two years  and will circumnavigate, again with the World Cruising Club, over Winter 2016 - Spring 2017. Here's their current location:  http://widago.com/maps/current/ .

View the Leopard 48 for yourself!  The Leopard 48 and other sail models will be on display at the Annapolis Boat Show. Contact us for more information. 

Topics: Owner Stories , Leopard 48

Katie Campbell

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Used yachts for sale, sail catamarans 40ft > 50ft,        leopard catamarans boats for sale, leopard catamarans 48 boats for sale.

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