leopard catamaran review

Are Leopard Catamarans Good? A Complete Review

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Catamarans are popular with boat owners due to their excellent performance, stability, comfort, and airy living spaces. Leopard catamarans boast a long tradition of producing easy-to-handle vessels with spacious layouts and superior cruising capabilities. You’ve probably heard a thing or two about these popular boats, but let’s get the real deal about them in this review. 

Leopard catamarans are good because they are robust, spacious, well-built, and deliver an exceptional cruising performance. These cats are excellent for ocean crossings since they are safe, easy to handle, and fast. The main downside is that they are expensive.

Throughout this article, you’ll also discover the following about Leopard catamarans:

  • The pros and cons of these catamarans
  • How they compare with similar catamaran brands
  • Frequently asked questions about Leopard catamarans plus their answers

Why You Might Want To Consider Getting a Leopard Catamaran

If you are in the market for a sailing catamaran, you may want to have a Leopard Catamaran among the options to consider. These ruggedly-built vessels are roomy, robust, and deliver superior cruising performance – some of the many reasons that would make any sailor want to get their hands on one. 

To understand more about these unique vessels, let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of owning a Leopard Catamaran. 

They Boast a Solid Construction

Leopard Catamaran boats boast a superior and solid construction using advanced materials such as infused glass or PVC core construction. The boats come in innovative designs meant to be appealing, fun, spacious, and comfortable. Capable of ocean crossings, these sea-worthy blue water cruise boats have superb build quality, and they sail all over the world .

Robertson & Caine Factory in South Africa, producers of world-acclaimed racers and cruisers, are the boat builders behind Leopard Catamarans. These innovative, high-quality multihulls are serious contenders in the global catamaran market and enjoy dominance as the best-selling catamaran brand in North America. Indeed many Leopard cat owners are pretty happy with their model’s performance.

Balsa-­cored hulls and decks characterize these boats. This feature helps to provide maximum firmness while keeping weight to the minimum. In addition, solid fiberglass appears in all places with mounted hardware. 

Leopard catamarans provide one of the best examples of compromise between sail performance and interior volume. The hulls feature fine entry points and are deep and narrow beneath the waterline for enhanced performance in all conditions. However, they curve higher up to provide more accommodation space in the cabins and ample deck space. 

Most of the boats have shallow keels and are packed full of closed-cell polyurethane foam that helps boost buoyancy as well as hinder water ingress . Furthermore, both the stern and bow feature watertight bulkheads that play a crucial role in keeping out water in the unlikely event of a collision. The bulkheads thus go a long way in enhancing the vessel’s safety. 

Leopard Catamaran Boats Are Extremely Well-Built

If you are looking for a practical, efficient design and a stable platform, then you can’t go wrong with a Leopard Catamaran. Everything is laid out thoughtfully and logically in a way that makes perfect sense. For instance, the layout, starting from the helm placement, engine set up to the winches, is simple, well-organized, and easy to understand. 

Unlike most production catamarans that don’t offer great finishing touches, Leopard Catamarans are in a class of their own. Not only are the boats appealing and beautifully designed, but their finishing is also top-notch and depicts keen attention to detail. You will be hard-pressed to find exposed plywood in the drawers or nails that stick out. Instead, what you will find are sleek, luxurious finishes.

Everything on the Leopard cat is easily accessible through panels. The top-quality components also bear clear labels making them easy to identify. Better yet, the raised helm station provides panoramic visibility with sight lines clear and unobstructed and quick access to winches and sheets. An accompanying manual is at hand to offer wiring, plumbing, and mechanical diagrams, and all the parts are readily available. 

They Deliver a Great Performance

These boats come with a robust sail plan that allows for good sailing speeds. They are quite reliable, and their simple systems ensure that the boats perform admirably in all wind conditions, whether in a marina or out in the ocean. 

The efficient hulls deliver maximum speeds of 24knots+ (44.4 km/hr) and cruising speeds of 18knots ( 33.3 km/hr). This translates to lower fuel consumption, less horsepower, and a much longer range than similar sized power catamarans.

It’s important to note here that most catamaran buyers are first-time owners looking at their catamarans as second homes. As such, they are far more concerned with their comfort at anchor than speed underway.

They Are Spacious and Comfortable

A Leopard Catamaran boat is built to provide optimal livability and adequate space for both friends and family. And for those who choose to live onboard, it’s the perfect home away from home. The boat’s easy-to-handle features and handholds offer immense practicality and enhanced safety for those sailors desiring to venture out on long cruising voyages or ocean crossings.

The boat’s spacious cabins are both functional and comfortable. They offer adequate storage space in cabinets, under the beds, and on the floor. The galley has favorable spacing, too, including large counter spaces, and can accommodate more than one person at a time without a hassle.  

To ensure lower resistance and less pitching motion, these vessels come with sharp bows. Also, the transoms are wide and offer excellent access to the water, while wide aft sections allow optimal load carrying.

The rock-solid hulls provide superior bridge deck clearance , which is critical for many boat owners. What this means is that you hardly hear slamming except in stormy weather. The anchoring system has a suitably concealed location on the forward deck, thus preventing rust, mud, and fouling of chain on hulls. And depending on the weather, the main saloon can either open or close to the aft cockpit.   

No-maintenance hard tops cover the aft and forward cockpits and the helm station, thus providing protection from extreme sunny conditions. 

The Boats Offer Excellent Social Areas

A Leopard Catamaran comes with two areas that are suitable for all your social needs; the forward cockpit and the topside lounge. The large, well-laid cockpit offers direct access into the main saloon and presents an excellent area for kicking back and relaxing due to its lavish spacing. The opportunity to have fresh flowing air throughout the boat is delightful. 

In addition, it allows direct access to the transoms as well as adequate room for dive tanks, a BBQ, and additional tankage. You can enjoy incredible sunrises or sunsets here as well as privacy while in marinas or at anchor, not to mention the excellent ventilation. 

The other superb social spot is the spacious lounge space which comes equipped with permanently fixed cushions and tables. This space offers an additional area for all your socializing and entertaining. Located at the roof, the lounge provides great visibility, plus you can access it directly from the deck. 

This lounge poses no interference with the helm station, and you can still communicate with the latter from here. What’s more, it’s perfectly safe to stay here while the vessel is under sail. You can choose to spend quiet evenings relaxing or listening to music at anchor. 

They Are High on Safety

A great plus with these catamarans is that they come with in-built safety features. For starters, the forward cockpit provides a natural, safe zone for you and your family to sit and enjoy your breakfast as you watch the horizon. You don’t have to worry about your kids going on deck untethered.

Secondly, every line comes back to the helm. This well-thought-out safety feature means that you can control everything on the boat from the helm station. Hence, you never have to be out there in foul weather adjusting the sails. 

Again, the centrally-located helm station provides additional safety, and the person on sailing watch does not get cut off from the rest of the people. In any case, having the helm station placed towards the edge of the boat is not safe since it makes overnight passage in rough seas rather dangerous.

Overall, the high-quality construction plus outstanding stability in a wide range of sea conditions make you feel safe at all times.

They Are Comfortable in All Conditions

Leopard Catamarans are comfy while out at sea and anchor. They come designed in such a way that the door to the forward access plus the sliding glass door aft maintain a steady and comfortable airflow. Furthermore, the protected helm station is quite useful when the flybridge gets too cold, or there’s pouring rain. 

Featuring a wide array of creature comforts, the cruising vessels provide you with access to amenities such as a large and efficient refrigerator and freezer, ice maker, washing machine, water storage, and air conditioning. The expansive living spaces are also quite appealing to live-aboard cruising families and couples.

They Are Easy To Handle

You can sail a Leopard Catamaran single-handed. This feature endears these sailing vessels to many sailors who might prefer minimal crew or to have a boat all to themselves. Moreover, the dedicated, well-protected helm station comes specially designed for offshore single-handed sailing, while rudder positioning behind the prop allows for better maneuverability. 

The helm station provides direct access plus visibility to the aft cockpit as well as ready access to the foredeck and side decks. You also get full visibility to the upper lounge, stearns and bows, and the mainsail through the skylight.

The Boats Have a High Resale Value

Both chartered and privately-owned Leopard catamarans offer a high resale value though owner version catamarans tend to command a much higher price. This is primarily due to their comfort and ease of handling. The Leopard Catamarans brand is also well-known thanks to their award-winning models.

Leopard Catamarans Are Easy To Maintain

Leopard cats are pretty easy to maintain and only require regular cleaning and routine maintenance to remain in good working condition. The boats have easy-to-clean interiors and exteriors, which makes this routine maintenance less of a chore.

Additionally, boat parts are easily available given the standardized systems across the Leopard line of boats and the considerable quantities the company manufactures. You can replace most of the parts on your own, too, if you have mechanical skills.

As an owner, you also get support at any corner of the world as Leopard Catamarans has offices and bases worldwide.

Downsides of Leopard Catamarans

Some of the disadvantages of Leopard Catamarans boats include the following:

  • They tend to be more expensive than other catamaran brands.
  • Balsa-­cored boats tend to suffer moisture incursion. Hence it would be best if you inspected deck fittings regularly.
  • Some boats experienced structural issues on the aft bulkhead and between the saloon and cockpit in the areas above the door frame.
  • The saloon seat cushions are too narrow, soft, and slippery in some models.

How To Maintain Your Leopard Catamaran

A well-maintained Leopard Catamaran can last for many years. But that’s not all. Following basic yacht maintenance rules ensures that your boat doesn’t depreciate , thus fetching you a better price if you decide to upgrade. To keep your vessel in top condition, follow the below suggestions:

  • Keep your Leopard Catamaran clean and updated with routine maintenance. Wash the boat, keep it clean, tidy, and well-organized, and don’t forget to conduct oil, fuel, filter, and zinc changes. Ensure to keep the stainless steel appliances clean and lubricate equipment like the wrenches, autopilot, lines, and rigging to avoid rust buildup.
  • Install solar panels plus a wind generator. This is especially key if you plan on going on long cruises since it allows you to be more self-supporting while at anchor.
  • Conduct preventive maintenance. This includes fixing window seals to prevent leaks and replacing recurrent wear items such as the rigging, anchor chain, sails, and seadek.
  • Consider doing upgrades to make your boat more comfortable, stylish, and even more marketable. These include items such as electronics, air conditioning, upholstery, and the engine.

Here is a video giving a detailed look into the kind of maintenance costs you might incur with your Leopard Catamaran:

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Leopard Catamarans, plus their answers:

Is a Forward Cockpit Safe for Long Passages?

Yes, the boat is safe for ocean crossings. A Leopard Catamarans forward cockpit comes with a sealed hatch that prevents water from getting inside. Furthermore, the space has numerous structured openings that allow any storm waters that get in to drain out super fast.   

Is It Possible To Sail a Leopard Catamaran on Your Own?

Yes, it is. All lines lead back to the helm station so you can control everything on the boat from a single point. The presence of two independent engines and propellers also makes it easier to maneuver the boat, particularly in a marina. 

Can a Leopard Catamaran Sail Fast?

A Leopard Catamaran is designed for cruising. Therefore, the boat might sacrifice some level of performance for the comfort of the owner and his family or guests. However, this boat is still faster than a similar-sized monohull though upwind journeys might be slower due to a lower capacity to point towards the wind.

Can a Leopard Catamaran Cross the Ocean?

Most certainly! These great vessels are not only safe, stable, and fast, but they are also capable of taking long cruises and ocean crossings. What’s more, they have the fuel and water storage capacity to allow for such an undertaking.

What Is the Difference Between a Leopard Sail Catamaran and a Power Catamaran?

Sail catamarans like the Leopard 40, 45, 50, and 58 have additional space below for more convenience. This includes a lounge with a seating area, sunbed, and table, a well-protected helm station that’s integrated into the cockpit, and even a lounging flybridge accommodation.

Power Catamarans like the Leopard 39, 43, and 53 are mid-sized catamarans featuring the stepped hull design. This allows for more accommodation space without decreased yacht performance, tremendous speeds -up to 24 knots ( 44.4km/hr) – and outstanding fuel efficiency. They all boast stability, durability, space, efficiency, luxury, and ease of handling. 

Leopard Catamaran boats have a better build than other similar catamaran brands. They also provide a better performance, more comfort, and higher value. With the experience garnered from producing numerous charter boats, plus their active response to customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has learned to build the kind of boats that people genuinely enjoy sailing. 

So, if you are keen to get yourself a Leopard Catamaran, start by determining your budget. Next, look through the various models within the Leopard line, attend boat shows, and you are sure to find a Leopard Catamaran that meets your fancy. To happy sailing!

Owner of CatamaranFreedom.com. A minimalist that has lived in a caravan in Sweden, 35ft Monohull in the Bahamas, and right now in his self-built Van. He just started the next adventure, to circumnavigate the world on a Catamaran!

2 thoughts on “ Are Leopard Catamarans Good? A Complete Review ”

You tube travel sketch would disagree with you 🙄 😒 😑

Which video are you thinking about? Would be interesting to see 🙂

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Leopard 42 at anchor

  • Cabins: 3 or 4
  • Heads: 3 or 4
  • Berths: 6 or 8
  • Showers: 3 or 4 (plus transom)

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Leopard 42 Sailing Catamaran

leopard catamaran review

  • LOA: 41 ft 7 in / 12.67 m
  • LWL: 40 ft 10 in / 12.44 m
  • Beam: 23 ft 1 in / 7.04 m
  • Draft: 4 ft 7 in / 1.4 m
  • Mast Height: 67 ft 10 in / 20.68 m
  • Bridgedeck Clearance: 2 ft 6 in / 0.75 m
  • Engine: 2 x Yanmar 45HP Diesel engine with saildrive
  • Fuel: 158 gal / 600 L

EXTRA DETAILS

  • Bunk Dimensions:  View Leopard Range Bunk Dimensions
  • Headroom:  View Leopard Range Headroom Dimensions
  • Water: 174 gal / 660 L
  • Mainsail Area (Standard): 717 sqft / 66.6 sqm
  • Mainsail Area (Square Top): 755 sqft / 70.1 sqm
  • Genoa Area: 501 sqft / 46.5 sqm
  • Spinnaker Area: 1686 sqft / 156.6 sqm
  • Code 0 Area: 676 sqft / 62.8 sqm
  • Code D Area: 1022 sqft / 94.9 sqm
  • Total Upwind Area (Standard): 1217 sqft / 113.1 sqm
  • Polars:  View Leopard 42 Performance Documents
  • Displacement: 30183 lbs / 13691 kg
  • Load Carrying Capacity: 11056 lbs / 5015 kg
  • Holding Tank Capacity: 44 gal / 166 L

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L42-13

Description

The Leopard 42 is the new “baby” of the range now that Leopard have stopped producing the 40. Designed by Naval architects Simonis Voogd and built by South Africans Robertson and Caine, the new 42 sports the new boxy, muscly look but still manages to look sleek even with that forward cockpit overhang.

They have done a great design upgrade job here, and this new model is proving to be wildly popular with buyers. In a competitive market between boats like the Lagoon 55 and the Fountaine Pajot Isla 40, Leopard are punching above their weight with this cat.

This boat has evolved from the Leopard 45 and 50 models.

Photos: Leopard Catamarans.

Lounge King

As well as the ever popular forward cockpit that is accessible directly from the saloon, the 42 has a fly-lounge (“coach-roof lounge”) with an L-Shaped setee and back-rest, plus a table giving you the benefit of an additional relaxation area without pushing the boom too high. This has inspired other manufacturers to follow suit (like the Excess 14 for example, which also has a lounge option). Sun Downer anyone? I don’t mind if I do…..

  • Good value for money for a design that has evolved from years of customer and charter feedback
  • The connected forward cockpit is a game changer for accessing the foredeck and windlass safely
  • The fly-lounge is a neat compromise. More living space and the boom is still kept low
  • The living space is huge. The Leopard 42 feels like a 48 footer.
  • Decent performance for a cruising catamaran when the breeze freshens
  • The Leopard is sluggish in light airs and will slip sideways close to the wind. You might need an engine to help if the wind drops off
  • This yacht is definitely sleeker than her predecessor, but that forward cockpit overhang lends the boat a chunky look.
  • There are some blind spots from the raised helm. You will need to duck and dive a bit coming in.
  • With the overlapping genoa, she takes more effort to tack than other yachts that fly self tacking jibs.

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This boat, like the 50 and the 45, looks like it could handle a sea and like a Fountaine Pajot, she is powered with a 110% overlapping genoa rather than a self tacking solent. What you lose in ease of tacking, you win in lighter airs. The mainsheet is configured in a bridle set up like a Catana (no traveller) which gives you lots of control in setting your sail shape.

The helm station is raised on the starboard side with all lines easily accessible. Visibility of all 4 corners of the boat is good from up here.

The sail plan should get you punching through the waves at 8 to 9 knots in a decent breeze, and with a Code 0 or gennaker flying off the bowsprit, she’s lively enough in calmer conditions. In a really light breeze, you might need to stick the leeward engine on like many cruising catamarans. That is your space/performance trade off.

If you opt for the Performance Pack (bigger Square Top Mainsail, Folding Props), you should squeeze an additional 1-2 knots out of her.

The Leopard 42 comes into her own when we start talking about living space. Up top, you are on one level all the way from the aft dining area through the saloon and into the forward cockpit through the forward door. The aft seat back-rest can be switched so that you are facing forwards or aft- a nice touch.

There are no seats in the 42 forward cockpit area unlike the 45, but big sunbeds with storage below for sails or a generator.

Up front, the 42 has crash-boxes in the hulls with watertight bulkheads forwards of the cabins.

The helm is situated on the main starboard bulkhead like many South African cats. There’s a hard bimini with a window overhead, so you can trim the mainsail. Head up from the helm at anchor and you are in the L-shaped fly-lounge.

The saloon has big wrap around windows and a skylight strip. The saloon sofa is set aft so that you are connected with the aft dining area, and the galley is placed forward. There is a nav station to port

The space and light continues down below. Like many production cats, the Lagoon 42 is available as a three-cabin owner’s version, with the master suite to starboard. The space down here is huge, from the wide berth all the way forward to the shower. Fibreglass bulkheads ensure a strong open structure in the hulls.

The cabins are larger and lighter then her predecessor.

leopard catamaran review

There is also the charter configuration with four cabins and four heads. The Leopard 42 is big enough to soak up the extra berths and heads.

The saloon is also spacious with  sofas, a forward galley to starboard corner and a nav station to port. Headroom is now just over 2m, or 6ft 7in in the saloon.

One nice feature is the purifying tap in the galley which will help keep your plastic bottle count down to a minimum. Options include lithium batteries, a  generator, air conditioning, fresh water maker, solar and so on. You’ll have all of the usual difficult decisions to make when balancing your budget.

The standard set up is twin 45hp Yanmar diesels with sail drives that give a  cruising speed of around 8-9 knots in flat condition.

Leopard 42 Polar Diagram

leopard 42 polar diagram

This is a strong design update from Leopard and Simonis Voogd. It’s prettier than her predecessor, a solid looking boat that moves well in a decent breeze with market leading living space.

What is the price of a Leopard 42? How much does this catamaran cost? We will qualify this with the usual “it depends on your options”, but to give you a ball park sail away price with an average fit level, you are looking in the region of €600k  ($700k) plus taxes. You get a lot for your money with this cat.

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  • By Cruising World Staff
  • Updated: August 2, 2017

Leopard 45

Off on a charter vacation, friends want to party together, couples may seek out nooks of their own and families will cherish a place for the kids to romp while the folks enjoy their chill time. Some like to sunbathe, others prefer shade. The skipper could be an old salt or a recent grad of a learn-to-sail program who needs a hand pulling the strings. Some come for the sailing, others for the revelry. And no one, I repeat, no one wants to get stuck in the smallest cabin, with a shared head.

What’s a designer to do?

In the case of the new Leopard 45 catamaran, which made its North American debut last fall at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, naval architect Alex Simonis carefully considered the design brief put together by the single largest buyer of sailboats on the planet — the parent company of Sunsail, The Moorings and Leopard Catamarans brands — and then he stretched the design envelope to create what CW’s Boat of the Year judges named Best Charter Boat for 2017.

South Africa’s Robertson and Caine is the sole supplier of catamarans for Travelopia Marine, formerly TUI Marine. Charter versions of their boats (four heads, four cabins) are sold into The Moorings and Sunsail fleets worldwide. The remaining 45 percent of the company’s annual output goes to Leopard owners, who overwhelmingly opt for a three-cabin, three-head layout, with the owners suite occupying an entire hull.

The first things I noticed when I stepped aboard the 45 were the views. From the stern, you look through the entire boat, thanks to a wall of clear polycarbonate at the forward end of the saloon that includes a watertight doorway leading to a second cockpit on the foredeck. Overhead, you see plenty of sky through a large port in the coachroof; to either side, well, you guessed it, you’re surrounded by windows. In the cabins below, long ports in the hull and opening hatches overhead let the light — and sights — pour in too.

“They’ve really opened up the structure,” noted BOTY judge Tim Murphy when helping to choose a contest winner.

leopard 45

To do so, Simonis replaced fore and aft structural bulkheads on the bridgedeck with a latticework of fiberglass and stainless steel. This allowed him not only to replace solid panels with windows but also move the mast aft, creating a better-balanced sail plan. The payoff is improved performance and easier sailhandling.

Speaking of sailing, the Leopard scooted right along in 10 knots of breeze. We saw 6.1 knots closehauled and 7.7 knots when we bore off to a reach. The helmsman steers from a raised platform to starboard in the cockpit. There’s a bench there where a couple can sit comfortably, and thanks to a series of blocks and clutches, all sail control lines are led to a pair of electric winches on the cabin top, just forward of the wheel. Working sails consist of a square-top main and a slightly overlapping genoa. The Leopard version of the 45 that we sailed also carried a screecher set on a continuous-line furler tacked down on a sprit.

All of Robertson and Caine’s boats — current production also includes the Leopard 40, 48 and 58, along with related charter brands — have balsa-­cored hulls and decks, with solid fiberglass anywhere hardware is mounted. The builder has begun to infuse smaller parts, so look for the use of that technology to expand. Hulls have fine entry points and are relatively narrow below the waterline for performance, then flare to provide room to roam in the cabins.

A fitted-out Leopard 45 sells for about $580,000, depending on options and toys. Ready to go, with charter kit, in The Moorings’ yacht-ownership program, the price is similar.

Summing up his dockside visit and our sea trials, Murphy noted, “The experience really is a beautiful thing, to be able to be in that aft space on a boat and see so much of the world. I think they’ve done a really nice job in 45 feet of providing different spaces.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

Mark Pillsbury is Cruising World’s Editor.

  • More: 2011+ , 40' - 49' , catamaran , Coastal Cruising , leopard catamarans , multihull , sailboat review , Sailboats
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Leopard catamarans.

Leopard got it’s start in 1994 when South African boat builder Roberts and Caine partnered with charter company, The Moorings to build charter catamarans. Due to the popularity and durability of the catamarans built by Roberts and Caine, the Leopard Catamaran brand was formed in 2000. Leopard Catamarans builds spacious and durable cruising catamarans that are ready for coastal and offshore sailing. More than 1,000+ Leopard Catamarans have been built and used around the world in The Moorings, Sunsail and Footlooses extensive charter fleet. Prices for a Leopard Catamaran vary from $150+ for a used Leopard 38 to 1.5M+ for a Leopard 58. For prices of a new Leopard please contact Leopard Catamarans or an authorized Leopard dealer.

Leopard Models

Leopard 43 Catamaran

The Leopard 43 is a popular cruising catamaran. The well thought out, comfortable design, and ability to sail short-handed makes an ideal blue-water cruising boat. Built with a high standard of construction, they are good value for money on the used catamaran market.  DESIGN – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR The Leopard 43 is a comfortable and reasonably fast passage maker able to be sailed short-handed. Based on the award-winning Leopard 42, the Leopard 43 is designed by Simonis and Voegd and built by Robertson and Caine, a large South African builder. These catamarans were built in two configurations, one for owners and one for the charter market. The owner’s version, called the Leopard 43 has three cabins and three heads. While

Leopard 40 Catamaran

The recently redesigned Leopard 40 sports an increased interior volume and modern interior layout. A unique saloon to bow access door gives easy access for sunbathing and chilling out on the deck. With a bright and uncluttered design and a helm with excellent visibility, the Leopard 40 provides the safety expected for the bluewater lifestyle in a comfortable package. DESIGN – INTERIOR & EXTERIOR Designed and built by South African firm Robertson & Caine and along with Naval Architects Simonis-Voogd, the Leopard 40 attempts to set a new standard for cruising catamarans. Based on customer and owner feedback, the most recent Leopard 40 has a redesigned configuration. As an evolution of the Leopard 39 design, the increase in hull volume,

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. DESIGN – EXTERIOR & INTERIOR The Leopard 48 catamaran is a product of South African builder Robertson and Caine and naval architects Alex Simonis and Voogd. DECK 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

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IMAGES

  1. Leopard 42 Catamaran Sailing Yacht Full Review

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  2. Leopard 45 Catamaran Review 2021

    leopard catamaran review

  3. Leopard 40 Catamaran Review, Price, and Features

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  4. Video: boat review of the Leopard 58 catamaran

    leopard catamaran review

  5. Leopard 53 Powercat

    leopard catamaran review

  6. Boat Review by Multihulls World of: Catamaran Leopard 45

    leopard catamaran review

VIDEO

  1. Buying a Leopard 48!

  2. This Leopard Catamaran Smells Like Luxurious Teen Spirit 🤪

  3. Leopard 48 owner's version

  4. Leopard 44 Catamaran For Sale: Part 1

  5. Beautiful Catamaran in Florida! ⛵️⚓️🏖️

  6. Leopard 40 PC Test & Features Video 2023 by BoatTEST.com

COMMENTS

  1. Are Leopard Catamarans Good? A Complete Review

    Leopard catamarans are good because they are robust, spacious, well-built, and deliver an exceptional cruising performance. These cats are excellent for ocean crossings since they are safe, easy to handle, and fast. The main downside is that they are expensive. Throughout this article, you'll also discover the following about Leopard ...

  2. Leopard 42 Boat Review

    Leopard 42 Boat Review. The new Leopard 42, is a versatile, family-cruising catamaran. By Herb McCormick Updated: July 23, 2021 Leopard 42 Courtesy Leopard Catamarans. ... Courtesy Leopard Catamarans. But the real fun happens when you crack off and free up the wind angle, and the Leopard leaped at the course change and eased sheets, flirting ...

  3. Leopard 40 PC Power Catamaran Review

    Above: 2023 Leopard 40PC power catamaran. Photo by Leopard Catamarans. Handling while on plane was precise with no slipping or digging in. Visibility was good forward and along the starboard hull. When driving from either the upper or lower helm, it would be beneficial to add a backup camera. Slow speed maneuvering was excellent with the twin ...

  4. Boat Review: Leopard 40

    For around $450,000, a couple can sail away with just about every option except the genset, and since 40 percent of Leopards go into private ownership, there will be a number of sailors who will find this cat fits the bill—and very nicely at that. Leopard Catamarns, Clearwater, FL, [email protected], 954-925-8050, leopardcatamarans.com.

  5. Leopard 42 Catamaran Sailing Yacht Full Review

    Taking elements of their 40 and 50- foot sailing models, Leopard even borrowed some of the interior styling from the Leopard 53 powercat to create one hot cruiser that targets a sweet spot in the multihull market, which was exploding long before COVID even hit. Above: 2021 Leopard 42 Catamaran Sailing Yacht. Photo by Leopard Catamarans.

  6. Boat Review: Leopard 42

    Boat Review: Leopard 42. Sticking with its proven design formula, but also cherry-picking popular features from its recent models, Leopard Catamarans has launched a "best of" package with this new boat that sold nearly 30 units before hull #1 even touched water. Like a greatest hits album, the Leopard 42 combines the best of its 40ft and ...

  7. Leopard 39 Catamaran: A Cool Cat Gets a Functional Facelift

    The Leopard 39 is the latest small kitty cruiser, and is the baby of the Leopard fleet. It's available in the Sunsail four-cabin charter version or the Leopard three-cabin owner model. The basic hull and deck design is identical to its predecessor, the multi-award winning Leopard 384, but the new boat benefits from quite a bit of owner and ...

  8. Boat Review: Leopard 50

    Chris Caswell. Aug 1, 2018. The Leopard 50 is replacing the popular Leopard 48, but this constitutes an entirely new yacht, not just an upgrade of the older boat. The new 50 is 2ft longer than the 48, and the beam has been widened from 25ft to 26ft 5in. It is also available with a flybridge, and to minimize your suspense, it's wonderful!

  9. Leopard 50 Catamaran Review

    A boat fit out like hull number one, which we sailed following the Miami show, sells for right around $1 million; the base price of the 50, delivered to the East Coast of the U.S., is $850,000 (the Moorings charter version, at $899,000, comes fully equipped for rental). The Leopard in Miami sported a square-top main (a conventional mainsail is ...

  10. Leopard 46 Powercat Boat Review

    Leopard 46 Powercat. The 46's layout was dreamed up with long-range cruising and entertainment firmly in mind. That means space, of course, is at the forefront. A massive salon makes full use of the boat's 24-foot, 1-inch beam and is connected to the bow deck via a glass door on centerline. Up top, a low-profile hardtop offers shade to the ...

  11. Leopard 43 pc/Moorings 433 Power Catamaran Review

    January 16, 2017. Power catamarans like the new Leopard 43 pc are a fast-growing segment of the boating market. Combining speed, fuel-efficiency, comfort, and easy handling, there's much to like—but I wanted proof. So, eschewing the usual single-day boat test, I chartered a Moorings 433 (a Leopard 43 pc with three cabins) for a full week in ...

  12. Leopard 45: A Comprehensive Review

    The Leopard 45 is a great sized catamaran for cruisers, and is as popular as the rest of the Leopard range amongst charterers and liveaboard owners. Leopard almost need no introduction. The South African boat builder has been producing catamarans for many years, and have a proven track record of building good quality production cats that are ...

  13. Leopard 42 Catamaran Reviewed in 2024

    The 2023 base price for the Leopard 42 is $569,000, which includes sea delivery and commissioning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. However, there are many great options that most owners will want, including rigging for running downwind, the coachroof lounge, the genset and extra solar, the watermaker-well, the list goes on.

  14. Leopard 48 Catamaran Boat Review

    Rob Kamhoot. Solid. When it comes to Leopard cats, that's the collective judgment of our Boat of the Year panel. Two years ago, they named the Leopard 44 the Import Boat of the Year. And for 2013, they awarded the prize as the year's Best Full-Size Multihull to South African builder Robertson and Caine's follow-up effort, the Leopard 48. After my own inspection, I had to agree: In form ...

  15. Boat Review: Leopard 45

    The new Leopard 45 (also available as the Moorings 4500) evolved from the 2012 Leopard 44 with a number of features that make it an even better platform for ... Boat Review: Leopard 45. Author: By Tom Dove. Updated: Aug 11, 2017. Original: ... U.S. Distributor Leopard Catamarans, Dania Beach, FL AIR DRAFT 70ft Price at time of publication ...

  16. Leopard 48 Catamaran Review, Price, and Features

    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.

  17. Leopard 42

    Step aboard the new Leopard 42 and experience a new era of sailing. Joining the Leopard 45 and Leopard 50, the Leopard 42 leaves no detail overlooked in size or possibility. Sailing performance and livability exist harmoniously under one sleek profile. The Leopard 42's signature coachroof lounge provides ample space not found in other vessels, offering a place to convene and

  18. Boat Review: Leopard 48

    Overall joinery quality and workmanship is excellent. Under Sail. While you'd never mistake the Leopard 48 for a racing cat, the boat still provides more than enough get-up-and-go for some very fun sailing. In 10 knots of wind, we managed a respectable 8-knots-plus close reaching through a light chop and were able to maintain 6 knots of boat ...

  19. Leopard 42

    The connected forward cockpit is a game changer for accessing the foredeck and windlass safely. The fly-lounge is a neat compromise. More living space and the boom is still kept low. The living space is huge. The Leopard 42 feels like a 48 footer. Decent performance for a cruising catamaran when the breeze freshens.

  20. Leopard 45 Catamaran Sailboat Review

    Advertisement. A fitted-out Leopard 45 sells for about $580,000, depending on options and toys. Ready to go, with charter kit, in The Moorings' yacht-ownership program, the price is similar. Summing up his dockside visit and our sea trials, Murphy noted, "The experience really is a beautiful thing, to be able to be in that aft space on a ...

  21. Leopard 38 Review and Common Problems

    Leopard didn't start small, but rather, began their sailing catamaran line-up with a 45-foot catamaran in 1997 before moving to the Leopard 38 in 1998. All total, they built 124 Leopard 38s. The Leopard 38 (also branded as the Sunsail 384), was designed by Morrelli & Melvin, who have designed some of the fastest multihulls to glide across an ...

  22. Leopard

    More than 1,000+ Leopard Catamarans have been built and used around the world in The Moorings, Sunsail and Footlooses extensive charter fleet. Prices for a Leopard Catamaran vary from $150+ for a used Leopard 38 to 1.5M+ for a Leopard 58. For prices of a new Leopard please contact Leopard Catamarans or an authorized Leopard dealer.

  23. Leopard 40

    The thinking was that a lower bridgedeck reduces the boat's center of gravity—with the added bonus of reducing freeboard and maximizing interior volume, while broad sterns provide superior load-carrying ability. The new Leopard 40 is a radical departure. The Moorings, Robertson and Caine's primary customer, turned to the American design ...