leopard catamaran reviews

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 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 popular options for both the charter fleet and cruisers.

There are several good tours of this boat on YouTube, and so we are focussing our efforts on a review rather than a simple walkaround. As such, we have divided our analysis into five categories, each worth 10 points.

You, too, can score this boat based on your personal opinion- find out how to do so at the end of this post.

Safety and Design

This category looks at the safety and practical design of this Leopard 45. We consider the following factors:

• Liferaft position
• Helm position
• Safety features
• Practicality while on watch and underway

The locker which houses the liferaft lifts up and slides out, depositing the liferaft onto the aft deck. This was not a feature we were aware of at the time of filming, but have been since educated on- so apologies for not making mention of this in the video.

The helm position has good visibility, well connected to the cockpit with a hard top bimini overhead. The only issue was a lack of any kind of barrier between the helm position and the side deck, apart from an arm rest. We’d want a more robust and complete barrier for the purposes of safety on watch.

We were happy with the grab rails and attachment points, and the flush lockers and hatches on the decks make moving around quite safe.

We also have a question about how quickly the forward facing cockpit would drain in the event of large waves over the bows. (Leopard claim 45 seconds- but what happens if the swell period is 20 seconds?) There’s also a cover you can put over the forward cockpit that will prevent water from entering it to begin with- but this obscures your view from the inside navigation station (where, presumably, you’ll want to be if you’re in weather that’s rough enough to warrant the cover).

We’re scoring this boat a 7/10 for Safety and Design.

Build Quality

Let’s move on to the next category, which is build quality. We look at the following as part of our assessment:

• Hull construction
• Fittings and latches
• Steering mechanism
• Overall robustness

The steering mechanism was robust and the rudder stock was well braced. However, there was no self expanding foam in the conduits to reduce the chance of flooding in the event of water ingress or engine bay breach- with unskegged propellors and a sail drive, this is something that is a real possibility if you hit an underwater object with enough force.

The door to the forward facing cockpit was almost half an inch thick with a good rubber gasket and sturdy handles.

Inside the interior joinery was of good quality, although there’s room for improvement: the latches felt a little flimsier than on comparable models from other catamarans, and the drawer inserts were white melamine. The finish on some of the edges of the cabinetry was a little haphazard, although there were solid edgings on the high traffic areas. We believe that the veneers were alpi, rather than real wood (that’s what they appeared to be, but we’ve had no confirmation). We found the build quality to be above average, but not as high as we would have liked, and certainly not as high as older Leopards we’ve been on.

For build quality, we’re giving it a 6/10.

Interior Design

This category takes into account everything that makes a catamaran comfortable and pleasurable to live on. We look at:

• Guest accommodation
• Ventilation
• Shower access
• General layout and liveability

This is a big category, taking into account a lot of different aspects of living onboard.

One of Leopard’s signature features is the forward facing cockpit. Combined with the large aft cockpit, which has a big table and is well laid out, there’s plenty of seating options. The forward cockpit would be particularly pleasant at anchor where you would find it receives all the breeze, and would therefore likely be the most comfortable area to sit and relax. Certainly, it’s an incredibly popular feature and many other manufacturers are now incorporating a dedicated forward seating area into their designs.

Inside, the layout is a little different to most other production catamarans: the galley is situated forward, and the saloon aft. There’s also a forward facing navigation station, a feature that is occasionally forgotten about in modern catamarans but one we consider to be very important for keeping watch overnight (and during the day for that matter!).

The model we viewed does not have island berths in the aft cabins, although apparently this is changing for future builds. The interior aesthetic is light coloured veneer with grey bench-tops and accents, with plenty of natural sunlight and ventilation. Overall, it’s a lovely space.

Our score for Interior Design is 7/10.

Performance

• Length: 13.72 metres
• Draught: 1.5 metres
• Weight: 14,500 kg

We couldn’t find a polar diagram for the 45, so here’s a polar for the 46; we can assume performance will be similar.

Maximum speed is 12-14 knots at 110 degrees, and she can’t point higher than 55 degrees.

We’re therefore awarding her a 4/10, like most other non-performance production catamarans we’ve so far reviewed.

Value For Money

Base price is €459,000 and fully specc’d to a high blue water cruising standard the price is more likely to be €559,000.

The value for money is average, and we’re awarding this category a 5/10.

Our total score is 29/50.

While we liked certain aspects of the Leopard 45, we know this isn’t the boat for us (a fact that seems to have created a bit of an outcry amongst ardent Leopard owners!). The forward facing cockpit is not to our liking; we’d quite like a forward facing seating area, but not a deep cockpit that could fill with water while underway in rough seas. We don’t expect to have to deal with that sort of weather often, but we know that there are a couple of long passages in our future that may be more to windward and also where the weather can be a little inclement (ie, the passages between the Pacific islands of Tonga and Fiji and New Zealand). However, we really like the older, pre 2011 Leopards, and have not ruled out that option if we end up buying from the used market.

Submit Your Scores!

Now, YOU can submit your scores, which you can do via  this link !

Simply tick the box of the catamaran you wish to score (only videos we’ve already released will be available), then use the sliders to score each category, then click the VOTE button. Easy! (But if you need further instructions, you can find them  here ).

Make sure you leave a comment with your score and thoughts so we can keep the conversation going!

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Leopard 40 Review and Common Problems

• Post author By River B
• Post date September 22, 2020
• No Comments on Leopard 40 Review and Common Problems

Leopard began their sailing catamaran line-up with a cruise-worthy 45-foot catamaran. When the charter industry took notice, they requested smaller sailing cats for their fleets, so Leopard provided the 38-foot model, as well as a 42-foot model.

In 2004, Leopard partnered with designers Morelli & Melvin for their Leopard 40 model. Between 2004 and 2009, Leopard produced 136 Leopard 40s before replacing it with the Leopard 39. Then, in 2014, Leopard engaged with Simonis Voogd Design to launch a newer Leopard 40 model that is still in production today with over 210 vessels produced.

The Leopard family is known for award-winning designs, and the Leopard 40 is no exception, having earned the following awards:

• Cruising World’s “Best Overall Import Boat in USA 2005”
• Cruising World’s “Best Multihull 40 Feet and Under” 2005
• Sail Magazine´s “Best Boats 2005”

The Leopard 40 was also honored for innovative achievements by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and judges for Boating Writers International.

It may be best to talk about the features of the earlier Leopard 40 models separate from the current model due to some key changes. But let’s start with some of the similar characteristics, including:

• 30-HP Volvo Engines. The Leopard 40 holds twin 30-horsepower Volvo Penta diesels that can get you moving at 7 knots to avoid foul weather. (Note: you may find a few older Leopard 40s with 21hp engines).
• Flare Hulls for Extra Storage Capacity . While the narrow bows cut through waves with ease, the hulls flare as they move aft for extra stowage capabilities and larger cabin spaces.
• Stock Hardtop Over Cockpit & Helm Station . With stock hardtops on the L40, you can say goodbye leaky canvas biminis. An integrated window provides ample views of the mainsail without having to step into weather or a mid-day tropical sun.
• 3 or 4-Cabin, 2-Head Layout. Unlike many catamarans built for the charter market, Leopard doesn’t try to cram 4 bathrooms into their 4-cabin models. This is great for cruisers who end up with a lot of wasted space with heads they don’t need.

Both the early and late model L40s have spacious interiors with over 6’ of headroom in the salon and cockpit areas. The provide good flow from the sugar scoops to the interior making it unnecessary to step on cushions to get into the cockpit. They also come with a wide walkway between the dinghy davits and the cockpit for safe travel around the vessel or a little extra storage space for jerry cans or dive tanks.

With a bridgedeck clearance of 54 cm, one would expect quite a bit of slamming. However, clearance is not the only factor in whether a catamaran slams. According to Linda and Paul Blackbeard , who crossed both the Atlantic and Pacific in their Leopard 40, they remember only three slams during the entire trip.

Many of the features mentioned in the Leopard 38 Leopard 39 articles apply to the early Leopard 40, from the wide, flat decks, sail controls led to the helm, to the warm interior appointments. As with all Leopard models, galley is up, allowing for better chef-crew interaction. In the early models, the galley is located aft with a pass-through window to the cockpit.

When the Leopard 40 was re-launched in 2014, some notable changes were made to the overall layout, including:

• Removal of the louvered portlights in favor of a more vertical window profile and a pass-thru door to the forward deck.
• Raised helm station
• Replacement of L-shaped dinghy davits with a pivot-down stainless-steel davit system
• U-shaped outdoor seating area to replace the rounded seating area of the older model
• Opening of the salon for unfettered access from aft to forward living areas
• Increased bridgedeck clearance to 3’ – almost unheard of in cruising cats

The effect of many of these changes made the new Leopard 40 far more attractive to the charter market than to the cruising market. Let’s discuss.

What to Watch Out For

Having experienced both the old model and new model L40s, I like the visibility that the new model brings with the removal of the louvers forward. In the older models, the only place you have an unfettered view of your surroundings is in the helm station. However, the addition of the pass-through door and forward, deep sitting area gives one pause about taking the newer model offshore due to the possibility of swamping in that area. While all Leopards are said to have been delivered on their own bottoms, I would want to choose my weather windows extra carefully with the new design.

The newer model also boasts a raised helm seat for added visibility. The drawback is that the design forces the boom higher, thus reducing mainsail area, raising the center of effort, and making it difficult to wrangle the sail while underway.

As with most of the Leopard models, many vessels found on the secondary market will have been in a charter fleet at one time. Watch for excessive moisture in the hulls and deck, which are vacuum sealed with a balsa core. Rot and delamination are possible. Some owners have also complained of excessive condensation and leakage associated with the refrigeration lines. As these are located adjacent to your electrical panel, it’s not something you want to ignore.

Leopards are solid, reliable boats with a strong comfort factor combined with some decent Morelli & Melvin performance. As long as you understand how you want to use the vessel and ensure it is maintained, you will find the Leopard 40 to be a great vessel for couples and small families.

• Tags Catamaran Reviews

River is a licensed USCG Captain with a lifetime of experience on the water. From the San Francisco Bay to the South Pacific, blue water to clear water, he’s sailed a wide variety of catamarans and crawled around in the bilges of more than he can count. You can follow his misadventures at www.tilted.life.

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• By Herb McCormick
• Updated: August 30, 2013

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 and function, the 48 is a robust cruiser.

Let’s begin right in the middle of the action. Ascending four steps to starboard, the raised steering station, with its clever hardtop dodger (adorned with a series of four solar panels), comfortable chair, and ample handholds, is terrific. There’s more than enough room for a seated couple to man the station. The single-spreader Sparcraft fractional rig is simple and effective.

The boat is extremely well laid out for solo operation. All of the twin Yanmar engine controls, Raymarine instruments, and sailhandling hardware are close at hand, and the sheets, halyards, and reefing lines are intelligently organized thanks to two banks of Spinlock clutches and a pair of Lewmar self-tailing winches. There’s no traveler, but boom control is facilitated by the double-ended mainsheet that’s also ingeniously led to the helm. In 8 to 12 knots of Chesapeake Bay wind, the 48 topped off at well over 7 knots upwind. Nice.

The forward cockpit/lounge has become a distinguishing characteristic on the Leopards, and the one on the 48 has been exquisitely rendered. On this newest Leopard, the forward cockpit table has been halved, and a clever overhead hatch opening allows unimpeded egress to the foredeck and trampoline. The second, aft cockpit has a large dining table with a wraparound, U-shaped settee to port. A smart touch is the roomy seat locker beneath the aft portion of the settee for storing life rafts and power cords. Creating lavish spaces for kicking back and relaxing was clearly a major priority, and one that’s been fully addressed.

A substantial sliding door is the entryway from the rear cockpit to the large main saloon; it’s directly adjacent to an aft-facing, L-shaped galley to port. Cooks will enjoy the Force 10 three-burner stove and oven, the double stainless-steel sinks, and the vast freezer. To starboard is a resounding U-shaped settee and dining table. Large windows allow plenty of natural light, especially the forward “picture window” near the door to the forward cockpit, next to which is the nav station/office space. An airy atmosphere permeates the floor plan; nothing feels cramped or close.

To starboard, down four steps, is the large owners suite that runs the length of the hull, with an ample double bed aft, a large central couch, a desk, plenty of lockers, and a massive head with big shower stall forward. On the port side on our test boat was a pair of double staterooms with their own en suite heads. It’s impossible to think of anything that Leopard forgot; as with the other cats in the growing Leopard line, this one has earned its spots.

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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.

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

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.

Technical Specification

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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

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

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,

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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