As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site.
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 🙂
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment.
Recent Posts
Must-Have Boat Gear for Catamaran Sailors!
Sailing is probably the most gear-intensive activity I've ever done; there are so many decisions to be made about what gear to buy now, for tomorrow, and what to definitely never buy. The gear on...
6 Best Trailerable Trimarans For Bluewater and Coastal Sailing
Having a boat costs a lot of money, even when you are not using it, marina fees, etc. And once it is in the water most sailors never go very far from their "home marina" and sailing will be somewhat...
Better Sailing
Lagoon vs Leopard: Which is a Better Catamaran?
Leopard and Lagoon are two of the best catamaran brands out there. Chances are that if you are on the market for a new or used cat you are considering one of these two options as your next boat. In this article, we will be looking at 2 of the most popular catamarans from both brands and trying to determine which is better.
The Leopard Catamarans have achieved critical acclaim as one of the prime pushers of the boundaries of innovative catamaran design. Having been around for 50 years, this group has constantly found inspiration to evolve by making good use of customer feedback. Leopard Catamarans has teamed up with builders, Robertson and Caine, to craft today’s Leopard range, which comprises roomy, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. Over 2,500 of their much-coveted Catamarans have now been delivered all over the globe.
In 1994, Robertson and Caine, South African designer, entered into an arrangement with The Moorings to produce specifically built catamarans for their charter floors. From 1994 to 1998, Robertson and Caine delivered the 100th catamaran to The Moorings, with each one powered or sailed to its destination around the world.
The partnership with Leopard Catamaran’s launch in 2000 for private procurement was extended because of business demand. As Robertson and Caine is an internationally trusted brand, it was not surprising that sailors worldwide quickly sponsored the company and wanted to buy it for private use by choosing the optional layout and distribution locations for themselves.
By 2012, Leopard Catamarans had taken impressive steps and expanded rapidly in the past decade, becoming a market leader in producing and distributing premium catamarans for private and charter fleets worldwide.
Lagoon by boat maker Lagoon. The company began as a specialist multihull offshoot of Jeanneau, a monohull constructor. Both companies are run by Groupe Beneteau, which arguably is the biggest name in boat making and charter business.
Lagoon is probably one of the world’s largest multihull builders and has built a name in making modern catamarans suitable for both coastal and offshore sailing . One could say it is their specialty, and one of their ways of satisfying a wide range of customers is by making most of their models available in the charter and owner versions. Customer feedback was credited as the secret of their speedy evolution and wide customer satisfaction by the designers, Marc van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prevost.
>>Also Read: Best Catamaran Brands
Leopard 43 X Lagoon 42
The Leopard 43 is a popular cruising catamaran. The relaxed and well-considered style and shorthand ability to sail is a perfect blue-water cruising craft. Built with high construction standards, the use of catamarans is good value for money.
The Lagoon 42 bears a strong resemblance to the Lagoon 52. Although it retains the signature features of the new generation of Lagoons, it sports a beautiful and elegant silhouette.
Built Quality
The Leopard 43 is a convenient and relatively quick transition manufacturer that allows you to sail with shorthands. Based on the award-winning Leopard 42, it is designed both interiorly and exteriorly by Simonis and Voegd and built by Robertson and Caine, the renowned South African boat builder. Leopard 42 cats were built in two configurations, one for private ownership and the other for the charter sector. The Leopard 43 edition of the owner has three cabins and three heads. The Moorings 4300, the charter version has four cabins and four heads.
A well-built hardtop offers adequate protection in the cockpit for enjoying life on the water. The hardtop also provides a convenient location for the solar panels and traveler, reducing cockpit clutter. The bridge deck, which has a low clearance with the water and is known to slam in rough seas, is one downside of the Leopard 43’s design. The dinghy is firmly held in place by strong davits placed on a complete walk-around duckboard on the transom. This is a versatile design that is easy to use when sailing and offers excellent access to the tender and the ocean while at anchor.
The Lagoon 42 is indeed a special catamaran. The mast that was previously located in the mid-aft was moved far aft to re-center the weight and thus greatly minimize pitching. Short-handed sailing or a couple is also a lot easier with the new self-tacking genoa and a much smaller boom.
The open transoms and one-level living area from the cockpit into the saloon are new and provide a nice unobstructed living area. The saloon and cockpit are large areas with plenty of lounging room everywhere. The raised helm door is shut by sliding it, similar to that of the 450S and 52S.
The 42 demonstrates her sense of style as well as her strong personality. Her success is determined by the strength of her design as well as her careful construction. The architectural lines of this exquisite vessel were drawn by VPLP and Patrick le Quément, while taking into consideration all the signature Lagoon characteristics: vertical windows, single-level cockpit and saloon, integral deck hatches, and ergonomic helm station.
>>Also Read: Best Catamarans Under 200k
Comfort (Indoor Spaces, Heads, Cockpit)
The Leopard Catamarans is great in terms of the comfort of its lounge, which is only second to its very strong build, and opens to large windows, a feature that simply floods the interior of the boat with natural sunlight and great sea breeze. You will no longer be able to do without the aesthetic refinement of the cabins, not to mention the sizeable Italian bathroom of the Owner’s Suite. The Leopard 43 comes with a super-sized flybridge which includes a grill, wet bar and provides easy access to the sunbathing platform found forward.
Inside, the galley of this power cat is located in the forepart of the boat, and the forward-facing settee and table are placed aft. This layout, which includes sliding glass doors between the sofa and aft cockpit seating area, plus a large window forward and access door to the bow, allow for nearly 360-degree panoramic views and create a feeling of continuous indoor-outdoor living space.
First option version: three cabins, two heads, six berths, and two showers (regarding the option chosen).
Second option version: four cabins, two heads, eight berths, and two showers (regarding the options chosen).
The 42’s cockpit layout is truly ingenious. The space provided between the single-level saloon, the aft crossbeam, and the various sunbathing areas is exceptional for the size of this boat. The aft platforms and steps are suspended and widened, so the transom skirts create a new space for leisure and relaxation. Access to the coach roof and its sunbathing area is facilitated by the access steps at the helm station.
Functionality is the caption in the 42’s saloon: an incredibly wide dining table capable of accommodating all the guests on board while providing plenty of stowage beneath the seats. The large chart table carries all the instruments, allowing the crew to effectively manage navigation. The starboard galley looks out towards the cockpit and comes with several worktops. Being a fully equipped galley, it comes with a hob, oven, stainless steel sink, ample stowage, and a large cold cabinet on the portside.
The Owner’s Cabin is better described as a suite. Natural light overruns the entire cabin, thanks to the numerous and efficient hatches, portlights, and several other openings. The living area consists of an island double bed enabling mounting the bed from the sides, a dressing table, a small library, sofa, wardrobes, and numerous storage spaces. The head is private and ample, with plenty of stowage and equipped with a separate shower. The full sea view is supplied with the cabin!
The forward and aft guest cabins have double beds and many stowage spaces. They have their private bathrooms, and in the three and four-cabin versions, the aft cabin comes with a separate shower!
>>Also Read: Best Catamarans Under 40 Feet
Overall Sailboat Design (Hull, Keels, Deck)
Sailors on the Leopard 43 have effortless access to the water with the big duckboard and the big sugar scoop steps. These would be very useful for diving in the water if you feel like snorkeling or when you want to pull your fresh catch aboard. An outdoor shower located at the port scoop is a great idea because one could use it for a quick rinsing off afterward. There is a lot of space on the aft rail for a grill to be set up.
Seats are placed on the pulpit in the front, providing a comfortable place to sit and watch the water and occasional islands go by or to enjoy sundowners. And there’s more. The trampolines are of sufficient size for both comfort and protection. When moving along the deck, grab rails mounted on the cabin top are both convenient and secure.
The helm is on the starboard side, providing excellent visibility and protection. In the event of bad weather, it is enhanced by a windscreen Bimini that connects between the cabin rooftop and the hardtop. The entire cockpit area is adequately protected by the hardtop, and clears can be easily rolled down if unusually bad weather decides to turn up. The cockpit table has a wraparound lounge and can accommodate eight people with the help of two additional chairs. The majority of the lines are routed back to the cockpit and helm, with an electric winch supplying muscle strength. Additional winches can be found on the mast.
The helm station is protected by a composite bimini (optional) with a sliding cover and a direct stair to the coach roof and boom. Maneuver area is based around two winches for all operations. The self-tacking jib allows outstandingly efficient tacking. The sunbathing area, aft crossbeam, transom skirts, and cockpit form a single area for sports or relaxation. The hull sports almost vertical bows, with fine entries for performance and a gullwing bridge deck for a smooth ride through the waves. The form and volume are modified, capable of carrying a large payload without loss of performance.
It is easy to move about on the deck. Also worthy of mentioning are the wide side decks, flush deck hatches, and many handrails.
Wide transom skirts are available for ease of boarding and optimum usability at anchor. Two wide and low cantilevered steps enable easy access to the cockpit, in addition to a folding bathing ladder that has two ergonomic large integral handrails.
The foredeck has two large lockers. The one located starboard is reserved for the generator as an option.
Lastly, there is an ergonomic helming station for two people with all control lines brought together, and sailors that have test-driven the 42 can testify to the optimized circulation between the saloon, helm station, and deck. It is possible to access the coach roof from the helm station.
Lagoon vs Leopard – Final Thought
Leopards and Lagoons are both great boats, and unfortunately, there is not much in it between the two. While Leopards are more expensive for the same length, Lagoons are more broad-beamed. So you still get the same bang for your buck either way. The main differences between Lagoon and Leopard stem from your personal preferences regarding the interior/exterior design.
Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.
Related Posts
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Fishing Line for Trolling
Lagoon Catamaran Review: Are Lagoon Catamarans Good?
Best Inboard Boat Engine Brands
Are O’Day Sailboats Good? A Closer Look at a Classic Brand
Buyer's Guide
Destinations
Maintenance
Sailing Info
Hit enter to search or ESC to close.
SAILING BLOWN AWAY
Nov 22, 2020
Why We Bought a 2015 Leopard 44 Catamaran - Tame the Cat
My wife Eileen and I searched Leopard catamarans almost exclusively because they represent a combination of blue water cruising capabilities with production efficiencies. In other words, they were a good affordable catamaran to sail around the world. As proof of their seaworthiness, most have been delivered to their owners by sea from Cape Town, South Africa either by their owners or a delivery captain. Because of their outstanding reputation, we also considered the 450 Lagoon; however, we steered away from them mainly as a result of their fly bridge helm positions which we think is less ideal for ocean crossings.
WHY WE CHOSE THE LEOPARD 44 OVER THE 39, 40 AND 48
Check out our Leopard catamaran's video below on our first day touring Leopard catamarans with our buyers broker Bill Regan and be prepared to be entertained and informed of the specifics on why we chose the Leopard 44 and in the process learn more about the rest of their line.
On this crazy busy day, we toured a 2014 Leopard 39 and were glad we had rescinded on our contract last spring on one in the Moorings / Sunsail Belize fleet. We loved it's design, price ($215K) and sailing reputation; however, it was too small for us as a full time home. For someone who lived in Ft. Lauderdale and took one to two-week sailing trips to the Bahamas this would definitely be a boat to consider.
After we let go of the 39, we latched onto a 2018 Leopard 40 ($225K) with contract that had been damaged and repaired in Irma and included had a new mast, boom, standing rigging and generator and we by far the cheapest of the limited Leopard 40 lot being phased out by Moorings / Sunsail. After having toured it, we realized that it too was too small for us as a live aboard and in addition we were leery that there might be some undetected trauma from from Irma that might compromise our blue water safety so we released that contract also.
Reluctantly we drove 2 1/2 hours north of Ft. Lauderdale to the Ft. Pierce Marina where we looked at a 2015 Leopard 44 with owners cabin on the hard for sale for $575K which was MUCH more than we were willing to pay but at least we could see the layout. Initially, we didn't like this model because we thought it has wet bathrooms but were soon relieved to find that that wasn't the case and were delighted to discover the front cockpit whose innovation catapulted this popular sized 44 footer to a dual "Best Boat of Year" fame with both Sail Magazine and Cruising world in 2012. Most importantly it seemed to have enough from for our new permanent life at sea and was affordable purchasing from Sunsail Charters for $315K on a model we found in St. Lucia so we quickly placed this cat in a cage with a contract on an no hurricane damaged model which had just been released from the Grenada Sunsail fleet and was heading to Sunsail St. Lucia to undergo phase out repairs.
Make sure you also click on the following links to read critical reviews about this special boat:
Sail Magazine - May 2011
Cruising World - December 2011
Boats.com - July 2011
Ultimately, the Leopard 44 was the boat we chose, but let's learn more about the Leopard 48 which we REALLY liked and the main reason we did not chose it.
We loved the Leopard 48 because it was so enormous compared to the previous one and almost seemed to be as large as our apartment in China. Not only did the rear cockpit seat 10 and have plenty of room for all of our water toys, but the combined saloon and galley with nav station was cavernous and in our opinion, leaving nothing to be desired. Add to that a large front cockpit and full size rooms and bathrooms in the hulls, this cat had us in a trance and all we wanted to do was to stroke and pet its luxurious fur while it purred with delight. Our only issue was that the price on these are mid $450K for the cheapest non hurricane damaged and older with the medium cherry veneer interior which we liked the least and will touch on a bit more later. That extra $135K+ represented a lot of cruising kitty (perhaps 3 years) and this being a larger cat means that both repairs, upkeep and insurance are all part of what comes with owning this pampered puss. Add to that the opportunity cost of investing what we save in a lively stock market over the next 5 to 10 years, and the price of this one increases way more than we care to spend especially when the Leopard 44 has everything we need, albeit it's smaller size.
At the end of the video, we tour the Leopard 58 which was due to be surveyed the next day. As you can see from our comments and reactions, it was pure joy touring this regal feline because the 58 was an ocean palace nicer than most homes, but just way out of range for our pocketbook and limited knowhow.
DESIGN AND COLOR
One of the reasons we LOVE and chose the 2015 Leopard 44 year is that it was the first year of only two years (2015 & 2016) out of seven years total that the Leopard 44 was made which incorporates the new modern sophisticated, yet casual light gray aged driftwood interior which is now standard on all Leopard catamarans which certainly inspired by Restoration Hardware's sophisticated modern, yet casual neutral shaded gray color pallet. Also special, as shown below, is the generous use of LED lighting which makes the salon below sparkly, dazzling and uplifting as well as easy on the energy being supplied by DC power. The pre 2015 versions with the traditional medium cherry cabinetry and finish just seemed too outdated and spending an extra $15K for this new boat and overall look and feel was totally worth if for us. In addition, we think it will eventually add to its resale value.
INSIDER INFORMATION FROM EXPERIENCED SUNSAIL TECHNICIAN
Once we arrived in St. Lucia and took possession of our boat, we was further reassured of buying Leopard after talking with Moorings / Sunsail St. Lucia base long term employed technician affectionately nicknamed "Small Change".
This beloved senior maintenance manager of 35 years is chief Leopard tamer and is master of the ins and outs of Leopard repair and maintenance. I mean, he even meets with senior management and technicians of Leopard South Africa to provide valuable feedback that help Leopard's renowned manufacturer Robertson and Caine make manufacturing improvements to future models that will require less maintenance, ultimately leading to less warranty work and resulting in unnecessary repairs from busy bases saving both time and money for everyone. For these reasons, I really trusted and took to heart every nugget that left his mouth.
WHY VERY FEW LAGOONS ARE IN THE ST. LUCIA FLEET
First, he said their company used have a lot of Lagoons in the fleet but switched to Leopards almost exclusively because of their improved build quality and performance. Leopards more narrow stepped hulls allow them to perform better under sail and overall they require less maintenance over their charter tenure.
HOW THE LEOPARD MODELS COMPARE - BUILD QUALITY
When asked to rank his favorite Leopard catamaran models, Short Change pays with big bills as he draws from his wellspring of experience and knowledge that goes back to Robertson and Caines inception back in 1991. He ranks his favorite Leopard models by build quality and gives the following reasons.
In his opinion, the best made Leopard (10 out of 10) is the Leopard 43, known to Moorings as the 4300 and made famous by Nicki and Jason Wynn of the popular YouTube channel Gone with the Wynns has the highest quality build in the history of the company with regards to hull strength.
In addition the Leopard 46, made from 2006 to 2012, is a 10 out of 10. Not affected by the devastating Irma, St. Lucia has more in use than any other base in the world so he should know.
I was happy to know that he considered our Leopard 44 an 8 out of 10 with regards to build quality and used the fact that most all along with the older models such as the 43 have been delivered at sea by a delivery captain and then put to grueling charter use and then sold to private owners.
When asked about the Leopard 48 and current, Leopard 40 and 45 he gives them all a 4 out of 10 backing that up with the assertion that they now are almost exclusively delivered from the factory to their owners by ship because they cannot stand the grueling 7700 mile sail without substantial repairs before delivered to the owner. It seems that possibly the bean counters have taken over in their attempt to balance new design innovation with profitability.
Recent Posts
Escape From Guatemala - Sailing to Honduras.
Marine Diesel Fuel System Tank - Contamination & Corrosion Cause & Effect - Detailed Explanation
How We Got Live-Aboard Boat / Yacht Insurance with NO Boating Experience
Great video's and content.
Could you give some background around the phase out process offered by Sunsail? What is included in the package? Is there a guarantee/warranty provided? I assume one of the downsides of ex charter is engine hours - would they replace the engines?
Also, do they install the upgrades such as water-maker, AIS etc. or do you need to get private contractors to do the install/upgrades?
How much budget would you suggest be allocated to making the yacht blue water cruiser ready post leaving the charter fleet?
Would Sunsail offer financing or is that up to the buyer to arrange?
Many Thanks
Hi Anthony,
Great questions. Apologies for the delay in answering.
Basically you are buying a boat with cash from Sunsail and your quality protection is your surveyor's survey so make sure you select a good one because they're are no warranties.
All additional upgrade will be done by a private contractor or yourself because those are beyond the technical and parts capability of the Sunsail base.
Make sure you don't buy too large of a boat because if you are going to have a lot of quality upgrades done, you have just began to spend. In all, we have spent $125k for the upgrades show on our site https://www.sailingblownaway.com/faq in addition to the ones below:
stainless solar arch
stainless scuba…
Catamaran Show.com
Sail Performance
Description
Awarded Boat of the Year honors in 2017 and founded upon the ethos of continuous innovation and feedback from cruising clients, the Leopard 45 sailing catamaran represents astute value, elegant lines and satisfies blue water passion. With naval architecture by Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design, and with exterior and interior design by the world-class design team at Robertson and Caine, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran not only builds on the best features of the current Leopard range, but most notably offers new exterior styling and enhanced interior accommodation. Since the launch of the Leopard 45 in 2017, the exterior styling has evolved and we are excited to announce that we are now offering the innovative hardtop lounge on the Leopard 45. This lounge feature first launched on the award-winning Leopard 50! Like her big sister, the lounge on the Leopard 45 includes a seating area, a sunbed, and a table. Access to the lounge is provided by floating stairs leading up from the aft cockpit, without disrupting the helm station. The helm station remains well protected, and integrated into the cockpit and the rest of the boat. Available in a 3 or 4 cabin layout, the Leopard 45 offers the perfect entertainment package with increased aft area with new layout, ergonomically designed open plan saloon and galley, larger forward cockpit, and more onboard area. She’s sleek and nimble, yet comfortable. She incorporates a heritage of Leopards spanning twenty five years of production expertise. In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas.
Explore in 3D
Performance Indicators
Performance
Bruce Number
(higher is faster)
Sail Area to Displacement
Displacement to Length
(lower is faster)
Specifications
Length (LOA)
Length (LWL)
Displacement (light)
Payload capacity
Sail Area (main+jib)
Draft (min)
Draft (max)
Mast clearance
Bridgedeck clearance
Manufactured Since
Engine (hp)
Hull Material
Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design
Fixed keels
Mechanical/Hydraulic
E-glass laminated cloth on a high density balsa core
I'm interested in buying this catamaran but have questions
There are many ways to buy a catamaran and the procedure varies between manufacturers. It's a process that takes time and you should not be afraid of starting talks with the manufacturer.
Here are some common questions you might have:
Can I afford it? Talk to the manufacturer and they can advise you on financing options.
Can I sail it? Arrange a test sail with the manufacturer, or ask them directly what kind of support and education they offer for boat buyers.
If you need anything else, be it more details , an introduction to the manufacturer , a shipyard visit , a test sail , or help with customatization, let us know on the Help M e page after clicking below and we’ll help you take the next step.
You might also like
Length (ft):.
8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Seawind 1170
Didn't Find Yours?
Do Our Boat Quiz!
Answer the 5 most critical questions when choosing a catamaran, and we give you 3 boats that match your sailing plans best. It's easy, fun!
Compare Favourites!
Compare three catamarans side by side. What better way to see and find out their differences in specifications and looks, and make an educated choice!
Find Your Brand
Find out who is who when it comes to different catamaran manufacturers. They all serve a different clientele, find the brand story you vibe with!
You've made the Quiz, compared your favourites and gotten to know all the Brands but still havent found your boat. Dont worry, we are here for you!
ACHIEVEMENTS
MANUFACTURING
SAILING RANGE
Power range, leopard 45 catamaran, sleek and nimble, yet comfortable.
Awarded Boat of the Year honours in 2017 and founded upon the ethos of continuous innovation and feedback from cruising clients, the Leopard 45 sailing catamaran represents astute value, elegant lines and satisfies blue water passion.
With naval architecture by Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design, and with exterior and interior design by the world-class design team at Robertson and Caine, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran not only builds on the best features of the current Leopard range but most notably offers new exterior styling and enhanced interior accommodation.
Since the launch of the Leopard 45 in 2017, the exterior styling has evolved and includes the innovative flybridge lounge. This lounge feature first launched on the award-winning Leopard 50! Like her big sister, the lounge on the Leopard 45 includes a seating area, a sunbed, and a table. Access to the lounge is provided by floating stairs leading up from the aft cockpit, without disrupting the helm station. The helm station remains well protected, and integrated into the cockpit and the rest of the boat.
Available in a 3 or 4 cabin layout, the Leopard 45 offers the perfect entertainment package with increased aft area with new layout, the flybridge lounge, ergonomically designed open plan saloon and galley, larger forward cockpit, and more onboard area.
In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas.
At Robertson and Caine, we favour a clear, natural flow. The Leopard 45’s increased area, ergonomically designed open plan saloon and galley, increased forward cockpit and more onboard area make her the ideal catamaran for guest entertaining as well as long-range cruising.
Onboard entertaining is accentuated with ample dining space and forward-facing L shaped seating communicating directly with the galley, situated forward. Wide sliding saloon doors afford panoramic views towards the stern, allowing the interior saloon to flow naturally towards the outside aft and forward cockpit.
The boat is flooded with natural light during the day and after sunset, illuminated by subtle hidden lighting, with individual spotlights to highlight certain areas.
The progressive generation
LEOPARD CATAMARANS
Functional elegance and performance sailing
13.72 m
45 ft 0 in
13.07 m
42 ft 11 in
7.36 m
24 ft 2 in
1.5 m
4 ft 11 in
21.34 m
70 ft 0 in
0.83 m
2 ft 9 in
Engine Specifications
2 x Yanmar Diesel 45HP each
4
700 L / 185 gal
3‐blade: 432 x 356 mm / 17 in x 14 in
Sail Specifications
74 sqm
797 sqft
75.9 sqm
817 sqft
46.5 sqm
501 sqft
70 sqm
753 sqft
120.5 sqm
1298 sqft
Load Specifications
780 L
206 gal
14 900 kg
32 849 lbs
4 600 kg
10 141 lbs
170 L
45 gal
3 Cabin Layout
4 Cabin Layout
Visit our Popular Forums
Monohull Sailboats
Multihull Sailboats
Powered Boats
General Sailing
Antares Yachts
Fountaine Pajot
Lagoon Catamarans
Cruising Business
Boat Classifieds
General Classifieds
Crew Positions
Commercial Posts
Vendor Spotlight
Life Aboard a Boat
Provisioning: Food & Drink
Families, Kids, & Pets Afloat
Recreation, Entertainment, & Fun
Boat Ownership & Making a Living
Liveaboard's Forum
Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling
Seamanship & Boat Handling
Training, Licensing, & Certification
Health, Safety, & Related Gear
Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape
Engineering & Systems
Const. / Maint. / Refit
Product / Service Reviews
Electronics: Comms / AV
Electrical: Batts / Gen / Solar
Lithium Power Systems
Engines & Propulsion
Propellers & Drive Systems
Plumbing / Fixtures
Deck Hdw: Rigging / Sails
Aux. Equipment & Dinghy
Anchoring & Mooring
Photo Categories
Member Galleries
Life Onboard
Sailing in the Wind
Power Boats
Cruising Destinations
Maint. & Boat Building
Marine Life
Scuba Diving & Divers
General Photos
Recent Photos
Listing Categories
African Cats
view more »
Crew Wanted
Crew Available
Enhance Your Account
Meet the Mods
Meet the Advisors
Signup for The Daily Cruiser Email
> >
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums.
18-04-2024, 19:30
a used , 2021 or newer. However, Ive recently come across a variety of unsatisfactory owner . It seems as though these may be hard to come by as many owners are held to NDAs in order to obtain instructions and the like. As much of this is hearsay, and difficult to collate, were very interested to hear from owners of the 2021 and newer models.
Some common themes that weve come across are: -Dry fiber glass -Hull cracks near tension bar -Leaking bulkheads/ windows -Improper of conduit resulting in instrumental failure -Leaking stanchions, fittings, and
Have you had similar experiences? Weve been actively saving for 6 years and will be in the market within the next 1.5 so it goes without saying that this is a big decision and we dont want to sink our funds into a dream that turns out to be a nightmare. Any and all first hand insight would be greatly appreciated. Also happy to field emails if you have sensitive information to disclose but dont feel comfortable discussing via an open forum.
Thanks, Aariel
26-04-2024, 12:37
Boat: Najad 490 1998
Watch Sailing Utopia here:
20-05-2024, 18:53
to try and get a better understanding of firsthand owner experiences. I’m certain that there may be a few one off issues that Individual owners experience, but it’s really those systemic design flaws/ Poor workmanship that were after. Those are unfortunately, the “gifts” that keep on giving and we prefer to make a well-informed decision with our life savings as best we can. Particularly because these issues seem to be intensified in the 2021 or newer models or rather “COVID models”. While there are certain design aesthetics that draw us to these newer models, like the bridge seating and modern layout, my apprehension surrounding the seemly chronic workmanship issues are no less quelled at the moment. I suppose we’re hoping to hear both good and bad from owners if they’re willing to share.
02-06-2024, 13:51
Boat: Leopard 45
layout with a jibe preventer layout. The later models with traveler centered on the top deck are hard to stabalize when at . Save yourself some and look to a 2019 or 2020 model. jim
02-06-2024, 20:10
50 three years ago - a 2021 build. It has been the most trouble free of the five cruising sailboats I've owned. That's not to say "no problems" - just fewer than the others. I was going to buy a until owning friends made me reconsider. I've never seen such a loyal group of owners. Many on their 2nd or 3rd Leopard.
I consider the buid quality to be at the upper end of production . The thing is built like a tank with huge metal cross beams that make the hulls incredibly stiff. Even after three years - when I go below under sail it's amazingly quiet. None of the squeaks and rattles you hear in most production . I think that's because 1/2 go to the Moorings. The Moorings can't have boats breaking down and cancelling charters. There are lots of small details on Leopards - such as redundant fresh pumps - that likely come from the Moorings spec.
I've never met a Leopard owner (and I've met over 100) who experienced resin starved laminate or serious structural problems. I'm sure they happen, but it's incredibly rare. In any case, these should have been uncovered before by hiring an independed - yes, you should have a brand surveyed. happen. I would also stay away from any by any with a low number (under 50). Some models have a rocky start.
Most of the other problems in the videos are minor and part of owning a . are a constant annoyance. Lines always chafe on a transatlantic crossing. New deck appear. My "needs fixing" list has about 25 things on it. Everyone of my boats over 40 years has had a similiar length list. As one item gets fixed another takes its place. "Cruising is boat in exotic locations". If you can't live with this - get an RV.
So to the OP - You'll love your Leopard. Use a good . Don't cross an ocean or go to another coutnry (even the Bahamas) until the boat is well shaken down on shorter cruises. And have enough left in your ($50-$100K) to do all the things you'll want to do after - both planned and some surprises.
12-06-2024, 05:01
Boat: Boat
suffered a double failure after the factory used the wrong material for the , which deteriorated and got into the .
16-06-2024, 23:23
Boat: Najad 490 1998
until Leopard owning friends made me reconsider. I've never seen such a loyal group of boat owners. Many on their 2nd or 3rd Leopard.
I consider the buid quality to be at the upper end of production boats. The thing is built like a tank with huge metal cross beams that make the hulls incredibly stiff. Even after three years - when I go below under sail it's amazingly quiet. None of the squeaks and rattles you hear in most production boats. I think that's because 1/2 go to the Moorings. The Moorings can't have boats breaking down and cancelling charters. There are lots of small details on Leopards - such as redundant fresh pumps - that likely come from the Moorings spec.
I've never met a Leopard owner (and I've met over 100) who experienced resin starved laminate or serious structural problems. I'm sure they happen, but it's incredibly rare. In any case, these should have been uncovered before purchase by hiring an independed - yes, you should have a brand surveyed. happen. I would also stay away from any boat by any with a low number (under 50). Some models have a rocky start.
Most of the other problems in the videos are minor and part of owning a . are a constant annoyance. Lines always chafe on a transatlantic crossing. New deck appear. My "needs fixing" list has about 25 things on it. Everyone of my boats over 40 years has had a similiar length list. As one item gets fixed another takes its place. "Cruising is boat repair in exotic locations". If you can't live with this - get an RV.
So to the OP - You'll love your Leopard. Use a good . Don't cross an ocean or go to another coutnry (even the Bahamas) until the boat is well shaken down on shorter cruises. And have enough money left in your ($50-$100K) to do all the things you'll want to do after purchase - both planned and some surprises.
, Bali and entirely agree that Bali is strictly for coastal cruising and/chartering. Our intent is to spend 2.5 years shaking down the vessel while in FL and finally sail away for well ever. I firmly agree that an extensive trial period is critical particularly as my husband is new to sailing and I want to make the transition as smooth and fun as possible. Thats not to say that all will go perfectly, as we all know this is an impossibility for any but Id like to risk mitigate as much as possible. We initially were also interested in a FP (Tanna 47) but found the layout comparable to a 45. Not to mention I dont prefer the backward facing lounge and several other design esthetics. While these werent deal breakers the sharp increase in purchase in just over a year did us in as I flatly refuse to spent 120k more for the same boat on principle.
We fell in love with the layout of the and with it just being the two of us, theres little need for anything larger. While Id prefer if the performance was slightly increased to accommodate a more brisk cruising speed (10-15knots vc 7-10knots) its not the end of the world. You know what they say, a sailor spends 80% of time at so we tried to maintain a more realistic outlook on the space vs performance.
The recent build quality issues has resulted in an increased awareness on our part however. Our intent is to now arm ourselves with a list of known reoccurring issues, builder defects, etc as to better inform our surveyor and ourselves when we enter the market in 18months.
20-06-2024, 19:43
10-07-2024, 17:43
Boat: Leopard 45
better and the is much better with the mounted starboard and port it works as a preventer. I have chartered the 2021 version with the top lounge and found it usable for only about half an hour each day. The front lounge is much prefered. My boat comes up on phase out next month and I am wondering where to place her (Conch ?).
, ,
Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
:
Posting Rules
post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are
Similar Threads
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
themorb
Multihull Sailboats
14
06-09-2022 12:50
Want To Buy:
Crazcarl
Boats For Sale and Wanted
6
16-08-2020 03:04
Want To Buy:
Builder G.
Classifieds Archive
4
20-01-2017 21:02
Want To Buy:
riv33
Classifieds Archive
2
11-08-2014 16:34
No Threads to Display.
- - - - - - -
Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time.
Did You Know That We Offer Contract to Closing Services? Click Here to Find Out More.
Need Marine Financing? Apply Here With Our Partner, First Approval Source
Catamaran Interviews
Catamaran Reviews
Buying Advice
Selling Advice
Woods Design Advice
Admiral 38
Admiral 40
Admiral 50
Americat 3014
Antares 44
Aquila 44
Aquila 48 Power Catamaran
Aventura 37
Balance 442
Balance 482
Balance 526
Bali 4.0
Bali 4.1
Bali 4.2
Bali 4.3
Bali 4.4
Bali 4.5
Bali 4.6
Bali 4.8
Bali 40 Catspace
Bali 5.4
Bali Catsmart
Beneteau Blue II
Broadblue 346
Broadblue 38 Prestige
Broadblue 385
Broadblue 435
Broadblue 46
Rapier 400
Rapier 550
Catalac 10M
Catalac 11M
Catalac 12M
Catalac 8M
Catalac 900
Catalac 9M
Catana 381
Catana 39
Catana 401
Catana 40S
Catana 411
Catana 42
Catana 42 S
Catana 431
Catana 44
Catana 471
Catana 50
Catana 521
Catana 531
Catana 55
Catana 581
Catana 65
Catathai 44
Chris White
Chris White 48 Voyager
Chris White 55
Condor 40
Contour 34
Corsair F28 R
De Villiers
Dean 365
Dean 400
Dean 440
Dean 500
Dix DH550
Dolphin 380
Dolphin 460
Edel 35
Endeavour 30
Endeavour 35 Victory
Endeavour 36
Endeavour 44
Endeavour 44 TrawlerCat
Endeavour 50 Pilothouse Trawler
Excess 11
Excess 15
F-41
Fastback 43
Fastcat 445
Fisher 28
Fisher 32
Fortuna 36 Island Spirit
Fortuna 401 Island Spirit
Fountaine Pajot
FP 32 Maldives
FP 35 Tobago
FP 36 Mahe
FP 37 Antigua
FP 38 Athena
FP 39 Fidji
FP 40 Isla
FP 40 Lavezzi
FP 40 Lucia
FP 40 MY
FP 40 Summerland MY
FP 41 Lipari
FP 42 Astrea
FP 42 Venezia
FP 43 Belize
FP 44 Helia
FP 44 Orana
FP 45 Elba
FP 46 Bahia
FP 46 Casamance
FP 48 Salina
FP 50 Saba
FP 56 Marquises
FP 57 Sanya
FP 58 Ipanema
FP 60 Eleuthera
FP Saona 47
Fusion 40
Gemini 105
Gemini 3000
Gemini 3200
Gemini 3400
Gemini Freestyle 37
Gemini Freestyle 399 Power
Gemini Legacy 35
Grainger 420 Mystery Cove
Gunboat 55
Hirondelle 7M
HopYacht 30
Island Packet
Island Packet Cat 35
Kennex 420
Knysna 440
Knysna 480
Knysna 500
Knysna 550
Lagoon 35
Lagoon 37 TPI
Lagoon 380
Lagoon 39
Lagoon 40
Lagoon 400
Lagoon 410
Lagoon 42
Lagoon 42 TPI
Lagoon 420
Lagoon 421
Lagoon 43 PC
Lagoon 44 Power Cat
Lagoon 440
Lagoon 450
Lagoon 46
Lagoon 470
Lagoon 50
Lagoon 500
Lagoon 52F
Lagoon 55
Lagoon 560
Lagoon 570
Lagoon 620
Lagoon Seventy 8
Lagoon Sixty 7
Leeuwin 42
Leopard 38
Leopard 39
Leopard 39 PowerCat
Leopard 40
Leopard 42
Leopard 43
Leopard 44
Leopard 45
Leopard 45 Classic
Leopard 46
Leopard 46 Lion PowerCat
Leopard 47
Leopard 47 PowerCat
Leopard 48
Leopard 50
Leopard 51 PowerCat
Leopard 53 PowerCat
Leopard 58
Lidgard 73 Executive
Looping 50
Maine Cat 30
Maine Cat 38
Maine Cat 41
Manta 40
Manta 42
Matrix 450 Vision
Matrix 760 Silhouette
Maverick 400
Maverick 420
Maverick 440
Moxie 61
Nautitech 40
Nautitech 40 Open
Nautitech 44 Open
Nautitech 442
Nautitech 46 Open
Nautitech 47
Nautitech 47 Power
Nautitech 475
Nautitech 65
Neel 45
Neel 47
Outremer 40
Outremer 45
Outremer 50 Standard
Outremer 55
Outremer 5X
PDQ 32
PDQ 36
PDQ 42 Antares
Privilege 37
Privilege 39
Privilege 42
Privilege 43
Privilege 435
Privilege 45
Privilege 465
Privilege 48 Transcat
Privilege 482
Privilege 495
Privilege 510
Privilege 65
Privilege Serie 5
Prout 31 Quest
Prout 33 Quest
Prout 34 Event
Prout 35 Snowgoose
Prout 37 Snowgoose
Prout 37 Snowgoose Elite
Prout 38
Prout 38 Manta
Prout 39 Escale
Prout 45
Prout 46
Royal Cape 45
Royal Cape 500 Majestic
Royal Cape 530 Majestic
Sailcraft 30 Iroquois
Sailcraft 32 Comanche
Sailcraft 35 Cherokee
Sailcraft 41 Apache
Sailcraft 44 Apache
Scape 39
Wildcat 350
Seacart 30
Seawind 1000
Seawind 1160
Seawind 1200
Seawind 1260
Seawind 1600
Simpson 48
Solaris 36 Sunrise
Solaris 36 Sunstar
Solaris 42
St Francis 44
St Francis 48
St Francis 50
Stealth 11.8
Sunreef 60
Sunreef 62
Sunreef 70
Sunreef 74C
Sunreef 82 DD
Sunreef 88 DD
Switch 51
Switch 55
TRT 1200
Heavenly Twins 26
Ocean Twins 38
Vaan R5
Vision 444
Voyage 380 Maxim
Voyage 400 Norseman
Voyage 430 Norseman
Voyage 440
Voyage 450 Cabriolet
Voyage 47 Mayotte
Voyage 480
Voyage 500
Voyage 580
Voyage 590
Kronos 45
Wharram 38 Tiki
AMI 320 Renaissance
Woods 22 Wizard
Woods 35 Banshee
Woods 35 Flica
Woods 36 Scylla
Woods 36 Vardo
Woods 38 Transit
Woods 40 Meander
Xquisite X5
Xquisite X5+
Catamaran Construction – Hulls, Laminates, and Composites
Post author By BJ Porter
Post date October 15, 2020
4 Comments on Catamaran Construction – Hulls, Laminates, and Composites
It’s a given that catamarans are more sensitive to weight and loading than monohulls. Catamaran builders strive to build the lightest boats they can without sacrificing strength and stiffness, and have adapted new building techniques and materials to meet this target. Cutting weight allows more passengers and gear without sacrificing performance.
And the marketing materials reflect it–they load every review and website with polysyllabic technical jargon describing the design and production choices each builder made to deliver the best boat they can.
But when you’re reading a brochure and you come across phrases like “ hand laid bidirectional GRP ” or “ vacuumed bagged e-glass with vinylester resin over a Divinycell core ” do you know what that really means?
All modern production catamarans are made with “FRP” construction (for Fiber Reinforced Polymer). Composites aren’t new–it’s just using materials together to strengthen the whole assembly. Straw was added to bricks centuries ago, and steel reinforced concrete is a staple of construction over the last century. For boats, it’s the use of stranded fibers and cured resins which make FRP different.
The term “FRP” doesn’t get into the technical detail of which fibers and which plastics, and how they’re put together to build your hull. There’s a wide variety of fiber types which can be stranded, woven, chopped or sprayed in a varied of patterns then combined with several types of resins to make hulls with different characteristics.
Some FRP techniques produce lighter, stronger shapes, while others are quicker to build and less expensive to produce. The choice of technique is a function of many factors, from the number of hulls and parts to be built, the type of parts, the budget for the project, and many design specific requirements for weight and strength.
1. FRP Basics
The principle behind all FRP construction is the same – you lay our fibers in the shape you need, then saturate them with resin, removing all the air and voids you can. Resin is left to cure, then the piece is ready to finish and use.
The reality is more complex, since building a boat isn’t like making a flat board or a simple door. You’ve got a complex shape with a designed set of curves to build. “Tooling” is the set of shapes to make the boat parts; molds to cover with fiberglass to get the right shapes.
That’s what makes FRP so effective – you can make almost anything out of it. But to do so requires a lot of choices about what you need for the project at hand.
There isn’t a “best” all around material or technique choice for all jobs, and sometimes a lower cost technique or easier to work with material may be the better solution to the problem.
A. Fiber types
Fiber choices in the last few decades have expanded past the glass fibers used in the first mass produced boats in the 1960s. FRP construction wasn’t new even then, they built the first composite boats using modern fiberglass in the 1940s.
The major fibers used in marine construction fall into three categories – glass, aramids, and carbon. The primary differences are in the strength to weight ratios of the fibers, durability, elasticity, and cost. Some construction may use blends of fiber types to combine performance characteristics.
Glass – the most common material still, because of its low cost and versatility. The most common variety used in GRP (Glass Reinforced Polymer) is “E-glass” which refers to its strand size and mineral content. Other grades have different and sometimes better mechanical properties, but may be more expensive and less appropriate for boat building use. Fiber sizes run 10 to 25 microns for E-glass, though other grades may be smaller.
Brands like Leopard, Lagoon, and most higher production volume builders use E-glass.
Aramids – this includes brand names like Kevlar, Technora and Twaron. They have higher tensile strength than E-glass, and resistant abrasion and punctures. Kevlar is a common choice for bullet proof body armor, and can built a tough, lightweight hull. The materials can be difficult to work with, as it is very tough to cut the cloth. It is often blended with carbon fiber or other materials – Catana is known for using Twaron blends in hull construction.
Carbon – the ultimate in lightweight, strong construction material. Carbon fiber is the most expensive fiber, and is available in a variety of weights, grades and strengths. Fibers are smaller than glass – down to 5 Micron.
The lightest, most expensive hulls are made from carbon, but a catamaran builder may use carbon in places other than the hull to add strength and stiffness. Carbon boards, rudders, and reinforcing structures can enhance performance without driving the price of the boat beyond reach. Carbon is the fiber of choice for many custom builds, racing cats, and Gunboat.
B. Mats, Strands, Roving, Direction, and Weights
Fibers are woven into matting and cloth for construction. Depending on the application, different weights of cloth and cloth patterns and weaves may be more appropriate for the job.
Cloth weight refers to the weight per square yard (or meter) of the cloth. A square yard of nine ounce cloth weighs nine ounces. The heavier the cloth, the stronger it is in a laminate.
Fibers carry loads along their length, so cloth weaves have directionality to their strength. Most builders use several layers of cloth with different orientations to give good universal strength to hulls. Specific FRP applications with strict load-path requirements may have more unidirectional fiber layering – for example, a chainplate manufactured from carbon fiber may use unidirectional fiber.
Cloth – fiberglass cloth is commonly used on outer layers of composites. Cloth may have unidirectional or bidirectional strength. Bidirectional cloths have maximum load strengths in two perpendicular directions. Variations on weaves like a modified twill allow a more flexible cloth for better shaping around complex molds.
Mat – is omnidirectional strands of fiber compressed into a cloth. This is often held together with a resin soluble glue, which makes mat great at conforming to mold shapes without folding and bunching as it collapses when wetted. Because the strands do not align, fiber strength is the same in all directions.
Woven Roving – a heavier cloth made from larger bundles of strands. Woven roving allows for quicker buildup of material and strand weight.
Most FRP layups include multiple layers of different cloth and mat. Finished layers may be finer cloth over courser cloth, over woven roving and mat.
Three primary resins are in common use in marine construction – polyester , vinylester , and epoxy . All resins have materials safety concerns and require care in their use and handling.
Polyester is the least expensive and requires breathing protection because of the VOC emission (Volatile Organic Compounds…nasty, smelly fumes). It doesn’t have good bonding/gluing capability, and should only be used with glass fibers for structural building. Some polyester resins are referred to as “isophthalic” resins.
Vinylester is chemically similar to a hybrid of polyester and epoxy, and performs best with fiberglass. It shouldn’t be used in high strength applications with carbon or aramid fibers. It has some adhesive qualities which polyester lacks, it shrinks less during curing, and has better impact resistance.
The added strength of vinylester coupled with increased water resistance makes it an attractive option for many catamaran builders. It costs less than epoxy, but still has better performance than polyester.
Epoxy is the most expensive, but is three times the strength of the others. It offers the best adhesion and the only resin for building structural elements with carbon and aramid. It resists water intrusion better than the other resins, resists blisters, emits no VOCs, and shrinks less. The major drawback is it is more brittle if it takes an impact.
While epoxy is “the best” in terms of strength and ease of building, there are many applications where other resins are appropriate. Budget is a big driver – a boat made from E-Glass doesn’t need epoxy resin, and considerable cost savings to meet a construction price target may drive the choice.
They can build quality boats from all material combinations, but price and performance will drive materials choices to keep some boats more affordable.
2. Cored Construction
What’s the best way to make fiberglass strong? To a point, you can make it thicker. As it gets thicker, it gets heavier. A hollow shape can take more compressive load than a solid one of the same weight, and the same principle applies to fiberglass construction.
Consider an I-Beam used in building construction. It has the same strength (or more) as a solid rectangular beam of similar mass. The compressive load on the beam is supported by the outside edges of the material, the metal in the middle doesn’t contribute much to the strength. So we can remove metal to get the “I” shape while still keeping those sides rigid, making a lighter girder with less material.
The same principle applies to cored construction with fiberglass. Making a sandwich of two layers of fiberglass with a light core between them allows for the greater strength with weight savings.
There are drawbacks – the biggest risk is damage which breaks the skin, which can let water into the core. Earlier cored construction used materials prone to saturation and rot if they got wet. Some builders opt to do cored construction above the waterline and solid below to minimize some of these risks.
But the advantages in weight savings and increased stiffness offset the drawbacks, and there may be a few other side effects like sound and temperature insulation. Like resins and fibers, core materials offer distinct advantages, disadvantages and price points.
Most builders have adopted a hybrid approach, building solid hulls below the waterline, and cored hulls and decks above. This gives a balance of weight and safety.
A. Balsa Core
Balsa is light and inexpensive. The first cored construction used balsa, but it has the disadvantage of being wood. As a natural material, if it gets wet it can rot and break down. Builders use “end grain” balsa – shorter cross cut sections – to prevent wicking of water if there is an intrusion.
B. Foam Core
Closed cell foam cores give good strength to weight savings while minimizing water intrusion. If you get water in the core, it won’t spread very far. Divinycell is a popular PVC foam core, though there are several choices with different densities and compressive strengths.
Some foam cores are not suitable for heat treatment, but infused or vacuum bagged boats like the Outremer and PDQ do well with it.
C. Honeycomb
Honeycomb cores are often the most expensive, but also give some of the best strength to weight ratios. Honeycombed cells made from resin cured aramid papers are some of the best, but also among the most costly. They offer good stiffness, but can be hard to shape. Aluminum and other resin-infused papers are other core materials builders can choose from.
3. Construction and Resin
When building a hull, there are optimal ratios of fiber to resin saturation for target strength and weight. Too little resin and you may not have enough strength (or worse, voids and gaps), and too much, and you’re just adding weight without adding strength. Resins are also a significant material cost in building the boat, so over application not only increases weight but adds cost.
There are many ways to assemble the cores, fibers and resins to build a finished laminate hull – we’re addressing the most common in boat building. Each approach has strengths and limitations, and an impact on the bottom-line cost to build the boat. Any voids or air pockets in the laminate can be disastrous; these techniques have been developed to increase saturation and reduce the risk of voids.
A. Hand Layup / Open Molding
As the name implies, this is the application of resin by hand to cloth as it’s laid into a mold. Wetting is done with a brush, and the laminate is rolled out to remove any air pockets and voids. This is the simplest way to lay up fiberglass, but also the least precise and consistent and will use the most resin.
Skilled craftsmen have built some of the finest vessels in the world this way. Though it’s more popular with monohulls, which are less sensitive to weight, many catamarans built with hand layups on open molds are still out cruising and performing well.
B. Spraying
Using chopped-strand fiber mixed with resin, a “chopper gun” can spray the mixture into a mold to lay down the composite. A consistent thickness can be difficult, but this is a low cost construction technique which makes a very resin-rich laminate. Using sprayed fibers gives lower strength in all directions compared to meticulously laid down mat and bi-directional cloth. But it is a quick technique popular with mass produced, smaller boats.
It is an excellent technique for parts with complex geometry where weight is not an issue, but you will not see it often in catamaran construction. It’s heavy with resin without any resultant increase in strength.
C. Vacuum Bagging (Wet layup)
When an open molded component has been laid up and wetted with resin, vacuum bagging takes the process a step further. After the wetting is complete, air tight plastic bagging is secured around the wetted area, and the air is pumped out of the bag. The vacuum pulls excess resin out and collapses air pockets.
The goal is to get thorough wetting and produce as strong a laminate as possible without excess resin. Knysa and Leopard are two builders that use vacuum bagging on their hulls to reduce weight.
D. Resin Infusion
For resin infusion the cloth, matting and core is laid in place dry, then sealed in an air-tight bag. A vacuum pump attaches to one side of the bag, and on the other a feed for resin. The vacuum sucks the air out of the dry cloth stack, then pulls the resin through the stack, infusing and wetting it.
Resin infusion, when done right, gives the lightest, strongest laminates with no voids and the minimum resin weight for maximum strength. SCRIMP is a variant of the resin infusion process used by some builders, including TPI which build many early Lagoon cats.
E. Pre-preg
Using pre-preg (for “Pre Impregnated”) cloth for your laminating gets rid of the resin bucket. They manufacture cloth with a partially catalyzed resin pressed into it, then it’s chilled or frozen to stop the curing process. There is no need for seperately mixed resins, and there’s no worry your resin might “go off” and harden before you’re done wetting the cloth. Instead, the cloth is assembled, vacuumed, then heated to kick off the curing process.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to using pre-preg for your laminate work. The big disadvantage is the cost; it is most expensive material to use. You also need to chill and store the cloth until you need it, though some can be at room temperature for a couple of weeks without kicking off. And you need an oven which requires some clever tricks if you’re building a forty or fifty foot boat.
But the strength to weight ratio will always be perfect. High tech honeycomb cores are best suited to pre-preg lamination, and without racing against resin cure times, you can ensure perfect cloth placement and precise layout in the build process.
The primary use for pre-preg in boating is high performance race boats. With catamarans, pre-preg may be used high load parts, like Gunboat does for foils and rudders.
4. Industry Examples
Across the catamaran building industry you’ll find almost all the above techniques and materials used, though some are less common. You aren’t likely to find chopped strand sprayed layups in ocean going cats, and hand layups can lead to heavier hulls than weight sensitive catamaran designers prefer. Most manufacturers have moved to vacuum bagging or resin infusion, with a few of the highest end boats using pre-preg for key components.
Built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa, the hull material is vacuum bagged, end-grain balsa-cored E-glass with polyester.
Hand laid, bagged vinylester over an Airex foam core in the hulls.
Earlier Prout catamarans like the Snowgoose 34 featured hand laid solid FRP hulls and decks. Over time they switched to foam or balsa cores for decks and above the waterline.
Older PDQ boats were made from vacuum bagged vinylester – solid below the waterline and cored with CoreCell foam above the waterline and in decks. Newer PDQ models switched to epoxy resin.
All glass is vacuum bagged. Below the waterline is solid E-glass and vinylester. The rest is unidirectional, bidirectional, and triaxial cloths over a Nida-Core polypropylene honeycomb core with isophthalic and vinylester resins.
The Gemini cats are built with a solid hand layup of woven roving and fiberglass mat and polyester resin. Decks are cored with end grain balsa. The Gemini 3200 introduced vinylester resin into the layup to prevent blistering.
Older Lagoons were SCRIMP infused vinylester with and end grain balsa core above the waterline and in the decks.
Newer Lagoon catamarans use polyester and vinylester resins, also infused with balsa cores above the waterline and solid below.
With a carbon fiber inner skin, Catana also uses Twaron aramid fibers in the sandwiched hull over a foam core.
Fontaine Pajot
Primary hull construction is resin-infused vinylester with a balsa cored hull and deck.
Beneath the waterline, Outremer uses a single layer, solid vinylester laminate for safety. The hulls and deck are vinylester with a Divinycell foam core. They stiffen certain components with carbon for rigidity and durability.
Gunboat hulls are epoxy infused carbon fiber with a Nomex honeycomb core. They build dagger boards and other high load components with pre-preg carbon.
Tags Buying Advice
By BJ Porter
Owner of Hallberg Rassy 53; world explorer.
4 replies on “Catamaran Construction – Hulls, Laminates, and Composites”
Excelent. Thank you for this I learned allot. Johan
Very straight forward information. Thankyou for doing this.
Damn…What an Amazingly Informative Article. *Cheers*
Outremer publish on their website that they use polyester. Not vinyl ester as you have stated.
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Are Leopard Catamarans Still Worth The High Price?
South African boat builders Robertson and Caine worked with international naval architects Morrelli, Melvin, and Simonis Voogd to design their Leopard Catamaran range.
These catamarans are known to be spacious, comfortable, and performance-driven bluewater cruising catamarans. In addition, Leopard catamarans are the only catamaran brand certified in Europe (CE certification) and the US (NMMA Certified).
These South African-built boats have a reputation for being robust enough for ocean crossings, extremely spacious, easy to handle, and expensive.
Here’s Why Leopard Catamarans Are Worth Their High Price:
Leopard Catamarans are worth their high price because they are extremely well-built with high-quality finishes. Initially designed for the charter market, they became so popular that the company expanded into the private market offering a choice of layouts and semi-custom options.
Table of Contents
A Brief History Of Leopard Catamarans:
In 1991, John Robertson and Jerry Caine started a boat building company in Woodstock, a suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. The company earned a solid reputation for building custom racing yachts and production cruisers.
By 1994, as the company became known, Robertson and Caine were approached by the leading global yacht charter company, The Moorings, to produce specifically designed, spacious catamarans for its charter fleet.
The company successfully delivered 100 new catamarans to The Moorings in less than 4 years!
Plus, they sailed every catamaran from Cape Town to various charter destinations worldwide, proving their robust design and blue water capabilities.
Six years later, Robertson and Caine started to manufacture catamarans for the private market, and in 2020 the brand Leopard Catamarans was introduced. Sailors worldwide were impressed with this new line of catamarans. The custom ‘owner’ versions became very popular for private use, with owners able to choose their layout, plus any optional equipment and even their delivery location.
In 2007, Leopard Catamarans tested the luxury power catamaran market by introducing the Leopard 47 power catamaran. The Leopard 47 power cat was a great success with its stylish, good looks and remarkable fuel efficiency.
Today Leopard Catamarans offers a range of both sailing and power catamarans from 40 to 53 feet, and the company has delivered more than 2,500 Leopard Catamarans worldwide. They have become one of the industry’s leaders in producing and delivering quality catamarans for private use and charter fleets worldwide.
Catamaran Or Monohull? Check out our 27 Important Facts to know!
How Much Exactly Do Leopard Catamarans Cost?
Leopard Catamarans don’t come cheap.
If you are in the market for a new catamaran, then a Leopard will set you back anything from $569,000 for their smaller 42-foot 2023 basic sailing catamaran model, and that’s if you pick it up in Cape Town! A new Leopard 40 power catamaran will cost $769,000 for the basic 2023 model.
However, second-hand catamarans are available if you can’t afford a new model. A quick search on Yachtworld.com came up with a Leopard 38 from 1999 that is on the market for $198,000. Plus, Leopard Catamarans themselves have a yacht brokerage for their second-hand models. At the time of writing, prices there start from $219,900.
In general, 85% of all Leopard Catamarans go into the charter market for their first 5 years. Charter companies prefer the 4 cabins with 4 heads version because they generate more income than the owner’s version, which only has 3 cabins.
The new market for most boats is the 4 cabin version.
The second-hand market for Leopard Catamarans generally prefers the owner versions because they normally have had less use and are in demand by live-aboard cruisers. As fewer of these owner versions are around, they tend to go for higher prices.
Do Leopard Catamarans Cost More Than Similar Brands?
Similar brands of catamarans include Lagoon, Fountaine Pajot, Nautitech, and Catana. The prices of new catamarans are not widely available and will come down to the layout, the basic boat package, and any added-on options.
However, we can make a price comparison of similar second-hand models from the same or similar years.
Fountaine Pajot Orana 44
2009
$435,600
Catana 42 Owner’s Version
2009
$419,000
Leopard 46
2009
$449,000
Lagoon 420
2009
$499,000
Nautitech 47
2007
$375,000
[Info Courtesy of Yachtworld.com, July 2022]
At first glance, the Leopard Catamaran is not the most expensive, but it is the cheapest. As for value, you would have to take a more in-depth look at the inventory and the boat’s overall condition to get a better idea of whether these boats are good value for money.
In addition, if you are buying a second-hand catamaran, or indeed any boat, it is always recommended to have an independent marine survey carried out to identify any unseen problems.
Why Do People Choose Leopard Over The Competition?
The following are reasons why people choose Leopard over other catamaran brands:
Leopard Catamarans claim that their boats are of a superior and more solid construction compared to other brands.
The boats are beautifully and practically designed for simple sailing and living aboard.
Leopard Catamarans boasts a finish that is in a class of its own.
They deliver excellent performance in all conditions – under sail, under motor, or at anchor.
The boats are spacious and comfortable, with ample storage and space for family and friends to stay aboard and socialize.
Leopard Catamarans score big on safety with plenty of handholds, grab rails, and attachment points. Plus, all lines return to the cockpit, so you don’t have to go on deck in bad weather.
Do Leopard Catamarans Keep Their Value Better?
The value of a catamaran largely depends on how well the boat has been maintained and looked after. However, catamarans tend to hold their value well, particularly Leopard Catamarans.
This can be attributed to the availability of new catamarans being fairly limited as there are not so many catamaran manufacturers around. Most manufacturers have full order books and waiting lists for their boats, which keeps the resale value of catamarans much higher than monohulls or other yachts.
Each year the price of new catamarans tends to increase more quickly than the equivalent monohull. So this also helps to keep the value on second-hand catamarans.
In addition, roughly 85% of Leopard Catamarans are built for the charter market. While some people may be averse to buying an ex-charter boat, they tend to be of great value as they have been professionally serviced and maintained throughout their charter life.
If a Leopard Catamaran has been well looked after, it will keep its value and will possibly be better than other brands.
What Are Typical Alternatives To Leopard Boats?
While you might be in the market for a Leopard Catamaran, there are good alternatives to consider:
Lagoon Catamarans
Lagoon Catamarans are one of the main alternatives to Leopard Boats.
The French company has been building sailing and power catamarans since 1984 and has produced more than 5,800 multihulls.
Today the company still offers both sailing and luxury power cats from 40 to 78 feet.
Fountaine Pajot
Fountaine Pajot is another famous French boat builder who was founded in 1976.
They launched their first cruising sailing catamaran back in 1983 and began with their line of luxury power catamarans in 1998.
Today Fountaine Pajot offers a range of sailing and power catamarans ranging in size from 36 to 67 feet.
Catana Catamarans
Catana Catamarans is an additional French catamaran manufacturer on a much smaller scale than the previous two brands.
Catana has been a leader in producing high-performance catamarans since 1984. Over the years, they have built catamarans ranging in size from 42 to 70 feet.
As a smaller boatyard, they offer personalized services, and each new boat is designed in close collaboration with its future owner.
Nautitech Catamarans, also based in France, build around 80 catamarans annually.
Again, they are not one of the big-volume French manufacturers like Lagoon or Fountaine Pajot. Instead, Nautitech has positioned itself as a manufacturer concentrating on quality over quantity.
Today they offer a range of sailing catamarans from 40 to 46 feet and a 47-foot power catamaran. They have a reputation for building performance catamarans that combine comfort in their boats.
While all of the above are French catamaran builders, there are catamaran manufacturers based in the UK, the USA, and Australia. These other, mainly smaller boat builders offer high-performance catamarans that are not an alternative to a comfortable, robust cruising catamaran like a Leopard.
Do You Pay Full Price, Or Do Dealers Offer Discounts?
It’s a seller’s market for catamarans, with manufacturers having full-order books for the next 2 years. Most dealers have waiting lists of clients for catamarans, and Leopard is no different.
To get a discount, you may be able to negotiate with a dealer at a boat show, or the dealer may be able to offer discounts on any additional equipment or upgrades you might want to order.
However, don’t expect huge discounts as the dealers have little room to maneuver their prices. And with catamarans in such high demand, why should they offer discounts?
If you are looking for a great deal, you should take the time to look at the second-hand market. You might find a Leopard catamaran that is only a couple of years old with many upgrades and for a good price.
References:
Leopard Catamarans
Leopard Brokerage
Click to share...
Search Used Yachts For Sale
Search Boats By Brand
Search Boats By Type
Search By Location
Search By Price
What's My Boat Worth?
Search Boats Just Listed
Small Yachts
Custom Sport Fishing Boats
Finance A Boat
Amer Yachts
Aquitalia Yachts
Cabo Yachts
Century Boats
French Yachts
Gulfstream Yachts
Hatteras Yachts
Shelter Island Yachts
Solaris Yachts
Sunpower Yachts
Sunreef Yachts
Vela Boatworks
Virtus Yachts
Why List With United?
Why Own A Boat Or Yacht?
Custom Website For Your Yacht
United Sold Boats
Buy A Yacht With Crypto
Find a Yacht Broker Near Me
Search For Broker By Name
Meet The United Support Team
Our History
Fort Lauderdale Boat Show
Stuart Boat Show
Miami Boat Show
Palm Beach Boat Show
Other Boat Shows
Yachting News
Yacht Closing Services
River Forest Yachting Centers
Search All Yachts
Who Makes The Best Power Catamaran?
By Robert Bowman | Posted On Sep 15, 2022 Updated On May 03, 2023
The story of the evolution of the power catamaran can be broken down to a simple act of marital duty. it was the 1940's and Ray Leger loved to fish off of the California coast with his wife Evelyn. Ray had been a carpenter and capitalized on the booming Southern California housing market after World War 2, later using his skills and equipment to construct fishing boats. Evelyn would routinely suffer from seasickness, a problem that Ray needed to solve in order to keep fishing. Knowing that a catamaran offered greater stability, Ray set out to build one with outboard motors. The first one, an 18-foot cabin cruiser, was outfitted with twin 33hp outboards. By the 1960's, construction had moved to fiberglass hulls and the popularity quickly soared.
Today, power catamarans are among the fastest growing segments in the marine industry, as are sailing catamarans . A recent report shows that the global catamaran market as a whole is worth over $4 billion and has an annual growth rate of over 6%. That's nearly double what the average CAGR (compound annual growth rate) is for the boating industry in total.
The transition to power cats really came from charter customers in the Caribbean that would vacation on sailing cats in the BVI's for weeks at a time. The catamarans offered greater stability, but also an incredible amount of space on board thanks to the wider beams. But people on vacation enjoying the trip would end up using the small engines most of the time as sailing comes with a certain amount of effort. Now it's common to see power catmarans in charter in the Caribbean, as well as privately owned boats behind someone's house.
As more boaters get exposed to the benefits of power catamarans, the number of builders has grown as well. Power cat brands like Aquila Boats , as an example, weren't around in the early 2000's, but are now a common boat to see all over Florida or the Northeast. Prestige Yachts also just released their very first power cat into the market, the M48. Trying to claim that one power catamaran builder is the "best" among all of the others is a tough decision as there are many factors. If judged by number of units sold over the last 10 years, then Leopard is the best power catamaran builder in the industry. Looking at boats sold globally in the MLS over the last decade, Leopard Catamarans sold 40% more vessels than the second leading power cat builder, Fountain Pajot . Other notable power cat brands that led in overall sales were Endeavor, Lagoon, and Aquila.
(Below: On the extreme luxury power catamaran market, the Sunreef 80 is among the best.)
Video by: @NautiStyles
While the number of boats sold into the marketplace is a sign of strength in a builder, it also may not necessarily equate to 'being the best power catamaran' in terms of quality. Like with monohulls, there are varying degrees of both quality and price when it comes to the subsects of the power cat industry. Both Sunreef and Horizon Yachts have expanded into large luxury power cats that, even when more than 10 years old, can still command more than $2 million as an asking price.
One way to tell if the catamaran you're buying is well-recognized for its quality is to look at some of the recent award winners. Many of the editors of multi-hull focused magazines are experts in this category and have real-life experiences on dozens of different models. Here are a few notable ones:
Fountaine Pajot MY4.S won the 2022 Multi-Hull of the Year Award for its category (36.1' and reaches 22 knots!)
The Aquila 54 won 2021 Multi-hull of the Year
The Leopard 53 Power Cat won 2020 Multi-Hull of the Year
The Lagoon 55 won the 2021 British Yachting Awards
(Below: The new Fountaine Pajot MY4.S offers a new 'sport top' style for the longtime catamaran builder.)
Whether you're purchasing a new or pre-owned power catamaran, its resale value is of the utmost importance. Nothing can stifle your enthusiasm when you are trying to sell your existing yacht only to have it sit on the market for a long time while diminishing in value. If this is of concern to you, the best advice is to stick with the more mainstream, reputable catamaran builders. Boats with odd layouts, underpowered engines, outlandish decor, and other out-of-the-norm equipment can cause your boat to sit on the market longer than anticipated.
The market demand has also improved in recent years. Over the last decade, power catamarans took roughly 330 days to sell. Almost a full year! Since 2020, however, that amount of time has decreased by 19%. Among the builders that sold within 100 days of hitting the market, Aquila, Endeavor, Fountaine Pajot, Leopard, and Robertson & Caine were prominent.
(Below: The Aquila 54 Power Catamaran has a tri-deck design with a beam of over 25-feet.)
At United Yacht Sales, we have over 250 experienced yacht brokers worldwide. Many have years of real hands-on experience with power catamarans, sailing cats, sailboats, and other similar vessels. We can assist you in the sale of your current yacht, or represent you in the purchase of a new one. Call us today at 1-772-463-3131 and we will connect you with the right sales professional that perfectly sits your needs and situation.
Also Read: Are Power Catamarans Good In Rough Water?
Interesting Boating Links
Worldwide yacht sales.
Trawlers For Sale in California
Yachts For Sale NC
Used Mega Yachts For Sale
Boat Trader Canada
Yacht Locator
Boats For Sale Charleston SC
Boats For Sale Cape Cod
Custom Sportfish For Sale
Trawlers For Sale New York
Nicest Yachts
Boats For Sale Washington
Million Dollar Yacht
Virginia Yacht Brokers
50 Million Dollar Yacht
Boats For Sale in Maryland
Luxury Boats & Yachts
Trawlers For Sale in Texas
Prestige Yachts
Yachts For Sale Near Me
Rybovich For Sale
Azimut Yachts Price
Sabre 42 For Sale
Yachts For Sale by Price
Hinckley Yachts For Sale
Used Center Console Boats For Sale in Florida
Broward Yachts
Yacht Brokers Near Me
Popular Builders & Models
Sea Ray 58 Sedan Bridge
Sea Ray 460 Sundancer For Sale
Offshore Racing Boats For Sale
Motor Yacht
54 Hatteras Motor Yacht For Sale
Used Edgewater Boats For Sale
44 Sea Ray Sundancer For Sale
Motorsailer
Power Catamaran
Aft Cabin Boats For Sale
50 Ft Viking
Trending Brands & Types
Ranger Tug Boats For Sale
Smith Boats
Kadey Krogen Yachts
Beneteau For Sale
Ocean Alexander 72 For Sale
Used Jupiter Boats For Sale
Davis Boats
Contender Bay Boats For Sale
Carver For Sale
Used Egg Harbor Boats
60 Marquis Yacht
Meridian For Sale
Yachts For Sale Fort Lauderdale
Cheoy Lee Boats
Sport Fishing Yachts For Sale
SEND UYS A MESSAGE
Recent posts.
Aug 16, 2024
Your Yacht For Sale Now Featured on SuperYachtTimes.com
Aug 07, 2024
List Your Yacht Before The Fall Boat Show Season
Aug 01, 2024
The Hot List - August 2024
Jul 15, 2024
Luxury Yachts For Luxury Buyers
Four Most Popular Production Catamarans: How Do They Compare?
Four of the most popular catamarans on the market today are Lagoon 450, Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, Bali 4.5 or Leopard 44. They are similar in length but there are significant differences between these catamarans in profile, styling, power to weight ratios, volume, and comfort. The fundamental question is: which catamaran is the best value and which sailing catamaran is right for me? Ultimately the choice is very personal. Everybody has different criteria for what a perfect boat is. However, we want to be sure that we compare apples with apples before we make that choice. We have done a price and specifications comparison of these popular 45ft catamaran models to see what the real differences are. While everybody claims that their product is the best, what are the facts?
I took the two pictures in this article during boat shows when these boats were staged next to each other.
The first picture is of a Lagoon 450 (45.10ft length & 25.9ft beam) and the Fountaine Pajot Helia 44 (43.5ft length & 24.3ft beam) . What a difference in volume! (Click on the picture to really see the difference in size and volume). These two catamarans are both luxuriously equipped. The Lagoon is very spacious with lots of freeboard, high bridgedeck clearance, beamy hulls and a longer water line. The Helia is markedly smaller, lighter and has narrower hulls which translates into less whetted surface area and therefor, higher performance. However, from all reports, that is not neccessarily the case. For instance, look at the results of the Arc Rally for cruisers from Las Palmas to St. Lucia 2014 (see below) where all the manufacturers are featured. Both Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot fare similarly, with Lagoon showing a slight edge in these results. These are displacement hulls and they pretty much perform to thier hull speed, unless really powered up, which will allow them to displace at higher speeds.
The second picture shows the bows of a Bali 4.5 and Leopard 44. The difference in freeboard and bridgedeck clearance between the two catamarans is remarkable. Here the claim is that one is much less expensive than the other but these are not the same boats! The Bali uses very high tech building methods with composite cores in the hull and deck while Leopard uses Balsa core. Core-Cell foam core is a closed cell structure that will never rot or absorb water. Balsa core, on the other hand, shows its weakness when exposed to water. The Bali is also a lot lighter because of the use of modern infusion techniques. Clearly there is a lot more boat and innovation in the Bali which justifies the price difference to a large degree. Dimensions for the Leopard 44 – Lenghth 42.7ft & Beam 23.9ft. The Bali 4.5 dimensions – Length 44.88ft & Beam 24.48ft.
None of these boats are bad boats. Each has it’s application and good or not so good points but the moral of the story is: Make sure that you compare apples with apples to ensure that you get the best bang for your buck.
Bali 4.5 and Leopard 44: Big difference in freeboard and bridgedeck clearance
Looking to buy a yacht? Contact us if you have any questions regarding catamarans for sale , Fractional Yacht Ownership or our Charter Management Programs .
For Advice or More Detailed Information On These Or Any Other Catamaran Brands
More Relevant Articles
How Do The Most Popular 40ft Production Catamarans Compare?
50ft Sailing Catamaran Comparisons
45ft Sailing Catamaran Comparisons
Estelle Cockcroft
Join our community.
Get the latest on catamaran news, sailing events, buying and selling tips, community happenings, webinars & seminars, and much more!
Leave a Comment Cancel Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
Recent Posts
Top 10 Reasons to Sell (and Sail) Your Catamaran in Annapolis, MD
We have a new home in Annapolis! The office is located in Annapolis, Maryland
Top 10 Reasons to Sell (and Sail) Your Catamaran in Texas
Our Texas Office is located in the Watergate Marina Center in Clear Lake Shores,
Annapolis Boat Show 2024
Meet with our team! Want to learn more about the Bali and Catana
Exploring the Catana OC 50 Catamaran: A Comprehensive Overview
The Catana OC 50 Catamaran, the latest addition to the Catana Ocean Class series,
For more than 30 years, we have been a part of the catamaran community and created Catamaran Guru™ to encourage and educate all the aspiring sailing out there. We understand the dream of traveling the world by catamaran and created a one-stop-shop to make that dream a reality for you.
Stephen & Estelle
Testimonials
Get Started
Yacht Sales
Used Yachts
Charter Management
Boat as Business Programs
Seminars & Events
Boat Reviews
Press Releases
Our List of Non-Negotiable Catamaran Characteristics
All Catamarans are not made equal. And as every catamaran owner will tell you, before you purchase a catamaran you must first decide what it is that you want in a yacht.
What purpose will your catamaran serve to you? Will she be a weekend getaway, will she be your home, will she sail all seven seas or will she be your retirement plan? These are all important questions to consider, as your yacht may, at one time or another, be all of these things!
While performance, space and comfort are all important factors to consider, there are some things that you should never compromise on. To help, we have compiled a list of items that a sailor should never settle on.
1. Integrity
In the sailing world, people put a lot of value on a company’s reputation. And this is with good reason. The sailing community is very supportive and honest, so be sure to hear it from your peers. Read all the sailing blogs that you can get your hands on and absorb all the information that you can about your boats of interest.
John Devers, writer for Multihulls World said this about the Leopard Brand, “Every new catamaran in the Leopard range contains all the top features that sailors look for, including blue water capability, high bridge deck clearance, great sailing performance, solid construction, a superb anchoring system, excellent ventilation, high quality equipment, large tank capacities and a hard top on all models. Accordingly, Leopard has optioned the very best equipment and warranty support globally. Yanmar motors, Raymarine electronics, Lewmar winches are respected brands in all markets around the world and of course standard equipment can be enhanced by a range of quality optional items including generator, air-conditioning and water-makers. The end result is that once again the bar has been well and truly raised when it comes to cruising catamarans.”
When you buy a Leopard, you are investing in a heritage of boats built on integrity.
2. Innovation
Any yacht that you consider buying should be a fine balance between new and old. Keep what works, fix what doesn’t. That’s evolution. If you are in the market to buy a boat you should consider a brand that is innovative, as this will not only make your cruising experiences comfortable and more enjoyable, this will also help with the resale value of your yacht. Look for a trusted brand that has paved the way for the industry and other builders that have followed suit.
Leopard owner Marius Martelle affirms that Leopard is leading the pack of innovation by stating the following: “I’ve made a careful study of the Leopard catamarans over an extended period. I feel like I’ve got to know them very well and I’ve always been impressed by their design and build quality. Their designers have made it their business to lead with innovation rather than follow. They were one of the first catamaran manufacturers to lead all lines to the helm station and this is done in a logical, intuitive and entirely practical way. There is always a grab rail exactly where you need it. We love the walk through to the forward deck area. We know we will be spending a lot of time lying at anchor so a user friendly layout for entertaining and relaxing was an important consideration for us.”
Leopard Catamarans has made huge impacts in the catamaran industry by being the first to do many things. This includes building the first catamarans to have a hard top protecting the aft cockpit, an innovative deck plan that leads all lines to the helm, a forward cockpit that provides good space and ventilation, plus so much more.
3. Bluewater Capability
We are not talking about the images that you see in Cruising World Magazine of a happy skipper sailing along the edge of an island surrounded by turquoise waters. We are talking about a catamaran sailing about somewhere between Bermuda and the Azores in 15 foot swells with a reefed mainsail and a broken autopilot. It doesn’t matter what kind of sailing you plan to do, as all sailors know, one day the weather will have its way with you and there will be nowhere to hide.
For this reason, never settle for a catamaran that doesn’t tick all of the seaworthy boxes. This includes, but is not limited to: position and features of the helm station, build quality, cockpit layout, rigging, sail plan, interior layout and hull design.
4. Customer Service
All of the i’s have been dotted. All the t’s have been crossed. What now? Hopefully you made it a point to research what kind of after purchase customer service the company provides because sooner or later you will need further assistance with some aspect of your new yacht. Make it your mission to learn about the team who handles customer support. You will want to take comfort in knowing that your contacts are helpful and accessible. Also, it is important to select a yacht and brand that carry a reputation of high-level quality control.
Additionally, look into Owner Groups. This is a great way to learn more about the boats that you are interested in and they can also serve as a tool for useful information and “customer service”.
So there you have it, our list of non-negotiable, must haves when it comes to boat buying. If you need more guidance in yacht buying, read an owner’s story about his journey to find the perfect yacht.
Leopard 58 Sailing Catamaran Mostly Sunny for sale
Leopard 45
Leopard catamarans Leopard 47 Catamaran Yacht Rental with Web's Favorite Charter
Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran Minou for sale
Leopard 58 Sailing Catamaran Mostly Sunny for sale
Leopard 50
COMMENTS
Are Leopards Better Built?
I chartered a Leopard 39 and found the quality to be as good as any brand I've seen. Catamarans especially are sensitive to weight, and a lot of the flimsiness depends on your perspective. To some, that indicates weak materials. To others, that indicates a valuable savings in weight. Any catamaran that is built like a tank isn't going to sail well.
38ft FP, Lagoon , Leopard Quality comparison
Boat: Lagoon 380. Posts: 138. Re: 38ft FP, Lagoon , Leopard Quality comparison. We looked at (and were on board) both the 38 foot Leopard and the 38 foot Lagoon 380. We liked the 380 much better-enough headroom almost everywhere for my 6'4" husband, and just generally felt more spacious.
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 ...
Lagoon vs Leopard: Which is a Better Catamaran?
Leopard 43 X Lagoon 42. The Leopard 43 is a popular cruising catamaran. The relaxed and well-considered style and shorthand ability to sail is a perfect blue-water cruising craft. Built with high construction standards, the use of catamarans is good value for money. The Lagoon 42 bears a strong resemblance to the Lagoon 52.
PDF 45 and the rest of the boat.
With uncompromised and exceptional build quality, and a pedigree of over 1800 blue water catamarans, Leopard has set the standard for cruising catamarans. Despite its larger living areas and its higher level of sophistication, the Leopard 45 is faithful to its pedigree of robust, easy to maintain, easy to maneuver, blue water catamarans.
Leopard 46 Review: Better than a Lagoon?
The softer offshore performance, high quality materials, and navigation station comfort give the Leopard my edge. The Lagoon has better interior space, visibility, and airiness. Expect to pay around $600k versus $500k for a late model Leopard 46 compared to an equivalent Lagoon 440. Clients often debate about which of the production catamaran ...
Why We Bought a 2015 Leopard 44 Catamaran
He ranks his favorite Leopard models by build quality and gives the following reasons. In his opinion, the best made Leopard (10 out of 10) is the Leopard 43, known to Moorings as the 4300 and made famous by Nicki and Jason Wynn of the popular YouTube channel Gone with the Wynns has the highest quality build in the history of the company with ...
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. ... U.S. Distributor Leopard Catamarans, Dania Beach, FL AIR DRAFT 70ft Price at time of publication $555,000 (sailaway) NB&G 2017. Tags. terms: boat review Leopard 45.
Leopard 45
In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas. See all catamaran models from the different catamaran manufacturers.
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.
Leopard 45 Catamaran
In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas. INTERIOR .
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 ...
Leopard 45, 2021 or Newer
Many on their 2nd or 3rd Leopard. I consider the buid quality to be at the upper end of production boats. The thing is built like a tank with huge metal cross beams that make the hulls incredibly stiff. Even after three years - when I go below under sail it's amazingly quiet. None of the squeaks and rattles you hear in most production boats. I ...
Catamaran Construction
Leopard. Built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa, the hull material is vacuum bagged, end-grain balsa-cored E-glass with polyester. Knysna. Hand laid, bagged vinylester over an Airex foam core in the hulls. Prout. Earlier Prout catamarans like the Snowgoose 34 featured hand laid solid FRP hulls and decks.
Lessons Learned: A Couple in Search of the Perfect Boat
Every boat show we went to we poured over the boats comparing features, comparing build quality, listened to multiple sales people expound the virtues of their model over another and of course we talked to real-life sailors that were 'doing it'!" ... The forward cockpits on a Leopard Catamaran has been tested and proven to drain 100% of ...
Are Leopard Catamarans Still Worth The High Price?
A new Leopard 40 power catamaran will cost $769,000 for the basic 2023 model. However, second-hand catamarans are available if you can't afford a new model. A quick search on Yachtworld.com came up with a Leopard 38 from 1999 that is on the market for $198,000. Plus, Leopard Catamarans themselves have a yacht brokerage for their second-hand ...
Need to Know Facts About Catamaran Construction
Whether is it pure curiosity or whether you intend to own a catamaran, you have without a doubt wondered how they are constructed and the materials that are used to build them. It is the unique process and high quality materials that we use to construct our boats that give them a reputation for being solidly built, sea-worthy yachts. Why we use ...
Leopard Catamarans US
The Leopard Identity. Leopard Catamarans pushes the boundaries of catamaran design. Evolving from 50 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with builders Robertson and Caine to design today's Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. As the worldwide distributor, we ...
Who Makes The Best Power Catamaran?
The Leopard 53 Power Cat won 2020 Multi-Hull of the Year; The Lagoon 55 won the 2021 British Yachting Awards (Below: The new Fountaine Pajot MY4.S offers a new 'sport top' style for the longtime catamaran builder.) Whether you're purchasing a new or pre-owned power catamaran, its resale value is of the utmost importance.
PDF 25 Models launched since 1997
Leopard Catamarans pushes the boundaries of catamaran design. We produce yachts that are not only performance driven, but innovative models created with new concepts that change the way catamarans are built and utilized. All of our catamarans include cutting-edge equipment and are built blue-water ready by world renowned Robertson & Caine.
Top Five Considerations When Selecting a Catamaran
Check out Leopard's raised helm station design for an example of good visibility and handy layout for sail and boat controls. Build Quality. Catamaran construction is technically challenging and more complicated than monohull construction because of the complexity of joining two hulls and building a solid bridge deck. Builders and designers ...
Comparing the Top 4 Production Catamarans
Four Most Popular Production Catamarans: How Do They Compare? Four of the most popular catamarans on the market today are Lagoon 450, Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, Bali 4.5 or Leopard 44. They are similar in length but there are significant differences between these catamarans in profile, styling, power to weight ratios, volume, and comfort.
Our List of Non-Negotiable Catamaran Characteristics
For this reason, never settle for a catamaran that doesn't tick all of the seaworthy boxes. This includes, but is not limited to: position and features of the helm station, build quality, cockpit layout, rigging, sail plan, interior layout and hull design. 4. Customer Service. All of the i's have been dotted.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
I chartered a Leopard 39 and found the quality to be as good as any brand I've seen. Catamarans especially are sensitive to weight, and a lot of the flimsiness depends on your perspective. To some, that indicates weak materials. To others, that indicates a valuable savings in weight. Any catamaran that is built like a tank isn't going to sail well.
Boat: Lagoon 380. Posts: 138. Re: 38ft FP, Lagoon , Leopard Quality comparison. We looked at (and were on board) both the 38 foot Leopard and the 38 foot Lagoon 380. We liked the 380 much better-enough headroom almost everywhere for my 6'4" husband, and just generally felt more spacious.
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 ...
Leopard 43 X Lagoon 42. The Leopard 43 is a popular cruising catamaran. The relaxed and well-considered style and shorthand ability to sail is a perfect blue-water cruising craft. Built with high construction standards, the use of catamarans is good value for money. The Lagoon 42 bears a strong resemblance to the Lagoon 52.
With uncompromised and exceptional build quality, and a pedigree of over 1800 blue water catamarans, Leopard has set the standard for cruising catamarans. Despite its larger living areas and its higher level of sophistication, the Leopard 45 is faithful to its pedigree of robust, easy to maintain, easy to maneuver, blue water catamarans.
The softer offshore performance, high quality materials, and navigation station comfort give the Leopard my edge. The Lagoon has better interior space, visibility, and airiness. Expect to pay around $600k versus $500k for a late model Leopard 46 compared to an equivalent Lagoon 440. Clients often debate about which of the production catamaran ...
He ranks his favorite Leopard models by build quality and gives the following reasons. In his opinion, the best made Leopard (10 out of 10) is the Leopard 43, known to Moorings as the 4300 and made famous by Nicki and Jason Wynn of the popular YouTube channel Gone with the Wynns has the highest quality build in the history of the company with ...
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. ... U.S. Distributor Leopard Catamarans, Dania Beach, FL AIR DRAFT 70ft Price at time of publication $555,000 (sailaway) NB&G 2017. Tags. terms: boat review Leopard 45.
In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas. See all catamaran models from the different catamaran manufacturers.
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.
In summary, the Leopard 45 Sailing Catamaran delivers uncompromised, exceptional build quality throughout, new, sleek styling, a sensible and practical layout, sailing comfort across all sea states, and features innovative technologies and multiple entertainment areas. INTERIOR .
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 ...
Many on their 2nd or 3rd Leopard. I consider the buid quality to be at the upper end of production boats. The thing is built like a tank with huge metal cross beams that make the hulls incredibly stiff. Even after three years - when I go below under sail it's amazingly quiet. None of the squeaks and rattles you hear in most production boats. I ...
Leopard. Built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa, the hull material is vacuum bagged, end-grain balsa-cored E-glass with polyester. Knysna. Hand laid, bagged vinylester over an Airex foam core in the hulls. Prout. Earlier Prout catamarans like the Snowgoose 34 featured hand laid solid FRP hulls and decks.
Every boat show we went to we poured over the boats comparing features, comparing build quality, listened to multiple sales people expound the virtues of their model over another and of course we talked to real-life sailors that were 'doing it'!" ... The forward cockpits on a Leopard Catamaran has been tested and proven to drain 100% of ...
A new Leopard 40 power catamaran will cost $769,000 for the basic 2023 model. However, second-hand catamarans are available if you can't afford a new model. A quick search on Yachtworld.com came up with a Leopard 38 from 1999 that is on the market for $198,000. Plus, Leopard Catamarans themselves have a yacht brokerage for their second-hand ...
Whether is it pure curiosity or whether you intend to own a catamaran, you have without a doubt wondered how they are constructed and the materials that are used to build them. It is the unique process and high quality materials that we use to construct our boats that give them a reputation for being solidly built, sea-worthy yachts. Why we use ...
The Leopard Identity. Leopard Catamarans pushes the boundaries of catamaran design. Evolving from 50 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with builders Robertson and Caine to design today's Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. As the worldwide distributor, we ...
The Leopard 53 Power Cat won 2020 Multi-Hull of the Year; The Lagoon 55 won the 2021 British Yachting Awards (Below: The new Fountaine Pajot MY4.S offers a new 'sport top' style for the longtime catamaran builder.) Whether you're purchasing a new or pre-owned power catamaran, its resale value is of the utmost importance.
Leopard Catamarans pushes the boundaries of catamaran design. We produce yachts that are not only performance driven, but innovative models created with new concepts that change the way catamarans are built and utilized. All of our catamarans include cutting-edge equipment and are built blue-water ready by world renowned Robertson & Caine.
Check out Leopard's raised helm station design for an example of good visibility and handy layout for sail and boat controls. Build Quality. Catamaran construction is technically challenging and more complicated than monohull construction because of the complexity of joining two hulls and building a solid bridge deck. Builders and designers ...
Four Most Popular Production Catamarans: How Do They Compare? Four of the most popular catamarans on the market today are Lagoon 450, Fountaine Pajot Helia 44, Bali 4.5 or Leopard 44. They are similar in length but there are significant differences between these catamarans in profile, styling, power to weight ratios, volume, and comfort.
For this reason, never settle for a catamaran that doesn't tick all of the seaworthy boxes. This includes, but is not limited to: position and features of the helm station, build quality, cockpit layout, rigging, sail plan, interior layout and hull design. 4. Customer Service. All of the i's have been dotted.