Starting to look for my boat for retirement for a live aboard - this one is at the top of my list right now! Looks awesome and I love the ease of access.
We just finished sailing form St martin to Anguilla, to Statia, to Montserrat then back up via Nevis, St kitts and St Barts. 2-4 meter seas with 15-25 knots of wind. It points as well as the Catana 47 we sailed last year in Grenada. It is a very solid boat that handled the seas well. We held over 6.5 knot average for a 10-hour sail Statia to Montserrat. That was at reef 2 on the main and reef 1 to full jib. It is a comfortable boat that moves nicely. We had the 44 two years ago and it was a dog in comparison.
Superb design of living areas, functionality and space. And the forward cockpit flowing right through the main cabin to the aft cockpit is awesome for at the marina or at anchor - however, for windward sailing, the forward cockpit with its massive coach roof overhang becomes a great big wind dam and literally traps air to really slow the boat down. The previous Leopard 48 was terrible for windward sailing because of this. If you want a marina queen or just a few weeks in the Caribbean, these cats are excellent; or for constant downwind, trade winds sailing. But pushing uphill in a blow, the boat becomes it's own sea drogue....
Any object, vehicle or boat moving through air (thus creating airflow) or has air passing at velocity around it (wind), will perform better with streamlined hard surfaces. Any gaps, sudden edges or hard corners will produce vortices which produce drag. If air flows into a void, especially head on, it traps the air and becomes a wind brake. If you can cover those voids with strong clears angled down from overhang to deck, it will definitely help a lot allowing the wind to flow over & around, rather than being trapped. With the case of the aft deck/aft cockpit on a cat, enclosing the area with clears again will help the air flow past much better and reduce vortices and drag, when sailing upwind. Downwind, that big aft area becomes in effect an extra sail (clears up or down) and will help 'push' the cat along. On a beam reach, again minimizing sharp edges or corners will reduce drag, so clears up will be better. Big production cats have a lot of windage which becomes more beneficial downwind and parasitic upwind. Hope that helps.
k bob that is a comment from someone who isn't a sailor. I owned a beautiful Lagoon 440 and lived aboard in the Caribbean for 18mths. Believe me when I tell you that when it's time to weigh anchor and sail to the next island, you want to sail as fast as possible. I have also sailed across the Pacific. From Panama to French Polynesia takes 3 weeks, give or take. That Leopard would be take and nobody aboard would be happy about that!
I’m no boat designer, but it really does seem like the boat wants to plow down into the waves when sailing. I’d be very nervous in big seas. And as others have mentioned seems like the forward cockpit would fill with water in big seas as well. Maybe this one is better suited for island hopping and sitting in the marina?
Stunning - definitely the way to go with the rest of the range - especially the top of the range 58 that has no rear seating arrangement! Would love to see a 62 - or bigger - to challenge the voluminous spaces of the Lagoon. Some walkaround beds would be good too. Congrats.
Should be like the 40 with storage lockers topped with sunpads instead of the marina queen forward cockpit. Trim the roof back like the 40 also. Then you could then extend the trampolines back by about a meter. Not only do you centralize weight and can get a better front hull design, you can design a padded bench on the stepdown to the trampoline.
So much to love about this beauty, may be my favorite Cat right now, next to the Xquisite X5 or FP Saba 50,. It's probably the best boat in its class for liveaboard cruising, it's the perfect cruiser for two people, it's not too much to handle and just large enough for a few guests, and for around 450K USD the price is just right. However, I prefer the galley to be aft and the seating forward, so switch those two, and need some cabinets on the side of each living quarter. I like the forward facing nav station, one that allows me to operate the boat remotely from inside as needed due to weather conditions, also need that bimini cover over the helm station. I would want a 24-27 inch monitor at the nav station to also act as a computer station as well, and a large TV screen for the Saloon, like the hidden one in the Xquisite X5, and an extra freezer to hold all the fish I catch, lol. I also need a grill or braai in the aft area. I wonder what things are considered options and which would be after market add ons?
Move the front storage further back, lose the tiny front cockpit, It's silly, have large strong opening front windows (with good seals) if you want breezes. That's what that front door is really doing. Consequently have a much larger trampoline. Large tramp is a nice hangout area. If you drop the tramp a little that will provide a low backrest. Water tanks mid section shaped to the hull . That should kill the very apparent nosediving. The rest of the boat's very nice. but the front rnd is messed up, big wind scoop etc.
A pretty boat would love to have one. I like the idea of move from rear to forward threw main cabin. Maybe a 48 or 50. Being handicap i believe boats would be the best to sail. Being the some of the best self contained boats out there. In whats some trade off speed and comfort. But what do i know being retired trucker rather than a sailor.
actually, i think your opinion is especially insightful. i'll bet as a former trucker, you've spent a mile or two, musing about ergonomics and space. my only problem with this boat is that bed making would be a nightmare. yes, you can move up the side of the beds a little, but not nearly enough. i would rather see smaller berths in order to make the beds accessible from either side, if that makes sense.
I am concerned that the designers appear not to have ever sailed a catamaran in heavy winds and big seas. The huge wind scoop over the front cockpit will stop the boat in strong winds and big seas will very quickly fill the forward cockpit with several ton of water. Not good and dangerous. The furniture fit-out is is all sharp edges and corners, even around the bunks. Crew will be black and blue very quickly. This is disappointing as your other cat have been good.
This is exactly my thought. Are all the windows really fit enough to withstand the salty water and orcan winds? It looks like a glasshouse, it sails great in light winds, but what if? I see other cats blending their front windows when on sea - this has a glass door! I would like to this in heavy seas, before I can become interested.
Should be like the 40 with storage lockers topped with sunpads instead of the marina queen forward cockpit. Trim the roof back like the 40 also. They could then extend the trampolines back by about a meter. Not only do you centralize weight and can get a better front hull design, you can design a padded bench on the stepdown to the trampoline.
It is piggish- look at the front end plow through the waves. It weighs almost as much as the 48 which itself is fat. Leopard used to differentiate itself from Lagoon and FP by being higher quality than FP and lighter than Lagoon. Not anymore.
The price stated on the webpage with most options is 550 000 Euro + 55 000 Euro delivery to Europe. Compared to other new boat of the same class relative low price, but still a ton of money for just a boat.
Starting to look for my boat for retirement for a live aboard - this one is at the top of my list right now! Looks awesome and I love the ease of access.
Same here.
How has it been going?
One of the nicest 45 ft Cat's I have ever seen. Very livable deck plan and functionality combined with great style. Well done!
We just finished sailing form St martin to Anguilla, to Statia, to Montserrat then back up via Nevis, St kitts and St Barts. 2-4 meter seas with 15-25 knots of wind. It points as well as the Catana 47 we sailed last year in Grenada. It is a very solid boat that handled the seas well. We held over 6.5 knot average for a 10-hour sail Statia to Montserrat. That was at reef 2 on the main and reef 1 to full jib. It is a comfortable boat that moves nicely. We had the 44 two years ago and it was a dog in comparison.
That's stunning. Very nice clean lines and interior. Love the forward cockpit area with direct access from the saloon. Do want!
Superb design of living areas, functionality and space. And the forward cockpit flowing right through the main cabin to the aft cockpit is awesome for at the marina or at anchor - however, for windward sailing, the forward cockpit with its massive coach roof overhang becomes a great big wind dam and literally traps air to really slow the boat down. The previous Leopard 48 was terrible for windward sailing because of this. If you want a marina queen or just a few weeks in the Caribbean, these cats are excellent; or for constant downwind, trade winds sailing. But pushing uphill in a blow, the boat becomes it's own sea drogue....
Would that be mitigated or worsened by an enclosure to the front and side of the hard bimini (bus roof) ?
Any object, vehicle or boat moving through air (thus creating airflow) or has air passing at velocity around it (wind), will perform better with streamlined hard surfaces. Any gaps, sudden edges or hard corners will produce vortices which produce drag. If air flows into a void, especially head on, it traps the air and becomes a wind brake.
If you can cover those voids with strong clears angled down from overhang to deck, it will definitely help a lot allowing the wind to flow over & around, rather than being trapped. With the case of the aft deck/aft cockpit on a cat, enclosing the area with clears again will help the air flow past much better and reduce vortices and drag, when sailing upwind. Downwind, that big aft area becomes in effect an extra sail (clears up or down) and will help 'push' the cat along. On a beam reach, again minimizing sharp edges or corners will reduce drag, so clears up will be better.
Big production cats have a lot of windage which becomes more beneficial downwind and parasitic upwind.
Hope that helps.
If you have this boat, you are in no hurry to get anywhere.
k bob that is a comment from someone who isn't a sailor. I owned a beautiful Lagoon 440 and lived aboard in the Caribbean for 18mths. Believe me when I tell you that when it's time to weigh anchor and sail to the next island, you want to sail as fast as possible. I have also sailed across the Pacific. From Panama to French Polynesia takes 3 weeks, give or take. That Leopard would be take and nobody aboard would be happy about that!
How many times have you sailed this boat?
Now this is how one does a top tier video. Other boat builder would do well to look at how this is done and the quality. Great boat also.
I’m no boat designer, but it really does seem like the boat wants to plow down into the waves when sailing. I’d be very nervous in big seas. And as others have mentioned seems like the forward cockpit would fill with water in big seas as well. Maybe this one is better suited for island hopping and sitting in the marina?
Stunning - definitely the way to go with the rest of the range - especially the top of the range 58 that has no rear seating arrangement! Would love to see a 62 - or bigger - to challenge the voluminous spaces of the Lagoon. Some walkaround beds would be good too. Congrats.
Should be like the 40 with storage lockers topped with sunpads instead of the marina queen forward cockpit. Trim the roof back like the 40 also. Then you could then extend the trampolines back by about a meter. Not only do you centralize weight and can get a better front hull design, you can design a padded bench on the stepdown to the trampoline.
That was a extremely good walk through, thank you.
i like the connected open indoor outdoor space from fore to aft design
So much to love about this beauty, may be my favorite Cat right now, next to the Xquisite X5 or FP Saba 50,. It's probably the best boat in its class for liveaboard cruising, it's the perfect cruiser for two people, it's not too much to handle and just large enough for a few guests, and for around 450K USD the price is just right.
However, I prefer the galley to be aft and the seating forward, so switch those two, and need some cabinets on the side of each living quarter. I like the forward facing nav station, one that allows me to operate the boat remotely from inside as needed due to weather conditions, also need that bimini cover over the helm station. I would want a 24-27 inch monitor at the nav station to also act as a computer station as well, and a large TV screen for the Saloon, like the hidden one in the Xquisite X5, and an extra freezer to hold all the fish I catch, lol. I also need a grill or braai in the aft area. I wonder what things are considered options and which would be after market add ons?
Stunning ! Congrats.
HI DANIEL,
I LOVE LEOPARD 45,
BUT A NEW ONE IS WAY TO EXPENSIVE FOR MY POCKET IF YOU KNOW OF AN OWNERS VERSION AT A GOOD PRICE PLEASE LET ME KNOW
If I could find a 1st mate to teach me to sail this big boy, I'd go out and buy one tomorrow!! Beautiful Cat!!!
Wow !!! What an awesome cat !!! I need one !!!
Stunning, but would be a lot better as a solar option because sunshine is much more reliable than the wind.
Can it be sailed single handed?
Move the front storage further back, lose the tiny front cockpit, It's silly, have large strong opening front windows (with good seals) if you want breezes. That's what that front door is really doing. Consequently have a much larger trampoline. Large tramp is a nice hangout area. If you drop the tramp a little that will provide a low backrest. Water tanks mid section shaped to the hull . That should kill the very apparent nosediving. The rest of the boat's very nice. but the front rnd is messed up, big wind scoop etc.
Wow I pretty much just made this same comment. Not only could you have a backrest for trampoline seating, it would be a bench.
Love it!!!
A pretty boat would love to have one. I like the idea of move from rear to forward threw main cabin. Maybe a 48 or 50. Being handicap i believe boats would be the best to sail. Being the some of the best self contained boats out there. In whats some trade off speed and comfort. But what do i know being retired trucker rather than a sailor.
actually, i think your opinion is especially insightful. i'll bet as a former trucker, you've spent a mile or two, musing about ergonomics and space. my only problem with this boat is that bed making would be a nightmare. yes, you can move up the side of the beds a little, but not nearly enough. i would rather see smaller berths in order to make the beds accessible from either side, if that makes sense.
Who is better leopard 45 or lagoon 46
I am concerned that the designers appear not to have ever sailed a catamaran in heavy winds and big seas. The huge wind scoop over the front cockpit will stop the boat in strong winds and big seas will very quickly fill the forward cockpit with several ton of water. Not good and dangerous. The furniture fit-out is is all sharp edges and corners, even around the bunks. Crew will be black and blue very quickly. This is disappointing as your other cat have been good.
This is exactly my thought. Are all the windows really fit enough to withstand the salty water and orcan winds? It looks like a glasshouse, it sails great in light winds, but what if?
I see other cats blending their front windows when on sea - this has a glass door! I would like to this in heavy seas, before I can become interested.
Should be like the 40 with storage lockers topped with sunpads instead of the marina queen forward cockpit. Trim the roof back like the 40 also. They could then extend the trampolines back by about a meter. Not only do you centralize weight and can get a better front hull design, you can design a padded bench on the stepdown to the trampoline.
It is piggish- look at the front end plow through the waves. It weighs almost as much as the 48 which itself is fat. Leopard used to differentiate itself from Lagoon and FP by being higher quality than FP and lighter than Lagoon. Not anymore.
how much?
Nice .
Your specs don't mention the bridge deck clearance. Please inform?
Jaxon Depp they never do.....
will huge waves crack those windows?
100%
price ?
Glass and waves shouldn't mix.
Sehr sehr god
anyone else notice that this cat is pitching forward as she sails?
I expect at least $500K base price. Another $130-200K for commissioning. This is my opinion.
The price stated on the webpage with most options is 550 000 Euro + 55 000 Euro delivery to Europe. Compared to other new boat of the same class relative low price, but still a ton of money for just a boat.
It's not a lot of money if you what to live on it.Don't need half million house,don't need 50.000 car...and that's it. :) :)
TST1998 g
I agree.
poes mooi
he said children love childbirth!
LMAO!
cuanto cuesta
Muchos dinero
Sonja Josefsson 😂
No, You can't get the price on the site. Kinda mobster...
"simulated teak" 😂
no a/c
Gerard swanson Not a problem. No heater, that's the real problem.
Love it!!!