leopard 42 catamaran

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Power range, leopard 42 catamaran, the new leopard 42 has the unmistakable dna of the brand.

Proof that you can have it all. The Leopard 42 is the organic evolution into the new generation of our award-winning line of yachts.

Built by Robertson & Caine and designed by Naval Architects, Simonis & Voogd, together we have created a revolutionary design that has exceed expectations by offering far more than anticipated.

This was accomplished all while maintaining our signature balance of comfort and uncompromised performance.

The exterior styling has adapted to the modern appearance of the award-winning Leopard 50, which features continuous hull side windows, a continuous hardtop, and what has quickly become our signature, an upper-lounge area.

Available in 3 cabin / 3 heads and 4 cabin / 4 heads, all cabins include their own private en-suite heads. All heads include their own designated shower area; a feature not currently found on catamarans in this size range.

The Leopard 42 has the unmistakable DNA of a Leopard Catamaran with plenty of new technology and building techniques used to make it a magnificent ocean-going yacht with a feel of space, comfort and performance only previously found in significantly larger models.

In the saloon, we have added a generous skylight, as well and an additional window in the aft starboard corner facing the helm seat. The forward-facing L-shaped galley is sure to entice any chef!

All bunks are now island berths that allow access from both sides. With windows everywhere space permitted, the natural light is amplified.

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Leopard 42 Boat Review

By Herb McCormick
Updated: July 23, 2021

Mick Jagger was not singing about boat tests and wind speeds when he belted out the title lyrics to the classic Rolling Stones tune “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” Far too often during many years of conducting sea trials on new boats—when you’re locked into a tight, non negotiable schedule for getting on the water—I’ve shown up just in time for a languid spell of very light air or, even worse, zippo breeze whatsoever. Definitely not what you want.

But there are also those lucky afternoons when you get what’s required for a sweet sail. Which pretty much describes the conditions this past spring when I rolled into a marina near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a test run aboard the new Leopard 42 catamaran , and was greeted by windswept palm trees and a stiff 20- to 25-knot easterly whipping up whitecaps on the deep blue Atlantic.

What’s the line, “When you try sometimes…you get what you need”? Exactly. And in this instance, then some.

Generally speaking, cruising cats are different than their spindly racing siblings: more tankage, more machinery, more furniture, more stuff. Which means they don’t maximize sailing performance in lighter conditions (nor are they attempting to…that’s why they’re cruising boats). But give a well-designed, well-built cat with liveaboard capabilities some legitimate air pressure to play with, and the results can be eye-popping. (Or not, frankly. Lots of wind can be too much for some lesser vessels.) Which was most certainly the case with the latest Leopard under sail in the double-digit gusts. Where she thrived.

Naval architect Alex Simonis—based near the wild, windy waters off Cape Town, South Africa—is the longtime designer of Leopard cats, and a man who relishes drafting solid boats that sail and perform exceedingly well (for proof, have another look at this month’s cover shot of a Leopard 42 hauling the mail in the shadow of iconic Table Mountain). His willing partners in this crime of nautical passion are the artisans at Robertson & Caine, the boatyard that in 2022 will build approximately 120 to 130 sailing cats ranging in size from 42 to 50 feet. It’s true that the company could probably expand production based on the current and ongoing demand for Leopards, but that would run counter to the builder’s very ethos: Quality is the aim here, not quantity.

As we motored out of the inlets and into the open sea for the trials, I’ll admit that I was so relishing the sail that it never occurred to me to jot down the relevant statistics—speed, high and low RPM, etc.—for the twin 45 hp Yanmar diesels. My bad. Let’s just say we got out there smoothly and quickly.

Leopard was conducting a mini boat show at its docks in Dania Beach that upcoming weekend, so there was an all-star crew of sailmakers and company reps aboard, including Franck Bauguil, an executive at travel conglomerate Travelopia, whose brands include the privately owned Leopards, and chartering giants Sunsail and the Moorings, and whose duties include product development—a fancy title that actually means he spends a lot of time hanging with Simonis while sailing around and dreaming up cool boats. As we powered into the chop, I mentioned something about a reef, and Bauguil gave me a sidelong look of disappointment, like a resigned parent inspecting a horrible report card. Full hoist it was. As the full-battened, deeply roached, square-topped mainsail was raised, I had a brief thought about singer/songwriter Cat Power, for it was abundantly clear what was powering this darn cat.

It’s interesting to note the difference between the Leopard’s sail plan and, say, the current approach from one of the big French production-cat builders like Lagoon. In recent years, Lagoon, as a brand, has made a conscious decision to slide the entire rig aft, depending more on an expansive foretriangle for drive and grunt, and taming the entire arrangement with a self-tacking headsail. With the Leopards, including the 42, the rig remains comparably forward, and it’s the mainsail, with a relatively longer boom than a Lagoon, that supplies the muscle (we’re talking basically a low-aspect main and rig on a Leopard versus a high-aspect one on the Lagoon), aided and abetted by an overlapping 110 percent headsail that’s tacked like a traditional sailboat. I honestly can’t say if there’s a right or wrong answer here, but it’s fascinating to recognize and compare the differing philosophies.

Back in the real world, I’d ascended the four steps to the starboard helm station, which is where you’ll find the wheel on every Leopard; in such matters, these guys are unabashed creatures of habit. The surrounding view was expansive but, more pertinently, within arm’s length I had everything—and I mean everything —required to sail and command the boat: a trio of electric winches (two of which are standard), mainsheet and jib sheets and rope clutches, a nifty traveler setup, dual engine controls, chart plotter and related sailing instruments, and so on. For the most part, across the board, catamaran designers these days lay out decks with the notion and objective that it takes only one sharp sailor to run the whole bloody show, and the Leopard 42 certainly perfects that concept.

After motoring off the coast for sea room, we hardened up to a close reach, and matters became extremely interesting, not to mention noisy and blowy. Which was great. The cat trucked along at a solid 8.5 knots, but what struck me the most was how solid and steadfast she felt as she cleaved through the chop; the sensation of the twin hulls of a fine cat in exquisite balance really does feel like a freight train on its rails.

But the real fun happens when you crack off and free up the wind angle, and the Leopard leaped at the course change and eased sheets, flirting with 10 knots on a screaming reach. We did have a bit of a fire drill when a blast of wind caught the corner of the furled code zero—which then, of course, started to totally unfurl—and I got my day’s cardio helping drop and corral the beast on the trampolines. Extremely good times.

Back at the dock, all systems once again calm and shipshape, I had a chance to wander the decks and interior. The look and feel of the features and accoutrements are totally modern, as in ultra-contemporary (more than once in my notebook the word “angular” appears). The profile is enhanced by tinted, continuous side windows in the hull, and the coach roof segues into the hard Bimini that’s carried aft and canopies the cockpit. Up top—on the penthouse, so to speak—there’s an inviting lounge space. There’s a marvelous afterdeck and swim platform, features for which I have an extremely soft spot. The cockpit has a fine-dining area to port, opposite the helm.

The galley is forward in the roomy central cabin, with the dining table aft to port. The 42 doesn’t have the forward cockpit employed on larger models, but there is a watertight front doovate owner’s cabin to starboard (with desk, vanity, flat-screen TV, huge head, etc.) and a pair of staterooms to port, but you can spec out the interior in multiple ways: tr that leads to a pair of sun lounges, the tramps, and an optional fixed bowsprit if you’re going with the performance package that includes the code zero. Our test boat had the pretty awesome private owner’s cabin to starboard (with desk, vanity, flat-screen TV, huge head, etc.) and a pair of staterooms to port, but you can spec out the interior in multiple ways: three or four cabins, three or four heads, six or eight berths, three or four showers. The four-cabin, four-head configuration is likely what you’ll find if you charter one; about half the production run is bound for the bareboat fleets.

The Leopard 42 replaces the Leopard 40 in the brand’s quiver, and is certainly a more substantial ride in every notable way. The only problem, really, is that as the world emerges from these pandemic times, they’re going fast. The 42 might be quick, but if you want one, you need to be even quicker.

Specifications Leopard 42

Herb McCormick is CW ’s executive editor.

More: Boat Reviews , catamaran , leopard , multihull , multihulls , print June 2021 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Technical specifications.

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

SPECIAL OFFER

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

EXTRA DETAILS

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

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CLEARWATER, Fl. (July 28, 2020) — Building upon almost 25 years of product evolution, Leopard Catamarans, in partnership with design teams at Robertson and Caine and Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design, has officially launched the newest addition to its sailing range, the new Leopard 42.

The vision of Leopard 42 was not a simple replacement for the highly successful Leopard 40. In fact, the result is a much more spacious and superior yacht featuring a sharper exterior, an additional entertainment area, and larger cabins with increased comfort, natural light, privacy, and sense of openness. All while maintaining Leopard’s signature balance of comfort and uncompromised performance.

The focus on exterior styling was to evolve and apply the modern appearance of the Leopard 50 (Boat of the Year 2019), which features continuous hull side windows, a continuous hardtop, and contrasting coachroof accents. The look of the Leopard 42 was then sharpened further by featuring a completely horizonal chine and a plumb bow. The interior design of the Leopard 42 adopted the styling that was developed for the revolutionary Leopard 53 Powercat (Multihull of the Year 2020). With modern contrasts, indirect lighting, and classy finishes, the Leopard 42 brings more luxury and elegance to the Leopard sailboat range.

A dramatic difference between the Leopard 42, and any catamaran under 45 feet, is the addition of the coachroof lounge. The lounge offers another 50 square feet of external entertainment area, which in turn increases the overall exterior entertainment area by 65%. The lounge is the perfect relaxation venue at anchor, featuring an upholstered L-shaped settee and backrest, as well as a fixed GRP table.

“For a catamaran of this size, the goal was to introduce a lounge that not only “fit” into the design but without adding too much weight. By integrating the geometry of the lounge into the GRP hardtop, we were able to achieve a lightweight area that added less weight to the boat than one average sized crew member.” — Michael Robertson, Leopard 42 Chief Designer, Robertson and Caine.

Access to the lounge is a feature that is revolutionary to the Leopard sailboat fleet and a comfortable stairway leads up to it from the port side deck, without intruding into the aft cockpit headroom or interfering with the helm arrangement. The stairwell is tucked inboard of the coachroof combing so it does not impede on the aesthetics of the exterior profile and leaves an unobstructed view from inside the aft cockpit.

The fully protected helm station is still located in the classic Leopard Catamarans position — raised and to starboard — and all lines are led back for single-handed sailing. The captain has direct visibility of the coachroof lounge, the aft cockpit, the bows and sterns, as well as the mainsail through a skylight. Inside, natural light floods in through the overhead skylight and 360-degree windows. The forwardfacing settee, situated aft, allows for direct communication with the forward facing, U-shaped galley, now found on all sailing models. Also unique to a catamaran of this size, the Leopard 42 offers the forward, watertight access door that provides superior ventilation, easy circulation and exceptional visibility forward. An innovation first introduced by Leopard catamarans, and part of its DNA.

Down below, all beds, forward and aft, are island berths accessible from both sides, but most importantly are wider than on the Leopard 40. In addition to larger beds, floor space increased by a combined 35% in the guest cabins and 30% in the owner’s cabin. To achieve more sense of space within the hull cabins, an effort to maximize natural light was achieved by utilizing the continuous window along the hull, adding windows wherever space permitted, and maximizing the height of each window. As a result, the Leopard 42 hull interior boasts double the window surface area than the Leopard 40.

All cabins aboard the Leopard 42 include their own private en-suite heads. This is a significant improvement over the Leopard 40, where both guest cabins share one central head. While this is a vast improvement, the most significant achievement is that both guest heads include their own designated shower area; a feature not currently found on catamarans in this size range.

Not neglecting the demand for a well performing catamaran, stepped hulls and a powerful rig with an overlapping Genoa provide for her superior performance in all wind conditions. Additionally, the hull engineering which goes into modern cruising catamarans is as complex as the requirements are stringent. An innovative internal structure design on the Leopard 42 results in a strong and stiff offshore sailing yacht able to go anywhere, while at the same time having a beautiful open plan layout with large windows all around and opening doors aft and forward.

As naval architect Alex Simonis of Simonis-Voogd Yacht Design states, “Although it sounds like all the development goes into creating more space, more windows and doors, the reality is far from that. For the design of all Leopards, their performance potential remains one of the top priorities. We spend a lot of time refining the rig geometry and the sail layout to boost the efficiency of the rig plan. At the same time, the ongoing refinement in hull and appendage design allows us to create a yacht with better sea motion and more agility. “

The new Leopard 42 has the unmistakable DNA of the brand, with plenty of exciting new technology and building techniques used to make it a magnificent ocean-going yacht with a feel of space, comfort and performance only previously found in significantly larger models.

Test sails will be conducted in Cape Town in November 2020. The official world premiere will be at the 2021 Miami International Boat Show and the European premiere will be at the International Multihull Boat Show in La Grande-Motte (Southern France). Preliminary renderings, technical information and preliminary polars are available online now.

“I am very excited by the launch of this new 42 this Fall. The project was delayed because of the global pandemic, but we were committed to launch this new model this coming Fall. We had been focused on larger units with the introduction of the 50 and the 53PC this year, so it is very refreshing to work on a smaller unit, that offers many new ideas, and packs so many features in 42 feet, for the weekly user, long range sailing and for the full time live-aboard in all sea conditions. Simonis-Voogd continues to push the envelope, model after model, with catamarans that offers more comfort and continue to perform like a Leopard. The combination of optimized hull shapes, powerful rig and stepped hulls continue to deliver great results for our owners and charter customers”. Franck Bauguil, VP Yacht Ownership & Product Development for Moorings, Sunsail and Leopard Catamarans.

In addition to private ownership through Leopard Catamarans, this yacht will be available for ownership through the Moorings Yacht Ownership Program, as the Moorings 4200. The Leopard 42 will also be available for charter vacations in select destinations worldwide through The Moorings.

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Leopard 42 Review

Post author By River B
Post date September 24, 2020
No Comments on Leopard 42 Review

The Leopard 42 emerged in 2001 to replace the Leopard 45. Designed by Alex Simonis, the L42 extended the lines of the Leopard 38 and offered a 3-cabin, 3-head model and a 4-cabin, 4-head model. Approximately 50 Leopard 42s were made before being replaced by the Leopard 43 in 2004.

Despite its heritage of award-winning catamarans, the Leopard 42 won no awards. However, the L42 is still highly sought-after by cruisers worldwide. Let’s look at why.

Since Leopard announced their next iteration of the Leopard 42 in July 2020, we’ll talk first about the original model and then provide a few words on the updated version.

Spacious Living Spaces. Like its predecessors, the Leopard 42 offers spacious accommodations disproportionate to their size. The cockpit on the L42 is quite large, accommodating more than 17 people on one lucky cruiser’s birthday off the Magnetic Islands, Australia.
Skeg-Hung Rudders. These are practically unheard of on catamarans these days and with the added protection they offer, it’s hard to imagine why that’s the case. Leopard pairs these with a direct, shaft driven transmission which, for cruisers especially, eliminates the need for frequent haul outs to service a sail drive.
Flared Hulls and Hard Chines. Though it has relatively low bridgedeck clearance, the L42 reduces the incidence of slamming with a hull design that is narrow at the bow to cut through the water, and flared astern for added buoyancy (and storage). Combine that with a hard outer chine that pushes water away from the boat and you’ve got a recipe for a more comfortable ride in rough conditions.
Watertight Crash Compartments. In models not utilizing the most forward compartments for crew, the L42 cats come with watertight crash compartments to maintain the integrity of the rest of the vessel if an impact occurs.

The early model Leopard 42s are powered by 40-horsepower Yanmar diesels to get you moving through the doldrums or ahead of bad weather. Accessible via hatches just forward of the sugarscoops, there is adequate room for repairs and maintenance. While many vessels of this vintage have been updated, you may still see remnants of the well-marked wires, hoses, and seacocks from the factory.

Inside, even the tallest crew member will enjoy over 6-feet of clearance in the salon and cabins. Galley and settee are forward, with a top-loading fridge located aft in the salon. When this item fails, many cruisers replace with forward-opening drawer units. The settee can seem a bit crowded, so most larger gatherings will occur in the cockpit.

In the owner’s version, the starboard hull is dedicated to owner comfort, with a queen size bed aft, private sitting quarters amidships, and a large head forward. The port hull contains two cabins and two (smallish) heads, with the forward cabin boasting an island bed. In the 4-cabin version, both forward cabins contain island beds.

Compared to earlier models, the L42 davit system has been improved, allowing users to lift dinghy’s higher in rough seas and reducing bulk.

What’s new in 2020?

Leopard announced in July 2020 , the launch of an updated Leopard 42, designed by Naval Architects, Simonis & Voogd. This vessel is a huge departure from the early model, with modern finishes, an open salon plan with galley forward and a pass-through door leading to a forward cockpit area and the ample trampolines. Designers created padded sun beds to cover the forward cockpit as well. Some additional changes you’ll find include:

Flush hatches
Raised Helm + upper deck seating
Fridge under helm stairs
All line handling from helm, not cockpit
Forward facing nav station up in salon
Forward facing galley w/ pull out fridge/freezer
360-degree views
Island beds
Yanmar 45HP Diesel engine with saildrive
Headroom 6’4” in cabins, 6’7” in salon
Bridgedeck clearance 2 ft 6 in

The view is definitely an improvement on the new model, as the layout of the old L42 made it near impossible to see anything unless you were at the helm or forward of the cabin. One has to wonder whether the raise helm was an improvement (at least for serious cruisers), given the amount of stairs to navigate and the higher center of effort that comes with it.

What to Watch Out For

The earlier model L42 catamarans are reliable and comfortable, but they are aging. If you find yourself looking at one that was previously in charter, you may find yourself having to repower, re-rig, and generally update some of the more hard-used features of the boat.

In addition, because these boats are balsa-cored, you may find your new boat with varying degrees of water intrusion into the hull and deck. Prior to purchase, look for signs of delimination, and, if it’s the boat you absolutely want, budget for surprises.

Overall, the Leopard 42 has great space for larger cruising families and is set up for double-handing, or single-handing for the experienced sailor.

Tags Catamaran Reviews

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

Description

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

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

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

Photos: Leopard Catamarans.

Lounge King

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The cabins are larger and lighter then her predecessor.

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

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

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

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

Leopard 42 Polar Diagram

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

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

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