Leopard 42 - An efficient and affordable catamaran

The Leopard shipyard replaces one of its bestsellers by introducing the 42, a catamaran with modern design and optimized spaces. A concept which seems well inspired, since even before its official launch, the builder has already had signed 34 orders.

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Test location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Conditions: Northeasterly wind 25 knots, slight chop, 7 people on board

The 42 is the latest addition from the Leopard shipyard. It replaces the 40, a catamaran that remains one of the brand’s great successes. Manufactured in South Africa by Robertson & Caine in collaboration with Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design, the Leopard 42 has been designed taking into account customer feedback and carefully studying the desires of today’s buyers. Compared to the 40, the 42 gains in interior volume with, for example, a 35% increase in living space in the guest cabins and a 30% increase in the owner’s cabin.

The design also benefits from a facelift with a style inspired by the 50. This is particularly evident in the glass surface area, which is twice as large as on the 40. The hull also has a long porthole that takes up three quarters of the length and the main deck is almost exclusively surrounded by glazed surfaces. To offer so much natural light while preserving the integrity of the catamaran, the shipyard has largely reinforced the interior structure. Apart from the structural reinforcements, the boat also benefi...