Leopard 42

A Good Deal for Private Owners?

On the second-hand market, recent catamarans under 13 meters (43 feet) in length are few and far between… and often seem to be listed at prices close to those of new boats. But among them, the Leopard 42 deserves attention, if only because it’s being replaced by the Leopard 43, making it a pre-owned catamaran. Designed from the outset to appeal to both private owners as well as charter companies, and with over 200 examples sold, this model already has a wide selection available in the classified ads. Its main strengths are a robust design and proven practicality. So, is this model, launched in 2020, already a good deal?

The Leopard 42 performs very well in a good breeze, capable of easily maintaining average speeds of 8 to 9 knots.

The design, inspired by the Leopard 50, remains modern but lacks a bit of personality.

Although it remains a compact catamaran at less than 13 meters (43 feet) in length, the Leopard 42 is an excellent platform for a family offshore sailing project.

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Practical info

Boat Test price3.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Boat Test price3.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

The Leopard 42 was not simply an evolution of the 40 but marked a genuine stylistic break within the range. Inspired by the Leopard 50, it features continuous side windows, a redesigned coachroof, including a lounge area actually on the roof, and a significantly brighter nacelle. In terms of design, the lines are modern but lack a bit of originality. Still, the designers’ goal was clear: to preserve the brand’s distinctive maritime DNA while meeting the expectations of a new generation of owners, who are more concerned with onboard comfort than with pure sailing performance.

Construction Designed to Last

With this model, Leopard remains true to the formula that has made its reputation. The brand’s catamarans are all built by a shipyard founded in 1991 in Cape Town by John Robertson and Jerry Caine. In fact, Robertson & Caine has established itself over three decades as one of the world’s leading catamaran builders (with some 3,000 now launched), largely thanks to its long-standing partnership with Moorings and Sunsail. This professional clientele demands very stringent specifications: the multihulls must be capable of withstanding thousands of hours of sailing, by crews that a...

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