2011 Lagoon 450 vs 2017 Leopard 40 — Comparison
2011 Lagoon 450
2017 Leopard 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2011 Lagoon 450 | 2017 Leopard 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Lagoon | Leopard |
| Year | 2011–2018 | 2017 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | VPLP / Nauta Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.96 m (45.8 ft) | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 7.84 m (25.7 ft) | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,400 kg (29,542 lbs) | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 520 L (137.4 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 920 L (243.0 gal) | 600 L (158.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 8 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2011 Lagoon 450 and 2017 Leopard 40 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2011 Lagoon 450 is a modern design by Lagoon from France, while the 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2011 Lagoon 450 was penned by VPLP / Nauta Design. The 2017 Leopard 40 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the 2011 Lagoon 450 measures 13.96m (45.8ft) overall with a beam of 7.84m, compared to the 2017 Leopard 40 at 11.73m (38.5ft) with a 6.56m beam. The 2011 Lagoon 450 is 2.23m longer than the 2017 Leopard 40. The 2011 Lagoon 450 displaces approximately 60% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2011 Lagoon 450 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.90 and 105.0 m² of sail area. The 2017 Leopard 40, with an SA/D of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2011 Lagoon 450 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2011 Lagoon 450 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.32). The 2017 Leopard 40 has a comfort ratio of 8.4 and a capsize screening value of 1.29. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2011 Lagoon 450 and 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2011 Lagoon 450 provides 12 berths in 4 cabins with 920L of water capacity and 520L of fuel. The 2017 Leopard 40 offers 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L water and 340L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2017 Leopard 40 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2011 Lagoon 450 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2011 Lagoon 450 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.