2011 Lagoon 450 vs 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat — Comparison
2011 Lagoon 450
2018 Leopard 53 Powercat
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2011 Lagoon 450 | 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Lagoon | Leopard |
| Year | 2011–2018 | 2018 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | VPLP / Nauta Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.96 m (45.8 ft) | 16.15 m (53.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 15.40 m (50.5 ft) |
| Beam | 7.84 m (25.7 ft) | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,400 kg (29,542 lbs) | 19,500 kg (42,990 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 155.0 m² (1,668 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) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 920 L (243.0 gal) | 1200 L (317.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 12 |
| Cabins | 4 | 6 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2011 Lagoon 450 and 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2011 Lagoon 450 is a modern design by Lagoon from France, while the 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2011 Lagoon 450 was penned by VPLP / Nauta Design. The 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat 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 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat at 16.15m (53.0ft) with a 8.40m beam. The 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat is 2.19m longer than the 2011 Lagoon 450. The 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat displaces approximately 46% 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 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat, with an SA/D of 21.73 and 155.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat 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 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat has a comfort ratio of 7.2 and a capsize screening value of 1.25. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2011 Lagoon 450 and 0.0% for the 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat, 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 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat offers 12 berths in 6 cabins with 1200L water and 800L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2011 Lagoon 450 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 2018 Leopard 53 Powercat has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.