2011 Lagoon 450 vs 2019 Leopard 45 — Comparison
2011 Lagoon 450
2019 Leopard 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2011 Lagoon 450 | 2019 Leopard 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Lagoon | Leopard |
| Year | 2011–2018 | 2019 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | VPLP / Nauta Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.96 m (45.8 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) |
| Beam | 7.84 m (25.7 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.30 m (4.3 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,400 kg (29,542 lbs) | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 105.0 m² (1,130 ft²) | 102.0 m² (1,098 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) | 480 L (126.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 920 L (243.0 gal) | 800 L (211.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 10 |
| Cabins | 4 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2011 Lagoon 450 and 2019 Leopard 45 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2011 Lagoon 450 is a modern design by Lagoon from France, while the 2019 Leopard 45 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2011 Lagoon 450 was penned by VPLP / Nauta Design. The 2019 Leopard 45 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 2019 Leopard 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 7.60m beam. The 2011 Lagoon 450 is 0.24m longer than the 2019 Leopard 45. The 2011 Lagoon 450 displaces approximately 3% 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 2019 Leopard 45, with an SA/D of 18.74 and 102.0 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 2019 Leopard 45 has a comfort ratio of 7.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.30. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2011 Lagoon 450 and 0.0% for the 2019 Leopard 45, 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 2019 Leopard 45 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 800L water and 480L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2019 Leopard 45 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.