2017 Leopard 40 vs 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 — Comparison
2017 Leopard 40
2013 Beneteau Figaro 3
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2017 Leopard 40 | 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Leopard | Beneteau |
| Year | 2017 | 2013 |
| Type | Catamaran | Sloop |
| Country | South Africa | France |
| Designer | Simonis Voogd | VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.73 m (38.5 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| LWL | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 6.56 m (21.5 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.12 m (3.7 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,400 kg (18,519 lbs) | 3,450 kg (7,606 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 600 L (158.5 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 2 |
| Cabins | 4 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2017 Leopard 40 and 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 2017 Leopard 40 is a modern design by Leopard from South Africa, while the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 2017 Leopard 40 was penned by Simonis Voogd. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 was designed by VPLP / Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost.
In terms of size, the 2017 Leopard 40 measures 11.73m (38.5ft) overall with a beam of 6.56m, compared to the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 at 10.10m (33.1ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2017 Leopard 40 is 1.63m longer than the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3. The 2017 Leopard 40 displaces approximately 143% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2017 Leopard 40 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.21 and 70.0 m² of sail area. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, with an SA/D of 28.93 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2017 Leopard 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 8.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.29). The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has a comfort ratio of 11.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.90. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2017 Leopard 40 and 43.5% for the 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2017 Leopard 40 provides 8 berths in 4 cabins with 600L of water capacity and 340L of fuel. The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 offers 2 berths in 1 cabin with 40L water and 60L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 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 2013 Beneteau Figaro 3 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2017 Leopard 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.