2019 Leopard 45 vs 2020 Leopard 50 — Comparison
2019 Leopard 45
2020 Leopard 50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2019 Leopard 45 | 2020 Leopard 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Leopard | Leopard |
| Year | 2019 | 2020 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | South Africa | South Africa |
| Designer | Simonis Voogd | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) | 15.14 m (49.7 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 14.50 m (47.6 ft) |
| Beam | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) | 8.06 m (26.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 13,000 kg (28,660 lbs) | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) | 135.0 m² (1,453 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 480 L (126.8 gal) | 680 L (179.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 800 L (211.3 gal) | 1060 L (280.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 12 |
| Cabins | 4 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2019 Leopard 45 and 2020 Leopard 50 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2019 Leopard 45 is a modern design by Leopard from South Africa, while the 2020 Leopard 50 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2019 Leopard 45 was penned by Simonis Voogd. The 2020 Leopard 50 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the 2019 Leopard 45 measures 13.72m (45.0ft) overall with a beam of 7.60m, compared to the 2020 Leopard 50 at 15.14m (49.7ft) with a 8.06m beam. The 2020 Leopard 50 is 1.42m longer than the 2019 Leopard 45. The 2020 Leopard 50 displaces approximately 35% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2019 Leopard 45 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.74 and 102.0 m² of sail area. The 2020 Leopard 50, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 135.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2020 Leopard 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2019 Leopard 45 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.30). The 2020 Leopard 50 has a comfort ratio of 7.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.24. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2019 Leopard 45 and 0.0% for the 2020 Leopard 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2019 Leopard 45 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 800L of water capacity and 480L of fuel. The 2020 Leopard 50 offers 12 berths in 5 cabins with 1060L water and 680L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2020 Leopard 50 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 2020 Leopard 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Leopard 50 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.