Leopard 45 or 50

[Barra]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

6300 lbs is 750 gallons.

I carry 350 gallons of tankage.


This weight causes no issues.

It's not just the amount it's where it is ie forward of center of gravity and the fact that it's a sudden increase. Add to that the risk it's exit is into the saloon and then the hulls.

[Open-d]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

It's absolutely frightening to me that someone would take advice that potentially could be life or death from youtube. Why why why?


@AlexTurin, get yourself some training, certification and hire qualified crew until you are qualified and competent enough. Never mind "reality tv/internet" shows. This isn't a "how do I fix this carburetor or electric pump" scenario.



Also, have you looked into getting insurance on a new vessel yet? Did they not ask about your fitness to operate it?

It is not the channel through which advice is offered, but, rather, the source.

[Tenedos]

@AlexTurin two years after your original post wonder what has happened. Did you get your L45? Did you sail it yourself from Cape Town? How do you like the boat?

[HuffinPuff]

I did coastal cruising 17 years ago with the rest of the time lake sailing. I would not want to jump into a big boat just because it can be harder to manage. I bought a 40 ft, and will upgrade to a larger boat in a couple of years.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by smj

I ran the numbers many moons ago and completely filled, the Leopard forward cockpit holds about 6300 lbs of water, if I remember correctly.
So if your ok with a full sized Ford F-250 pick up truck suddenly parking itself on your fore deck, then your good to go.

I'm good with it.

It drains in seconds, That's 755 gallons, just forward of the forward cockpit I have 250 Gallons of water in tanks already.

Full or empty 250 gallons, or 2,000 lbs makes very little difference in handling.

If it was a problem between 8,000 lbs, or 6,300 lbs, I'd drain the forward tanks, and refill with water maker later.

OH, and don't forget the 1,000 lb generator up there.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by Barra

It's not just the amount it's where it is ie forward of center of gravity and the fact that it's a sudden increase. Add to that the risk it's exit is into the saloon and then the hulls.

It's 6 inches forward of the mast, very close to center of gravity.

Don't open that door when the fwd cockpit is taking waves.

It is a dogged seatight door.

[capn_billl]

Originally Posted by HuffinPuff

I did coastal cruising 17 years ago with the rest of the time lake sailing. I would not want to jump into a big boat just because it can be harder to manage. I bought a 40 ft, and will upgrade to a larger boat in a couple of years.

Personally I think the L-44 is the largest boat I will own.

I'm already at tip toes to reach the mainsail, and need a stepstool to reach areas for maintenance.

Larger than that I would find difficult to manage.

Plenty big enough to sail from Cape town to Miami on delivery.

[smj]

Originally Posted by capn_billl

I'm good with it.



It drains in seconds, That's 755 gallons, just forward of the forward cockpit I have 250 Gallons of water in tanks already.



Full or empty 250 gallons, or 2,000 lbs makes very little difference in handling.



If it was a problem between 8,000 lbs, or 6,300 lbs, I'd drain the forward tanks, and refill with water maker later.



OH, and don't forget the 1,000 lb generator up there.

I’ll keep the Leopard in mind next time I want to take my F250 across an ocean. [emoji23]
It supposedly drains in 45 seconds, could be the longest 45 seconds of your life……

[walrus00]

Check out Barefootdoctors on YouTube - they did a pretty good comparison between the 45 and the 50

[Tenedos]

We visited Leopard 42, 45 and 50 (all owners versions) today at Miami Boat Show. We loved all three of them, they were by far our favorites among all the production cats.

50 is a really big boat and more than plenty for a couple. 45 appeared to be the sweet spot but even the 42 looked pretty amazing and spacious to us. The major difference between 42 and 45 was the forward cockpit and that cockpit looks really amazing.

We may have found our next boat!

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Tenedos

We visited Leopard 42, 45 and 50 (all owners versions) today at Miami Boat Show. We loved all three of them, they were by far our favorites among all the production cats.

50 is a really big boat and more than plenty for a couple. 45 appeared to be the sweet spot but even the 42 looked pretty amazing and spacious to us. The major difference between 42 and 45 was the forward cockpit and that cockpit looks really amazing.

We may have found our next boat!

We have a 40 owners version and absolutely love it! We do however miss the forward cabin that our 44 had. As we are in the Moorings scheme we will be taking a 42 in April for 2 weeks and I am really looking forward to trying her out. I did speak to a delivery skipper when he passed through town delivering a 42 and his only comment was that everything is controlled through the Raymarine MFD. So if it packs up you can’t even turn the nav lights on!

The only thing is I really hate the roof lounge!

But yes, the 50 is a massive yacht, even compared to the older 48.

The 45 is definitely my dream yacht!

[Tenedos]

Originally Posted by aqfishing

The only thing is I really hate the roof lounge!

Why? We actually liked it a lot 😊

[mattinacan]

I would not buy a Leopard at all personally, good luck though!

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by Tenedos

Why? We actually liked it a lot 😊

Aesthetically it just looks wrong, especially on the 42 and 45. Ok on the 50.

I do not think it’s as usable as ppl think. Therefore the extra windage and weight is not worth it.

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by mattinacan

I would not buy a Leopard at all personally, good luck though!

So what have you got?