Leopard circumnavigation

[Tin Tin]

Many Leopards from 38 - 50+ have sailed across Atlantic and then Pacific to NZ/Australia as that is how quite a few of them got to South Pacific , although some have come from Thailand after crossing the Indian Ocean. The older Leopards had low clearance which has its downside. The best boat IMHO for a circumnavigation would be a late model Leopard 46 (2009+) - high clearance but most of the amenity of newer designs except the forward lounge which has its skeptics.

[CarlF]

A large percentage of new Leopards are still delivered from Cape Town on their own bottom - including all of the ones going to Australia and Asia. Many are circumnavigated by their owners. You don’t hear about them because most world cruisers have no interest in broadcasting their trip to strangers on YouTube.

I don’t think there’s any simple answer on the best model. If you can afford it, the new 50’s are fast. I have one. R&C has started to use carbon fiber in some structural areas to reduce weight. The longer waterline length and high clearance really helps in a sea to reduce slamming and hobby horsing (although Leopards have always been better this way than most charter brands).

Saildrives are not the problem they used to be if you do the basic maintenance and watch the zincs. Most circumnavigating cats - including performance cats - use saildrives. Every couple of years when you haul for bottom painting replace the shaft seals - inexpensive and easy to do yourself.

There are no reports of boats getting in trouble because of the forward cockpit. Even if it was full of water it would add less weight than full water and fuel tanks. And it drains in less than 30 seconds. Once you’ve experienced one you wouldn’t want to give it up.

The base Leopard is set up like a charter cat in the BVI. Sailing speed is not a priority. To improve performance under sail I have Gori folding props, an Oxley Levante parasailor, tri-radial performance sails from Calvert Sails, and dyneema halyards. Together, these make a big difference.

[AiniA]

Originally Posted by Selecra11

I'm planning a circumnavigation soon and I'm assessing which multi-hull to take.



Are there any sailors who circumnavigated with a Leopard?

Would be happy to get in touch and hear your experience.


Best,
Burak

Consider what route you are planning to take when choosing a boat. Going via South Africa is much more demanding than going via Red Sea. Crossing the Indian Ocean to Mauritius is 'sporty'. We had 25 to 35 knots for weeks. Mauritius to Richards Bay even more so. Also tropical storms can happen in any month of the year. We chose November because it is best (two tropical storms every three years on average) but had to scamper out of Mauritius to South Africa because of the first ever Force 12 in November.

[arsenelupiga]

too much emphasysis is on type of boat. and way too little on mariner skills. Regarding performance, people pay double to get 20% better performance but are too lazy to learn sailing which can improve performance by itself for 40%. Leopard is fine, plenty of them around. No special problems with them. There is no magic boat that is substantially better than next one. It is bad decisions that will kill your sailing career.

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

too much emphasysis is on type of boat. and way too little on mariner skills. Regarding performance, people pay double to get 20% better performance but are too lazy to learn sailing which can improve performance by itself for 40%. Leopard is fine, plenty of them around. No special problems with them. There is no magic boat that is substantially better than next one. It is bad decisions that will kill your sailing career.

Sensible answer.
Burak, what boat do you have currently and what is you sailing experience.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by arsenelupiga

too much emphasysis is on type of boat. and way too little on mariner skills. Regarding performance, people pay double to get 20% better performance but are too lazy to learn sailing which can improve performance by itself for 40%. Leopard is fine, plenty of them around. No special problems with them. There is no magic boat that is substantially better than next one. It is bad decisions that will kill your sailing career.

Agree, a good sailor can take a bathtub round the world, a bad one can sink the Titanic first trip.