This cruising catamaran replaces the Leopard 44. This yacht built from 2010 to 2016 by the South American shipyard Roberston & Cain has been produced in 185 units (more than 30 units per year!). In Europe, the launch of its replacement, the Leopard 45, took place during the La Grande Motte International Boat Show in April 2017, but by the summer 19 units had already been produced.
The famous forward cockpit
This 45-foot unit, the heart of the cruising catamaran market, has the famous forward cockpit accessible from the saloon through a door, a cockpit which is a sort of trademark of this manufacturer. If the platform of a catamaran is already large, allowing the crew to find distinct spaces and to isolate themselves, the forward cockpit brings a new place with a breathtaking view forward and always ventilated even at anchor. Note the large cap that extends the deckhouse and covers this cockpit to protect it from the sun.
The aft cockpit receives a new design with the total absence of steps. So once the 2 steps are taken from the aft skirt, the crew (should we say the passengers?) can move on the same level over the entire cockpit platform, saloon and forward cockpit. We appreciate the traffic at the back of the cockpit to go around the boat without having to step over the benches.
Note the lifting system of the dinghy (with an electric motor if you please) which avoids having any rope in the cockpit. These "home-made" davits can lift a 3.80 m dinghy with its engine (max weight 220 kg).
Good performance under sail
If the "family" zone for relaxation and comfort is well defined, the navigation area is also reduced to the helm station alone. From there, all the ropes come back in front of the wheel steering on 3 winches (2 of which are electric). Sail lovers who would like to take part in the manoeuvres will not be able to be more than 2, due to lack of space ..
If the helm, as on all catamarans, is not very talkative (despite cable lines), the manoeuvres are well laid out and we appreciate the flat deck gears which offer the freedom to fit any sheet on any winch. Well done!
Note the double mainsheet system which allows the mainsail to do without a track. The adjustment is finally easier and provides a good solution for adjusting the mainsail twist. With a boom not too high perched and a rigid deckhouse, no problem to come and furl the mainsail. This manoeuvre is done in complete safety.
At the front the jib is a classic model with overlap (no self-tacking jib). This is always preferable for downwind points of sail even if a hollow gennaker type sail (optional) provides a little more speed at these points of sail.
In light airs, the Leopard 45 starts sailing in 6 knots of wind and we appreciated her marine qualities with good performance despite her 14 tonnes, no doubt due in part to her stepped hulls, which refine the lively lines of the hulls.
The search for comfort above all!
But more than the evolutions under sail, it is above all the comfort on board that we are looking for on this type of boat. With a very large cockpit, the saloon is slightly reduced in surface area. However, there is a real dining area with a large table capable of accommodating the 8 passengers. The shipyard wants to keep the 2 spaces (inside and outside) with two real tables.
The kitchen faces the sea, a really comfortable position. We appreciate the huge bin to the right of the sink to collect wet dishes. If the drawer fridge is practical, it will still be a little small for a 15-day cruise for 8 people. The shipyard preferred to install a freezer in the upper part rather than double the volume of the fridge.
XXL cabins
In the 4 cabin version, the 2 hulls are symmetrical with 4 separate toilet compartments. We appreciate the showers separated from the toilets allowing not to wet everywhere. In the owner's version, the starboard hull is a dedicated space that closes as soon as you go down, leaving a huge space with a toilet at the bow, numerous stowage spaces in the centre and a double berth at the stern.
The cabins are bright, but not excessively so. Passengers will enjoy the view outside from their beds. Note the nice aft porthole that gives a view backwards in the skirt. The ventilation is generously dimensioned with 3 practical opening portholes to create a good draft.
With the saloon which can be transformed into a - very - large double bed, this brings the maximum number of beds to 10. The forepeaks can also be fitted with a small single berth that can accommodate a skipper.
Ideal for sailing in the sun
After 2 days aboard, we were able to judge this catamaran by using it as if we were cruising. If the different spaces are really all comfortable and welcoming, we will note that all these areas are very protected from the sun, leaving little space to take the sun precisely. Only the top of the deckhouse (normally not designed for sunbathing) leaves some space. There is also the trampoline at the front, but we know that this area ventilated from below is not the most comfortable.
