Leopard 40: 2017 Leopard 40

[kjbas123]

We are looking at a 2017 Leopard 40 this weekend with low hours. Would love to get opinions on this model and potential problems to look for . Thanks in advance.

[Sparx]

Is this the model with the front door out onto the front deck?

[kjbas123]

Yes it is

[Sparx]

I really liked this boat and almost bought one. The layout appears very well thought through making for a very livable boat. This boat has good feng shui potential.

Lines of sight are a big issue for us, and the Leopard 40 is better than many. Everyone on deck and in the salon can see where the boat is going. However ask yourself if not being able to see the port bow from the helm station is a concern for you and your crew. ...This is not the only boat with this challenge, and lots of folks figure out how to live with it.

Also the build quality looked good.

... I can't offer useful owner insight.

[kjbas123]

Thanks Sparx

[LeeV]

We like the boat. She is sturdy, sails well, and several are out and about across the oceans. Look at the Leopard website for a story of a delivery in big seas.

I'm a fan of the Leopard boats, and they've done a great job using the space inside. We really like the forward cockpit on the 45 and 48, but we just can't get past a door that basically "goes nowhere." Yes, you can open it for air to stream through at anchor, on a mooring or at the dock, and you can get to the trampoline without having to walk around outside. But without a cockpit the door represents a loss of usable space in the salon, and the additional concern of seals and leaks at some time in the future.

I also can't get past the huge chromed mast step in the salon of the Lagoon, or the vertical windows - their trademark - so again, it's just personal opinion. The next guy will go on about all the reasons those items are great, and that's ok. That's why we have different boats from which we can choose!

[kjbas123]

Yes LeeV there are things you don’t like in each boat but from what I gather the L40 sails well which is the most important thing

[LeeV]

Originally Posted by kjbas123

Yes LeeV there are things you don’t like in each boat but from what I gather the L40 sails well which is the most important thing

Yep, that’s why I said so in the first line or two. We’ve sailed one and enjoyed it, except for the hobby horsing, which is a bit more pronounced because of the length. They will all do that, but the shorter the boat the worse it gets.

Hey, if I get any more frustrated at work, I’ll retire and buy a 3-5 yr old 40 myself!

[B4A]

Originally Posted by kjbas123

We are looking at a 2017 Leopard 40 this weekend with low hours. Would love to get opinions on this model and potential problems to look for . Thanks in advance.

I have a 2018 model, and crossed the South Atlantic ocean with it, from Cape Town to Brazil. It's a great boat, it sails very well. During our stress test in Cape Town, we sailed under 38 knots of wind. The boat felt safe all the time.

The forward cockpit door it's a great feature and what makes the boat really special.

You can read about my boat and my voyage here: http://www.sailingoroboro.com

Good luck!

[kjbas123]

Hi sailing oroboro I have just looked at your blog your boat looks great. I sent you a message asking if you put extra hatches up the front to access the front locker? It also looks like to got slats for the beds did it make a big difference? We really love the improvements they have done to the beds but the boat we are hopefully getting is a 2017 with the older style beds. We figure the important areas of the cockpit saloon and opening front door are all the same and to be able to get a reasonably price low hour one owner boat that is here right now we will just put up with it. Would love to see some pics of the extra cupboards in the saloon are there any available on the blog? Thanks

[B4A]

Originally Posted by kjbas123

Hi sailing oroboro I have just looked at your blog your boat looks great. I sent you a message asking if you put extra hatches up the front to access the front locker? It also looks like to got slats for the beds did it make a big difference? We really love the improvements they have done to the beds but the boat we are hopefully getting is a 2017 with the older style beds. We figure the important areas of the cockpit saloon and opening front door are all the same and to be able to get a reasonably price low hour one owner boat that is here right now we will just put up with it. Would love to see some pics of the extra cupboards in the saloon are there any available on the blog? Thanks

You can see pics of the cupboards on my FE page: https://www.facebook.com/sailingoroboro/

Design wise, removing the bulkhead in the owner's cabin and moving the wardrobe towards the bow makes a huge difference. Much more open. But other than that everything else should be the same.

Not sure if I get your question about the front locker.

[kjbas123]

Hi B4A I just mean it looks like you have an opening hatch in front of the bedroom hatch to be able to put things in the front peak areas and access them from the deck

[B4A]

Originally Posted by kjbas123

Hi B4A I just mean it looks like you have an opening hatch in front of the bedroom hatch to be able to put things in the front peak areas and access them from the deck

You're referring to the additional hatch I cut in the port bow cabin. That is for having easier access to the water maker and to be able to store more stuff in there.

[kjbas123]

Yes that’s the one. I really don’t know why they don’t come as standard like in the Lagoons and FPs . Was it a big job and was it expensive. Did you put bed slats in too?

[B4A]

Very easy job. Any carpenter can do it. Very inexpensive.