Leopard 48: FP Salina or Leopard 48

[Madcatter]

Hello all. I am new to this forum and I need some advice. I am preparing to finally live out my dream and retire to sailing full time. But I have a question. Which Cat should I buy. I am limiting this to the two boats I like the most. I have tested both boats and find them equal, I like the looks and feel of both so I figured go to the experts on this the people who live and sail these boats. Hoping to place my order in late April or early May any help would be greatly appreciated. It is a very tough decision but one I am thankful to have. Thanks in advance

[Factor]

Its your money and your decision - but if it was my money it wouldnt be either of these, would be probably an Outremer.

But it isnt my money

[dirkdig]

Whats the bridgedeck clearance on the Leopard?

If its under 650 mm i would go for the Fountaine.

[CelticQuest]

A big decision, to say the least. I bought a Leopard 38 and never regretted it. I know nothing of the FP Salina, so I can't speak to a comparison. What I can say is the Leopard vessels are seaworthy and feel very strong and safe. My boat has never frightened me in 3 years and 3500 miles, though I have questioned my own abilities as I have been exposed to the challenges of water sailing">blue water sailing. The Leopards are built for rugged treatment and they clean up well and service easily. The 48 is a beauty and I would envy your space . I chose the 38 because I felt that it would be easier for short handed sailing as well as close quarter maneuvering. I'm sure that the 48 would handle big seas more comfortable and certainly have a lot of space for friends and visitors. A friend just stepped up from a 42 to the 48 and loves it.

[catabroker]

Bridge deck clearance Leopard 48

Light ship: 3'5 / 1.04m
Half load : 3'1 / 0.95 m
Full load: 2'10 / 0.87m

The last Leopard 48 that was delivered from South Africa to Ft Lauderdale did the trip in 35 days, the fastest Leopard delivery on record. They averaged 8.1 knots over the almost 8000M trip.

[Madcatter]

Originally Posted by Factor

Its your money and your decision - but if it was my money it wouldnt be either of these, would be probably an Outremer.

But it isnt my money

I looked at the outremer 45 they are gorgeous boats, but I did not like the Salon outlay, as far as performance goes great boats, the ride I had was a little choppy but they do run fast.

[gbanker]

catabroker: do you know how much fuel the Leopard carried on the SA to FT Lauderdale trip? Just curious.

[dirkdig]

Sounds like a great boat the Leopard 48

[Two Oceans]

I like the Salina more and I spent quite some time looking at both at the Miami boat show. The initial criteria was the appearance, I think the Salina looks really good. Not sure about the Leopard's performance but the Salina is also pretty quick. The polars for what they are worth indicate 11.42 knots in a 16 knot wind at 90 deg for the Salina.

[YesIsail]

Originally Posted by Two Oceans

I like the Salina more and I spent quite some time looking at both at the Miami boat show. The initial criteria was the appearance, I think the Salina looks really good. Not sure about the Leopard's performance but the Salina is also pretty quick. The polars for what they are worth indicate 11.42 knots in a 16 knot wind at 90 deg for the Salina.

I own a salina, I do 8 kn normally and can do 10 knots on 20something kn of wind. Salina is a beauty, inside and outside.

[djtopper]

SA/D for the Leopard is 26.88 and 20.77 for the Salina. I love the looks of the Salina too but it seems as though the Leopard would be much quicker on average. Check here for yourself if you haven't already:

Multihull Dynamics, Inc. - Standard Comparison Step 3

D

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by catabroker

Bridge deck clearance Leopard 48

Light ship: 3'5 / 1.04m
Half load : 3'1 / 0.95 m
Full load: 2'10 / 0.87m

This pic is from their website. I am assuming it's in South Africa right near the factory and the boat is most likely in lightship mode but I could be wrong on both points. I'm just having trouble seeing that 41" clearance. I'm not trying to start an argument but I'm just sayin..........

[catabroker]

As soon as there is another Leopard 48 here in our marina, I will make a picture with a measure tape. Why would a boat builder such as Robertson and Caine put out wrong information?

Below another picture I made a few months ago when I was in Cape town, unfortunately no measure tape present.

Fair winds, Peter Wiersema Leopard specialist Ft Lauderdale, 954 260 4913

[John_ZA]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

This pic is from their website. I am assuming it's in South Africa right near the factory and the boat is most likely in lightship mode but I could be wrong on both points. I'm just having trouble seeing that 41" clearance. I'm not trying to start an argument but I'm just sayin..........

You are correct on the first count and I could probably safely say on the second as well.

[Jim Woodall]

I've never measured the bridgedeck clearance for a Leopard 48, but I have measured the Leopard 44 and the clearance was right in line with R&C's published specs. I looked closely at the 48's clearance during the Annapolis boatshow and without a tape measure my guess was a bit more than three feet, so 41 inches is probably accurate for light ship. While I was eyeballing the 48's clearance I would say there were at least 20 people onboard. The boat would probably be considered at half load. It was well equiped, but not loaded for cruising - just loaded with people.