Any Leopard 46 Owners Out There?

[EricL46]

Looking to communicate with other leopard 46 owners. Would like to talk about performance, mods, problems etc.

[seajoy]

Hi, we are owners of a Leopard 46... what would you like to communicate about?

[Keegan]

Hey Seajoy, I would like to know how the Leopard 4600 performs. I really liked that boat when I was considering my purchase and was wondering how they sail?

Keegan

[scarab]

I'm also curious to hear from any owners out there regarding the global feel of these fine looking cats. Can you consider them a worthy alternative for a Privilège 445, Lagoon 440, Dean 441 or Dolphin 460 ?

Koen

[Adaero]

I have only chartered one for a week (but ended up ordering one).
This is my take on the Leopard. It is a similar weight to the Lagoon, Privilege, Dean and Dolphin but has a larger sail plan. It has the largest bridge deck clearance out of all of them at 750mm (fully laden). The chine on the hulls gives it improved performance but still giving the internal volume. The week I had in the BVI was a bit of a mixed bag weather wise but I suppose the best test was a day with a fairly constant 18 knots with around a 3ft chop. Close hauled at 40-45 deg we were getting around 9.5 knots again fully laden with 6 adults a weeks worth of booze and supplies and nearly full tanks. A couple of things to bear in mind was that the boat had fixed props, the sail shape was poor as this was an early hull and we were towing a dinghy with the outboard down. So with folding props, the improved sails that are now being fitted and the dinghy on the davits you should get another 1 to 2 knots at least. It would point at best around 35 deg with a bit of tweaking. If any one requires any further specific information I will try and answer them as best I can.
Adaero

[scarab]

Adaero,

Pretty impressive figures. What about the building finish ? The Dean 441 I visited at La Rochelle Boat show ( France ) last year was immaculate.( see pictures )
It's a pity that here in Europa we don't see the Leopards at boat shows. I guess I will have to visit the show in Miami next year.

Koen

[Adaero]

I might have bumped in to you at La Rochelle as I was there for 4 days and spent a lot of time on the Dean talking to Peter Dean. The finish on the Dean is, I feel, comparable to the Privilege and is very well done. The Leopard is one grade up from the Lagoons and FP but is definately not up to the Dean or Dolphin standard but it has a much more spacious feel about it than Dean.
The best way I found is to charter your shortlist, you find out 10 times more information after living on one for a week than you ever will at any boatshow.
You may find that you will see a Leopard at some of the European shows later this year as the downturn in the US is causing them to look at Europe a bit closer.
Adaero

[scarab]

Yesterday I booked a Lagoon 440 for 2 weeks end november from Martinique.
All questions concerning sailperformance/handling will then be answered.(Can't wait )
People who have been cruising there ( Leeward Islands ) and want to share some tips
drop me a line.

Koen

[CatCaptain]

Hi there
We are Leopard 46 owners. we orderd it in the Miami Bout show and had deliverd in Croatia. SY Numa is laying in the med and for the last two summers we have been cruising the Adriatic sea. Slow winds and flat water in general. Only a 4-5 days with reef in (more than 18knot true) out of 130 days of sailing.
In general she sails very well. 7 to 9 knot over ground is commonplace even in light wind. After a little training she is easy to tack singelhanded (traveler in centerposition) she points at 30 to 32 deg over deck with not much work. In general we do 65 to 70 percent of true wind over ground.
Mind You, our last Atlantic crossing was in a Prout 39, so no wonder we are pleased with the performance. The Prout we passageplan with 140nm/ day and the Leopard 180nm/day.

[paulrack]

I have chartered a leopard 46 for two years in a row in Croatia. She sails very well and is easy to sail singlehanded. From a quality perspective she is a production boat but in my view defn one of the better ones. Compared to the lagoon 440 there is absolutely no comparison. The Leopard is way better in finish and quality of materials and fittings used. In my opinion the layout is also way better.

[CatCaptain]

Would'nt happend to be "Jade" would it? We met (saw) her on an anchorage begining of July this year in Croatia.
I think we are the only two with 220Vac European style!

[paulrack]

Yes it was Jade, I wonder if it was us or the next charterers, we disembarked on the 4th July. The previous year we were on an L46 called Carla. I am busy with the build of a Maverick 400 which I am wanting to take to Croatia. I would love to hear your experience of keeping a boat there.

Cheers
Paul

[CatCaptain]

My pictures are dated 4 th of July 15:40 to 15:50 I remember She turned slowly and left. I took a lot of lovely pictures of the boat from all angles because this is a sister ship! I can see 7 adult + capt. onboard. If its You I can send you the pictures.
Regards
Steinar

[paulrack]

That must have been the people just after us, we left Jade that morning. Where are you keeping your leopard in Croatia?

[CatCaptain]

First winter in Krk, Rijeka, last winter in Corfu, this winter in Preveza. The last two in Greece it is dificult to get to Rijeka from Norway off-season.