The new Leopard 45!

[RELENTLESS 1]

The Admiral and I were at Miami, spent 4 days crawling over every Cat there in the 40-45 range multiple times.
We live in CA, semi-retired, want to do the Ditch, NE, then Carib and maybe on to Mexico...
We had finally settled on the Leopard 44, loved the forward 'lounge', decent tankage and reasonable compromises in weight, draft, etc.
When I saw the 45 I showed the Admiral and we both loved the new FP styling - just the truth and we thought maybe we will buy new instead of a year or so old.
Then we went to the spec's and we saw 18 TONS!!! with a nearly 5 foot DRAFT!
What were they thinking The web page says 'listening..to continuous feedback from our cruising customers" ...wait let me get this straight YOU heard we wanted an overweight boat that has to anchor out with the Mono's? Why? Because they feel lonely? .
CRAP - now it is either a older 44 or an FP 44. We wanted that forward lounge and FP only has the nice pad area - where the hell do you store those on passage?? But at least at only 10 Tons I can carry a bit more stuff, and get there a few days sooner.

[SVNeko]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

To Leopard.

Haha ... and pray tell why is it that Leopard don't care how much their boats weigh?


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[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by SVNeko

Haha ... and pray tell why is it that Leopard don't care how much their boats weigh?


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Because they don't produce them for weight conscious sailors. It's not their market.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Red Herring

Because they don't produce them for weight conscious sailors. It's not their market.

Fixed. Little or no point buying a sailing boat that wont sail.

[rallyman1122]

Pretty disappointing so much extra weight on the new 45. Weighs almost as much as the 48, and that boat is no lightweight either. The Helga 44 weighs almost 13000 lbs less. I accept that manufacturer supplied weight can be overly optimistic but that difference is outrageous.

Plus missing out on any real technical innovations like the new and lighter wiring loom from the latest Power Cat. And the extra draft as well? Not impressed. It's obvious the new 45 is built for the charter market and not for those that want to sail any real distances.

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[Sketchy Pete]

I'll just stick with a locally designed product and have it built with my own changes to suit my requirements. Lagoon and Leopard can't get close to the weight or speed.

[WWV]

New Promotional video from Leopard....

https://youtu.be/8QMBYOXS3o8

https://youtu.be/8QMBYOXS3o8

[peterp]

Looks very smart, bit on the heavy side, wonder how well it sails. When I have checked out the Leapards I have always thought they have a good practical design with good access to things like the electronic panel, batteries etc they have had a solid bimini top for some time (Lagoon have only just introduced this feature) I have always liked the helm setup and presentation except for the main negative cannot see the port foreward hull when mooring, be interesting to see if this problem is still in the new 45.

[sheldon957]

I like this boat! Wonder about room for more batteries, tools, watermakers etc..

[rallyman1122]

Originally Posted by rallyman1122

Pretty disappointing so much extra weight on the new 45. Weighs almost as much as the 48, and that boat is no lightweight either. The Helia 44 weighs almost 13000 lbs less. I accept that manufacturer supplied weight can be overly optimistic but that difference is outrageous.

Plus missing out on any real technical innovations like the new and lighter wiring loom from the latest Power Cat. And the extra draft as well? Not impressed. It's obvious the new 45 is built for the charter market and not for those that want to sail any real distances.

Sent from my ME173X using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

Seems the weight difference may not be as much as I first thought. I have found the weight for the Helia 44 at varying weights from a light ship weight of 10.5 tonnes to a displacement of 34,612 lbs

The Leopard site lists the displacement of the new 45 as 31967 lbs.

I watched the two videos posted and as am currently planning to be in Annapolis, am looking forward to see the new 45.

[peterp]

Originally Posted by rallyman1122

Seems the weight difference may not be as much as I first thought. I have found the weight for the Helia 44 at varying weights from a light ship weight of 10.5 tonnes to a displacement of 34,612 lbs

The Leopard site lists the displacement of the new 45 as 31967 lbs.

I watched the two videos posted and as am currently planning to be in Annapolis, am looking forward to see the new 45.

Rallyman keep us posted on your thoughts when you see it, and maybe check out what it draws and it's actual weight.

[RELENTLESS 1]

I have been in contact with Leopard and they report 31,967 as the 'weight'. I wonder if the earlier 36,200 (18.2 T) is the 'optioned' version with Gen, AC, Water maker etc. or ?

[peterp]

Originally Posted by Dawntreader2

I have been in contact with Leopard and they report 31,967 as the 'weight'. I wonder if the earlier 36,200 (18.2 T) is the 'optioned' version with Gen, AC, Water maker etc. or ?

I find it frustrating trying to figure out the correct data for the different models on offer, I have listed below a copy of specs from the Leopard 45, Lagoon 45S, Helia 44, and the Nautetech Open 46. Weight and draught is important particularly draught for me, I do like the new Leopard 45 and on my short list to replace my Lagoon 400, however the draught and weight on the Leopard 45 is the worst out of those I have listed below, the Helia 44 is a standout. But what is the actual weight minus fluids of a standard craft is it light displacement?, unloaded weight? one would assume the latter then add extra's such as gen set fluids etc to arrive at a comparison weight when considering the pro's and cons of the different models. In the aviation industry a light aircraft has a certified empty weight of say 1800 lbs and has a certified max take off weight of 2800 lbs so the usefull load for my example (a aircraft I used to own and fly) is 1000 lbs that can be made up of POB, bags, and fuel, it gets a bit more complicated with weight and balance, however my point is the data listed by the catamaran manufacturers is somewhat vague, or maybe with a catamaran these figures are not that important???

Leopard 45
LOA (hull length) 13,70 m
LWL (Length Waterline) 13.10 m
width 7.37 m
Draught 1.47 m
weight 16.4 t
motorization 2 x Yanmar 45 hp
capacity fuel 700 l
Capacity solution 780 l
Capacity gray water tank 170 l
construction Simonis-Voogd Yacht Design

Lagoon 45
Architects Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost
Interior design Nauta Design
Length over all 13,96m / 45'10''
Beam 7,87m / 25'10''
Draft 1,30m / 4'3''
Mast clearance 22,33m / 73'3''
Light displacement (EEC) 15,00t / 33075 Lbs
Sail area 130 m² / 1399 sq.ft.
Full-batten mainsail 79 m² / 850 sq.ft.
Square top mainsail (opt.) 81 m² / 872 sq.ft.
Furling genoa 51 m² / 549 sq.ft.
Code 0 (opt.) 93 m² / 1001 sq.ft.
Engine (std) 2 x 45 cv YANMAR 4JH45 / 2 x 45 hp YANMAR 4JH45
Fuel capacity 2 x 520 l / 2 x 137 Lbs
Fresh water capacity 2 x 175 l / 2 x 46 US gal
No. Of berths 6 to 12
EC certification A :12 ; B :14 ; C : 20 ; D: 30

Nautetech open 46 Fly
Length overall 13,71 m Length waterline 13,79 m Beam overall 7,54 m Draught 1,45 m
Unloaded weight (approx.) 11,4 t Engine, drive Diesel, Saildrive Engine power 2 x 40 hp Volvo Penta
Fuel tank (approx.) 2 x 300 l
Water tank (approx.) 2 x 300 l
Cabins - Heads, standard 3 to 4 Berths, standard version 8 to 12 Mainsail, standard (approx.) 69 sqm Height of mast above water line (approx.) 22,9 m Self-tacking jib, standard (approx.) 38 sqm

Helia 44
Length Overall: 13.25 m / 43.50 ft
Beam: 7.40 m / 24.30 ft
Draft: 1.15m / 3.80 ft
Air Draft: 20.44m
Displacement: 10.8 tonnes (unloaded)
Main Sail Area: 70 m² / 753 sq ft
Genoa Area: 45 m² / 484 sq ft
Engines: 2 x 40 hp - larger optional
Fuel/Diesel: 1 x 470 litre - larger optional
Freshwater: 2 x 375 litre - larger optional
Architects: Berret Racoupeau

[rallyman1122]

@peterb I agree it very difficult to determine the actual numbers for comparison. It gets worse where the Leopard dealer closet me quotes different draft numbers and weights than the website. Of course the website is for Leopard USA and my local dealer is in Western Canada but I am pretty sure a foot's 12 inches in each country.

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[aclmck]

Originally Posted by peterp

I find it frustrating trying to figure out the correct data for the different models on offer, I have listed below a copy of specs from the Leopard 45, Lagoon 45S, Helia 44, and the Nautetech Open 46. Weight and draught is important particularly draught for me, I do like the new Leopard 45 and on my short list to replace my Lagoon 400, however the draught and weight on the Leopard 45 is the worst out of those I have listed below, the Helia 44 is a standout. But what is the actual weight minus fluids of a standard craft is it light displacement?, unloaded weight? one would assume the latter then add extra's such as gen set fluids etc to arrive at a comparison weight when considering the pro's and cons of the different models. In the aviation industry a light aircraft has a certified empty weight of say 1800 lbs and has a certified max take off weight of 2800 lbs so the usefull load for my example (a aircraft I used to own and fly) is 1000 lbs that can be made up of POB, bags, and fuel, it gets a bit more complicated with weight and balance, however my point is the data listed by the catamaran manufacturers is somewhat vague, or maybe with a catamaran these figures are not that important???

Leopard 45
LOA (hull length) 13,70 m
LWL (Length Waterline) 13.10 m
width 7.37 m
Draught 1.47 m
weight 16.4 t
motorization 2 x Yanmar 45 hp
capacity fuel 700 l
Capacity solution 780 l
Capacity gray water tank 170 l
construction Simonis-Voogd Yacht Design

Lagoon 45
Architects Van Peteghem-Lauriot Prévost
Interior design Nauta Design
Length over all 13,96m / 45'10''
Beam 7,87m / 25'10''
Draft 1,30m / 4'3''
Mast clearance 22,33m / 73'3''
Light displacement (EEC) 15,00t / 33075 Lbs
Sail area 130 m² / 1399 sq.ft.
Full-batten mainsail 79 m² / 850 sq.ft.
Square top mainsail (opt.) 81 m² / 872 sq.ft.
Furling genoa 51 m² / 549 sq.ft.
Code 0 (opt.) 93 m² / 1001 sq.ft.
Engine (std) 2 x 45 cv YANMAR 4JH45 / 2 x 45 hp YANMAR 4JH45
Fuel capacity 2 x 520 l / 2 x 137 Lbs
Fresh water capacity 2 x 175 l / 2 x 46 US gal
No. Of berths 6 to 12
EC certification A :12 ; B :14 ; C : 20 ; D: 30

Nautetech open 46 Fly
Length overall 13,71 m Length waterline 13,79 m Beam overall 7,54 m Draught 1,45 m
Unloaded weight (approx.) 11,4 t Engine, drive Diesel, Saildrive Engine power 2 x 40 hp Volvo Penta
Fuel tank (approx.) 2 x 300 l
Water tank (approx.) 2 x 300 l
Cabins - Heads, standard 3 to 4 Berths, standard version 8 to 12 Mainsail, standard (approx.) 69 sqm Height of mast above water line (approx.) 22,9 m Self-tacking jib, standard (approx.) 38 sqm

Helia 44
Length Overall: 13.25 m / 43.50 ft
Beam: 7.40 m / 24.30 ft
Draft: 1.15m / 3.80 ft
Air Draft: 20.44m
Displacement: 10.8 tonnes (unloaded)
Main Sail Area: 70 m² / 753 sq ft
Genoa Area: 45 m² / 484 sq ft
Engines: 2 x 40 hp - larger optional
Fuel/Diesel: 1 x 470 litre - larger optional
Freshwater: 2 x 375 litre - larger optional
Architects: Berret Racoupeau

Hi PeterP ,

i have found a lot of theses stated weights are for the bare boat with standard tanks 50%full, then they have a fully laden figure which for most 45 ft boats is around 4-4.5 tones this is where it is all a bit sticky so the load carrying needs to allow for all the extras, this includes tanks,cushions, electronics ,sails (extra like code 0 etc) and a whole bunch of other stuff even down to the weight of the davits on some models, so the 4-4.5 tonne may come down to 2 -2.5 tonnes in the end, it would be helpful if they all stated the boat weight with another weight which is the maximum designed weight the craft can carry. then give a chart of all the weights of options available , give a maximum weight of dinghy on the davits etc but they don't and i like you get frustrated with this, i have asked for details of these and have differing weights from differing dealers around the world , i have actually phoned the lagoon office in france but they had no idea what the boat (new 42)actually consisted of weight wise, interesting enough many of the boats being hoisted by crane are all well over the designed weight some by up to 25% but some of that can be put down to cruising mode but still way in excess of the designed weight stated in brochures but of 4 i have seen all were floating well inside the waterline so its certainly hard to figure all of it out.