Liveaboard Leopard 38/39 Experience anyone?

[CapnR]

Anyone have log term liveaboard experience on a Leopard 38/39? We love the galley layout and the owners version sleeping arrangements, but I am a bit concerned about storage space of water toys, scuba gear, dive compressor and a water-maker.

[MikeFergie]

Not sure of the 38 or 39 year ??
Ask on the Leopard yahoo forum where most Leopard activities are on the Leopard Facebook page.

I have a Leopard 40 late 2009 model with the steps still on the front windows. An owners version. I will be living on it full time next year and have been getting her ready the past 3 years. I have a spectra watermaker and scuba compressor and in my travels so far it’s great for 4 . 6 gets busy unless you are 1 family

[RickG]

We've seen them on the US East Coast, Bahamas, and the Virgin Islands. Many are former charter boats. All we have seen have been couples with occasional guests. As full-time monohull cruisers, the Leopard 39 owner's version is actually one we have seriously considered.

Cheers, RickG

[Privleoplag]

yup.. kind of long term.. spend 6 months every winter on a 39. Most of the 39's are owners versions. Have never seen a 38 owners version.
quite a bit of space for a little boat. we love it. but, it's a boat so easy to love. Lot's of good stuff on a leopard, best wiring, great helm, good sailor, little draft, easy boat to do upgrades if you ask me mainly because the wiring and access to everything is first rate.
There's room for toys... especially if you put in a water maker and get rid of one of the 100 gallon water tanks. the 39 is good good.

[FlyingScot]

Starting around 1998 R&C built approx. 64 Leopard 38's.
In 2010 Leopard built approximately 62 new model 38's.
In 2011 Leopard starting building newly renamed 39 (38 with some changes). Total of approx. 126 sail cats + approx. 34 model 39PC's (Power Cat) built.

What I like about Leopards, decent sailing, easy to upgrade, better than avg. wiring and build quality. Big lockers too.

The SA/D isn't as good on the 38/39 as compared to some other models. Everything is a compromise.

[Trvlmedic]

CapnR,

I cannot say enough great things about my 2000 Leopard 38 but don't want to bore the other members of this forum. I purchased her two years ago and have been sailing the Sea of Cortez to get familiar with her better. 10 months ago I began my circumnavigation. Having first started sailing in 1974 and purchased my first multihull in 1985, and raced all of them; I did significant research. All I can say is you can't go wrong. Please feel free to PM me with any specific questions that I can help with.

Don
S/V Bonzai

[CapnR]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. Time to get serious in this search I guess.