The much more generously glazed front of the cabin superstructure is particularly striking. However, the helm station remains raised to the side, and the layout for guiding the sheets, halyards and trim lines into the cockpit also retains the concept of the predecessor model. The flybridge lounge on the upper deck, on the other hand, will be larger with an additional bench seat and offer space for more people at a lofty height. The front cockpit, which is standard on Leopard Catamarans, is also built deeper into the structure of the new model and therefore offers more protection, even when under sail. The cockpit in the foredeck can still be accessed directly from the saloon via a watertight door.
Sporty and powerful sailing plan
The rig is positioned relatively far aft, roughly in the centre of the ship. Nevertheless, the sail plan with an overlapping genoa remains standard. A self-tacking jib is not provided. However, the mast is almost a metre higher than on the previous model and the sail area is around 12 percent larger. Together with the new hull design from the Simonis/Voogd Design studio, the new sail plan should provide significantly more performance and sportiness.
Further links on the topic
In the saloon, the Leopard 43 essentially adopts the layout of its predecessor. The L-shaped galley on the forward cabin bulkhead is particularly spacious. It not only offers ample work surfaces, but also plenty of storage space. The navigation is now installed transversely at the front and is also suitable as an inside helm position thanks to the clear view forwards in the direction of travel and into the sails.
Variants with three or four cabins are possible
The buyer has the choice of interior fittings in the hulls. The owner's version has two cabins and two heads on the port side and a long, separate master cabin on the starboard side with a desk, more storage space and a large bathroom including a shower in the foredeck. In the charter version, the hulls are identical, with a total of four cabins and four bathrooms. This variance corresponds to the norm within the cruising catamaran class with a hull length of 13 metres. Thanks to the new hull shape with more volume, especially in the forecastle, the new Leopard 43 now has more space for a larger double berth in the forward cabin. In the test of the predecessor model Leopard 42, the modest bunk dimensions in the forecastle were still criticised.
Premiere in Cannes in autumn
The Leopard 43 will also be included in the charter programmes of Moorings (under the name Moorings 4300) and Sunsail (as Sunsail 434) in the version with four double cabins and four heads. The world premiere of the Leopard 43 will take place in September 2026 at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The shipyard has also already announced an initial price range: the basic version of the boat will cost €599,000 net. This corresponds to a gross price (incl. 19% VAT) of 712,800 euros. This price includes a single set of Dacron sails.
Technical data Leopard 43
- Designer: Simonis/Voogd
- Hull length: 12.98 m
- Waterline length: 12.48 m
- Width: 4.80 m
- Draught: 1.50 m
- Weight (empty): 14,72 t
- Mast height above waterline: 21.61 m
- Mainsail standard: 72.8 m2
- Mainsail Squarehead: 76.6 m2
- Genoa: 53.0 m2
- Gennaker: 182.5 m2
- Code Zero: 70.4 m2
- Motorisation: 2 x Yanmar 4JH45 (33 kW / 45 hp)
- Fuel capacity: 600 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 660 litres
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
