Aboard the Leopard 53 Powercat, there is plenty of room to imagine bringing company. The flybridge, aft cockpit, and open living spaces offer several places to gather — or find a little distance from the rest of the group.
We sat down with the Leopard Catamarans team to discuss the refreshed 53 Powercat, the differences between power and sailing models, and how owners choose a boat around the time they actually plan to spend aboard.
The conversation moved from layouts and handling to a question every prospective owner eventually faces: where do you want to go, and who is coming with you?
Can you tell us a little about Leopard and what makes your boats special?
Leopard Catamarans are built in Cape Town and are known for their offshore-capable construction, innovative design, and highly livable interiors. Designed by naval architects Simonis & Voogd and built using resin-infused hulls, they deliver stability, seaworthiness, and efficient performance for long-distance cruising. Distinctive features that make our yachts special are our signature forward-facing salon door, dedicated lounge areas, and open-plan layouts that create excellent flow, ventilation, and comfort onboard. Practical helm stations support single-handed sailing, and design choices are influenced by decades of use in demanding charter and offshore environments. The ease of maintenance, combined with our reputation for reliability, contributes to Leopard’s consistently strong resale value.
What is the difference between your power catamarans and sailing catamarans?
The difference comes down to cruising style. Power catamarans prioritize propulsion under power for consistent speed and simplicity, while sailing catamarans combine wind and engines for owners who enjoy the sailing experience along with motoring capability when needed—for example, in light winds or when coming into the dock.
You have several models here—which one do people get most excited about and why?
At the moment, the Leopard 53 Powercat is what all the excitement is about. The recent refresh introduced substantial changes to the aft cockpit and flybridge, updated interior furniture, and a more cohesive flow through the yacht that significantly improves how the space is used. The changes make the boat feel more open and more comfortable, while still delivering the performance, efficiency, and ease of use powercat owners value. It’s the evolution of a proven platform, and the refinements are just super exciting!
What kind of lifestyle are people buying into when they choose a Leopard boat?
People who own a Leopard aren’t just buying into a cruising lifestyle. They’re joining a community of like-minded owners who value time, experiences, and exploring the world by water. Leopard owners tend to be people who actively use their boats and want to get out there and see the world’s most remote destinations rather than just look at them online. It’s a mindset around making the most of time on the water, cruising with confidence, and owning a boat that supports that sense of freedom. That creates a connection between owners, the brand, and the experiences that come with it.
What makes catamarans a good choice compared to other types of boats?
The wide beam creates generous living space, with separate areas for relaxing, entertaining, and spending longer periods aboard.
Efficiency and draft are also important considerations, although both depend on the model, loading, speed, and conditions. For owners interested in destinations such as the Bahamas, a relatively shallow draft can expand their anchoring options.
Widely spaced twin engines also help with maneuvering in close quarters. The combination of space, handling, and cruising capability is what attracts many buyers to a catamaran.
For someone new to boating, which model would you recommend starting with?
The Leopard 40 Powercat is a useful starting point for someone considering our power range. From there, the right size depends on your experience, cruising plans, and willingness to develop the skills needed to handle a larger vessel. The question should ultimately come down to: What do you want to do with your yacht, how much time will you spend aboard, and how many people will you need space for? Once you answer those questions, it’s all about comfort and cost!
What is one feature on your boats that people really love?
One feature people love is our forward access door, available on both our sailing and powercat models. When open at anchor, it offers superior ventilation and creates a natural flow from the galley, through the saloon, and onto the forward deck.
On our powercats, the flybridge is another standout feature. Leopard offers some of the most spacious and well-designed flybridges in each class, which owners love for both cruising and entertaining.
On our sailing catamarans, sailors appreciate that they are true bluewater boats, with powerful sail plans and an overlapping genoa that rewards those who genuinely enjoy sailing performance.
Where do most owners like to take these boats — cruising, living onboard, or something else?
What we love about our owners is that there is no “customer profile” or single use case. Owners use our yachts in so many different ways. Some cruise locally, some spend winters in the Bahamas or the Caribbean and summers in places like the Mediterranean. Others take their boats much farther, including extended offshore passages and full circumnavigations—Leopard catamarans have sailed across every ocean and reached every continent.
At the same time, they’re just as well suited to coastal cruising and seasonal liveaboard use, whether that’s island-hopping in the Bahamas, exploring the Med, or cruising destinations like Tahiti and Southeast Asia. That versatility, from coastal cruising to serious bluewater passagemaking, is what makes our yachts appealing to a broad range of owners.
What has made the Leopard 53 Powercat such an important model for the brand?
The Leopard 53 Powercat has been a breakout model since its introduction, earning industry recognition, including awards such as Southern Boating’s Readers’ Choice. That reputation set a strong foundation, which is why the recent refresh has generated so much attention. When you take an already award-winning, well-proven yacht and refine the onboard experience, people notice.
The most useful question in our conversation was also the simplest: how will you use the boat?
A weekend with guests, a season living aboard, and an extended passage place different demands on a yacht. Leopard’s power and sailing ranges give buyers several ways to approach that decision.
Aboard the refreshed 53 Powercat, the emphasis on shared living spaces is clear. The next step is deciding whether those spaces suit your crew—and the places you want to take them.
View the power and sailing ranges at Leopard Catamarans.