Watch the full Ask a Leopard Owner webinar with Antoine and Alex as they share their experience living aboard a Leopard 50, crossing the Atlantic with young children, and creating a life centered around travel, sailing, and family adventure.
Most people talk about sailing around the world someday.
Antoine and Alex decided not to wait.
After finding the right Leopard 50 on the brokerage market, they left their careers in Sydney, moved aboard with their two young children, and set off on an adventure that has already taken them from Northern Europe across the Atlantic and throughout the Caribbean.
Their journey has included offshore passages, homeschooling, major boat upgrades, and more unforgettable experiences than they ever expected. Along the way, they’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and why the Leopard 50 has been the perfect platform for their cruising lifestyle.
Why They Chose the Leopard 50
Antoine and Alex first stepped aboard a Leopard 50 at the Sydney International Boat Show and immediately knew it was different.
“When we stepped aboard, we felt like, wow, this is a dream boat.”
The space, natural light, and open layout stood out immediately. With plans to eventually cruise long-term as a family, comfort and livability were just as important as sailing performance.
For Antoine, who stands 6’4″, headroom mattered as well.
“We found the Leopard 50 was a great balance. It offered the space and comfort we wanted without giving up sailing performance.”
Comfort wasn’t the only factor. Safety was equally important.
Sailing with two young children meant choosing a boat that felt secure offshore while remaining practical for everyday life. The stable catamaran platform, protected living areas, and Leopard’s signature forward cockpit all played a role in their decision.
“The front door is a game changer. It’s better for airflow, comfort, and safety, especially when you’re sailing with kids.”
They initially planned to wait longer before making the leap, but when the right Leopard 50 became available, plans changed quickly.
“We found one that had everything we wanted at a price we could afford, and we thought, let’s just do it.”
Leaving Sydney and Taking the Leap
Like many future cruisers, Antoine and Alex originally envisioned this lifestyle as something that would happen much later in life.
Then the pandemic changed their perspective.
Being separated from family for long periods forced them to rethink what they wanted their future to look like.
“You can always make excuses not to do it. We decided it was the right time and just went for it.”
The timing made sense professionally as well. Both felt they were at a natural point in their careers where taking a break was possible, and they wanted their children to experience the world while they were still young.
What began as a dream quickly became reality.
Within a matter of months, they had packed up their lives, purchased a Leopard 50, and started preparing for their first major offshore passages.
From Denmark to the Caribbean
Their Leopard 50 journey began in Denmark, where they took delivery of the boat before beginning a route that would eventually carry them across an ocean.
From Northern Europe, they sailed through Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, Madeira, and the Canary Islands before joining the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) for the crossing to the Caribbean.
After 19 days at sea, they arrived in St. Lucia.
Since then, they have explored the Caribbean extensively, cruising through the Grenadines, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
One of the biggest surprises wasn’t the sailing itself.
It was how difficult it became to stop moving.
“Every place we reached made us want to see the next one.”
Like many cruisers, they discovered there is always another island, another harbor, and another experience just over the horizon.
What It’s Really Like Sailing with Kids
One of the most common questions they receive is what life aboard is actually like with young children.
When they left, their children were seven and three years old. Today, they couldn’t imagine the journey without them.
“The Atlantic crossing was actually much easier than we expected.”
The Leopard 50’s layout has helped make family life afloat surprisingly manageable. The protected forward cockpit, wide decks, and spacious living areas give the children room to move while allowing their parents to keep an eye on them.
The family decided not to install safety nets, something that often surprises other sailors.
“The kids understood the rules very quickly and learned the boundaries of the boat.”
On passage days, life revolves around activities, learning, and routine.
Paddleboards, snorkeling, board games, cooking, helping with boat projects, and simply exploring new places keep everyone engaged.
Of course, not everything is easy.
“The biggest challenge has probably been school.”
Homeschooling requires flexibility, especially when there’s a turtle in the water or a new beach waiting to be explored.
Fortunately, the cruising community has helped fill another common concern: friendships.
Through cruising networks, family meetups, and other boats traveling similar routes, their children regularly connect with kids from around the world.
Favorite Leopard 50 Features
After thousands of miles aboard, a few Leopard 50 features continue to stand out.
The Forward Cockpit
The forward cockpit has become one of the most-used areas aboard.
It offers protection from the elements, excellent airflow, and a safe place for both adults and children to relax while underway or at anchor.
“The front door is a game changer.”
Whether someone needs fresh air, wants to relax with a book, or simply wants another place to gather, the forward cockpit sees constant use.
The Flybridge Lounge
The flybridge lounge was one of the features that originally attracted them to the Leopard 50.
Today, it’s still one of their favorite places onboard.
“When we first got aboard the Leopard 50, we looked at the flybridge and thought, wow.”
It’s become a gathering place for sunset drinks, meals, passage watches, and family time.
The Helm Position
They are also big fans of Leopard’s helm configuration.
Unlike designs that place the helm far from the rest of the boat, Leopard’s position allows the person steering to remain connected to everything happening onboard.
“You’re still connected to the rest of the boat, but you still have excellent visibility and control.”
Upgrading the Leopard 50 for Full-Time Cruising
Before leaving Europe, Antoine spent significant time upgrading the boat to support long-term cruising.
The goal was simple:
“We wanted to make ourselves as self-sufficient as possible.”
The family converted the galley to an all-electric setup using induction cooking and electric appliances.
They also upgraded the boat with:
- 20kWh lithium battery bank
- More than 3kW of solar capacity
- 48-volt electrical system
- Upgraded inverter and charging systems
The result is significantly greater independence and reduced reliance on marinas and generators.
“Most of our daily power consumption is now supported by solar.”
Provisioning for an Atlantic Crossing
Crossing an ocean with two children changes how you think about food storage.
Over time, Antoine and Alex developed a series of practical provisioning strategies that made long passages easier and more efficient.
Their recommendations include:
- Remove cardboard packaging before departure
- Vacuum seal meat whenever possible
- Wash produce with vinegar and water
- Label canned goods
- Carry a mix of fresh, frozen, and canned foods
- Learn proper produce storage techniques
“You should always have multiple options, because you never know what might happen offshore.”
They’ve also embraced homemade bread, yogurt, and other foods that reduce refrigeration needs while maximizing storage capacity.
Lessons Learned Along the Way
If they could go back and give themselves advice before departure, both agree on one thing:
Learn every system on your boat before leaving.
“Spend time understanding how everything works before you go.”
Electrical systems, watermakers, engines, navigation electronics, and maintenance procedures are all much easier to understand when you’re still close to shore-based support.
Once you’re halfway across an ocean, troubleshooting becomes much more complicated.
Their second lesson?
Slow down.
“We’d probably spend more time in each place if we were doing it again.”
The desire to see everything can sometimes distract from fully experiencing where you are.
Advice for Future Cruisers
For anyone considering a similar adventure, Antoine and Alex offer simple advice.
“Try before you buy.”
Spend time aboard different boats. Learn what works for your family. Understand your cruising goals.
Most importantly, don’t wait forever for the perfect moment.
There will always be reasons to postpone.
There will always be another obligation, another expense, or another excuse.
“You can always make excuses not to do it.”
Sometimes the best adventures start when you stop waiting and simply take the leap.
More Ask a Leopard Owner Stories
For more firsthand cruising stories and owner experiences from Leopard owners around the world, visit the Ask a Leopard Owner hub.
