For Andy and Maki, life aboard a Leopard 45 didn’t begin with years of sailing experience or a lifelong cruising plan.
It started with a simple question while sitting on a beach in Southern California watching sailboats pass in the distance.
“Do you have to be rich to go sailing?”
That question sparked a journey that would eventually lead the couple, along with their twin boys, from careers in Los Angeles and entrepreneurship to full-time life aboard a Leopard 45.
In this edition of Ask a Leopard Owner, Andy and Maki share how they made the transition, what they learned along the way, and why they’ve never looked back.
How a Day at the Beach Changed Everything
Before boat life, Andy and Maki lived a very different life.
Andy worked in film entertainment at Walt Disney Studios, while Maki built a successful career in the skincare industry. Together they eventually launched their own organic skincare company, growing it into an international business serving customers in more than a dozen countries.
Life was busy. Very busy.
“For 13 years, we worked six to seven days a week.”
After moving from Los Angeles to San Clemente to raise their boys near the ocean, they found themselves spending more time at the beach and watching sailboats offshore.
Curiosity led them to join a sailing association, take lessons, and begin spending time on the water as a family.
“That’s when we really fell in love with the idea of sailing.”
What started as a hobby quickly became something much bigger.
Choosing Adventure Before It Was Too Late
Like many cruising families, Andy and Maki initially assumed a life of travel and sailing would happen someday in the future.
Then they took a family trip to South Florida.
Sitting on a warm beach while their boys played in the sand, they found themselves having honest conversations about work, family, and the pace of life.
“We realized our kids were getting older, and we were spending so much time working. Life was moving very fast.”
Soon after, they visited a Leopard dealer in Fort Lauderdale.
There wasn’t even a Leopard 45 available to tour that day.
Instead, they spent hours dreaming about what life might look like aboard a catamaran.
“We sat there imagining what it would be like if one of these boats was ours.”
When they learned a Leopard 45 would be available approximately two years later, they made a decision.
“Life is short. We’re never going to get ages seven, eight, nine, and ten back with our boys.”
They signed the contract and committed to making the dream a reality.
Building the Dream Before the Boat Arrived
The two-year wait turned out to be an advantage.
Rather than rushing into boat ownership, the family used the time intentionally.
They sold their company, downsized their lifestyle, rented out their home, and began preparing for life aboard.
A world map went up on the wall.
The family started discussing destinations, adventures, and future cruising plans.
“The boys were determined that we needed to find pirate treasure somewhere in the world.”
When the Leopard 45 finally arrived in Fort Lauderdale after a 22-month wait, the moment was unforgettable.
“It felt surreal to see our boat sitting on the dock after all that planning.”
Learning to Sail as a Family
One of the most encouraging aspects of Andy and Maki’s story is that they weren’t experienced sailors before beginning this journey.
Their message to future owners is simple:
“Anybody can do this.”
Rather than focusing on thousands of miles of experience, they focused on education and building confidence.
They joined sailing associations, volunteered as crew on deliveries, took classes, studied navigation, and spent as much time on the water as possible.
They also brought in professional help.
“One of the best decisions we ever made was hiring a captain to help us learn the boat and build confidence.”
For Andy, experience came through time on the water.
For Maki, learning happened through repetition and practice.
Together, they gradually developed the skills needed to manage the boat safely and confidently.
Why They Chose a Leopard 45
After several years of attending boat shows and comparing different catamarans, the family kept returning to Leopard.
The reasons were surprisingly consistent.
“We continually came back to Leopard because of the build quality and the safety features.”
The forward cockpit immediately stood out.
“The forward cockpit is one of our favorite features. You can make a coffee in the morning and sit there looking out at the ocean.”
For Andy, safety was equally important.
The forward cockpit created a secure place where the boys could safely enjoy wildlife sightings, dolphins, and life at sea without venturing onto the side decks.
The family also loved the layout, helm station, and living space.
“Every line comes back to the helm. I can do everything on the boat from one place.”
While the Leopard 45 is no longer in production, sailors exploring today’s Leopard sailing catamaran lineup may also be interested in the Leopard 46.
From First-Time Owners to 3,500 Nautical Miles
After taking delivery, the family made a deliberate decision not to rush into offshore passages.
Instead, they spent months cruising the U.S. East Coast and Chesapeake Bay.
The goal wasn’t adventure.
It was confidence.
Short passages between Norfolk, Deltaville, Annapolis, and other Chesapeake destinations allowed them to practice navigation, docking, anchoring, weather routing, and daily boat operations.
“We wanted to become as comfortable as possible with the boat.”
By gradually increasing passage lengths and complexity, the family accumulated more than 3,500 nautical miles during their first year aboard.
Raising and Homeschooling Twin Boys Aboard
One of the most common questions they receive is about homeschooling and life aboard with children.
For Andy and Maki, the answer is overwhelmingly positive.
“The learning opportunities are endless.”
Traditional school lessons continue, but now they’re complemented by real-world experiences.
Weather systems become science lessons.
Navigation becomes math.
New countries become geography and history.
The family also discovered a thriving community of cruising families that regularly connect throughout the Caribbean and beyond.
“There are kid boats everywhere.”
Apps, social groups, and cruising networks make it easier than ever for children living aboard to form friendships and create their own communities.
“It’s one of the best ways to bond as a family.”
Outfitting the Boat for Long-Term Cruising
To prepare for extended cruising, Andy and Maki focused on two priorities: water and power.
They added solar panels and a watermaker before departing Fort Lauderdale.
“When you’re going to travel long distances, power and water become really important.”
Over time, they also added enclosures, upgraded safety equipment, improved anchoring systems, and made smaller modifications based on real-world experience.
One lesson they’ve learned is to avoid trying to solve every problem before leaving.
“You don’t need every upgrade immediately. Learn how you use the boat first.”
Advice for Future Cruising Families
If Andy and Maki could offer one piece of advice to someone considering life aboard, it would be simple:
Take action.
“Dreams stay dreams unless you put a timeline on them.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean buying a boat tomorrow.
It means taking classes, joining a sailing club, spending time on the water, attending boat shows, and gradually building confidence.
Most importantly, it means recognizing that there may never be a perfect time.
“Just do it. Buy the boat that you love and go for it.”
Years after asking whether sailing was something ordinary families could even do, Andy and Maki found their answer.
Not only can it be done, but for their family, it became the adventure of a lifetime.
More Ask a Leopard Owner Stories
For more firsthand cruising stories, owner experiences, and practical advice from Leopard owners around the world, explore the Ask a Leopard Owner hub.
