For Kevin and Elizabeth King, life aboard a Leopard 50 wasn’t an overnight decision.
It was the result of more than a decade of sailing lessons, bareboat charters, offshore deliveries, boat shows, and careful planning. After building and selling a successful real estate business in Arkansas, the couple finally stepped into the next chapter of their lives: full-time cruising.
Today, they’re exploring the U.S. Virgin Islands aboard their Leopard 50, logging offshore miles, learning new skills, and proving that the dream of life afloat is possible with enough preparation, patience, and commitment.
How a Sailing Vacation Changed Everything
Like many cruisers, Kevin and Elizabeth’s story started with a charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands.
At the time, they were deeply involved in growing their real estate brokerage and managing rental properties, but they were already thinking about what retirement might look like.
“We fell in love with sailing on that very first trip.”
After returning home, they immediately began pursuing sailing education through ASA courses, bareboat charters, and offshore experience. Kevin volunteered on boat deliveries to build sea time, eventually earning his U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license.
Over the years, sailing evolved from a vacation activity into a long-term plan for the future.
Preparing for Life Aboard
Unlike many owners who jump aboard immediately, Kevin and Elizabeth spent years intentionally preparing for cruising life.
They chartered frequently, attended boat shows, crossed the Atlantic with friends, and continued building their sailing knowledge while managing their business and raising three children.
By the time they purchased their Leopard 50 at the 2018 Miami International Boat Show, cruising was no longer a dream. It was the next step.
“We bought our Leopard 50 in 2018 and finally took delivery in 2020. We’d been preparing for this lifestyle for years.”
Their youngest daughter, Caroline, even joined them aboard to complete part of her senior year of high school while cruising.
Finding the Right Boat
Kevin and Elizabeth didn’t originally expect to buy a Leopard.
Like many prospective owners, they spent years touring different catamarans and comparing layouts, features, and price points.
Everything changed when Leopard unveiled the Leopard 50.
“I remember waking Kevin up one morning when Leopard teased the Leopard 50 online and saying, ‘I just found the boat.'”
What immediately stood out was the combination of features they couldn’t find elsewhere.
They wanted:
- Four cabins
- A true owner’s suite
- A flybridge
- Excellent visibility
- Comfortable offshore performance
- Space for family and guests
The Leopard 50 checked every box.
Why They Chose the Leopard 50
After nearly a year aboard, the features they originally loved continue to be some of their favorites.
The Forward Cockpit
The forward cockpit was one of the first things that caught their attention.
“Once we stepped aboard and saw the forward cockpit, Leopard just started ticking boxes for us.”
Not only does it provide excellent airflow throughout the boat, but it also creates an entirely separate outdoor living space.
On hot Caribbean afternoons, the Kings often find themselves moving forward to enjoy the shade and breeze.
The Flybridge
The flybridge was another major selling point.
Whether enjoying morning coffee, entertaining guests, or relaxing after a day underway, it has become one of the most-used spaces aboard.
Visibility and Natural Light
Elizabeth particularly appreciates the Leopard 50’s windows.
“The windows are amazing. You can practically see 360 degrees from inside the boat.”
That visibility makes the interior feel bright, open, and connected to the surrounding environment.
Offshore Capability
Despite loading the boat with cruising gear, solar panels, tools, dive equipment, and spare parts, the Leopard 50 continues to impress them under sail.
“We’ve been very happy with the performance. The boat sails surprisingly well, even loaded for cruising.”
Learning to Cruise Full-Time
Since taking delivery, Kevin and Elizabeth have logged more than 2,700 nautical miles aboard their Leopard 50.
Their first major offshore passage took them from Charleston, South Carolina, to the U.S. Virgin Islands, a 10-day journey requiring extensive preparation and weather planning.
The experience reinforced something they’ve learned repeatedly throughout their sailing journey:
Preparation matters.
Provisioning, weather forecasting, backup systems, and redundancy all become increasingly important offshore.
“We probably spent almost as much time planning the passage as we did sailing it.”
Weather Routing and Passage Planning
One area where Elizabeth has become especially involved is weather forecasting and route planning.
Over time, she developed a collection of favorite tools and resources that help guide their decisions.
Among their most-used resources are:
- Tropical Tidbits
- PredictWind
- Windy
- MarineTraffic
- Aqua Map
- iNavX
- MyRadar
“During hurricane season, Tropical Tidbits became my morning routine.”
Understanding weather patterns, currents, and forecasts has become one of the most important aspects of cruising for the couple.
The Upgrades They Love Most
Like many owners, Kevin and Elizabeth customized their Leopard 50 to match their cruising style.
Several upgrades stand out as particularly valuable.
Lithium Batteries and Solar
One of the biggest upgrades was replacing the factory battery setup with:
- Six 300Ah lithium batteries
- More than 2,000 watts of solar
- Upgraded inverter systems
“The lithium and solar setup completely changed how we use the boat.”
The system dramatically reduces their dependence on shore power and generators while cruising.
Full Cockpit Enclosure
Originally planning to enclose only the helm, they eventually decided to enclose the entire aft cockpit.
After several offshore passages, they have no regrets.
“We’re so glad we enclosed the whole cockpit.”
Ice Maker
Surprisingly, Elizabeth’s favorite upgrade might be the simplest one.
“The ice maker is the MVP of the boat.”
Cruisers understand.
Navigation Station Conversion
One of their more creative modifications involved converting the navigation station into additional refrigeration and storage space.
“We never really used the traditional nav station, so converting it gave us significantly more usable space.”
Favorite Cruising Destinations So Far
Although their long-term goal is to eventually sail around the world, a few destinations already stand out.
Exuma Land and Sea Park, Bahamas
“It’s one of our all-time favorite places.”
Protected waters, incredible marine life, and stunning scenery make it a standout destination.
Culebrita, Puerto Rico
The tiny island of Culebrita also ranks near the top of their list thanks to its beaches, snorkeling, hiking trails, and remote feel.
Advice for Future Cruisers
When asked what advice they would give to aspiring cruisers, Kevin’s answer is immediate.
“Do it now.”
That doesn’t mean rushing into a purchase or abandoning preparation.
It means recognizing that the perfect time may never arrive.
“Even if it means starting with a smaller boat than you originally planned, start the journey sooner rather than later.”
Their other piece of advice?
Leave room in the budget.
“Boat bucks are real. Everything costs more than you think.”
After years of preparation and their first season of full-time cruising, Kevin and Elizabeth have no regrets.
For them, the slower pace, new friendships, constant learning, and freedom to explore make every challenge worthwhile.
While Kevin and Elizabeth cruise aboard a Leopard 50, sailors exploring today’s flagship Leopard sailing catamaran may also be interested in the Leopard 52.
More Ask a Leopard Owner Stories
For more firsthand cruising stories, owner experiences, and practical advice from Leopard owners around the world, visit the Ask a Leopard Owner hub.
