When the Leopard 51 Powercat reached the milestone of more than 100 yachts built and sold, it marked an important moment not only for Leopard Catamarans but for the growing powercat market.
Introduced in 2013, the Leopard 51 PC quickly established itself as one of the most successful powercats in the Leopard fleet. Designed by Simonis Voogd Yacht Design in collaboration with Robertson & Caine, the model brought together the space and stability catamaran owners loved with the performance, range and convenience of a power yacht.
Years later, the Leopard 51 PC remains an important part of Leopard’s powercat legacy — and for buyers interested in the model today, pre-owned Leopard 51 PCs may be available through Leopard Brokerage.
To celebrate the model that helped shape Leopard’s powercat lineup, here are 10 facts about the Leopard 51 PC and a look at how its influence continues in today’s Leopard Powercat range.
10 Facts About the Leopard 51 PC
1. The Leopard 51 PC was the first Leopard Powercat designed by Simonis Voogd Yacht Design.
The partnership helped establish a new generation of Leopard Powercats and contributed to the design direction of the models that followed.
2. The Leopard 51 PC offered an exceptionally spacious flybridge.
One of the model’s defining features was its expansive flybridge, creating another outdoor living and entertaining space with excellent visibility from the helm.
3. The flybridge could be enclosed for additional comfort.
Owners could add protection from the elements, making the upper deck more comfortable across a wider variety of cruising conditions.
4. The Leopard 51 PC became a favorite among delivery skippers.
Its combination of comfort, reliability and long-distance cruising capability helped earn the model a strong reputation among those who spent significant time underway.
5. A shallow draft opened up more cruising possibilities.
With a draft of approximately three feet, the Leopard 51 PC could access anchorages and cruising grounds that may be difficult for deeper-draft motor yachts of a similar size.
6. Efficiency was an important part of the design.
The Leopard 51 PC was designed to deliver the range and fuel efficiency that make power catamarans particularly attractive for extended cruising.
7. The Leopard 51 PC found owners around the world.
The success of the model extended well beyond Leopard’s traditional markets, helping demonstrate the growing international appeal of power catamarans.
8. Leisure powercats were still a relatively young segment when the Leopard 51 PC arrived.
Recreational power catamarans only began gaining significant attention in the 1990s. By the time the Leopard 51 PC debuted in 2013, the category was growing — and Leopard helped push it further into the mainstream.
9. The Leopard 51 PC became the first Leopard Powercat to reach 100 yachts sold.
Crossing the 100-yacht mark represented a major milestone for the model and demonstrated just how much demand for power catamarans had grown.
10. The Leopard 51 PC helped set the stage for the next generation of Leopard Powercats.
Many of the qualities that made the 51 PC appealing — spacious outdoor living areas, efficient performance, shallow draft and comfortable accommodations — continue to influence the Leopard Powercat lineup today.
Looking for a Leopard 51 PC Today?
Although the Leopard 51 PC is no longer part of the new-boat lineup, its popularity means buyers can still find opportunities to own one on the pre-owned market.
Leopard Brokerage offers used Leopard Catamarans, including Leopard 51 PCs when inventory is available. Buying through Leopard Brokerage also gives prospective owners the opportunity to work with a team that knows Leopard models and their history.
For buyers who love what the Leopard 51 PC offers but are considering a new Powercat, today’s Leopard lineup provides options on either side of the 51-foot range.
Meet the Next Generation of Leopard Powercats
For buyers looking for something a little smaller, the Leopard 46 Powercat brings the modern Leopard Powercat experience into a more manageable footprint. With generous indoor-outdoor living spaces, a spacious flybridge and accommodations designed for cruising, the Leopard 46 PC is an appealing option for owners who want the benefits of a powercat without moving into the 50-foot-plus range.
For those looking for more space, the Leopard 53 Powercat takes the concept even further. As the larger option in the lineup, the Leopard 53 PC delivers expansive entertaining areas, a large flybridge and the space and comfort suited to extended cruising and time aboard with family and friends.
Together, the Leopard 46 PC and Leopard 53 PC continue the evolution of a Powercat range that models like the Leopard 51 PC helped establish.
A Lasting Leopard Powercat Legacy
Reaching 100 Leopard 51 PCs was a milestone worth celebrating in 2018, but the model’s real achievement is the legacy it left behind.
The Leopard 51 PC helped demonstrate that powercat owners didn’t have to choose between space, efficiency, comfort and cruising capability. Its success helped pave the way for the Powercats that followed and contributed to the continued growth of the power catamaran market.
Whether you’re searching the pre-owned market for a Leopard 51 PC, considering the Leopard 46 Powercat for something smaller or looking to the Leopard 53 Powercat for even more space, the characteristics that made the 51 PC such a success continue throughout the Leopard Powercat family.
