When the Leopard 44 launched in 2012, it quickly made its mark, earning Boat of the Year honors from both SAIL and Cruising World (read the Cruising world review here)—an achievement few models can claim. More than a decade later, many of the same qualities that impressed judges then are exactly what make the Leopard 44 an appealing option on today’s used catamaran market.
Its innovative forward cockpit and direct access from the saloon, comfortable owner accommodations, spacious interior, raised helm station and balance of sailing performance and onboard comfort helped distinguish the Leopard 44 when it was new. Today, those features continue to give pre-owned Leopard 44s a modern, practical feel for buyers looking to enter catamaran ownership or move into a proven cruising platform.
With Leopard 44s now cruising throughout the world, buyers have the opportunity to find a model with a history of real-world cruising behind it. From family weekends and coastal cruising to offshore passages, the 44 has spent years proving its versatility on the water.
To see what ownership looks like in practice, we spoke with the owner of Call Me Crazy, whose Leopard 44 became a platform for family cruising, offshore adventures and plenty of time on the water.
Why Consider a Used Leopard 44?
For buyers shopping the pre-owned catamaran market, the Leopard 44 offers a compelling combination of size, comfort and capability. At 44 feet, it provides generous living and entertaining space without moving into a significantly larger cruising platform.
Its layout also incorporates features that remain closely associated with Leopard today. The forward cockpit creates another dedicated outdoor living area, while the forward access door connects it directly to the saloon and improves airflow throughout the boat. The raised helm keeps sailing controls conveniently positioned while maintaining good connectivity with the rest of the boat.
Depending on the individual yacht, equipment, upgrades and maintenance history will vary, making a professional survey and thorough review especially important when shopping used. But for buyers looking for a proven Leopard design with years of cruising history behind it, the Leopard 44 deserves a place on the shortlist.
Q: How did you choose the Leopard 44?
A: It’s funny, we had looked at a lot of different boats. We were looking originally at monohulls. We had been living in Scotland, but we were back in the US in Delray Beach. We saw an open house for a new Leopard shop and we walked in, walked on the 44, and it was like when you look at a home and you know it’s going to be your home.
That immediate sense of livability is one of the qualities that can still make the Leopard 44 stand out to buyers stepping aboard one on the used market today. Rather than simply providing additional square footage, the catamaran layout creates distinct spaces for cruising, relaxing and hosting family and friends.
Q: And after you took ownership, you delivered her to North Carolina and then Rhode Island. Had you done any long-distance cruising previously?
A: No. We did it with a crew. It was a great trip. We saw dolphin, whales, big sunfish, sea turtles, ran into a shark that was sleeping on the surface. We filled the freezer with mahi mahi.
Q: How did you feel about the boat during that first offshore trip?
A: It was great. It’s such a stable platform. We had no issues. We sailed half the time and motor-sailed half the time. It’s much quicker sailing than motoring, which is nice. We had about every different type of weather you could imagine. Beautiful blue sky days, then fogged in and squally off of Block Island. She handled really well. It was a good trip all in all.
For prospective used-boat buyers, experiences like this offer valuable insight into how the Leopard 44 performs beyond the dock. These boats have spent more than a decade cruising in a wide range of conditions, and many examples on the market today come with extensive cruising histories of their own.
Q: Did your kids know how to sail before you owned the boat? Have they learned now?
A: Almost every weekend last year we were out on the boat, either day sails or overnight sails. The summer was all about getting the family familiar with the boat and our new home waters. We ventured all through Narragansett Bay. Favorite hangouts: Prudence Island, Bristol, Newport, Block Island—great little harbors to tuck into whether or not they’re actual towns to drop into.
The beach that we anchor off of on the north side of Prudence Island gets really shallow—3, 4, 5 feet below our keel. We have it all to ourselves. One of the commercial guys will come in for clams and that will be our only neighbor.
The kids each have their jobs, which is helpful and keeps them involved. They love it. We have plenty of overnights with their friends on the boat. There’s plenty of space for everybody. We carry toys on the boat—we’ve got a couple of kayaks and a tender. We’re a very popular family!
The older two get involved with sailing. They haven’t done junior sailing yet, but will this summer. The 44 is so easy to sail. With everything being led to the helm station—the electric winches and everything—it’s just so easy.
Q: Is your wife a big sailor? How does she like the boat?
A: She’s more about the destination than the journey but she really enjoys it as well. She likes the arrival. We’re so much happier having made the decision to buy a catamaran than a monohull, from a safety and stability standpoint, and we get so much more space on this platform than we would have on a monohull without going ridiculously sized.
That balance remains particularly relevant for used-catamaran shoppers. The Leopard 44 offers the space and stability that draw many cruisers toward multihulls while remaining in a size range that works well for couples and families alike.
Q: Do you have any feedback on performance, handling, or ease of care?
A: The maintenance has been fine. There were a few things post-delivery after the shakedown cruise that needed to be addressed. Jim and Derek and the team in Florida were good at getting us through that.
She sails really really well, she’s very very fast, I don’t push it really hard with the kids on it, but we easily go half the windspeed or more up to about 20 knots. She points really high, we can sail her at 35 off the wind. I don’t race her formally, but we race every boat that’s out there.
A Proven Design with Plenty of Cruising Ahead
The Leopard lineup has continued to evolve since the 44 first hit the water, but the model remains an important part of Leopard’s history—and a compelling option for buyers searching for a pre-owned catamaran.
Its award-winning design, signature forward cockpit, spacious accommodations and proven cruising history give buyers an opportunity to step into Leopard ownership through the used market. Individual boats will naturally differ based on age, maintenance, equipment and upgrades, but a well-maintained Leopard 44 can offer many of the features today’s catamaran buyers continue to prioritize.
For cruisers who value space, straightforward handling and a design built around life both underway and at anchor, the Leopard 44 is worth a closer look when one becomes available on the used market.
Looking for a pre-owned Leopard 44? Explore Leopard Catamarans’ available used yachts to see current listings and find the right catamaran for your next chapter on the water.
