Design and Construction
The Leopard 38's hull form is defined by a pronounced longitudinal knuckle in the topsides, a chine-like feature that shapes the hull's volume distribution. Beneath her, the boat carries low-aspect-ratio fixed keels, the sort of shallow twin appendages that trade pointing ability for grounding tolerance and protected saildrive units. Bridgedeck clearance was eyeballed at about 28 inches, a dimension that frames how the boat bridges waves underfoot. The structural envelope is fiberglass with solid deck and hull layup per the build record, and the 2009 redesign sits within the Morrelli & Melvin partnership that also produced the contemporaneous Leopard 39.
Rig and Handling
Her rig looks on the tall side for the hull, with a sail area of 990 square feet yielding an SA/D around 20 when measured against promotional genoa and mainsail areas, and a designer-estimated 18.5 range using other figures. The genoa sheets to the top of the house, and the mainsheet traveler is mounted on the cockpit hardtop, centralizing trim within the social cockpit. Jib sheets and halyards are led aft to the starboard, elevated steering station, consolidating control for shorthanded sailing at a single helm. That helm is itself distinctive: the helmsman sticks his head up through a cutout in the bimini hardtop to see forward, a vertical exposure that keeps the driver connected to the deck below while preserving sightlines. Twin 21-horsepower Yanmar diesels provide auxiliary propulsion, a wide thrust stance that gives predictable close-quarters behavior.
Accommodations
Two interior plans define the boat. The three-cabin layout places the owner's suite in the entire starboard hull with the head forward, a private apartment ashore-style in one float. The four-cabin version mirrors accommodations in each hull with amidships heads, the charter-friendly formula that puts equal quarters either side of the saloon. The saloon itself carries a U-shaped galley aft with a refrigerator/freezer unit to starboard, and the cabinhouse forward has two vertically mounted opening hatches for light and air. Throughout, the interior is detailed in cherry wood veneer, a warm finish that period photography confirms holds up as a subdued cruising aesthetic.
The Verdict
The Leopard 38 is a purpose-built cruising catamaran whose second-generation redesign delivered a beamy, well-mannered platform with sensible helm consolidation and two genuinely distinct accommodation paths. Her shallow keels and moderate bridgedeck clearance suit sheltered cruising, and the twin-engine layout makes her forgiving in marinas. The tall rig and centralized sheeting reflect a modern cruising ethos, though the SA/D figures suggest she is no lightweight sprinter.
Pros
- Broad 19'9" beam with L/B 1.9 gives exceptional volume for the LOA
- Starboard elevated helm with all jib sheets and halyards led aft aids shorthanded control
- Choice of three-cabin owner or four-cabin mirror-image layouts
- Twin 21-hp Yanmars and low-aspect fixed keels ease maneuvering and grounding risk
Cons
- D/L of 211 marks her as a heavy hull with modest acceleration potential
- Elevated helm requires the driver to stand through a hardtop cutout to see forward
