Design and Naval Architecture
Morelli & Melvin gave the Leopard 39 a 19-foot-10-inch beam relative to its 37-foot-6-inch overall length, a proportion that maximises interior volume without pushing the hulls so far apart that tacking angles become punishing. The architects were working against what Multihulls World called "inevitably very demanding specifications" from the charter operators, which meant the design had to prioritise ease of use and passenger comfort while retaining credible offshore credentials. At just over 20,000 pounds displacement and carrying twin 21-horsepower engines, the boat sits at the compact end of the cruising catamaran bracket. A mast stepping to nearly 63 feet above the waterline gives the rig a commanding sail plan relative to the hull length, with the main at 614 square feet and a jib of 377 square feet joined by an optional 1,012-square-foot gennaker for downwind passages.
Sail Plan and Handling
The proportions of the rig suggest a boat that was not designed merely to motor between anchorages. Multihulls World's test outing in a stiff breeze produced a momentary 17.6 knots under full canvas in a 31-knot gust — a figure that points to a hull capable of surfing when conditions align. The review was careful to note this was not routine passage-making, but the anecdote underscores that the catamaran made an excellent impression at its launch for sailors expecting real performance from a production charter boat. The twin-engine arrangement with a pair of Yanmar diesels provides reliable manoeuvring in tight marina situations, a practical consideration for boats that often return to charter bases crewed by less experienced hands. The gennaker option broadens the effective downwind VMG considerably when owners choose to invest in the extra canvas.
Accommodation and Interior Layout
Robertson & Caine offered the Leopard 39 in three or four double-cabin configurations, a choice that draws a clear line between the owner version — which sacrifices one cabin for a larger owner's suite or dedicated utility space — and the charter-oriented layout that maximises revenue-earning berths. Fitting a full saloon, galley, and multiple cabins into less than 12 metres was the design brief Leopard set itself, and the polyester bimini extended from the coachroof on the 39-variant helps extend the cockpit living area into a usable weather-protected zone. Water tankage of 780 litres and 350 litres of diesel capacity reflect the boat's original intent as a self-sufficient live-aboard or extended-charter platform. The shared DNA with the Sunsail 384 and Moorings 3900 means the accommodation geometry was tested across charter deployments before owners encountered it on the resale market.
Charter Heritage and Its Implications
The fact that the Leopard 39 was complying with the specifications of the world's biggest charter company is a double-edged credential. On the positive side, it means the hull, rig, and systems were stress-tested at a scale and intensity that most production designs never experience, and the builders were under commercial pressure to keep warranty costs low. Robertson & Caine's relationship with Moorings and Sunsail also drove standardisation of hardware choices and layout logic that benefits subsequent private owners who know what they are getting. The charter life also means that the typical example will have accumulated significant hours under hands of widely varying skill levels, and structural inspection of the bridgedeck, compression posts, and rudder pintles deserves particular attention when evaluating any individual boat.
The Verdict
The Leopard 39 is a genuinely capable compact cruising catamaran that punches above its footprint. Morelli & Melvin's design wrings impressive interior volume from a 37-foot overall platform, and the charter-spec engineering provides a durability baseline that private owners benefit from. The burst to 17.6 knots recorded in testing is not the norm, but it confirms a hull that is not allergic to speed. Buyers shopping the sub-40-foot catamaran bracket will find the Leopard 39 a pragmatic, well-proven choice — provided they budget for the diligent inspection that any ex-charter hull warrants.
Pros
- Morelli & Melvin design optimised for volume and offshore capability within a compact overall platform
- Demonstrated burst performance above 17 knots in moderate testing conditions
- Choice of three- or four-cabin layouts accommodates both owner and charter-style use
- Charter-fleet vetting drove durability standards across hull, rig, and systems
- Polyester bimini extending from the coachroof and rigid helm cap on the 39 variant expand liveable space
Cons
- Ex-charter provenance makes thorough structural survey — bridgedeck, compression posts, rudders — non-negotiable
- Twin 21-horsepower engines are modest for a 20,000-pound displacement in challenging conditions
- Four-name lineage (Leopard 38, Sunsail 384, Leopard 39, Moorings 3900) creates parts and history confusion when tracing a specific hull's background
- Interior volume achieved partly through beam means marina slips and passage-making tacking angles require adjustment from monohull habits
