Design and Construction
The hulls are GRP with a balsa core and solid glass along the centerline, a layup intended for structural strength and added insurance against intrusion where the hulls meet the waterline. An innovative stepped hull form increases interior volume while minimizing wetted surface, which the design brief ties directly to exceptional load-carrying capacity. High bridge-deck clearance is built in to smooth the passage through waves for greater comfort, and fixed skegs protect the rudders while also giving solid attachment points for the rudder shafts. The skeg-protected straight-shaft transmission is a notable service feature: it allows repair or replacement of the running gear directly in the water rather than on the hard.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop rig carries 1,227 square feet of sail, a area maximized to preserve performance even when the boat is loaded for a long passage. The mainsheet traveler sits overhead on the trademark targa wing arch at the aft end of the cockpit, keeping the crew clear of the sheet path. Oversized Lewmar winches for main and jib sheet handling fall within easy reach of the double helmsman's seat, and all navigation instruments are grouped at the steering console for the person at the wheel. Twin Yanmar 40-horsepower engines can be reached from both interior and exterior access points, a practical arrangement for routine checks.
Accommodations
The Leopard 42 is offered in three- or four-cabin layouts, each with en-suite shower and head, and single berths tucked into the forepeaks with access through the hulls. The air-conditioned interior carries a galley-up plan with soft curves and Corian work surfaces, and separate chest refrigeration supports catering for a full complement. A saloon table converts to a double berth for unexpected guests. Louvre steps over the sloping saloon windows give access to the roof and boom while shading the glass below, and large Lewmar Ocean Line hatches with 16 opening portholes ventilate the boat thoroughly. The cockpit is made safe by its deck layout, and a wide aft bathing platform connecting both transoms is reached by a direct walk-through.
Equipment and Systems
Standard electrical equipment is built around redundancy: three gel-cell service batteries, two gel-cell engine batteries, and two upgraded 90-amp alternators. A 1000-watt Lofran electric windlass is positioned so it can hoist the mainsail if needed, adding mechanical backup. The navigation station carries an upgraded instrumentation panel, while the helm gets a complete electronics package with VHF, chart plotter/GPS, Autohelm 7000 autopilot, and stereo with saloon and cockpit speakers. Tankage includes 95 gallons of fuel, 211 gallons of water, and a 45-gallon holding tank.
The Verdict
The first-generation Leopard 42 is a thoughtfully engineered bluewater cat that pairs a volume-friendly stepped hull with practical, owner-serviced systems. The skeg-protected shafts, centerline solid glass, and redundant electrical architecture show a design aimed at long-range self-sufficiency rather than showroom gloss. Accommodation flexibility across three- and four-cabin plans, plus a safe walk-through cockpit, makes her as plausible for a family voyage as for ex-charter reuse.
Pros
- Stepped hull increases volume while cutting wetted surface for load capacity
- Skeg-protected straight shafts repairable in the water
- Redundant battery and alternator electrical setup as standard
- Three- and four-cabin air-conditioned layouts with forepeak berths
Cons
- Twin 40 HP diesels are the standard quoted power for the 19,030 lb displacement
