Leopard 43 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 43's hulls are well-balanced, and the finishing is excellent throughout the structure. The deck and cabin top carry practical details that reveal a thoughtful cruising brief: grab rails run along the cabin top for secure movement forward, seats are mounted on the pulpit for relaxed observation, and the trampolines are sized for both comfort and safety. Entry from the cockpit to the saloon is over a seaworthy raised bulkhead through a large opening door, with adjacent folding panels that swing out for extra ventilation and space. Forward, louvered windows shield the cabin from sun while incorporating opening hatches, and removable ceiling panels fitted throughout grant easy inspection and maintenance access. The helm sits to starboard with excellent visibility and protection, enhanced by a windscreen bimini linking cabin roof to hardtop, while the entire cockpit is sheltered by a solid hardtop with clears that roll down quickly in poor weather.

Rig and Handling

Most control lines are led aft to the cockpit and helm, where an electric winch provides the muscle for sail handling, with additional winches mounted on the mast. This layout supports the boat's reputation as a short-handed passage maker. The steering position is complete and well protected by the rigid bimini, and the aft gangway proves very practical both while sailing and at anchor for passing side to side. Underway the catamaran is capable of respectable passage averages in excellent comfort, though one design limitation tempers open-ocean enthusiasm: the bridge deck has low clearance with the water and is known to slam in rough seas, a characteristic Multihulls World also recorded on test.

Accommodations

Two interior plans define the model. The owner's version carries three cabins and three heads, with the owner's berth occupying the entire starboard hull and a door closing it from the saloon for privacy; a single v-berth sits in the bow. The charter Moorings 4300 instead provides four double berths plus two single bow berths, each double cabin spacious with a private head and storage beneath queen-sized beds. Berths throughout are equipped with shelving, cabin and reading lights, ventilation fans, and hanging lockers, with the owner's area adding a desk. In the saloon, a starboard lounge seats six with a moveable seat and stows cushions in the port v-berth to convert the table for an extra sleeping berth; storage runs under the lounge for provisions. The U-shaped galley is mounted up and forward to port with a large worktop, two sinks, a recessed dish-drying rack, separate fridge and freezer, and a two-burner stove with oven. A chart table and navigation station to starboard houses a comprehensive switch panel behind which wiring is easily reached.

Cockpit and Deck Life

The cockpit table seats eight with a wraparound lounge and two added seats, sheltered under the hardtop. A solidly constructed hardtop also mounts the solar panels and traveler, keeping the cockpit uncluttered. Strong davits hold the dinghy on a full walk-around duckboard at the transom, with large sugar-scoop steps and a port-side outdoor shower for easy water access. Grill mounting space sits on the aft rail, and the aft gangway eases movement between hulls.

Known Issues

The principal documented shortcoming is the bridge deck's low clearance, which causes slamming in rough seas.

The Verdict

The Leopard 43 is a well-finished, thoughtfully laid-out cruising catamaran that balances owner privacy and charter practicality across its two editions. Its protected helm, led-aft lines, and hardtop make short-handed tropical cruising comfortable, while the saloon and cockpit serve eight with ease. The bridge-deck slam in heavy seas is the one clear penalty for the low clearance, and buyers should weigh that against the boat's comfort and build quality.

Pros