The Leopard 45, produced by the South African powerhouse Robertson & Caine, represents a critical evolution in the mid-sized cruising catamaran market. While an earlier Leopard 45 was launched in 1997 and served as a foundational pillar for the brand's reputation, the modern Leopard 45 (introduced circa 2017) has become the definitive benchmark for the "blue water comfort" category. Designed by the renowned naval architecture firm Simonis & Voogd, the vessel was engineered to bridge the gap between the smaller Leopard 40 and the flagship Leopard 50. It serves a dual identity: a robust, high-throughput platform for The Moorings (labeled as the Moorings 4500) and Sunsail (the Sunsail 454), and a sophisticated, privately-owned long-distance cruiser. According to Leopard Catamarans, the design was specifically intended to refine the styling and functionality of its predecessor, the Leopard 44, which introduced the brand's signature forward cockpit.
Leopard 45 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Leopard
- Model
- 45
- Builder
- Robertson and Caine
- Designer
- Simonis-Voogd
- Number Built
- 368
- Production Year(s)
- 2016 - 2024
Below are the most recent Leopard 45 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2026 | 6 | $500,000 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robertson and Caine 45 (1997-2004) | $499,000 | 279 | 143 | |
| Robertson and Caine 50 | 50.52' | $699,000 | 152 | 78 |
| Robertson and Caine 44 | 42.58' | $400,000 | 82 | 33 |
| Leopard Catamarans 48 | 48.39' | $523,783 | 79 | 43 |
| Leopard Catamarans 42 / Moorings 4200 (2001-2004) | 41.4' | $649,900 | 73 | 46 |
| Robertson and Caine 46 | 46.32' | $391,360 | 50 | 24 |
| Leopard Catamarans 39 | 37.5' | $279,000 | 35 | 11 |
| Leopard 38 | 37.5' | $239,000 | 29 | 13 |
| Robertson and Caine 42 / Moorings 4200 | 41.57' | $658,772 | 10 | 8 |
| Leopard 45 | $500,000 | 6 | 6 | |
| Leopard 40 (2015-2020) | 39.34' | $372,000 | 4 | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Leopard 45 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Leopard 45 over the past 12 months is $500,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Leopard 45 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 6 Leopard 45 listings over the past 12 months, with 6 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Leopard 45 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Leopard 45 has remained stable over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- What are similar sailboats to the Leopard 45?
- Comparable models include the Robertson and Caine 45 (1997-2004), Robertson and Caine 50, Robertson and Caine 44. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.
Leopard 45 Buyer's Guide
The Leopard 45, designed by Simonis & Voogd and built by Robertson & Caine, is the current standard-bearer for the mid-sized cruising catamaran market. An earlier 45 existed under the Leopard name in the 1990s, but the modern model — introduced around 2017 — is a clean-sheet evolution designed to bridge the gap between the Leopard 40 and the flagship 50. It won Cruising World's "Boat of the Year" for Best Charter Catamaran in 2017, and its presence in The Moorings fleet as the Moorings 4500 and Sunsail as the Sunsail 454 means a substantial portion of available inventory carries charter history. The quality gap between privately maintained owner's versions and ex-charter hulls is real and quantifiable — which shapes how every serious buyer approaches this market.
What Brokers Highlight
The forward cockpit is the defining feature, and brokers lead with it in nearly every listing. Accessed directly from the saloon via a weather-tight door, the forward cockpit provides natural wind-tunnel ventilation through the entire boat — a practical advantage in tropical climates that brokers describe as "limiting the requirement for air conditioning." The overhead saloon skylight that spans the full beam is the complementary feature, providing 360-degree visibility and exceptional natural light.
The owner's version — three cabins, three heads, with the entire starboard hull dedicated to the master suite — is the clear priority in the private market. "US Duty Paid" and "Never Chartered" status are called out explicitly as premium designations in a market where ex-charter inventory is abundant. Later production updates introduced a "Lounge" variant with an upper-deck seating area on the coachroof, accessed via floating stairs from the aft cockpit — a social space upgrade that brokers market to buyers prioritizing entertaining.
Performance beyond the charter-standard inventory is a growing theme in premium listings. North Sails Square Top mains, Code 0, Code D, and Istec Parasailors appear in listings targeting buyers who want genuine sailing performance. Brunton folding props for drag reduction, RELiON or Epoch 900–2160Ah lithium battery banks, Victron Quattro inverters with Cerbo GX monitoring, 1200–4000W solar arrays on custom stainless arches, and Spectra Newport 400 watermakers are the off-grid capability markers that separate premium from standard.
What to Look For When Buying
Bulkhead integrity is the primary structural concern on early production units and heavily used charter hulls. Reports of "creaking" or movement in the main bulkheads under heavy offshore load have been documented in the owner community. Inspect the tabbing where bulkheads meet the hull for separation or stress cracking. A structural surveyor should specifically examine these joints.
Goiot escape hatches — located near the waterline — were subject to recalls and safety warnings due to adhesive failures on this era of catamaran. Verify that the hatches have been replaced or upgraded with manufacturer-recommended bolt-through kits. This is a safety item that should appear in survey documentation.
Balsa core management is essential wherever aftermarket hardware was installed. Stanchion bases, windlass mounting areas, and solar arch attachment points are the primary locations for moisture ingress if fasteners weren't properly potted with epoxy during installation.
Sail drive seals on the Yanmar SD60 units require routine diaphragm replacement. Check maintenance logs specifically for this service interval — it's a predictable wear item that directly affects structural integrity if neglected.
Standing rigging on hulls approaching seven to eight years from build is due for inspection or replacement. FKG rigging replacements appear in premium listings as documented peace-of-mind upgrades. Verify dates and inspect the rig condition on any hull approaching this threshold.
What Drives Pricing
Supply is high and prices are rising — the Leopard 45 is a popular model with strong new-production demand, and the secondary market reflects active buyer competition for well-maintained private examples. The price differential between owner's versions and ex-charter hulls drives a meaningful two-tier market: buyers who can afford the premium for a private boat will find real value there; buyers who are willing to invest in a thorough refit of an ex-charter unit can find solid hulls at meaningful discounts.
Compared to the Leopard 48, Lagoon 450, and Fountaine Pajot Saba 50, the 45 competes on the Robertson & Caine build quality reputation, the forward cockpit ventilation advantage, and the dual-market demand that supports consistent liquidity. The Leopard 44 is the predecessor worth comparing for buyers prioritizing value over the latest model.
The Bottom Line
The Leopard 45 is the current definition of the all-rounder offshore catamaran. Bridge deck slamming in short chop, performance sensitivity to loading, and CZone digital switching complexity in later models are the honest trade-offs. For families and couples who want a robustly built, well-ventilated offshore home with strong resale support and genuine blue-water capability, the 45 earns its position at the top of most shortlists in its size range.