Design and Construction
The Leopard 47 measures 46.83 feet overall, with a 24.25-foot beam and 4.33-foot draft. Displacement is 22,420 pounds.
Both the hulls and deck use resin infused balsa FRP laminate. Reviewers distinguish the 47 from later Leopards by its thicker hulls and overbuilt character, which earned it a battle-hardened reputation for durability. Writing in YachtSite, one longtime owner described the boats as having big, thick hulls and being really sturdy. The same owner also noted the slender hull sections, which give the 47 a speed advantage over bulkier cruisers.
The 47 is closely related to the Leopard 45. Owners report that the internal footprint is essentially the same, with identical saloon, galley, and cockpit volumes. The 47 simply gains lengthened sterns, which prevent the transoms from squatting as cruising weight builds. TradeABoat’s review confirms that the aft hull sections are hollowed to recess the shafts and reduce their angularity, extending the hull by 700 millimeters over the sailing version.
Rig and Handling
The Leopard 47 carries a fractional-sloop rig on a 70.33-foot mast. Its helm remains in the cockpit rather than on a raised flybridge. Reviewers praise this layout for keeping the crew in conversation and avoiding both the separation and added safety risk of a flybridge station.
The trade-off is a charter-era deck arrangement. Period reviewers note that the lines aren’t led to the cockpit, so raising the mainsail or reefing requires going forward. The boat also has manual winches. One owner points out that, like many catamarans, the 47 has no conventional backstay; the topping lift and traveler do that duty.
Owners report a fast boat that averages nine to ten knots on most crossings and has logged a top speed of 15.7 knots. They also describe a very dry cockpit and a stable ride that takes a fair amount of chop to upset.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the 47 has an older charter layout. It feels more compartmentalized than a cruising couple might prefer, but it’s practical and well ventilated.
The cabins have athwartship berths, with island or master berths in the owner’s version. The aft berths are mounted high because the straight-shaft drivetrains sit beneath them, limiting headroom when lying in bed. Reviewers also note the rounded corners on most interior items, a seaworthy detail intended to reduce the risk of injury offshore.
The galley is U-shaped, while the saloon table is V-shaped. The heads are slightly larger than those on other catamarans and are arranged as wet rooms. From the saloon, the interior has a staircase effect: one step leads to a gangway, then three steps lead forward or aft.
Ventilation is generous. Opening portholes and hatches include a hatch above every berth and at least one port light in each cabin.
Known Issues
The most serious documented flaw is the life-raft stowage. The raft sits in a large locker beneath the cockpit floor, secured by four bolts—or wing nuts, according to owner accounts. Reviewers describe the arrangement as poorly designed and difficult to reach.
Because the 47 has low bridgedeck clearance and tends to slap, those bolts commonly give way, allowing the raft to drop unnoticed. This is a serious safety problem, often corrected by relocating the raft and glassing in the bottom of the locker.
More broadly, the boat’s bridgedeck clearance is low for its size. Owners and reviewers agree that it produces noticeable slamming, particularly when the boat is loaded.
The Verdict
The Leopard 47 is a sturdy, fast, and well-ventilated cruising catamaran with a conservative build and a practical, if compartmentalized, interior. Its main weaknesses—the life-raft stowage and the slap-prone low bridgedeck—are well known and often corrected by careful owners. For a buyer looking for a 47-foot catamaran with slender hulls and a dry cockpit, it remains a sensible used-market choice.
Pros
- Thick, overbuilt hulls with a reputation for durability
- Slender hulls and a long waterline, with reported averages of nine to ten knots on most crossings
- Cockpit helm keeps the crew together
- Dry cockpit and stable ride
- Generous ventilation
- Rounded interior corners intended to reduce injury risk offshore
Cons
- Life-raft locker beneath the cockpit floor is prone to bolt failure caused by slamming
- Low bridgedeck clearance produces frequent slapping
- Charter-era rig, with lines not led aft and manual winches
- Athwartship aft berths sit high over the straight-shaft drivetrains, limiting headroom
