Design and Construction
The Leopard 47 is built from resin infused balsa FRP laminate in both hulls and deck, yet reviewers contrast it with later Leopards by noting its thicker hulls and an overbuilt character that earned a battle-hardened reputation for durability. Writing in YachtSite, one longtime owner described the boats as having big, thick hulls and being really sturdy, while also noting the slender hull sections that give the 47 a speed advantage over bulkier cruisers. The 47 is closely related to the Leopard 45, with owners reporting the internal footprint is essentially the same and the saloon, galley, and cockpit volumes identical — the 47 simply gains lengthened sterns that prevent the transoms from squatting as cruising weight builds. TradeABoat's review confirms 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 47 keeps its helm in the cockpit rather than on a raised flybridge, a layout reviewers praise for keeping the crew in conversation and avoiding the separation — and added safety risk — of a flybridge station. Period reviewers note the flip side is a charter-era rig: lines are not led to the cockpit, so raising the main or reefing means going forward, and the boat carries manual winches. One owner points out the 47, like many cats, has no conventional backstay — the topping lift and traveler do that duty. Under way, owners report a fast boat that averages nine to ten knots on most crossings and has logged a top speed of 15.7 knots, with a very dry cockpit and a stable ride that takes a fair amount of chop to upset.
Accommodations
Below, the 47 is an older charter layout that feels more broken-up than a cruising couple might want, but it is practical and well-ventilated. Cabins are athwartship with island or master berths in the owner's version, though the aft berths are mounted high since the straight-shaft drivetrains sit beneath them, limiting headroom when lying in bed. Reviewers note rounded corners on most interior items as a seaworthy touch that reduces injury risk offshore. The galley is U-shaped, the saloon table V-shaped, and the heads slightly larger than on other catamarans and styled as wet rooms. A staircase effect runs from the saloon: one step to a gangway, then three steps forward or aft. Opening portholes and hatches are generous, with a hatch above every berth and at least one port light per cabin.
Known Issues
The most serious documented flaw is the life-raft stowage. The raft lives in a large locker under the cockpit floor, secured by four bolts (or wing nuts, per owner accounts), and reviewers describe this as poorly designed and hard to reach. Because the 47 has low bridgedeck clearance and tends to slap, it is a common issue for those bolts to give way, dropping the raft unnoticed — a serious safety problem often corrected by relocating the raft and glassing in the locker bottom. The boat also carries low bridgedeck clearance for its size, which owners and reviewers agree produces noticeable slamming, especially when loaded.
The Verdict
The Leopard 47 is a sturdy, fast, and well-ventilated cruiser with a conservative build and a practical if compartmentalized interior. Its weaknesses — the life-raft stowage and the slap-prone low bridgedeck — are well known and often fixed by careful owners. For a buyer wanting a 47-foot cat with slender hulls and a dry cockpit, it remains a sensible used-market choice.
Pros
- Thicker, overbuilt hulls with a durability reputation
- Slender hulls and long waterline yield consistent nine-to-ten-knot passages
- Cockpit helm keeps crew together; dry, stable ride
- Generous ventilation and rounded-corner interior safety detail
Cons
- Life-raft locker under cockpit floor prone to bolt failure from slamming
- Low bridgedeck clearance produces frequent slapping
- Charter-era rig with lines not led aft and manual winches
- Athwartship aft berths sit high over engines, limiting headroom
