2017 Lagoon 42 vs 2020 Leopard 50 — Comparison
2017 Lagoon 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2017 Lagoon 42 | 2020 Leopard 50 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Lagoon | Leopard |
| Year | 2017 | 2020 |
| Type | Catamaran | Catamaran |
| Country | France | South Africa |
| Designer | VPLP / Nauta Design | Simonis Voogd |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) | 15.14 m (49.7 ft) |
| LWL | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) | 14.50 m (47.6 ft) |
| Beam | 7.70 m (25.3 ft) | 8.06 m (26.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.25 m (4.1 ft) | 1.35 m (4.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,200 kg (24,692 lbs) | 17,500 kg (38,581 lbs) |
| Ballast | — | — |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 87.0 m² (937 ft²) | 135.0 m² (1,453 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Mini Keel | Mini Keel |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 2 HP | 2 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 680 L (179.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 780 L (206.1 gal) | 1060 L (280.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 10 | 12 |
| Cabins | 4 | 5 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2017 Lagoon 42 and 2020 Leopard 50 represent two takes on catamaran-rigged sailing. The 2017 Lagoon 42 is a modern design by Lagoon from France, while the 2020 Leopard 50 is a modern offering from Leopard from South Africa. The 2017 Lagoon 42 was penned by VPLP / Nauta Design. The 2020 Leopard 50 was designed by Simonis Voogd.
In terms of size, the 2017 Lagoon 42 measures 12.80m (42.0ft) overall with a beam of 7.70m, compared to the 2020 Leopard 50 at 15.14m (49.7ft) with a 8.06m beam. The 2020 Leopard 50 is 2.34m longer than the 2017 Lagoon 42. The 2020 Leopard 50 displaces approximately 56% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2017 Lagoon 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.65 and 87.0 m² of sail area. The 2020 Leopard 50, with an SA/D of 20.34 and 135.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2020 Leopard 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2017 Lagoon 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 7.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.38). The 2020 Leopard 50 has a comfort ratio of 7.7 and a capsize screening value of 1.24. The ballast ratios are 0.0% for the 2017 Lagoon 42 and 0.0% for the 2020 Leopard 50, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2017 Lagoon 42 provides 10 berths in 4 cabins with 780L of water capacity and 400L of fuel. The 2020 Leopard 50 offers 12 berths in 5 cabins with 1060L water and 680L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2020 Leopard 50 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2020 Leopard 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2020 Leopard 50 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 2017 Lagoon 42 · 2020 Leopard 50