Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Excess 13 vs Leopard 45

Two near-neighbours in the 43–45 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Excess

Excess 13

The Excess 13 is a 43-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2024. Best for performance, modern lovers, family. A proven family-friendly layout.

Leopard

Leopard 45

The Leopard 45 is a 45-foot 4-cabin catamaran launched in 2017. Best for performance, couples, small groups. A performance-leaning hull form for sailors who care how it feels on the helm.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Excess 13	Leopard 45
Length overall	43 ft (13.13 m)	45 ft (13.72 m)
Beam	7.2 m	7.35 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	4 + 1	4 + 2
Max guests	8	8
Year introduced	2024	2017
Best for	performance, modern lovers, family	performance, couples, small groups
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean	Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, US East Coast & Florida
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$7,000	$13,500
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$34,500
View full detail	View →	View →

Pricing data drawn from current-season bookings across BVI and Mediterranean bases. Updated quarterly.

Design & Comfort Differences

The two boats feel meaningfully different on board, even within the same nominal size class. Three specific differences worth knowing:

Saloon and deck space. The Excess 13 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Leopard 45 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 4 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Excess typically uses a forward-galley / island-berth layout, while Leopard often offsets the galley aft. Worth seeing both layouts before deciding for a couples-only trip.
Amenities & kit. Excess 13 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy. Leopard 45 adds a similar kit, with the same core list.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Excess 13.

In light air (under 10 knots true wind), the heavier-displacement boat will feel slightly sluggish; in 15–20 knots trade-wind conditions both perform similarly. In big Med Meltemi/Mistral conditions (25+ knots) the Leopard 45's wider 7.35 m beam will initially feel more stable but pushes more water resistance.

For bareboat charters both behave predictably under sail and under power. We rarely see either one out-sail the other in normal charter conditions.

Price & Value

In current-season data, the Excess 13 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Leopard 45 starts at $13,500/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Excess 13 reach $57,500/week and the Leopard 45 reach $34,500/week.

For most charterers the price difference is small (~$500–$1,500/week) compared to the total trip cost — meaning amenities, layout and your destination matter more than sticker price when choosing between two boats this similar.

Which Should You Choose?

If you're a family with kids

Both boats work for families — compare cabin configs in our detail pages and we'll help you pick the better-fitting layout.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Excess 13. It was designed with sailing performance in mind — the helm feels more responsive and you'll enjoy being on the wind.

If you want luxury / open-space

Both are mainstream cruising layouts. For a true "luxury first" catamaran consider a Bali 5.4 or Sunreef 60 — but at very different price points.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Excess 13 bigger than the Leopard 45? ▾

The Excess 13 is 43 ft (13.13 m) long with a 7.2 m beam, while the Leopard 45 is 45 ft (13.72 m) with a 7.35 m beam. The Leopard 45 is the longer boat, but the difference of 2 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Excess 13 or Leopard 45? ▾

The Excess 13 is the stronger family pick — it was designed with performance / modern lovers in mind, with 4 guest cabins and a layout that's forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Leopard 45 leans performance / couples — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Excess 13 or Leopard 45? ▾

The Excess 13 is the lower-priced option (starts around $7,000/week bareboat), with the Leopard 45 starting around $13,500/week. The price difference of ~$6,500/week is usually worth it if you specifically want performance; otherwise the Excess 13 gives you most of the experience.

Can the Excess 13 and Leopard 45 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Excess 13: Caribbean, Mediterranean. Leopard 45: Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, Mexico & Central America, Atlantic & Offshore, Red Sea & Middle East, US East Coast & Florida. Where they overlap (often the Caribbean + Mediterranean), they're both well-supported by local charter fleets and you can usually get a checkout sail either way.

How many guests can each boat sleep? ▾

Excess 13: 4 guest cabins + 1 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests in standard charter config. Leopard 45: 4 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 8 guests. Both sleep the same number — your choice depends on layout and amenities.

Keep Comparing

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