Catamaran Comparison · 2026

Fountaine Pajot Samana 59 vs Leopard 50

Two near-neighbours in the 50–59 foot class — here's how they actually differ on the water.

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At a Glance

Fountaine Pajot

Samana 59

The Samana 59 is a 59-foot 5-cabin catamaran launched in 2020. Best for large group, luxury, owner investor. A balanced cruiser that does many things well.

Leopard

Leopard 50

The Leopard 50 is a 50-foot 5-cabin catamaran launched in 2019. Best for large group, family, performance. A proven family-friendly layout.

Quick Comparison

Spec	Samana 59	Leopard 50
Length overall	59 ft (17.97 m)	50 ft (15.43 m)
Beam	9.46 m	8.06 m
Cabins (guest + crew)	5 + 3	5 + 2
Max guests	10	10
Year introduced	2020	2019
Best for	large group, luxury, owner investor	large group, family, performance
Standout amenity	AC, generator	AC, generator
Charter regions	Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos	Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos
Indicative price (bareboat low season)	$7,000	$7,000
Indicative price (crewed peak season)	$57,500	$57,500
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 Samana 59 has a classic enclosed saloon with a wide aft deck; the Leopard 50 offers a more conventional enclosed saloon.
Cabin configuration. Both boats offer 5 symmetrical guest cabins. What differs is cabin shape — the Fountaine Pajot 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. Samana 59 comes with AC, generator, watermaker, solar, dinghy, ice maker, BBQ, jacuzzi. Leopard 50 adds a similar kit, with the same core list.

Performance Differences

Neither boat is a racer; both are cruising catamarans. But the Leopard 50.

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 Samana 59's wider 9.46 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 Samana 59 starts at $7,000/week bareboat (low season, BVI or Greece) and the Leopard 50 starts at $7,000/week. At the high end (crewed, peak season) we see the Samana 59 reach $57,500/week and the Leopard 50 reach $57,500/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

Choose the Leopard 50. It's the calmer, family-oriented platform; the layout is forgiving for first-time charterers with kids aboard.

If you want performance / a sailing-feel boat

Choose the Leopard 50. 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

Choose the Samana 59. It's specifically tuned for indoor-outdoor living and the finish is the more premium of the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samana 59 bigger than the Leopard 50? ▾

The Samana 59 is 59 ft (17.97 m) long with a 9.46 m beam, while the Leopard 50 is 50 ft (15.43 m) with a 8.06 m beam. The Samana 59 is the longer boat, but the difference of 9 ft may be marginal once you step on board.

Which is better for a family — Samana 59 or Leopard 50? ▾

The Leopard 50 is the stronger family pick — designed with large group / family in mind, with 5 guest cabins and a layout forgiving for kids new to sailing. The Samana 59 leans large group / luxury — fine for older families with sailing experience.

Which is better value — Samana 59 or Leopard 50? ▾

In our tracking, the two boats are priced within ~$0/week of each other at the low end, so value depends on which features you weight: the Samana 59 gives you AC, generator, watermaker; the Leopard 50 gives you AC, generator, watermaker.

Can the Samana 59 and Leopard 50 charter in the same destinations? ▾

Samana 59: Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos. Leopard 50: Caribbean, Indian Ocean, South East Asia, South America & Galápagos. 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? ▾

Samana 59: 5 guest cabins + 3 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 10 guests in standard charter config. Leopard 50: 5 guest cabins + 2 crew cabin(s), sleeps up to 10 guests. Both sleep the same number — your choice depends on layout and amenities.

Keep Comparing

More 50–59-foot Catamaran Comparisons

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