TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico R&C Leopard v FP Heila 44'

We’re looking at a FP Helia charter charter from St Thomas versus a Moorings Leopards that we have chartered from a variety of Moorings bases that we are quite familiar with in the past.

Any Leopard charter folks who have also been on the Helias who might have a basis of comparison? Interested in your viewpoint of sailing characteristics, Lines at the helm, navigation aids, comfort level, electric panel, berths, and heads. Looks like lots of square interior edges, and obvious lack of walk-through access to the fore deck, as an example, How does the dinghy davit system compare? Or sugar scoops access in and out of the water? But I also see pluses such as water makers and expanded sun deck and seating on top.

That kind of information would be quite helpful and most appreciated.

thanks bunches

The Helia is one of the best sailing cats ever made. It reinvented the market. Everyone should spend some time on one.

My brother owns a Leopard 44 that we have sailed a lot and we just bought a Leopard 40 and sailed one for the first time yesterday. In November we chartered a Helia in the USVI. Nothing is really wrong with the Helia and to be honest we weren’t able to sail her as much as we would have wanted, but I prefer the Leopard. The extra door to the bow is really a game changer for keeping the cabin cool and I love the easy access to the bow. I love how the Leopard sails as well, except into the wind which is an issue for most Cats. On the Helia we really didn’t like the head in the owners cabin. It is locked in a closet all on its own and got really hot and smelly. The Leopard has the toilet in with the shower and sink which opens it up quite a bit. We liked the skylight on the Helia but it did make the cabin heat up. I also didn’t like the instrument set up on the Helia. The GPS/chart plotter was on the far left and really hard to see if you were sitting on the captain’s bench. All in all, both are nice boats, just liked the Leopard better.

They are very different boats. Keep in mind the Leopard 44 and 45 are also very different boats. Sailing qualities the H44 is the easy winner. Much better than the L44 and better than the L45. The difference drops as you load the boats up however. The H44 is a very light boat for its length. The Leopards are built like tanks. Part of the Helia weight reduction are very small fuel and water tanks but watermakers solve the water part. Battery capacity tends to be about 25% less on the H44. For overall space the Leopards win but they are in effect slightly bigger boats. Helm stations are fine on both.
The front cockpit is a great feature. I was a big doubter when I first saw the design but love it now. The Davit’s are also fantastic on the Leopards and I have noticed lots of other boats are blatantly stealing the design.
If I did not plan on diving I would take the H44 over the L44 because I like sailing. I would take the L45 over either of the other boats. It’s a great design especially the integration of the front and aft cockpits into the main salon. If I am diving either Leopard wins. I came very close to a Helia purchase 6 years ago but the diving part I could not get past. On the Leopard you can gear up 6 divers and all roll into the water together. When you come back to the boat you can roll out of your dive gear and clip it to the davits. Climb aboard and the davits hoist the dive gear back in the boat!
P.S. The new FP Elba 45 looks like a great boat!

Wow George, great information and the insight I was looking forward to. But it still shows that there are pluses and minuses for both brands and size. I have sailed the old L38 40and 46. And the new L40 44 and 45. When I first saw the front porch leopards I thought they were a little silly. But once on board thought there’s no way to be without such a great feature! We also like the galley forward on the L 40 and 45 as that opened up the lounge area. Hope to sail the L50 when the grandkids are a little bigger, as that new topsides looks fantastic! Is the H44 topsides functional on a tacking maneuver? Hard a lee...DUCK!?

The H44 helm looks like it would be difficult to tack single handled from the helm. Do you need a helmsman and another crew hand on the lines? Is that the case.? How about the difference in the positioning of the chart plotter and auto pilot? Garmin versus Raymarine?

Always appreciate your knowledge!

[i][/i]Just a thought:
Definition:
Topsides on a boat, ship, is that part of the hull between the waterline and the deck

Ahoy Captains,

So Enjoy 'SmileMaker', a 2017 Leopard 45 with 4 Queen Beds and 1 Single Bed and 5 Bathrooms, and AirCon and a Genset, in the BVI for 14 Nights for $7000.
SmileMaker served only 2 years with Sunsail in the calm waters of the BVI and now has been Upgraded with the Full Moorings Phase Out to 'Bristol' condition,
Carpe Diem, I just sold Apr 24 to May 8 yesterday.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Kelp in mind if your not diving there is great satisfaction in sailing fast! The Helia will scratch that itch and to be fair the L45 should really be compared to the Elba45 not the Helia.
G

George: Much Thanks for the insight!
Localsailor: stand corrected