{"id":139232,"date":"2026-05-15T06:30:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T05:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/?p=139232"},"modified":"2026-05-15T08:45:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:45:08","slug":"leopard-53pc-first-look-evolution-of-a-leopard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/motor-boat-news-boat-reviews-pictures-and-videos\/leopard-53pc-first-look-evolution-of-a-leopard-139232","title":{"rendered":"Leopard 53PC first look: Evolution of a Leopard"},"content":"The award-winning flagship of the Leopard fleet has received a well deserved overhaul \u2013 and given that the old model sold 142 units, it makes sense that this famous South African brand should be introducing a set of changes it describes as \u201cevolutionary\u201d. Launched at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026, the key focus is the enhancement of the exterior living zones.\r\n\r\nThe aft cockpit, for instance, now offers a choice between a fixed layout and an open-plan deck with flexible furniture modules. It also gets a redesigned walk-through transom plus the option of an upgraded electric swim platform, which supplements its tender and water sports duties by expanding the cockpit in the raised position.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139236\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-large wp-image-139236\" src=\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/05\/MBY322.newboat_1.Leopard53PC4067-630x354.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"630\" height=\"354\" \/> It offers the same choice between three or four cabins[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe flybridge gets in on the act with a more spacious seating arrangement plus modular backrests that enable you to adapt the space to your guests. And it\u2019s been treated to new fabrics, a more sophisticated wet bar with integrated sink, grill and fridge, and a helm station with uprated ergonomics.\r\n\r\nThe internal main deck spaces get a bit of a refresh too with an easier flow of traffic, a more open-plan connection between galley, dining and lounge zones and a cleaner, more modern fit out \u2013 including a reworking of the lighting systems \u2013 and all without any substantial change in the price point.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_139234\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]<img class=\"size-large wp-image-139234\" src=\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2026\/05\/MBY322.newboat_1.Leopard53PC1527-630x354.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"630\" height=\"354\" \/> The fly features extra seating with handy mobile backrests[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAs for the accommodation, the Leopard 53PC again employs a pair of layout options to retain its appeal for both private owners and members of the Moorings yacht charter ownership programme. You can opt for a symmetrical four-cabin ensuite layout where each set of guests gets much the same deal; or the three-cabin variant with a private owner\u2019s suite occupying one entire hull and features like a large island bed and a walk-in wardrobe.\r\n\r\nBuilt by the renowned South African shipyard, Robertson and Caine, the hulls and engines remain unchanged. Yanmar 370hp diesels should deliver a top end of around 24 knots, alongside flat, efficient running all the way through the cruising band. But now that all the boat\u2019s major systems are housed in a separate engine room, Leopard is claiming that the cruising experience ought to be smoother and quieter too.\r\n<h2>Leopard 53PC specifications<\/h2>\r\n<strong>LOA:<\/strong> 50ft 6in (15.40m)\r\n<strong>BEAM:<\/strong> 3ft 3in (1.00m)\r\n<strong>ENGINES:<\/strong> Twin Yanmar 370hp diesels\r\n<strong>TOP SPEED:<\/strong> 24 knots\r\n<strong>PRICE:<\/strong> From \u20ac1,359M ex VAT\r\n<strong>CONTACT:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leopardcatamarans.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">leopardcatamarans.com<\/a>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2><img class=\"alignright wp-image-131812 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/keyassets.timeincuk.net\/inspirewp\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2024\/05\/MBY298.cover_-1-149x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"149\" height=\"200\" \/>If you enjoyed this\u2026.<\/h2>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<div class=\"\"><em>Motor Boat &amp; Yachting is the world's leading magazine for Motoryacht enthusiasts. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams, as well as tests and news of all the latest motorboats.<\/em><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n<blockquote>Plus you'll get our quarterly Custom Yachting supplement where we share the last on offer in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/tag\/superyachts\">superyacht<\/a> world and at the luxury end of the market.\r\n<div class=\"\"><em>Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.magazinesdirect.com\/az-magazines\/34207321\/motorboat-and-yachting-subscription.thtml?j=QMY\">latest offers<\/a> and save at least 30% off the cover price.<\/em><\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n<em>Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/em>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>","excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The award-winning flagship of the Leopard fleet has received a well deserved overhaul \u2013 and given that the old model sold 142 units, it makes sense that this famous South African brand should be introducing a set of changes it describes as \u201cevolutionary\u201d. Launched at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026, the key [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":405,"featured_media":139233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[155],"tags":[1680,1593],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":[""],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/405"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=139232"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139232\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139237,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/139232\/revisions\/139237"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/139233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=139232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=139232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=139232"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mby.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=139232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}