Leopard Catamarans 38 Owner's Version - Pacific Located 2026


Kaia is a 1999 Leopard 38 owner's version, currently cruising French Polynesia. We bought her in Grenada and have since sailed her north to the British Virgin Islands, west through the Caribbean to Panama (a 1,200nm passage), transited the Canal, and crossed 4,000nm of open Pacific to the Marquesas -- a passage we completed in 27 days, keeping pace with, or outpacing, significantly larger and newer catamarans in the same fleet.

Why we chose her. When we set out to find a catamaran for our sabbatical, we wanted a boat that was genuinely ready to sail -- not a project, not a compromise. It took us nine months to find one that lived up to its listing. Kaia stood out because the previous owners had invested heavily in her in 2024-2025 while preparing for their Caribbean cruise: new standing rigging, new sails, new electronics, new lithium house bank, repowered Yanmar engines, hardtop bimini, watermaker. They sailed her from North Carolina to Grenada, proving the systems on a real cruise.

What we added. Through 2026, in preparation for the Pacific: Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot with new mechanical rotary drive (with the existing Autohelm 7000 retained as a backup), Garmin GNX wireless wind instruments, Garmin Airmar DST 810 transducer, an asymmetrical spinnaker with snuffer, jacklines, second Starlink (Mini alongside Gen 2), PredictWind data hub, a new port shaft, new tiller cables, a new shower pump, and continuous routine maintenance. Every system on board has been actively used and tested across an ocean crossing -- not just installed and listed on a spec sheet.

What sets her apart. She's a true owner's version, never chartered, with three private double cabins. She has direct shaft drives with skeg-protected rudders (more robust and cheaper to maintain than saildrives). And unlike most boats in this price range, she's been actively lived on and sailed throughout the listing period -- no dock rot, no neglected systems, no surprises waiting in a survey.

Why we're selling. Our sabbatical is ending. We're returning to shore-based life -- schools, careers, family -- and as much as we'd love to keep Kaia, she deserves an owner who can give her the use she's built for. We're not selling because of any issue with the boat; we're selling because life is calling us back to land.

Where she is and where she's going. Kaia is currently in French Polynesia. Over the coming months we'll cruise through the Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji, en route to New Zealand. We're flexible on handover location -- meet us anywhere along that route. Survey and sea trial can be arranged in any major Pacific port. Delivery to Australia/NZ is straightforward as it aligns with our planned route; delivery further afield can be discussed.

Vessel status

Kaia is Australian flagged. She has not been imported into Australia and no Australian GST or import duty has been paid. For a buyer who intends to keep her cruising internationally -- the Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean -- this has no impact, and she can be re-flagged to your country of choice as part of the sale.

Galley

Located on the bridge deck to port, the galley boasts excellent visibility and ventilation. Spacious and functional, there is plenty of storage and counter space. The galley features double stainless steel sinks, a double gas burner with grill and oven, and a large top-opening fridge and freezer that we could never quite fill, plus a separate portable Engel fridge/freezer, ideal for longer passages.

Saloon

The saloon on the bridge deck to starboard is conveniently positioned right beside the galley. The large table comfortably seats six for meals, and offers plenty of space for working remotely with multiple screens.

The seating area and table converts into a queen-sized berth, which we found very handy for night watches. Cushions are firm with durable leatherette coverings -- all in excellent condition. There is a spare foam mattress that can be placed on top of the cushions for extra comfort at night.

There is a large storage bin under one of the sofa cushions, ideal for pantry items, and a 18,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioner, located under the centre cushion. Kaia has LED lighting and cabin fans, making it light and airy throughout.

Starboard hull

Descending the steps from the saloon to starboard is a large shower room with sink, vanity cabinet and shower. We replaced the shower pump in 2026, it now drains fast and strong.

A small desk area with stool and mirrored cupboard in the corridor leads to a bright and comfortable forward cabin with a separate ensuite. Each forward berth includes a hanging locker, and shelves. Plus, additional storage under the bed, as well as convenient access to the forepeak - providing more storage space than we could ever fill.

All mattresses on Kaia are only a few years old, very comfortable and in great condition. 5-inch thick foam, approximately 55´´ x 80´´ (140cm x 200cm) in size.

Port hull

The port hull mirrors the starboard layout with a forward cabin, while the amidships bathroom is slightly larger. Designed as a wet room, it can be used with a shower and a sump pump, but we preferred to use the large dedicated shower in the starboard hull.

The aft cabin on the port side features two separate storage cupboards, and there is an opening hatch beneath the mattress for easy access to the port engine.

Both bathrooms feature their own holding tanks, one per hull. Each toilet is an electric saltwater flush with a diverter Y-valve, and each holding tank is equipped with a deck pump-out for convenient and efficient waste management.

Cockpit

Kaia features a generous cockpit - where we spend most of our time. The cockpit table can comfortably seat 8 people, plus there is additional seating behind the helm too. Cushion covers are all in good condition with no tears.

The hardtop bimini features a transparent waterproof enclosure, and extends beyond the seating area so that you can stay completely dry even in heavy rain or high seas. Custom shades were added to the rear of the cockpit, to keep the cockpit cool and comfortable.

At the helm are the brand new Garmin instruments, including autopilot, chartplotter and wind instruments. There is also an Autohelm 7000 autopilot available as a backup. Starlink keeps us connected at sea: we use the Starlink Mini (purchased new November 2025) as our primary -- it has less windage, draws less power, and has worked flawlessly across the Pacific. A Starlink Gen 2 unit also remains on board as a backup.

Stern

The stern features 1,050W of solar panels, a Magma BBQ grill, a cockpit shower, and davits for easy dinghy lifting and storage.

The dinghy itself is big (11.5ft / 3.5m) - we could easily do our provisioning, laundry and fill up on fuel in one trip. The 15hp Yamaha outboard is simple, light 2-stroke - it is easy to maintain, and delivers excellent power. The storage lockers are spacious and filled with plenty of tools, spare parts and cleaning products.

We replaced the port shaft in 2026, while new cutlass bearings and shaft seal were completed in 2025.

Bow

All standing and running rigging, as well as sails, were replaced by the previous owners in 2025. The sails were designed and made by Zoom Sails (a high-quality cruising sailmaker), along with rigging (by The Yacht Rigger in Florida). We purchased an additional, brand new asymmetrical spinnaker for downwind sailing. It comes complete with a snuffer, making it super easy to fly and retrieve by a short-handed crew. We also added jack lines for additional safety during passages.

The white trampolines at the bow are both in excellent condition.

The forward lockers offer plenty of storage space for fenders and lines, while the space on top of the lockers is ideal for a morning workout or yoga session. There is a powerful 12V windlass just forward of the mast for the 65lb / 30kg Mantus anchor. The 280ft / 85m of chain is all in good condition, and the Mantus chain hook and bridle makes anchoring simple and secure.

*Note on the exterior photos: the pictures of Kaia show safety netting installed along the lifelines. We have since removed this netting to reduce windage and keep the decks cleaner for ocean sail handling.

Systems and power

Kaia was repowered in 2011 with larger Yanmar 3JH5E engines -- 39HP each, upgraded from the original Westerbeke 27HP. With ~2,300 hours each, both engines are still well under 20% of their expected service life. Yanmar 3JH5E engines commonly exceed 10,000 hours with routine maintenance, and ours have been meticulously serviced throughout -- most recent oil and filter change at 2,275 hours in 2026. The new port shaft was installed in 2026, with cutlass bearings and shaft seals replaced in 2025. Direct shaft drives (rather than saildrives) make these engines simpler, more robust, and significantly cheaper to maintain over the long term.

Engine access is generously sized on both sides. The port hull contains only the engine, leaving plenty of room to work. The starboard hull houses the engine plus the generator, fuel tank, watermaker, hot water tank, and electrical distribution panel -- all logically laid out and accessible.

Kaia is set up to be fully autonomous off the grid. The 6kW Phaser Marine diesel generator has just 1,000 hours and is currently wired to deliver 3kW (30A @ 110V) -- plenty of power for the watermaker, air conditioning, and house loads without ever stressing the unit, which keeps fuel consumption very low. Combined with 1,050W of Renogy solar and an 8kWh Battle Born LiFePO4 lithium house bank, we had more than enough power for full-time live-aboard cruising. The new Rainman watermaker (140 L/hr) tops up the 750L water tanks in just a few hours. Between the watermaker and the lithium bank, we genuinely never needed to visit a marina.

Most of the electrical system was professionally upgraded in 2024: Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120 inverter/charger, three Victron MPPT solar controllers, Victron BMV 712 battery monitor, and Victron Cerbo GX system monitor for remote system management. The boat is wired for 110V with a 30A shore power inlet.

For safety, the new 6-person Superior liferaft (2025) is stored in an easily accessible cockpit floor locker. The ACR Global EPIRB is valid to December 2030. A lifesling and throw line are mounted on the aft rails, and jacklines (new from North Sail in 2026) run the length of the side decks for clipping in during passages.

For sale by owner

Contact Anna for more information or to arrange a video tour or in-person viewing.

Email: gmail. Com
Website: leopard38forsale. Com

Region
South Pacific
Location
French Polynesia (cruising to NZ)
Usage
Family, Cruising, Live Aboard
Launch Year
1999
Hull
Fibreglass/GRP Owner's version. Shaft drives, skeg-protected rudders.
Designer
Morrelli and Melvin
Builder
Robertson and Caine, Cape Town, South Africa
Length
38' - 11.58m
Beam
6.40m / 21' 0"
Draft
1.07m / 3' 6"
Displacement
9,072 kg / 20,000 lb
Keel / Ballast
Mini keels (skeg-protected rudders, no saildrives)
Deck Material
Fibreglass/GRP
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine
2 x Yanmar 3JH5E 39HP diesel engines, repowered 2011 (upgraded from original Westerbeke 27HP) 2 x Yanmar Kanzaki Tuff Torq KM35A2 transmissions Direct drive shafts with PSS dripless seals 2 x three-bladed fixed bronze propellers New port shaft (2026) New cutlass bearings and shaft seals (2025) 2 x Yanmar B20 engine control panels (2024) Racor primary fuel filters Diesel transfer pump with inline pre-filter -- filters all incoming diesel before it enters the tank, and can re-circulate to polish existing tank contents Most recent oil and filter service at 2,275 hrs (2026)
Number Engines
2
Horsepower
39 (per engine)
Fuel Type
Diesel
Engine Hours
2300
2nd Engine Hrs
2300
Fuel Consumption
1.9 L/hr at 2,000 RPM cruise (7-7.5 kn)
Max Speed
8 knots
Cruise Speed
7 - 7.5 knots under power
Propulsion
Direct shaft drive with PSS dripless seals, three-bladed fixed bronze propellers
Thrusters
None
Genset
Phaser Marine 6kW diesel generator, wired for 3kW output (30A @ 110V), ~1,000 hrs
Fuel
300 L tank + 380 L in 19 x 20 L diesel jerry cans (all new 2026) -- 680 L total
Water
750 L / 200 gal
Accommodation
Owner's version layout -- three private double cabins, never chartered
Owner's cabin in starboard hull with private head, dedicated large shower room, and vanity/desk area
Two forward double cabins, one per hull
Saloon converts to additional queen berth for guest accommodation
LED lighting throughout
Caframo Sirocco II 3-speed gimbaled fans (2 saloon, 3 cabins)
Mattresses replaced -- 5-inch foam, approx. 140cm x 200cm
Hanging lockers in all cabins
Forepeak storage accessible from forward cabins
Cabins
3
Berths
6 (plus 2 in convertible saloon)
Galley
Galley up -- bridge deck, port side, with excellent visibility and ventilation
Double stainless steel sinks with Corian countertops
Force 10 propane two-burner stove with grill and oven
Large top-loading chest fridge/freezer
Separate portable Engel fridge/freezer for passages
Generous cabinet and pantry storage
Roll-up blinds on forward windows
Refrigeration
Top-loading chest fridge and freezer; very spacious.
Freezer
Portable Engel freezer
Stove
Force 10 propane 2-burner with oven
Water Maker
Rainman 120V watermaker, 140 L/hr (37 gal/hr) -- new 2025
Hotwater System
Electric 40l
Shower
1 dedicated shower room (starboard); 1 wet-room style (port)
Toilet
2 (electric saltwater flush with diverter Y-valve, deck pump-out)
Entertainment
27-inch flat screen TV
Fusion MS-IP700i marine stereo with internal and external speakers
Starlink Mini (new November 2025) as primary, Starlink Gen 2 as backup
Air Conditioning
18,000 BTU Marineaire reverse-cycle with heat (2022)
Dinghy
West Marine 350 RIB -- 11.5 ft / 3.5 m
Outboard
Yamaha 15HP 2-stroke
Covers
Custom hardtop bimini with transparent waterproof enclosure
Custom rear cockpit shades (new 2025)
Mainsail stack pack with lazy jacks
Sail covers
Ground Tackle
Mantus 65 lb / 30 kg primary anchor
280 ft / 85 m of 10mm G40 galvanised chain
Mantus heavy-duty chain hook and bridle
Lofrans Tigres 1200W electric windlass
Safety Gear
Superior 6-person liferaft (new 2025)
ACR Global EPIRB -- valid to December 2030
Jacklines from North Sail (new 2026)
Lifesling overboard rescue system
Throw line on aft rails
4 x high-capacity automatic bilge pumps
2 x manual bilge pumps
1 x portable 12V emergency bilge pump
4 x fire extinguishers
2 x smoke / carbon monoxide detectors
Fire blanket
Flare gun with current flares
Air horn
2 x adult Mustang Survival inflatable PFDs
1 x child Mustang Survival foam vest
Additional lifejackets on board
Watertight bulkheads fore and aft
First aid kit
Emergency tiller (tested and upgraded 2025)
Bilge Pumps
4 x electric + 2 x manual + 1 x portable 12V emergency bilge pump
Life Raft
Superior 6-person (new 2025)
Epirb
ACR Global -- valid to December 2030
Life Jackets
Mustang PFDs (2 adult) + 1 foam for child + extra lifejackets
Flares
Yes (current)
Fire Protection
4 x fire extinguishers, 2 x smoke / CO detectors, fire blanket
Electrics
8 kWh house bank -- 6 x Battle Born 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries
3 x AGM starter batteries (2 engines, 1 generator)
Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120 inverter/charger (2024)
3 x Victron 100/30 MPPT solar controllers (2024)
Victron BMV 712 battery monitor (2024)
Victron Cerbo GX system monitor (2024)
1,050W Renogy solar panels
2 x 80A high-output alternators with lithium dual charge controllers
Blue Sea Systems 120VAC / 12VDC electrical distribution panel
30A shore power cable
Wired for 110V
LED lighting throughout
LED navigation lights (2024)
Electronics
Garmin Reactor 40 autopilot with new mechanical rotary drive (new 2026)
Autohelm 7000 retained as fully independent backup autopilot
Autohelm Type 2 rotary drive backup
Garmin GPSMAP 8612 12-inch touchscreen chartplotter (2024)
Garmin GNX wireless wind instruments (new 2026)
Garmin Airmar DST 810 smart transducer -- depth, speed, temperature (new 2026)
Standard Horizon GX2400 Matrix VHF with AIS receiver (2024)
Standard Horizon external VHF remote (2024)
PredictWind data hub for offshore weather routing (new 2026)
Magnetic compass
Paper chart library -- Caribbean, Panama, Pacific
Sail Inventory
Dacron (C-Breeze) mainsail by Zoom Sails (new 2025), fully battened with 2 reefs
Dacron (C-Breeze) genoa by Zoom Sails on furler with UV strip (new 2025)
Asymmetrical spinnaker with snuffer (new 2026)
Mast / Rigging
Aluminium mast and boom
Stainless steel standing rigging (new 2025) by The Yacht Rigger, Florida
Running rigging (new 2025)
Rigging inspection completed Sint Maarten (January 2026)
4 x Lewmar 48 two-speed self-tailing winches
1 x Lewmar 40 two-speed self-tailing winch
Spinlock jammer clutches
Lewmar genoa tracks and cars
Lewmar main traveller track and car
Lewmar blocks throughout
Tiller cable and bushings replaced (new 2026)
Tiller top connectors and crossbar replaced (2025)
Emergency tiller tested and upgraded (2025)
Deck Gear
Custom hardtop bimini with full waterproof enclosure
Custom rear cockpit shades (new 2025)
Forward trampolines (2022) -- excellent condition
Transom freshwater shower
Hot/cold cockpit shower
Magma Catalina II propane BBQ with rail mount and cover
Cockpit table seats 8
Helm and cockpit cushions (2020)
Jacklines (new 2026)
Antifouling and bottom work completed October 2025
New port shaft (2026)
Rebedded portlights port side bathroom (2026)
Gelcoat work port side (2026)
19 x 20 L diesel jerry cans (all new 2026) -- 380 L additional fuel capacity
4 x 23 L gasoline jerry cans (3 new 2026) -- for dinghy outboard
Presentation
Remarks
Kaia is currently cruising French Polynesia, en route through the Cook Islands, Tonga, and Fiji to Australia/New Zealand. We are flexible on handover location -- meet us anywhere along that route.

Recent passages under current ownership: Grenada ->BVI
Caribbean -> Panama (1,200nm)
Panama -> Marquesas (4,000nm in 27 days, keeping pace with, or outpacing, significantly larger and newer catamarans in the same fleet).
Previous ownership: North Carolina -> Grenada. Two consecutive cruising owners, no dock-rot years between sails.

Spares carried: comprehensive engine spares (impellers, filters, gaskets, hoses, belts), watermaker service kit, alternator parts, spare Spinlock jammer clutches, full tool kit, cleaning and maintenance supplies, paper chart and Pacific cruising guide library.

Survey and sea trial can be arranged in any major Pacific port. Delivery to Australia/NZ is straightforward as it aligns with our planned route.

More information, photos, and video at https://leopard38forsale. Com


ABOUT THE SELLER

Anna
Sydney
NSW 2026 Australia


CONTACT THE SELLER - Anna

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