Leopard 40 (2015–2020) electric repower: motor, battery and cable sizing

The Leopard 40 (2015–2020) is a 12 m multihull with a 11.62 m waterline and 9,340 kg displacement. From those figures, the configurator's sizing model puts an electric conversion at 8 kW and 26 kWh on a 48 V system.

Boat data: sailboatdata.com — Leopard 40 (2015–2020), checked 23 October 2026

Motor power

8 kW

6.7 kW needed at 6 kn

Battery pack

26 kWh

2 h at full rating, with reserve

DC design current

278 A @ 48 V

cabling burden: heavy

Range on that pack

12 nm

at 6 kn

Open the Leopard 40 (2015–2020) in the configurator Compare motors for 8 kW

The boat

Length: 11.99 m
Waterline length: 11.62 m
Beam: 6.72 m
Displacement: 9,340 kg
Hull: Catamaran, twin keels
Designer: Morrelli & Melvin
Builder: Robertson and Caine (South Africa)
Built: 2015–2020
Original engine: 2 × Volvo — 29 hp each (model not listed)

Power needed by speed

Speed	Shaft power
3 kn	1.3 kW
4 kn	2.4 kW
5 kn	4.1 kW
6 kncruise target	6.7 kW
7 kn	10.6 kW
8 kn	16.4 kW
8.3 knhull speed	18.7 kW

The configurator's power-per-tonne heuristic, not a tank test — real boats vary by about ±25% with hull form, fouling, sea state and propeller. Near hull speed the power climbs steeply.

48 V or 96 V

48 V systemconfigurator's choice

278 A

design DC current · cabling burden heavy · 120 mm² for a short run

96 V system

154 A

design DC current · cabling burden moderate · 50 mm² for a short run

Motor lines that cover 8 kW at 48 V

Oceanvolt

SD saildrives (SD6 – SD15)

Saildrive · 6–12 kW continuous · 48 V

Oceanvolt

AXC shaft drives (AXC12 – AXC36)

Shaft drive · 12–36 kW continuous · 48 V modules

Torqeedo

Cruise 12.0 FP (fixed pod)

Pod drive · 12 kW · 48 V

From our motor comparison, matched by power and system voltage only — check drive type and fit with the maker.

What these numbers assume

The published displacement. Your boat loaded for cruising is heavier — use your own figure in the configurator.
Cruise target of 6 kn, which is 75% of the 8.3 kn hull speed.
A shaft drive (assumed — the source doesn't say; a saildrive adds about 4%).
A pack sized for 2 hours at the motor's full rating, 15% reserve and 80% usable depth of discharge.
Two different catamarans have been sold as the Leopard 40. This page is the 2015–2020 boat; the 2005–2009 Leopard 40 has its own page.

Leopard 40 (2015–2020)

Common questions

How many kW does a Leopard 40 (2015–2020) need for electric propulsion?+

About 6.7 kW to hold 6 knots — 75% of its 8.3-knot hull speed — so the configurator suggests a 8 kW motor. Power rises steeply above that: about 18.7 kW at hull speed. These are estimates from the boat's published waterline length and displacement; real boats vary by roughly ±25%.

What size battery does a Leopard 40 (2015–2020) need?+

The configurator sizes about 26 kWh of LiFePO4 for 2 hours at the motor's full 8 kW rating, with a 15% reserve and 80% usable depth of discharge — about 12 nautical miles at 6 knots. Cruising below full power stretches that.

Should a Leopard 40 (2015–2020) use 48 V or 96 V?+

At 8 kW the design DC current is about 278 A at 48 V (cabling burden: heavy) and about 154 A at 96 V (moderate). The configurator picks 48 V for this boat: it stays on 48 V unless the 48 V current reaches its "very heavy" level.