2013 Leopard 48 “Aloha”  |  Extensively Upgraded (over $100k)  |  Off-Grid Ready  |  US Imported

Aloha is a proven family-owned 2013 Leopard 48 extensively upgraded for comfortable, self-sufficient, long-term cruising. Her owners invested well over $100,000 in upgrades including 2,200W of solar, a 1,200Ah lithium house bank, 5kW Victron Quattro inverter/charger, inverter-powered air conditioning, SeaWater Pro 40 GPH watermaker, modern Raymarine electronics, all-electric galley, extensive added refrigeration, bowsprit & spinnaker, a dedicated utility/workshop room, and so much more!

We know Aloha personally. We met her owners while cruising in Grenada and spent time buddy-boating alongside them, giving us the opportunity to see firsthand how Aloha was lived aboard, cruised, maintained, and continually improved. She has cruised from Charleston down through the Caribbean to Grenada, back through the Bahamas, and north along the East Coast to Maine. She is currently located in Hilton Head, South Carolina and is ready for her next owners.

CRUISING READY HIGHLIGHTS

✓ 2,200W solar array
✓ 1,200Ah lithium house bank
✓ 5,000W Victron Quattro inverter/charger
✓ Entire vessel wired for inverter power, including air conditioning
✓ SeaWater Pro 40 GPH watermaker
✓ Fully electric galley
✓ Washing machine
✓ Freshwater-flush electric heads
✓ Dedicated utility/workshop room with extensive storage
✓ Upgraded Isotherm galley refrigerator/freezer
✓ Huge 10 cu. ft. convertible Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer
✓ Spinnaker with reinforced bowsprit
✓ Modern Raymarine electronics
✓ Starlink
✓ Large 12’ AB tender with 25HP Yamaha
✓ No hurricane damage

COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION

Salon & Galley
The saloon and galley are the heart of Aloha. The Leopard 48 already provides a huge amount of living space here, with the oversized U-shaped settee and thick, plush cushions, large surrounding windows, and direct access to both the aft and forward cockpits. Aloha’s owners took that foundation and made the space feel even more like a home, with a mix of soft blue-gray and white painted cabinetry that brightens the interior while still retaining touches of the original warm wood throughout.

They also put a lot of thought into making the space work better for everyday life aboard. Additional storage has been incorporated throughout the saloon and galley, including custom cabinetry and full-extension pull-out drawers in cabinets that make deep storage spaces considerably easier to organize and access. It’s a small detail until you’ve lived on a boat…then you realize how much of a difference it makes.

The galley is fully electric with an induction cooktop, Breville oven, and microwave. Combined with the boat’s substantial solar/lithium capacity and 5kW Victron Quattro, everyday cooking can be handled from the inverter without firing up the generator. Between the added storage, warm “homey” feel, and practical modifications throughout, this is a galley and living space that feels like it was designed by people who actually lived here…because it was!

Exterior & Deck
The Leopard 48 has one of our favorite exterior layouts for living aboard. The huge aft cockpit provides plenty of room for meals, entertaining, or simply hanging out at anchor, while the raised helm keeps the person on watch protected and still connected to everyone below. Wide side decks make moving fore and aft easy, and Leopard’s signature forward cockpit creates an entirely separate outdoor living space with direct access through the saloon.

That front door is one of those Leopard features you don’t fully appreciate until you’ve spent time aboard. Beyond the easy access to the forward cockpit, opening the forward and aft doors creates an incredible amount of natural airflow through the saloon and cockpit…something we’ve always loved about these boats. Aloha also has a full helm enclosure for protection underway and a reinforced bowsprit added in 2022 for flying her spinnaker.

The exterior Sunbrella cushions were replaced in 2022 with high-drain foam and remain in excellent overall condition. The fabric looks great, the cushions are firm and comfortable, and there is just one minor stitching repair visible on a single cushion. Overall, the exterior spaces aboard Aloha have held up very well and provide exactly the multiple living and lounging areas that make the Leopard 48 such a comfortable boat to cruise and live aboard.

Off-Grid Electrical System 
Aloha’s electrical system is one of her biggest strengths and was built around a simple goal…being able to live comfortably at anchor without constantly relying on the generator or shore power. She carries 2,200W of solar feeding a 1,200Ah lithium house bank, with a Victron Quattro 5000W inverter/charger at the heart of the system. Victron MPPT charge controllers, Cerbo GX, and a GX Touch display provide centralized monitoring and control.

More importantly, the entire boat has been wired so all AC loads can operate from the inverter, including all three air conditioning units. That means everyday comforts like the induction cooktop, oven, washing machine, refrigeration, water heating, and even air conditioning can be powered from the battery bank without automatically reaching for the generator starting button. For us, this is what a modern liveaboard electrical system should accomplish…letting you enjoy the comforts of home without changing the way you cruise or being forced to burn diesel. 

When additional power is needed or just for backup redundancy, Aloha has a Northern Lights 9kW generator with low hours (5,017), providing a substantial backup to the solar and lithium system. A SeaWater Pro 40 GPH watermaker handles freshwater production, while Starlink provides connectivity underway or at anchor. Together, these systems give Aloha the ability to produce her own power and water while staying connected, allowing you to avoid extra fuel costs and maintenance.

Refrigeration & Freezer Gamechangers
As liveaboard cruisers ourselves, we knew this needed its own section for the many upgrades onboard Aloha! The main galley refrigerator/freezer was replaced in 2024 with an Isotherm Cruise CR 200 INOX, providing approximately 7.1 cu. ft. of dedicated refrigerator/freezer space right in the saloon. This is a $2500+ unit that has become the go-to upgrade for many Leopard 48 owners when replacing the OEM drawer units (drawers are annoying because everything gets stacked on top of each other making it very difficult to find what you’re looking for). 

But that’s only the beginning! A huge 10cu. ft. Frigidaire unit was added in the starboard hull, professionally integrated into the former shower space with the refrigerator face opening directly into the hallway. It’s a clever use of otherwise underutilized space and adds a huge amount of cold storage without taking up valuable living space. The one thing we found while living on board our 4 cabin Lagoon 450 as a family is that we did not need 4 showers and converted two of ours to storage. So this is one of those massively practical cruiser upgrades when you realize you don’t need so much space for showers! The bonus to this unit is it can be used as a fridge OR a deep freezer…a cruiser’s dream! 

The starboard forward utility room was also specifically designed to accommodate a Dometic-style chest refrigerator/freezer (not included). A custom bench provides a dedicated location for the unit, with both 12V and 110V outlets added for power (Dometic chest’s come with both power options). Add your preferred chest fridge/freezer and Aloha has the capacity for an impressive amount of refrigerated and frozen provisions…a major advantage for anyone planning extended time away allowing you to enjoy the remote locations for much longer. 

Additionally, there is a beverage fridge located in the aft cockpit as well as an ice maker included in the saloon. 

Accommodations & Comfort
Aloha was originally built in Leopard’s four-cabin/four-head configuration, but her owners made a modification that many full-time cruisers will immediately appreciate. The starboard forward bed was removed and the cabin converted into a dedicated utility room…because when you’re living aboard and cruising off-grid, storage and functional workspace are a premium that is more valuable than a fourth bed you rarely use. Beds take up more space than anything in the interior! 

The room now provides a huge amount of dedicated shelving and storage for tools, spare parts, provisions, cruising gear, and all the things that otherwise end up competing for space throughout the boat. There’s a proper workbench that can accommodate a vise for tackling boat projects (the one tool Brandon wishes he had on our boat was a vise!), along with the dedicated bench and 12V/110V power we mentioned above for a chest-style refrigerator/freezer or power tools. For a cruising couple or family that doesn’t need four permanent sleeping cabins, having an entire room dedicated to storage, projects, and utility is a massive liveaboard upgrade that cannot be stated enough!

That leaves Aloha with three dedicated sleeping cabins, each with a custom mattress added in 2024. The interior is kept comfortable by three reverse-cycle air conditioning units (two 12,000 BTU and one 16,000 BTU) capable of operating from the inverter. A Black & Decker washing machine was added in 2024, along with three Raritan Marine Elegance electric heads, new macerators, associated plumbing, and holding tanks. The heads can be supplied with either fresh or salt water and have been used exclusively with fresh water since installation, helping avoid the odors and clogged hoses commonly associated with seawater-flushed marine heads. TVs in the saloon and primary cabin round out a setup that feels much more like a full-time home than a boat designed around maximizing the number of beds.

The starboard hull has been further customized around the way liveaboard cruisers “live”. The toilet in the aft head was removed and the space converted to additional shelving and storage with the forward starboard head serving as the primary bathroom for that hull. This allowed the owners to keep the toilet…and any associated odors…away from the aft “master” sleeping cabin while gaining even more usable storage. All of the original plumbing remains in place, so adding a toilet back to the aft head would be a straightforward project for a future owner who prefers the original configuration. The individual head doors were also removed because Leopard 48’s inward-swinging bathroom doors take up valuable space inside the bathrooms. Privacy is still provided by the cabin doors. (This can all be viewed in the 360 degree tour above.)

Engines & Mechanical
Aloha is powered by twin Yanmar 4JH5E 54HP diesels paired with SD50 saildrives. One look inside the engine compartments tells an important part of the story…these are clean mechanical spaces. The engines themselves present in good condition, and the surrounding compartments are clean, organized, and show the kind of attention we always like to see when evaluating a cruising boat.

Aloha’s engine hours are estimated at approximately 4,100 hours. A previous survey documented the prior owner’s estimate of approximately 3,500 hours before the engine panels were replaced. The replacement panels currently display approximately 600 additional hours, bringing the estimated total to approximately 4,100 hours. The current hour meters are functioning properly, allowing maintenance hours and service intervals to be accurately tracked, and the owners have continued engine maintenance at the proper intervals.

What we can speak to is what we’ve seen firsthand. We’ve personally seen and heard both engines running, and they start, idle, and run exactly as we would expect from the tried-and-true 4JH5E engines. You can also see and hear the engines running yourself in our video walkthrough at the bottom of this page. 

A Northern Lights 9kW generator provides backup power and currently shows approximately 5,017 hours. Aloha also carries an impressive inventory of mechanical spares accumulated for extended cruising, including a spare Yanmar alternator, pumps, engine seacock, heat exchanger and raw-water strainer caps, belts, filters, gaskets, fluids, and more. The complete inventory is included in the Specifications section below. The overall theme here is that the owners equipped Aloha for living aboard and going more miles for much longer than they anticipated! 

Electronics & Instruments
Aloha received a significant electronics upgrade in 2024, giving her a modern Raymarine navigation suite centered around dual Axiom multifunction displays at the helm. The system includes a 12” Axiom+ and 9” Axiom, Quantum 2 Doppler radar, AIS700 transceiver, Raymarine autopilot, and integrated depth, speed, and other navigation instrumentation.

The autopilot system uses a Type 2 rotary drive, and Aloha also carries a complete spare Raymarine Type 2 rotary drive onboard…an expensive piece of cruising redundancy that would be particularly valuable on an extended passage. An RNS-5 network switch ties the Raymarine components together, while two Icom radios and a Fusion audio system round out the communications and entertainment equipment. Overall, this is a recent, well-integrated electronics package with the equipment we’d want for both coastal cruising and longer offshore passages. A complete list of the individual components can be found in the Specifications section below.

Sails & Rigging
Aloha carries a sail inventory consisting of a fully battened mainsail, furling genoa, and spinnaker. A reinforced bowsprit was added in 2022, giving the crew an easier, more controlled setup for flying the included spinnaker. It also means one of the more involved and expensive pieces of hardware is already in place should a future owner want to add a furling Code Zero or similar reaching sail to the sailing toolbox. The running rigging was replaced in 2024, while the original mainsail and genoa remain in good working condition. 

A significant recent (2026) upgrade was made at the bow with the replacement of the forestay and installation of a new Selden Furlex furling system ($12k total cost). Furlex is a highly regarded cruising furler from Selden and represents a meaningful upgrade to one of the most heavily loaded and frequently used components of the sail plan.

The remainder of Aloha’s standing rigging is original. The owners only replaced the forestay and furler on the advice of a professional rigger after a thorough inspection. However, the sellers understand this will be a near future maintenance item and it’s one of the items that has been taken into consideration when positioning Aloha at $415,000. We’ll talk more about that and the thinking behind her asking price in the “Understanding Aloha’s Price” section below.

Dinghy & Outboard
Aloha comes with an AB Inflatables 12 AL aluminum RIB powered by a Yamaha Enduro 25HP two-stroke outboard. At 12 feet, it’s a substantial cruising tender with plenty of room for provisioning runs, hauling gear, exploring, or getting a crew ashore comfortably. The dinghy is rated for up to six people and a maximum 30HP outboard, making the lightweight 25HP Yamaha a great match for it.

For full-time cruising, we really like a larger, capable tender like this. Your dinghy quickly becomes your car once you’re living at anchor, and having the space and power to move people, groceries, dive gear, and everything else that comes with cruising makes a noticeable difference.

Overall Condition
Aloha presents exceptionally well for a 2013 Leopard 48. The interior is bright, clean, and inviting, with cabinetry, countertops, flooring, upholstery, and living spaces that have held up beautifully. The custom touches throughout give her a warm, cozy feel, and the sheer number of upgrades and improvements made over the past several years is evident throughout the boat.

Her exterior also presents very well overall, with comfortable exterior cushions in excellent condition, clean and functional deck spaces, and the kind of appearance we would hope to see from a cruising boat of her age. As with any 13-year-old boat that’s actually been out cruising, there are some gelcoat blemishes and cosmetic imperfections here and there, but nothing that takes away from how well Aloha presents as a whole. There are also two small cosmetic cracks in glass panels…one in the forward cockpit door and one in the starboard forward-facing saloon window. These are cosmetic and have sailed 10,000 nautical miles without leaking or any issues.

Another important part of Aloha’s history is that she has never sustained hurricane damage and has never been caught in a named storm. During Hurricane Irma, Aloha was safely located in St. Lucia and was unaffected. For a Leopard 48 of this age with a Caribbean cruising history, we believe that’s an important distinction and a meaningful part of her story.

Aloha’s Value
At $425,000, Aloha represents a compelling value as the best-priced, fully equipped, US imported Leopard 48 currently on the market in the US and Caribbean. Her owners have invested well over $100,000 in upgrades and improvements, with many of the most expensive systems needed for comfortable, self-sufficient cruising already onboard. Her owners have intentionally priced her aggressively, taking her small handful of remaining needs into consideration, with the goal of finding her next family without spending months on the market.

Aloha is in great working order and can be sailed away and enjoyed immediately. For someone looking for a proven, extensively upgraded liveaboard catamaran, this price point creates an opportunity that simply doesn’t come along often…putting a Leopard 48 within reach for buyers who may never have thought a boat of this size and capability was possible. 

Showing Location & Showing Details
Aloha is currently located in Hilton Head, South Carolina, conveniently positioned for showings with easy access from both Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) and Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH). Please reach out using the contact information below to schedule a private showing aboard Aloha.

MAJOR UPGRADES & REFIT PERIODS

2022
• 2,200W solar array installed
• 1,200Ah lithium house battery bank installed
• Victron Quattro 5000W inverter/charger installed
• Victron MPPT solar charge controllers
• Three reverse-cycle air conditioning units installed (2 x 12,000 BTU / 1 x 16,000 BTU)
• Electric/mechanical hot water heaters
• Sunbrella exterior cushions with high-drain foam
• Reinforced bowsprit added
• Freshwater washdown pump installed

2024
• Raymarine navigation and electronics upgrade
• Raymarine Axiom+ 12 chartplotter
• Raymarine Axiom 9 chartplotter
• Raymarine Quantum 2 Doppler radar
• Raymarine AIS700
• Raymarine autopilot with Type 2 rotary drive
• Raymarine RNS-5 network hub
• Victron Cerbo GX and GX Touch display
• Fusion stereo system
• Two Icom radios
• Running rigging replaced
• Quick 1500W windlass installed
• Rocna 44kg (88 lb) primary anchor, Mantus swivel and 300’ of 3/8” chain
• Two new SeaWater Pro watermaker membranes
• Isotherm Cruise CR 200 INOX 7 cu. ft. refrigerator/freezer
• 10 cu. ft. Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer
• Induction cooktop, Breville oven and microwave
• Black & Decker washing machine
• Three new electric heads, macerators, associated plumbing and holding tanks
• Custom mattresses
• Saloon and primary cabin TVs

2026
• Forestay replaced
• New furler (Selden Furlex System)


FULL SPECS

Boat

• Model: Leopard 48
• Year: 2013
• Name: Aloha
• Layout: 4 Cabins / 4 Heads originally, with one cabin converted to dedicated utility/workshop space
• Flag: USA
• Import Status: US Duty Paid w/ CBP Form 7501 in hand

Dimensions

• LOA: 48′ 5″ / 14.75m
• Beam: 25′ 1″ / 7.64m
• Draft: 4′ 10″ / 1.47m
• Air Draft: Approx. 74′ 2″ / 22.6m
• Displacement: Approx. 37,480 lbs / 17,000kg

Tankage

• Fresh Water: 206 gal / 780L
• Fuel: 185 gal / 700L

Interior & Comfort

• 4 cabin / 4 head layout
• Currently configured with 3 dedicated sleeping cabins + utility/workshop room
• Starboard forward cabin converted to dedicated utility/workshop/storage room
• Extensive custom shelving and storage in utility room
• Dedicated workbench with space for a vise
• Custom bench for chest-style refrigerator/freezer
• 12V and 110V outlets at chest refrigerator/freezer location
• Custom mattresses (2024)
• Black & Decker washing machine (2024)
• Starboard aft head currently converted to additional shelving/storage; original toilet plumbing remains in place
• Saloon TV
• Primary cabin TV
• Three reverse-cycle air conditioning units (2022)
  • 2 × 12,000 BTU
  • 1 × 16,000 BTU
• All three air conditioning units capable of operating from inverter

Salon & Galley

• Fully electric galley
• Induction cooktop (2024)
• Breville oven (2024)
• Microwave (2024)
• Additional custom storage throughout saloon and galley
• Full-extension pull-out cabinet drawers/shelves
• Oversized U-shaped saloon settee
• Direct access to aft and forward cockpits

Refrigeration & Freezer

• Isotherm Cruise CR 200 INOX refrigerator/freezer (2024)
• Aft cockpit beverage refrigerator
• 10 cu. ft. Frigidaire refrigerator/freezer added in starboard hull
• Frigidaire convertible for refrigerator or freezer use
• Frigidaire professionally integrated into former starboard forward shower space
• Dedicated utility-room bench for Dometic-style chest refrigerator/freezer (unit not included)
• 12V and 110V power at chest refrigerator/freezer location
• Saloon ice maker

Mechanical

• Twin Yanmar 4JH5E 54HP diesel engines
• Engine hours: 600 shown
• Replacement engine panels currently display approx. 600 hours; these do not represent total engine hours. Estimated 4100 hours on both engines
• Hour meters operational for tracking current maintenance intervals
• Yanmar SD50 saildrives
• Northern Lights 9kW generator (Approx. 5,017 hours)

Electrical Systems

• 2,200W solar array (2022)
• 1,200Ah lithium house battery bank (2022)
• Victron Quattro 5000W inverter/charger (2022)
• Victron MPPT solar charge controllers
• Victron Cerbo GX
• Victron GX Touch display (2024)
• Entire vessel wired to operate AC loads from inverter
• Starlink

Water & Plumbing

• SeaWater Pro 40 GPH watermaker
• Three Raritan Marine Elegance electric heads installed (2024)
• Freshwater or saltwater flushing capability
• New macerators (2024)
• New sanitation plumbing (2024)
• New holding tanks (2024)
• Freshwater washdown pump (2022)
• Electric/mechanical hot water heaters (2022)
• 1500W 120V electric hot water heater
• Fresh water capacity: 206 gal / 780L

Electronics & Navigation

• Raymarine Axiom+ 12 multifunction display (2024)
• Raymarine Axiom 9 multifunction display (2024)
• Raymarine Quantum 2 Doppler Radar (2024)
• Raymarine AIS700 transceiver (2024)
• Raymarine p70s autopilot control head
• Raymarine Type 2 rotary-drive autopilot (2024)
• Raymarine i50 depth instrument
• Raymarine DST810 depth/speed/temperature transducer
• Raymarine SPX30
• Raymarine RNS-5 network hub (2024)
• Two Icom radios (2024)
• Fusion audio system (2024)
• Spare Raymarine Type 2 rotary-drive autopilot

Sails & Rigging

• Fully battened mainsail
• Furling genoa
• Spinnaker
• Reinforced bowsprit (2022)
• Bowsprit configured for spinnaker and provides infrastructure for a future Code Zero or similar reaching sail
• Running rigging replaced (2024)
• Forestay replaced (2026)
• New Selden Furlex furling system (2026)

Deck

• Signature Leopard forward cockpit
• Direct forward cockpit access through saloon
• Full helm enclosure
• Sunbrella exterior cushions with high-drain foam (2022)
• Freshwater washdown pump (2022)
• 16 fenders
• Extensive dock and mooring line inventory
• 2 × 5-gallon water jugs

Anchoring Equipment

• Rocna 44kg / 97lbs primary anchor (2024)
• Mantus swivel
• 300 ft of 3/8″ chain
• 150 ft of 7/8″ 3-strand rode
• Quick 1500W windlass (2024)
• Secondary 40kg / 88lbs plow anchor
• 25 ft of 3/8″ chain for secondary anchor
• Stern anchor line

Dinghy & Safety

• AB Inflatables 12 AL aluminum RIB
• Yamaha Enduro 25HP two-stroke outboard
• 12-person life raft
• Small, medium and large drogues

Included Extras
One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a boat that’s been properly equipped for extended cruising is the extensive inventory of spare parts already onboard. Aloha’s owners prepared her to travel farther and for longer than they ultimately did, leaving her next owners with an unusually extensive collection of redundant equipment, service parts, and maintenance supplies already aboard.

• Spare Raymarine Type 2 Rotary Drive Autopilot (approx. $2,500)
• Spare 1500W 120V electric hot water heater, new in box
• 2 × soft-start A/C starters (not installed)
• Spare Yanmar alternator
• 2 × spare boost pumps
• 3 × spare Jabsco pumps
• Spare bilge pump
• Windlass bearing replacement kit
• Helm bearing replacement kit
• 2 × spare heat exchanger caps
• 2 × spare Vetus raw-water strainer caps
• Spare Yanmar engine seacock, new in box
• Spare Quick windlass gypsy
• Spare Quick windlass gearbox
• Gaskets, belts and filters
• Engine oil, coolant and cruising maintenance supplies
• Extensive additional cruising spares 

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.