1999 Leopard 38 (South Pacific)

S/V KAIA is a Tahiti based 1999 Leopard 38 For Sale By Owner. This owner requires financial settlement only. No trades.

Kaia is a highly sought-after and handbuilt 1999 Leopard 38 owner’s version, and a proven bluewater cruiser currently cruising French Polynesia enroute to Australia via Tonga and Fiji. We bought her in Grenada and have since sailed her north to the British Virgin Islands, and west through the Caribbean to Panama (a 1,200nm passage), before transiting the Panama Canal. Most recently, Kaia took us 4,000nm across the Pacific Ocean to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia – 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 9 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. 

What we added. Throughout 2026, in preparation for the Pacific crossing: 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. As much as we’d love to keep Kaia, we’re selling because unfortunately our sabbatical is coming to an end.

Where she is and where she’s going. Kaia is currently in French Polynesia. Over the coming months we’ll sail to Tonga, then Fiji, and finally to Australia by November 2026 (unless sold prior). We’re flexible on the handover location — meet us anywhere along that route. Survey and sea trial can be arranged in any major Pacific port. Delivery elsewhere can be discussed.

Vessel status. Kaia is Australian flagged. 

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.