Abundant Life was launched as a dream before she came off the drawing board. Owner David Leppan, having experienced bareboat charters, planned for a life aboard. Space, comfort, safety, and speed were the key design criteria.
With prior sailing and cruising experience, it was time to realise the dream. Designer Anthony Key created the working drawings, and the 55 ft sailing catamaran project began.
Built entirely with foam coring and epoxy resins, the vessel features spacious sponsons, a wide beam, high bridge-deck clearance, and a raised helm station — all influencing the layout of deck hardware and engine rooms.
Performance under power called for twin 110 hp Yanmar 4-cylinder diesels, driving folding props via direct drive gearboxes. This compact, low-maintenance setup is ideal for long ocean passages — with careful engine access design making maintenance feasible even in rough seas. The fuel system includes day tanks, a fuel scrubbing system, and cleanable built-in storage tanks.
Luxuriously appointed, the yacht demands high electrical capacity across both 220 V and 12 V systems. A full Mastervolt system — including battery cells, charger/inverter, and monitoring — is installed, with a 7 kW generator for onboard power and charging at anchor.
During sea trials in Table Bay, Abundant Life met all design speeds under sail and power. On her maiden cruise to East London, she consistently reached 22 knots while maintaining crew comfort and stability.
Today, Abundant Life is cruising the Indian Ocean — fulfilling the purpose she was built for.
Accommodation and Layout
4 × en suite double cabins
Forepeak crew quarters
Saloon incorporating galley, U-shaped couch, and navigation station
Aft deck with weather protection from extended coach roof
Raised helm station with centralised winches and lines
Engines and Tanks
Engines: 2 × Yanmar 110 hp 4-cylinder diesel engines
Fuel tanks: 2 × 1000 litre aluminium tanks with transfer pumps and fuel polishing system
Water tanks: 1000 litre total capacity in two tanks
Watermakers: 1 × 200 litre/hour engine driven, 1 × 50 litre/hour AC powered
Black water stored in built-in tanks
Electrics
2 × 3000 watt inverter/chargers
1500 amp/hour house battery bank
Separate batteries for winches, windlass, and sail furlers
Electronics
Autopilot
Chartplotters
Radar 4 kW
VHF
SSB
Sailing instruments
Compass
Satellite communications
Weather fax
Windlass and Winches
Heavy-duty anchor windlass
Stern anchor windlass
Powered tender davit winch
Powered halyard and reefing winches
Domestic Appliances
2 × 130 litre fridges
1 × 200 litre chest freezer
1 × cockpit fridge/freezer
1 × ice maker
Gas cooker hob and oven with griller
Gas cooker and hob in cockpit
Microwave oven
Toaster
Bread maker
Drinking water purification system
Washing machine/tumble dryer combination
Air conditioning in sponsons and saloon
Water System
Freshwater system, interconnected and pressurised
Outdoor showers on transom and at mast step
Anchoring
2 × main anchors, Fortress and Delta
1 × stern anchor, Fortress
Safety Equipment
1 × 10-man life raft
Category A safety equipment for 10 persons
EPIRB
MOB electronic warning system
Hand-held watermaker
Satellite telephone and solar charger
Hand-held GPS and VHF
Sails
Fully battened main
Genoa
Storm sail
Generator
7 kW Northern Lights
Tenders
1 × semi-rigid 4.5 m with 40 hp outboard engine
1 × inflatable 3.2 m with 15 hp outboard engine
Dive Compressor
Bauer Junior
Solar Panels
Total 1000 watt
