The world premiere of the Saffier SE 28 Leopard arrives at boot Düsseldorf in January, signalling a meaningful step forward for one of Europe's most respected daysailer builders.
Boot Düsseldorf runs from 17 to 25 January 2026, drawing more than 1,500 exhibitors and a genuinely international crowd across its sprawling halls. For sailors, the show has long served as the earliest window onto new ideas that eventually spread further afield.
Saffier Yachts is using the occasion to unveil the SE 28 Leopard to the public for the very first time. The new model will appear alongside the yard's four established designs: the Saffier SE 24 Lite, the Saffier SE 33 Life, the Saffier SC 8m Cabin, and the Saffier SC 6.5 Cruise.
The builder has long been known for refined, performance-focused daysailers, and the SE 28 Leopard marks a clear evolution within that tradition. The hull is an entirely new shape, measuring 8.4 metres in length and extending to 9.2 metres once the bowsprit is included. Those lines have been drawn to generate more pace both upwind and downwind. A wide beam combined with flat underwater sections is intended to deliver stability and control without blunting the lively, responsive character the brand is known for.
Flexibility is central to the SE 28 Leopard's appeal. Buyers can choose between electric and diesel propulsion, select a tiller or twin wheels, and personalise the foredeck with options including solar charging or a flush Esthec finish. That range of choice means the same boat can be configured for relaxed coastal sailing or for more performance-oriented days on the water.
Performance ambitions aside, practicality remains front and centre. The hull is constructed using vacuum-infused fibreglass, keeping displacement to around 2,200 kilograms and making the Leopard both trailerable and easy to launch. Below deck, the accommodation is straightforward, with four berths on offer for short coastal escapes.
For sailors who value clean design and hands-on sailing, this world premiere will be worth a closer look.
