Replacing the successful Leopard 50, the all-new Leopard 52 brings a fresh wave of innovation and versatility to the world of bluewater cruising. Designed with both private owners and charter operators in mind, this next-generation catamaran blends performance, comfort, and sustainability in a way that defines modern cruising.

At first glance, the Leopard 52 embodies the builder’s DNA—open, functional, and easy to move through. Its redesigned aft cockpit seamlessly connects to the main salon, creating a unified space that invites easy socializing and effortless flow between indoor and outdoor living areas. Sliding glass doors and vertical windows flood the interior with natural light, while thoughtful circulation ensures safe and comfortable movement around the boat whether at anchor or underway. Inside, flexibility reigns. The Leopard 52 can be configured in multiple layouts, from a spacious three-cabin liveaboard version with a utility and laundry room to a six-cabin, six-head charter-ready design with a dedicated skipper’s cabin. Each arrangement emphasizes livability, storage, and the ability to tailor the space to different needs—from private voyaging to luxury charter operations.

True to Leopard’s commitment to innovation, the 52 also embraces the future of hybrid propulsion. Offered as an optional system under the “Joule” platform, the setup replaces traditional diesel engines with dual electric pods and a large lithium battery bank. The system allows regenerative charging under sail and doubles the solar capacity for greater self-sufficiency—a forward-thinking step toward sustainable cruising. At the helm, sailors will find the Leopard 52 as capable as it is comfortable. All sail controls lead cleanly to the flybridge, ensuring easy single or short-handed operation. With options for downwind sails like the Code 0 or Code D, the catamaran maintains strong performance even in light winds—proof that Leopard’s focus on sailing enjoyment remains intact.

Whether for liveaboard adventurers or fleet operators, the Leopard 52 sets a new standard for adaptable, energy-conscious cruising. It’s a boat built to bring the comforts of home to the world’s most remote anchorages—without compromising the thrill of the sail.

The post A New Era of Comfort and Capability: Introducing the Leopard 52 appeared first on Cruising World.

Leopard Catamarans has unveiled its newest flagship sailing catamaran, the Leopard 52, which premiered at the Cannes Yachting Festival and will make its U.S. debut at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this fall.

Replacing the popular Leopard 50, the new 52-footer represents a significant step forward in design, comfort and performance. Built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa and designed by Simonis Voogd Design, the Leopard 52 adds more sail power, interior flexibility and eco-friendly features to the brand’s blue-water DNA.

“The Leopard 52 is without a doubt the most versatile catamaran in its class,” said Franck Bauguil, senior vice president of yacht ownership and product development. “From private owners and long-term liveaboards to charter guests and families, this yacht adapts to every lifestyle with unmatched flexibility.”

Layouts and Comfort

Owners can choose from a range of interior configurations, from a dedicated three-cabin liveaboard layout with a utility room to a six-cabin charter version, each with ensuite head and shower. Optional crew quarters and multiple cockpit table setups further personalize the onboard experience.

A fully opening saloon and aft cockpit create seamless indoor-outdoor living, while a watertight forward door provides direct foredeck access for safety, ventilation and circulation. Upgraded finishes, indirect lighting and refined details throughout the interior bring a residential feel to life aboard.

Performance and Sail Power

With a taller mast, overlapping genoa and optional square-top mainsail, the Leopard 52 offers 17 percent more upwind sail area than the model it replaces. Naval architects Simonis Voogd Design also refined the hulls and rig using advanced CFD modeling, resulting in reduced pitching, better seakeeping and improved agility.

“The new Leopard 52 belongs to a new generation of catamarans that achieve better stability and comfort while offering a larger rig and more sail power,” said Alexander Simonis of Simonis Voogd Design. “Owners can expect less motoring and more pure sailing pleasure.”

Eco Options and Smart Tech

Sustainability upgrades include optional integrated solar panels (four 400-watt panels), lithium battery systems and a hybrid electric propulsion package developed with Joool. This system can regenerate power under sail and enables fully electric cooking and appliances, reducing reliance on LPG and maximizing energy efficiency.

The Leopard 52 will also enter charter service as The Moorings 5200 through the company’s yacht ownership program.

The post Leopard Catamarans Debuts Leopard 52 Sailing Catamaran appeared first on Cruising World.

In not a lot of wind, maybe 10 to 15 knots, a square-top main and code-zero headsail had the Leopard 46 catamaran skipping across Chesapeake Bay at 7 knots and change, and sometimes quicker in the puffs. The steering was responsive. The helm, raised to deck level and protected from weather by a hardtop Bimini, was comfortable. From the two-person driver’s seat, I found good all-round visibility, and all sail-control lines were close at hand and easily managed by the electric Harken winches on the cabin top.

On a Boat of the Year sea trial of any other big cruising cat, the sailing capability alone of this latest model from South African builder Robertson and Caine would have had my full attention.

But even more than that, I found myself glued to a small display screen mounted near the wheel. On it, an easy-to-­understand graphic showed that we were not only hauling the proverbial mail, but we were also generating electricity and recharging the lithium phosphate batteries without expending a drop of diesel. In theory, with the assistance of an array of solar panels mounted on the Bimini top, if we sailed long enough, we’d arrive at our destination with the battery bank fully charged and without ever having to run the range-extending generator.

In a year when we ­encountered several approaches to ­hybrid or all-electric ­propulsion, the system that comes as an ­option on the Leopard seemed the ­simplest for an owner to ­master. My colleague Tim Murphy would conclude later in a story ­written by our fellow judge Herb McCormick: “We’re seeing more and more electric options, and this is a solid step in the right direction.”

The Leopard 46, designed by Alex Simonis and the team at Simonis Voogd, replaces a popular 45-foot Leopard that was also available for charter ownership under The Moorings and Sunsail brands. Introduced at the Annapolis Boat Show in 2016, the 45 had a model run of 379 boats, with the last one delivered in 2024. The brands, all owned by Travelopia, have an unusual relationship with R&C, in that they are the builder’s only customer. And for several years now, Simonis has been the chief designer of all R&C sail- and power-cat models.

During our dockside briefing at the most recent sailboat show, Franck Bauguil, senior vice president of yacht ownership and product development at Travelopia, explained some of the challenges in developing the new model. It had to offer new features to set it apart from its predecessor, and it had to come in at a similar price to remain attractive as a charter investment. It also needed to reflect the elements that private owners expect to find on a yacht with a price tag approaching $1 million—or even a couple hundred thousand more if equipped with the hybrid package.

For his part, Simonis has faced these tensions before. The 45, ­introduced in 2016, brought similar considerations and earned Cruising World kudos as Best Charter Boat. The 46, meanwhile, was named 2025 Best Full-Size Multihull 45 to 50 feet.

Apart from the hybrid propulsion system, there are a number of new features included in the 46, starting with its construction. Previous R&C boats have been built using three molds for the hull, with the pieces then glassed together along the bridge deck. The mold for the 46’s infused hull is one piece, a process the builder will employ in all future models, Bauguil said. And on this boat, aluminum mullions support the cabin top while glass windows replace the acrylic ones used in other models. 

Compared with the 45, the transition between the salon and cockpit feels more open. This was achieved by eliminating the after bulkhead and replacing it with a composite ring frame. Revamping the cockpit door with four glass panels that slide out of the way allows for a dining table indoors to be in close proximity to another one in the cockpit. In good weather, the crowd can have a banquet.

A nav station is forward and to port in the salon. With just about 360-degree visibility, it would be a fine place to spend night watches. Between it and the galley to starboard, a ­watertight door opens onto the forward cockpit. 

The 46 is available with several layouts. The boat in Annapolis included an owner’s stateroom aft to starboard and a VIP stateroom forward, each en suite with its own companionway. The port hull held a third stateroom aft; forward was a ­workshop/utility room with a washer and dryer. For chartering, four- and five-stateroom layouts are available.

On deck, a portside stairway just outside the cockpit leads to a lounge atop the Bimini top that has couch seating, a table and sun pads. Access to the raised helm is from the starboard deck or via steps up from the cockpit.

Boats for the Leopard brand have a lifting swim platform that can also hold a dinghy. Charter boats have a stainless frame to lift the tender.

The standard sail plan for all models is a regular-cut main and genoa from Ullman (a square-top mainsail is an option). Upgrades are available, and Leopard models have a spit for flying a code-zero reaching sail or a code-D downwind sail.

For power, the standard ­engines are 45 hp Yanmars with saildrives; 57 hp upgrades are available.

The hybrid system might be what appeals most to a buyer with early-adopter tendencies, but there’s also a lot to be said for the proven reliability of a couple of a modern, efficient diesels. Either way, the Leopard 46 offers loads of fresh ideas in an attractive cat that’s cruiser-­friendly and fun to sail.

Take the next step

Price $1.2 million (as tested)
leopardcatamarans.com

Greener Sailing 

The hybrid electric propulsion system being offered as an option on the Leopard 46 relies on technology developed in France by a company named Joool, which was launched in 1998 as Alternative Energies. It has systems installed on a number of European ferries and workboats. It recently became a part of the group that owns Fountaine Pajot and Dufour Yachts, and is working with other builders as well.

At the heart of its hybrid system is the OneBox, a sealed unit that the company says enables “energy conversion and distribution for your boat.” On the Leopard 46, the OneBox collects energy generated by multiple sources: four 400-watt solar panels, propeller pods capable of regeneration under sail, shore power, and electricity produced by a 24 kW diesel generator. The system then stores that energy in two 27 kW lithium phosphate battery banks—one in each hull. As it’s needed, power is transformed into DC and AC current of various voltages to run house loads and the two 25 kW electric motor pods.

When sailing, one or both motors can be set in regeneration mode to replenish the battery banks, along with power coming in via the solar panels incorporated into the Bimini top, according to an engineer aboard the day of our test sail. The system senses when the battery banks reach a certain level of discharge and automatically starts the generator.

It’s a complex system, but in practical terms, an owner needs only to monitor displays mounted at the nav desk and the helm station, then decide how much or how little power to draw from batteries or the diesel generator underway. The goal when passagemaking is to use as little fossil fuel as possible and still arrive with a topped-up battery bank that will take care of house loads which include LED lighting, efficient air conditioning and refrigeration systems, and cooking appliances such as a microwave/convection oven and electric cockpit grill. The boat we sailed in Annapolis had no propane gas aboard.

While the Leopard in Annapolis had a price tag of $1.2 million (compared with a sticker price of just under $1 million for a boat with standard diesel engines), most buyers of the 46 will want options that include a generator and a bank of lithium batteries large enough to cover overnight house loads, says Franck Bauguil, senior vice president of yacht ownership and product development at Travelopia, owner of the Leopard brand. 

When you factor in that additional equipment, plus diesel-engine upgrades, the difference in price might not be all that significant.

CW editor-at-large Mark Pillsbury was a 2025 Boat of the Year judge.

The post Leopard 46 Review: Innovative Cruising Cat with Hybrid Power appeared first on Cruising World.

In a move aimed at increasing efficiency and structural integrity, Leopard Catamarans—the sailing and power catamaran brand built by South Africa’s Robertson and Caine (R&C)—has introduced a new hull construction process called single shot infusion. This updated technique marks a significant shift in the company’s lamination strategy, replacing the traditional multi-stage infusion method with a streamlined, one-step approach.

The single shot infusion method saturates the entire hull structure—core, laminates, and reinforcements—in one controlled resin application. By doing away with secondary bonding steps, the process improves uniformity, reduces weight, and enhances the long-term durability of the hull. According to R&C, it also minimizes the risk of delamination by eliminating inconsistencies along join lines.

The adoption of this technique comes as part of a broader focus by R&C to modernize production and increase quality control measures across its manufacturing pipeline. Complementing the new infusion method, the company has also implemented advanced acoustic leak detection systems to ensure vacuum integrity prior to resin application.

Further updates to the hull-building process include a redesigned resin feed layout to reduce dry spots, second-round phenolic sound testing 30 days after demoulding to catch delayed anomalies, and a trial of thicker print blockers to improve surface aesthetics and minimize visible patchwork over time.

Robertson and Caine, which remains the largest boatbuilding company in South Africa and a global leader in power catamaran manufacturing, says these improvements are part of a long-term initiative to refine construction standards while responding to growing market expectations for durability and performance.

With an eye on environmental impact, R&C is also researching a new, slower-curing resin formula optimized for warm climates, set for possible deployment by late 2025. The company is additionally exploring localized hull temperature control systems to reduce the energy costs associated with factory-wide climate regulation during the build process.

These technical refinements are already being applied to newer models like the Leopard 46 and are expected to filter through the broader Leopard lineup in the months ahead.

Visit Leopard Catamarans for more information and their latest developments.

What Is Resin Infusion—and Why It Matters in Boatbuilding

Also known as vacuum infusion, resin infusion is a widely used method in advanced composite construction, especially in the marine, aerospace, and automotive industries. The technique ensures strong, lightweight, and high-quality parts—an ideal match for the demands of performance cruising boats.

Here’s how it works:

1. Mold Preparation
   A rigid mold defines the final part’s shape and is carefully prepped with release agents.
   
2. Reinforcement Layup
   Dry fiberglass, carbon fiber, or other reinforcements are layered inside the mold.
   
3. Bagging
   A vacuum-tight film is sealed over the mold, forming a closed system.
   
4. Vacuum Application
   Air is removed using a vacuum pump, compressing the fiber layers and preparing them for resin.
   
5. Resin Infusion
   Liquid resin is drawn into the mold by vacuum pressure, saturating the fibers uniformly.
   
6. Curing
   The infused part is left to cure under vacuum, forming a solid, bonded composite.
   
7. Demolding
   Once cured, the part is removed from the mold—often with minimal surface finishing required.

Why it matters:

• Higher strength, lower weight: Consistent fiber-to-resin ratios produce structurally efficient parts.
  
• Fewer voids and defects: The vacuum process prevents air pockets and ensures full saturation.
  
• Cleaner and safer: Reduced resin waste and lower VOC emissions make this a more environmentally friendly method.
  
• Refined finish: Infused parts often need less post-production work, saving time and improving aesthetics.
  

In high-stakes applications like bluewater catamarans, where strength-to-weight ratio, durability, and long-term performance matter, this technique helps builders deliver reliable offshore vessels.

The post Leopard Catamarans Advances Hull Construction with Single Shot Infusion appeared first on Cruising World.

Experience the Evolution of Catamarans

The Leopard 46 is the perfect balance of performance and sophistication, designed to meet the demands of modern boaters who crave both adventure and luxury. Built by the renowned Robertson & Caine and designed by naval architects Simonis Voogd, this next-gen model raises the bar in its class.

Unrivaled Space and Comfort

Available in both 3 and 4-cabin layouts, the Leopard 46 features generous living spaces, contemporary finishes, and expansive windows that flood the interior with natural light. The open-plan salon connects seamlessly to the aft cockpit and forward lounge, creating a true indoor-outdoor flow.

Command from the Top

Enjoy commanding views from the spacious flybridge, outfitted with a second helm station, wet bar, lounge seating, and plenty of room to entertain or relax under the sun.

Efficient Meets Long-Range Capability

Powered by twin diesel engines, the Leopard 46 delivers exceptional fuel efficiency, stability, and long-range cruising ability—making it ideal for coastal exploration or extended voyages.

Why Choose the Leopard 46?

• Smart design with high-volume hulls for maximum livability
• Flybridge with hardtop and panoramic views
• Light-filled, luxurious interior spaces
• Built for performance and reliability on the water

Begin Your Adventure Today

Explore the Leopard 46 and see how comfort, performance, and innovation come together in perfect harmony.

Visit Leopard Catamarans: leopardcatamarans.com

The post Leopard 46: Luxury, Performance, and Space—Redefined on the Water appeared first on Cruising World.

With its new 46-footer, Leopard Catamarans has launched a sporty and stylish sailing vessel that also stakes out some significant turf in the evolving realm of auxiliary hybrid propulsion. 

Built by Robertson and Caine, the Simonis Voogd-designed Leopard 46 reflects the DNA of its 45-foot predecessor—fine sailing performance and solid construction—but includes a lot of versatility in terms of options for gear, systems and layouts. In doing so, it meets the needs of the South African boatbuilder’s sole customer, which sells its cats to private owners under the Leopard Catamaran brand and into sailing charter fleets run by two of the industry’s biggest players, the Moorings and Sunsail.

Aside from the technical challenges of building a boat available with multiple interior layouts and sophisticated technical systems, the cost to produce the 46 had to be kept low enough for it to be a profitable vacation-fleet workboat while offering all the optional comforts and features expected on a yacht selling in the $1 million-plus range.

In that regard, the 46 checks all those boxes, available as the Leopard 46, the Moorings 4600 and, the Sunsail 465.

The first to be unveiled was the Leopard 46, introduced at the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show. To make a real splash, the boat came outfitted with a cutting-edge hybrid propulsion system that relies on two 25-kilowatt electric motors, each with its own 27-kilowatt lithium battery bank, and a 24-kilowatt diesel generator to extend the boat’s range. Power to the motors, which run at 400 volts, and to the batteries, charged by four 400-watt solar panels on the Bimini or by the genset, is managed by sealed control boxes at each engine. 

It’s a complex system that includes not only multiple sources of energy—solar, diesel, and shore power when at the dock—but also DC-to-AC inverters and DC-to-DC transformers to meet the needs of lighting, instruments, air conditioning and other systems throughout the boat. 

In practical terms, though, an owner needs to only monitor a display screen mounted at the helm station and decide how much or how little power to draw from batteries vs. the diesel generator when underway. The goal when passagemaking is to use as little fossil fuel as possible and still arrive with a topped-up battery bank that will take care of house loads.

Hybrid cruising and living has its cost, of course: An option-loaded Leopard 46 like this carries a price tag of right around $1.2 million.

By contrast, a standard Leopard 46, powered with optional 57 hp Yanmars and saildrives, is priced just under $1 million, as are charter versions, which come standard with 45 hp Yanmars and saildrives but include all the necessary vacation-fleet gear, such as bedding, dishes and the like.

A number of other interesting features are included in the new 46. The aft bulkhead in the salon has been replaced by a structural frame around a four-panel glass door that allows the salon to flow into the cockpit. Inside, a long dining table to starboard has a leaf at its aft end that can open to meet a second large table in the cockpit. When combined, there’s banquet seating for a crowd. A smaller cockpit table is also available for owners interested in more-intimate gatherings.

The 46 also offers multiple layouts. There’s a four-cabin version with en suite heads and showers, including an owner’s stateroom located aft in the starboard hull with its own companionway. A variation allows for the forward cabin in the port hull to become a utility room with cabinets, a countertop, and washer and dryer. There is also a five-cabin version, with a stateroom with bunkbeds amidships in the starboard hull.

All of Robertson and Caine’s models feature a forward-facing galley. The 46 can be equipped with a dishwasher; an induction cooktop, a convection microwave oven and an electric plancha or grill in the cockpit are options for owners who want a propane-free boat.

Topside, the 46 features a helm station located to starboard at deck level, with an adjacent raised flybridge lounge on the Bimini over the cockpit. This arrangement keeps the helmsman in contact with crew above and below. 

With all sail control lines led to three winches located near the wheel, the 46 is an easy boat to sail, whether on a bluewater passage with family or friends, or from tropical island to tropical island while on vacation. Opt for the hybrid package, and your dream voyage can be a green one too. 

For more information on the Leopard 46, visit leopardcatamarans.com/catamarans/leopard-46.

The post The Leopard 46 Leaps Into the Hybrid World appeared first on Cruising World.

Big cruising catamarans are an ever-evolving segment of the expanding cat universe, but the truth of the matter is, many builders and designers approach the deck layouts and interior accommodations with the lucrative charter market in mind. Hence, we see plenty of features that cater specifically to consumers of sailing vacations: upper-level decks with sun pads and lounges, flybridges with couches and refrigerators, quartets of double staterooms with en suite heads, and so on. 

All of which is why it was so refreshing to inspect and sail these two well-executed cats that have been developed with real cruising sailors in mind. Yes, Robertson and Caine, the builders of Leopard cats, provide many boats to charter vendors such as The Moorings, but the Leopard 46 is a cruiser, and a solid one at that. Meanwhile, you can certainly find Nautitechs on charter in places including the British Virgin Islands, but they’re the choice of avid sailors. What a matchup. Let the games begin.

WINNER: Leopard 46
Leopard Catamarans

A lot of innovation has been baked into the DNA of the latest in a lengthy inventory of Leopards, and Mark Pillsbury found a lot to like: “The Leopard is yet another in a long line of versatile catamarans designed by Alex Simonis and built by Robertson and Caine in South Africa. On the one hand, the boat was built to a price point that will enable it to be a financial success when put into charter service. On the other, the 46 that we sailed is aimed at cruising sailors, with an optional hybrid propulsion system that’s a real game-changer (and that isn’t available in the charter version). The system’s electric motors rely on power stored in lithium batteries that can be replenished by solar panels, a diesel generator or regeneration while sailing, meaning you can cruise under power more efficiently and arrive at your destination with your batteries charged. If the system proves stable and reliable, it will mark a step forward toward more-efficient energy use. A four-panel door really opens up the Leopard’s salon and creates an uninterrupted flow of space out into the cockpit. With the front door also open, the tropical breeze blowing through should be amazing.”

Tim Murphy offered a deeper dive into the boat’s systems: “The so-called OneBox from Alternative Energies is the brains of a 400-volt DC system that supplies power to the boat’s electric motors. User-friendly monitors make a complicated system understandable to operators who aren’t computer programmers. We had an engineer guide us through the features, which are truly accessible and easily understood. We’re seeing more and more electric options, and this is a solid step in the right direction.”

Finalist: Nautitech 48 Open
Nautitech Catamarans

Judge Herb McCormick has never owned a catamaran, but he’s tested dozens of them, and he was mightily impressed with the latest Nautitech. “This is a boat that really spoke to me,” he said. “You could see from the moment you stepped aboard that the priority here was performance sailing, not how many bedrooms were spread out below, which is not always the case with big cats. This design is from the offices of the late Marc Lombard, and the design brief clearly emphasizes the need for speed: rounded, more buoyant hulls; a dedicated commitment to reduce drag; a careful analysis of weight and volume distribution, in the service of livelier sailing; a longer waterline; and on and on. We had a lot of great sailing over the course of our sea trials, but none better than on the 48 Open. And it corrected my long-standing misconception that you had to have daggerboards on a cat to achieve truly thrilling and rewarding sailing. This is a great boat. I deferred to my judges on the Leopard, and agree that it’s the purer cruiser. But my choice here would be the Nautitech.” 

Mark Pillsbury was also taken by 48 Open’s performance: “During our sea trial on the Nautitech 48, I jotted down ‘really smooth ride’ in my notes and underlined it. It’s a great sailing boat and a quick one too. In one good puff into the low 20s, we hit 15 knots. That would translate into a lot of miles under the keels if you were sailing in steady trade winds. Accustomed to the monohull world, I really liked the location of the helm stations on the Nautitech: aft and outboard. The visibility was excellent. In good weather, you’re out where you can feel the elements around you, and if things turn gnarly, you can always step into the salon and keep watch there.”

Click here to return to the 2025 Boat of the Year main page.

The post 2025 Boat of the Year: Best Full-Size Multihull 45 to 50 Feet appeared first on Cruising World.

Leopard Catamarans has unveiled the Leopard 46 sailing cat.

“The Leopard 46 is a testament to Leopard Catamarans and Robertson and Caine’s commitment to engineering excellence and elevated onboard living,” Franck Bauguil, global sales manager at Leopard Catamarans, stated in a press release. “We have meticulously designed and built a vessel that not only delivers exceptional performance but also provides an unparalleled level of luxury and comfort.”

The Leopard 46 has an exterior design inspired by powercats. Its wraparound coachroof windows allow for panoramic views and lots of natural light inside. The companionway sliding door fully retracts abaft the helm station, connecting the saloon and cockpit as a single area for relaxation and entertainment.

Other key features include a hybrid electric drive option and integrated solar panels, both of which have the potential to make cruising more sustainable and efficient. Available with two standard 45 hp Yanmar diesel engines (or optional upgraded 57 hp versions), the Leopard 46 answers the call for sustainability with its optional Hybrid Electric Drive System. The system includes a power management box, electric propulsion pod, high-voltage lithium-ion battery, solar array, and range-extending generator. The boat’s power can be sourced from solar panels, sailing regeneration, shore power, and a range extender. The system can manage charging and discharging, providing power for both propulsion and house loads. Testing shows speeds over 8 knots and regeneration capabilities up to 1.8 KW per hour per hull.

Leopard allows owners to personalize the 46 by ordering one of several layouts. Options include three staterooms plus a utility room; or four- and five-stateroom variations. Owners also can choose the configuration of tables and furniture in the saloon and cockpit.

There’s an optional performance-sail package, as well as an optional lifting tender platform.

The Leopard 46 will be available for charter through The Moorings and Sunsail.

Leopard 46 Specifications

The post Featured Nominee: Leopard 46 appeared first on Cruising World.

Sitting at the flybridge helm station aboard the new Leopard 40 power cat, taking in the view of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, was an excellent way to spend a sunny February morning. It was the day after the 2023 Miami International Boat Show, where the latest model from South African builder Robertson and Caine had made its world debut. I was thoroughly enjoying my allotted time at the helm.

Did I mention that I was a thousand or so miles from the snow and ice back home in New England? Or that the three-person helm seat was far comfier than a similar-size chairlift on any ski hill? Or that the table, surrounded by an L-shaped couch directly behind me—never mind the adjacent chaise abutting a counter with grill, sink and fridge—promised nothing but fun times for both skipper and crew?

With another nine hulls already in the works, and more to come by year’s end when production is fully ramped up, the boat will soon be available for charter vacations with The Moorings. At first, it will be in the British Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Croatia and Greece, and eventually, it will join the company’s bases worldwide.

Off the Florida coast, we monitored miles per gallon at 500 rpm increments. In slow motion (1,000 rpm), the twin 370 hp Yanmar diesels sipped fuel at an estimated rate of 4.8 miles to the gallon. The boat’s sweet spot—3,000 rpm, where we cranked along at 17 knots—came at a cost of 0.8 miles per gallon. Any more or less, and efficiency dropped, according to onboard gauges. Top speed was a little better than 22 knots.

At cruising speed, the boat’s hydraulic steering felt nimble and responsive as I cranked the wheel into a turn. Conditions were fairly calm, but crossing our own wake, the 40 PC plowed on through the chop without missing a beat.

At low speed, the 40 PC turned easily when I adjusted the twin fly-by-wire throttles and shifted between forward and reverse. The sailor in me wondered if the builder really needed to include a bow thruster in the port bow, though the feature had made getting out of the tight slip at the marina a simple enough maneuver. For extra-tight quarters with a shorthanded crew, cameras can ­monitor the stern and bow, and deliver the imagery to either of the twin Raymarine displays at the ­upstairs helm station.

The 40 PC joins a lineup that includes the Leopard 46 PC (also sold as the Moorings 464) and Robertson and Caine’s flagship on the power side, the Leopard 53 PC. 

A word of explanation here: Robertson and Caine enjoys a somewhat unusual relationship with Travelopia, which owns The Moorings and Sunsail, and oversees the Leopard sales team. All of Robertson and Caine’s sailing catamarans go into the charter companies’ fleets or are sold to private owners as Leopard Catamarans. Robertson and Caine’s power models are branded as Leopards or Moorings models, depending on how an owner plans to use the boat. All of Robertson and Caine’s current models—power and sail—are developed by the in-house design team, along with Alex Simonis of naval architecture firm Simonis and Voogd, and Franck Bauguil, vice president of yacht ownership and product development at Travelopia. Bauguil also manages sales of all three brands.

At present, he says, approximately half of Robertson and Caine’s sailboats are sold for charter, and half are for private use. The same is expected to be true for the 40 PC. Robertson and Caine plans to build 20 of the boats this year and increase the number to 31 next year. A well-equipped model, delivered from South Africa to the United States ready to go, comes in at under $1.2 million. 

The three current power models comprise the fourth generation of power vessels from Robertson and Caine in terms of design. Previous generations shared some furniture modules with boats from the sail side, but Bauguil says that this new line started with a blank sheet of paper. The result is increased volume for interior accommodations without disturbing performance.

The boat in Miami was powered by optional twin 370 hp Yanmar diesels. Charter models are fitted out with 350 hp Yanmars, and 250 hp Yanmars are also available. Tankage is cruiser-friendly, with 370 gallons of fuel and 170 gallons of water.

Aboard the 40 PC, the owner’s stateroom occupies the starboard hull. It has a queen berth aft and a head ­compartment forward with a shower in the forepeak. Amidships are a desk and ­television, hanging lockers, and a fair amount of stowage.

The port hull includes guest staterooms fore and aft, each with a queen berth, and a shared head between them.

It’s bright and airy in the salon, thanks to windows that offer a near 360-degree view, a sliding door that opens to the cockpit, and another door forward that leads to the foredeck, where a couple of cushioned sun beds await. The cockpit is shaded by the flybridge, with a cushioned seat across the transom, and a dining table.

The salon itself is well-laid-­out, with an indoor helm station tucked into the forward starboard corner. To port, an L-shaped couch surrounds a coffee table (a dining table is optional); opposite is an upholstered chair. The galley is adjacent to the cockpit, with a full-size, home-style fridge to starboard and an L-shaped counter to port that includes an induction stove top, a convection microwave oven, a sink, and a dishwasher.

On deck, a solid stainless-­steel rail around the boat provides secure handholds for moving about underway.

Inside and out, the lines of the 40 PC are sharp and stylish. Bauguil says early orders indicate that the boat is appealing not only to multihull sailors who want to make a jump into power, but also to powerboaters looking for the efficiency gained by two hulls. As for charterers, I can state it pure and simple: Put me on a 40 PC somewhere warm and sunny for a week, and I’ll guarantee a good time.  

Leopard 40 Power Cat Specifications

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For some reason, flotilla charters seem to have a stigma attached to them, especially among experienced bareboat charter skippers.

“I don’t want to be led through the islands like a string of rubber duckies,” one sailor says. Another says: “I want the freedom to run my own boat, sleep late when I want, and stop for a snorkel.” Yet another: “Flotilla charters are just for beginners, and I don’t want to be slowed down.”

Those are three common misunderstandings that have kept flotilla charters from being as popular with North American charterers as they are with Europeans, who embrace flotillas as a great vacation choice.

The very word, flotilla, seems vaguely military and suggests a group of boats being herded along by a mothership. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many companies now label flotillas as “social charters” because it’s a more accurate description.

Social chartering in Europe is just as popular with experienced charterers as it is with first-timers. In fact, many charterers with years of bareboating return from their first social charter asking, “Why didn’t we do this earlier?”

Here’s how a social charter works: A charter company puts together a package for a particular destination, such as the British Virgin Islands, for a dozen or so boats. An itinerary is laid out to include the most interesting stops, where special events are planned.

 All well and good, but it’s here that experienced sailors start getting antsy, because cruising along with most flotillas is a team (on their own boat) from the charter company, including a captain, engineer and host/hostess. Often called the “lead crew,” this threesome is one of the elements that makes social chartering so special.

The captain is a local who provides a briefing for the skippers every morning, going over the charts and discussing a general plan for the day. The engineer or service tech is there to make sure that everything works perfectly. And the host/hostess? They are there to take care of special events and help with individual plans.

The captain’s briefing each morning sets out the general plan for the day, but one of the best parts is the discussion of all the attractions along the way: a great lunch cove, a reef for snorkeling, or perhaps a perfect beach. The itinerary is flexible and you’re free to move as you please, but with the reassurance of having the lead crew nearby.

Do you have to sail along with the other boats? Of course not. Each skipper plans the adventures for the day, depending on the crew’s preferences.

When you arrive at the day’s destination, the lead crew will lend a hand with your anchoring (at your request) but, once settled, you’re on your own. Barbecue on board, visit a local restaurant (with reservations made by the host/hostess) or simply enjoy sundowners in your own cockpit.

It’s called social chartering for a reason. You’ll meet and mingle with other crews who all share one thing: They love bareboating. Friendships have been made during social charters that last for years, and that have led to future social charters together. I know of one marriage that resulted from college kids who met during their parents’ social charter.

Part of the fun of social chartering is meeting up with everyone at your destination for dinners, beach picnics, or a progressive party with ­munchies on one boat and ­everything from salad to dessert on others.  

But, you ask, won’t we miss out on some destinations with a social charter? Not likely. In fact, because the lead crew is intimately familiar with this area, you’ll probably get more out of a social charter than if you were doing it on your own without their local knowledge.

Some flotilla charters are more choreographed but to your advantage. The Moorings, for example, offers several Italian Cuisine Flotillas to explore the food and wine of the Amalfi Coast. Kicked off with a pizza party, the fleet ­harbor-hops with dinners—from apéritif to tiramisu—ashore in the evenings. The flotilla also provides transfers to ­restaurants and wineries, and a cook aboard one day to teach boaters how to prep an Italian meal.

Social charters are ­perfect for kids too. They meet other youngsters to share their explorations. Some charter companies, such as Sunsail, often include a kids’ activity coordinator on social charters during school holidays. This youth leader takes the youngsters off on adventures so that the parents can have some time for themselves. Whether it’s hunting pirate treasure on an island to staging a kids-only barbecue onshore, this service is a part of a social charter.

For first-time charterers, social charters are a great way to hone basic boating skills. The lead crew is always available to help with anchoring and departures, as well as to provide support and local knowledge along the way. Freshwater pump acting up? It’s fixed in a jiffy from the spare parts and tools the lead crew has.  

For experienced skippers dipping their toes into a new charter destination, a social charter provides the benefit of local knowledge. No matter how much you’ve planned or how many cruising guides you’ve studied, nothing gives you more confidence than going over a chart with someone discussing their home waters.   

Social charters really are the perfect recipe for fun: a blend of independent bareboating with an unobtrusive support team. You enjoy the privacy of your own boat but benefit from a wealth of local knowledge provided by the lead crew.

Social chartering: It’s the best of bareboating. 

Chris Caswell is the editor of CharterSavvy, the free online magazine devoted to bareboat chartering.

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