A Whole New Breed of Cat
For years Leopard Catamarans have enjoyed a global reputation for unsurpassed quality and style. But with the all-new Leopard 46, the fabled yacht maker makes it clear that this cat is still king of the jungle.
Mercedes. Dior. Armani. Rolex. Gucci. Prada. Cartier. Hermès.
There are a small number of names that, by their mere mention, can’t help but instantly evoke a sense of quality, style, and design excellence. They resonate so profoundly because they represent the cream of the crop, the best of the best.
In the world of sailing catamarans, that name is Leopard.
Established in 1997, the South African catamaran builder grew out of a desire by boat builders John Robertson and Jerry Caine to extend the considerable expertise they had accumulated building luxury yachts for the charter business with a new line of boats designed and crafted specifically with private owners in mind. They created the Leopard lineup of cruising catamarans and watched it grow exponentially on the strength of its brilliant designs and exceptional quality.
Elevating that proud heritage further is the all-new Leopard 46. This remarkable sailing cat, which debuted at the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, represents a significant upgrade from the previous, award-winning Leopard 45 introduced in 2017. Design by naval architects Simonis Voogd Yacht Design, the new Leopard 46 adds numerous innovations to enhance comfort, convenience, and moreover, sustainability.
The initial response upon stepping aboard the Leopard 46 is a gasp. That’s because the yacht seems to go on forever, thanks in no small part to its cockpit and salon design. These outdoor and indoor spaces blend together seamlessly, with slide-away glass salon doors making it tough to tell exactly where the great outdoors ends and the great indoors begins. The effect is one continuous entertaining zone.
Part of that sense of spaciousness also comes from the redesigned cockpit space, which is considerably larger than that of the previous model. Protected by a full-length hardtop, the cockpit is a beautiful outdoor space for relaxation, drinks, and quiet conversation with no fear of a late afternoon rain shower spoiling the fun.
Forward on the starboard side of the cockpit is the helm station, raised to provide excellent visibility when underway. An upper-deck sun lounge adjacent to the helm provides a top-shelf sunning spot and space to relax with unbeatable views from its upholstered L-shaped settee and companion table. Continuing forward to the bow provides further sunning or daydreaming opportunities.
Back on the main deck, moving forward from the cockpit into the salon, the typical configuration provides a large, well-equipped galley to the port side that can serve indoor and outdoor spaces with equal ease. Corian countertops, a deep bowl sink, a discreet two-burner electric stove, an undercounter refrigerator with freezer, and a convection microwave make it a snap to create anything from light snacks to gourmet fare, while an available dishwasher takes care of the after-dinner cleanup.
To starboard sits an appealing indoor dining space with seating for eight. Wraparound windows afford 365-degree visibility, flooding the boat with natural light by day and panoramic views around the clock.
The primary salon sits forward on the main deck, with an entertainment system and plenty of space to stretch out and relax at the end of a long day. Throughout the indoor spaces, light finishes, oak flooring, and finely textured fabrics afford a warm and pleasing but neutral palette that allows owners to dress the space with personal touches. And being a Leopard, all joinery throughout the yacht is sea-state considerate, with no sharp or pointed edges to contact during a spot of inclement weather.
Heading below, the starboard hull houses the owner’s stateroom aft and a large VIP stateroom forward, each furnished with a spacious ensuite washroom and shower. The port side includes an ensuite guest cabin aft, with a useful workshop, storage space, and laundry suite forward, since buyers are almost certainly going to be experienced long-range cruisers. Owners with larger families can choose to replace this space with a second guest cabin if desired.
Like the previous Leopard 45 model, the Leopard 46 comes with two 45-horsepower Yanmar diesel engines to provide power when the sail is down. Unlike the older model, the new Leopard 46 offers a fully electric propulsion option, with the diesel fuel tanks replaced by an extensive battery pack and the cockpit hardtop decked with a sizable solar panel array. What’s more, once under sail, the propeller from the electric drive functions as a ram generator to further assist in recharging the battery packs.
In short, it’s a whole new breed of cat.
While it’s only just come to market, the initial response to the all-new Leopard 46 has exceeded expectations. With a swelling order book and the winter show season just around the corner, interested buyers shouldn’t waste any time viewing this yacht, because the waiting list is only going to grow.
