Leopard 46
by BWS Staff
Blue Water Sailing
February 2007
The new Leopard 46, which is marketed in the U.S. by The Moorings, takes many of the new design ideas introduced last year in the Leopard 40 and expands them dramatically. Designed by Mevlin & Morrelli, the 46 establishes a whole new look for the Leopard fleet, and by association with The Moorings charter fleets since the boats will also go into charter service as a Moorings 46.
The owner's version, with three Leopard 46 sleeping cabins and three heads, is a large and commodious cruising platform that is designed to sail well and be as comfortable as possible. The boats are built by Robertson & Caine in South Africa and are notable for their strength, durability and attention to detail.
The 46 has better performing hulls than we have seen in earlier Leopards, with a fine entry forward, a chine above the waterline and fuller sterns. The net effect is a design that will sail closer to the wind, achieve better speeds and will be able to carry loads required both in the charter trade and for extended cruising.
The big innovation in the new 46 is the raised flying bridge steering station that is up a few steps from the cockpit and protected by its own Bimini top. The visibility from the flying bridge is fantastic, which will make docking and maneuvering the boat easier.
The 46 has a powerful rig with an aft-raked fractional spar that carries a high-roach fully-battened mainsail and a smaller overlapping genoa. With the addition of a genniker and an asymmetrical spinnaker, the boat will make good tracks downwind and reaching.
The owner's accommodation plan turns the starboard hull into a master suite with a large berth aft, a study amidships and a head forward. The guest cabins are in the port hull and each has its own head.
The saloon and cockpit combine to form a huge indoor-outdoor living space with an L-shaped galley to starboard. The dinette will seat eight and offers great vistas of the harbor around you. The new 46 has a lot to offer and will make a luxurious and capable cruising home. For more information contact Leopard Catamarans at 877-795-4389.
