• BOAT OF THE YEAR
  • Newsletters
  • Sailboat Reviews
  • Boating Safety
  • Sails and Rigging
  • Maintenance
  • Sailing Totem
  • Sailor & Galley
  • Living Aboard
  • Destinations
  • Gear & Electronics
  • Charter Resources
  • Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Cruising World Logo

  • By Andrew Burton
  • Updated: August 10, 2007

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

The Leopard 46 has the genes of a racer. It’s built in South Africa by Robertson and Caine and was designed by Gino Morelli and Pete Melvin, who drew the record-breaking maxi-catamaran PlayStation. But make no mistake-this 46-footer’s also designed to cruise in comfort.

The Leopard is a striking boat, from the first glimpse of the high, almost-plumb bows to the streamlined, louvered house and the rakish transoms. The hulls are narrow at the waterline-skinny is faster than wide-and have a very fine entry, then flare sharply to a chine just above the water for good interior volume and reserve buoyancy for sailing in a seaway.

I sailed the boat in light airs; when going to weather, the slippery hulls and tall sail plan gave me boat speed almost equal to the wind speed at a time when most cruisers would have the engines going in those conditions. Cracked off the breeze with the asymmetric spinnaker flying, our speed was at least equal to wind speed.

Construction is of vacuum-bagged E-glass over balsa core with isophthalic gelcoat on the hulls and decks to reduce the chance of osmosis. The keels are separate, bolt-on units designed to break away and thus reduce damage to the hulls in the event of a hard collision with something solid.

The cockpit is big and comfortable, as you’d expect on a boat with a 25-foot beam. An adjustable hatch in the fiberglass bimini opens forward and acts as a windscoop to keep the crew cool when they’re relaxing over lunch. Raised to starboard is the helm seat, with room for two and its own bimini; there’s good access to the engine controls, the wheel, and the sheet winches. A neat feature is the seat along the aft part of the cockpit between the davits; it folds down to become the right height for use as a dinghy dock. Wide, flat decks are clear of impediments for crew movement forward. Large louvers in the forward end of the house restrict sun glare in the interior and are good steps to the cabin top. The anchor and windlass are on the centerline inside a hatch in the bridgedeck. The large trampoline between the hulls forward provides a comfortable place to lounge.

Access below is through sliding glass doors that essentially extend the saloon into the cockpit at the same level. Part of the galley counter folds out, enhancing this effect. The galley is in the starboard, aft part of the saloon and is large and easily worked; it’s well connected to the cockpit, helm seat, and dinette. The dinette forward provides 360-degree views around the boat and seats eight in comfort. Clearly this boat is designed to stay cool in the tropics: Three ports above the dinette in the forward part of the house open for good flow-through ventilation right through to the cockpit.

The interior’s satin-finished cherry woodwork is attractive without being too warm. The laminate flooring used throughout looks good, wears well, and makes for easy maintenance.

The Leopard 46 I sailed had the owner’s layout, including a well-lit, sybaritic cabin in the starboard hull featuring a queen berth aft that’s set at the same height as most household beds. A 6-foot settee and hanging lockers are immediately forward, and a large head with a separate shower is in the bow. In the port hull are double cabins, fore and aft, separated by a pair of good-sized heads, each with a stall shower. Opening hatches and ports provide good ventilation in both hulls. A four-cabin layout is available in which the starboard cabin mirrors the port.

All things considered, the Leopard 46 looks like it would be a good boat to mosey around the islands of the Caribbean at speed, lounge in some anchorage, or go for line honors in the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.

Andrew Burton is a Cruising World associate editor.

The handsome Leopard 46 has high freeboard, as you’d expect on a cruising cat, but it’s nicely broken up by a chine above the waterline. Above the chine, the hull flares to increase interior volume; below it, the hulls are narrower, which means better speed.

We sailed the Leopard in light air, and the slippery hulls gave us boat speed nearly equal to the wind speed. Steering a few steps above the cockpit from a comfy chair for two, we had a good view of the sails and easy access to the main and jib winches on the coachroof. This boat had a three-cabin layout: Two cabins in the port hull have double berths separated by two midship heads with showers, and a single cabin to starboard has a large double berth aft and a settee and storage amidships with a luxurious head forward.

The saloon is bright and airy, as with most cats, but this one has three small opening ports forward to provide through ventilation. A nav station with a chair is to starboard, next to a large dinette with wraparound seating. The galley is to starboard along the aft bulkhead with a fold-out countertop that extends into the spacious, covered cockpit. A table with wraparound seating is to port, with seating aft in the open air for those who want more sun but still participate in the cockpit conversation. Yes, the Leopard 46 is one comfortable cat, but that comfort comes at a price: $520,000. Still, for the owner who can afford it, this cat is a fast one that can go anywhere.

LOA 46′ 4″ (14.12 m.) LWL 44′ 7″ (13.59 m.) Beam 24′ 10″ (7.57 m.) Draft 4′ 5″ (1.35 m.) Sail Area 1,011 sq. ft. (93.9 sq. m.) Displacement 24,206 lb. (10,980 kg.) Water 206 gal. (780 l.) Fuel 185 gal. (700 l.) Engines 40-hp. Volvos Designer Morelli & Melvin Price $520,000 Leopard Catamarans (727) 530-5424 www.leopardcatamarans.com

  • More: 2001 - 2010 , 41 - 50 ft , Bluewater Cruising , catamaran , leopard catamarans , multihull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
  • More Sailboats

Hylas 47 sailing

Pre-Owned: 1988 Hylas 47

Catalina 6 Series

Catalina Introduces the 6 Series

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

Sailboat Preview: Elan GT6 Explorer

David Walters Yachts 58

For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58

marine iguana

Galápagos: A Paradise Worth the Paperwork

Frenchman Philippe Jeantot

Around Alone

NLGI No. 2

Grease the Wheels of Your Boat: A Guide to Proper Lubrication

Chris Neely

A Bowsprit Reborn: A DIY Renovation Story

  • Digital Edition
  • Customer Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Email Newsletters
  • Cruising World
  • Sailing World
  • Salt Water Sportsman
  • Sport Fishing
  • Wakeboarding
  • ACHIEVEMENTS
  • MANUFACTURING

SAILING RANGE

Power range, leopard 46 catamaran, the leopard 46 powercat was designed with one goal in mind: to provide pure comfort and performance compared to the best of its competitors.

The Leopard 46 Powercat stands proudly as the second in a new range of powercats that have benefited from almost 30 years of accumulated design experience, as well as an injection of new thinking.

Following in the footsteps of the award-winning Leopard 53 Powercat. The new Leopard 46 Powercat brings you all the style, luxury, outdoor living spaces, and home-away-from-home accommodations and comfort of her big sister.

Accommodations have been enhanced to make you feel at-home with new soft furnishings, very comfortable beds and great use of space.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

KEY FEATURES

  • New Styling
  • Interior Upgrade
  • Additional Area at Aft End of Saloon
  • Larger Cabins
  • Separate Engine Rooms

Saloon Features

  • Seating and Inside Helm Station (optional)
  • Coffee Table or Dining Table Options
  • Forward Access to Deck
  • New Soft Furnishings for Settees

Galley Features

  • Forward Facing L-shaped Galley to Port
  • New “Galley Serving Area” to Starboard
  • Improved Interior Lighting

Accommodations have been enhanced to make you feel at-home with new soft furnishings, very comfortable beds and great use of space. The Leopard 46 Powercat comes in a three or four-cabin layout. The three-cabin owner’s suite boasts large walk-in closet, desk, and a double vanity.

Forward VIP guest cabins offer spacious, island berths and en-suite heads.

Leopard 46 Catamaran Interior

The next generation of

LEOPARD CATAMARANS

Built to provide pure comfort and performance

Leopard 46 Specifications

14.13 m 46 ft 4 in
7.34 m 24 ft 1 in
0.94 m 3 ft 1 in
5.64 m 18 ft 6 in
0.75 m 2 ft 6 in

Engine Specifications

2 x Yanmar 250hp
320hp, 370hp
8
25 Knots
4‐blade fixed

Load Specifications

700 L 185 gal
16 758 kg 36 945 lbs
4 844 kg 10 679 lbs
160 L 42 gal
1 850 L 488 gal
  • 3 Cabin Layout
  • 4 Cabin Layout

Leopard 45 Catamaran Layout

Home

  • USED CATAMARANS
  • BUYING A LEOPARD
  • SELL YOUR BOAT

Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Review

Boat Buying Process , Product Details , Available boats

Leopard 46  Sailing Catamaran

Learn more about our Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran model in this review written by one of our expert agents who lives in the BVI and works at our largest base in the world.

My Pick 

I will start out by mentioning that the 46 is probably my pick of all the Leopards so far. I live in the BVI and work at the company's largest base in the world, this has allowed me to get an up close and intimate look at all of our models including the Leopard 46. Overall I find being surrounded by all the other manufacturers and models that the 45ft ish size range of cat is right in the sweet spot and probably all you will ever need for cruising. The smaller 40ft cats are excellent if you have a small budget or are a cruising couple, but the 46 is still easy to handle with just 2 if you need more space for the family and friends.

Hull #1 of the model was built in late 2006.  While there were a few updates in the first couple of years, there was no major structural changes up to the last boats that came off the line in late 2011. One weak point with some of the early hulls was the davits. The original design was changed to a chunkier version of the original and replaced under warranty. The new davits increased the load capacity and stopped some of the issues of cracking and failure of the original design. They use a single speed 14 Lewmar winch on each for raising and lowering the tender. The bow end of the tender raises fine, but the outboard end does make it a little more work. To make life easier an option that works instead of changing winches is to change and add extra pulleys to increase the purchase on the lift lines.

Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Through the Years

Originally Leopard Catamarans came with Volvo engines, but in 2008 Leopard switched over to Yanmar’s going forward. The 4JH5E provided the right amount of reliable power to cruise at about 7.5 to 8 knots at 2500rpm. One common comment was that the engines had been put in back to front. This was on purpose and worked well with the saildrive forward of the engine. This meant the propeller was forward of the rudder which benefits from its wash and increase to steerage. On a monohull this characteristic is crucial when it comes to maneuvering and while the twin screws on a cat make it not so necessary it certainly helps when the going gets tight. Another plus is the front of the engine is more in the center of the engine bay which makes access to belts, impeller, etc for easier maintenance.

The biggest change update was in 2008 was to the helm area and its hardtop. Steps from the cockpit directly to the helm were designed in to allow easier access than having to walk around and access from the sidedeck. This also meant the helm hardtop became a little larger to cover the area. This was the only real design change over the years and a nice benefit. By 2009 solar power was starting to come in and you will start to see a couple of small flexible panels fitted on the helm hardtop. For boats in the fleet this was as much solar as they ever had. For private boats there were options for more with plenty of space on the main hardtop. Most boats on the market will have had retro fitted panels of some design the owners will have decided on for their usage. There is good access into the hardtop for wiring and mounting. Often you will see setups using the davits and the aft deck/back of hardtop used to keep the hardtop clear of panels and incorporate a wind generator as desired.

The helm itself is a great layout and great visibility all around, but not so open and exposed that if the weathers not pleasant you cannot zip up the enclosure easily and be comfortable. For docking all four corners are on view. The port aft is a little obscured, but I find it easy enough to bend your head down a bit and look under the hardtop if need be. Instruments, controls and winches are well placed for ease of use. On fleet boats neither of the 2 main primary winches were electric. Certainly upgrading and making the starboard winch electric makes life easier and possible to lead all lines to it as needed. Also, if you want to run the main halyard to the helm then needed. Otherwise all the halyards and reefing lines are up at the front of the mast and 2 winches to manage them. That mainsail is quite big and really needs 2 strong individuals to haul it up with a minimal amount of winching left to finish tightening. To make life easier I will often use the windlass and if single handed. The angle to it for the halyard works well so you just ease the gypsy off so it freewheels to use to haul up. Many people I have met have bought and use a powered winch handle instead. I am also a fan of the old style traveler set up for the mainsail worked by a small winch and clutches just behind the helm seat. It keeps it separate out of the way of everything else going on with lines and find makes trimming more adjustable and easier.

Sailing the Leopard 46

With the sails up she performs very well and easy to handle. Quite agile and quick for a larger cat with her Morelli & Melvin design influences. She does not need too much wind either to get up and going and slips along well in lighter breezes. Solid and stable enough though that when things get a bit rougher she is happy to keep charging along and not get uncomfortable. Coming from a racing background I have always enjoyed a bit more speed in the equation and over a passage with good trim can really shorten the hours to the next port of call.

Other Great Features

Interior wise she is very comfortable and large enough to accommodate 4 cabins with ensuite heads or a very spacious owner’s arrangement on the starboard side. As most built went into the charter fleets there were very few owners versions ever built. The cabin space in the hulls is good and the ensuite heads have a separate shower area and screen. The steps along the companionways in each hull do seem a stumbling point compared to the newer models with their flush one level floors throughout. However, hidden under here are air conditioning units and pumps which are nice and accessible and easy to work on when need to do something. In fact most systems and access to work on things onboard is good. With most boats built going into the fleets ease of maintenance has always been a big point when designing Leopards.

There is room for 4 of the 4D type house batteries in the port bow locker along with the generator. Starboard side has the large water tanks and there was an option for extra water tanks which placed them under the forward cabin berths. Most will not have had them and typically adding a watermaker a preferred option. Storage is excellent both inside and out and lots of room for cruising gear. There is a crew cabin with head in the starboard bow and bunk on the port side. These spaces rarely actually get used for crew but make ideal storage spaces otherwise. Layouts have changed with each model generation for the galley/salon, but on the 46 it is ideal I find with plenty of usable/workable spaces. Visibility out is great, although slightly obstructed forward by the steps up to the coach-roof/hardtop. These also work as shades to the large front windows and keeping the direct sun out. There also one of the good spots to sit and take in the view while underway. Those large windows forward and to the side do have a bit of a weakness though and tendency to need rebidding at some point.

My favorite spot on the boat though is the aft deck seat between the davits. Not only a great place to be at different times of the day, it also hinges down to make a small swim up platform just above the water. Something not incorporated in any other Leopard so far and a unique feature I like. With that and everything else it rounds up a well balanced package which is hard to beat in this size range and price point. Find a Leopard 46 for sale in our current brokerage inventory. 

Share on Facebook

Subscribe for Blog Updates

Contact Form eList Newsletter Signup Email: [email protected]

More Boats for Sale

New Private Yachts New Charter Yachts Used Charter Yachts

LIKE / FOLLOW

Did You Know That We Offer Contract to Closing Services? Click Here to Find Out More.

Need Marine Financing? Apply Here With Our Partner, First Approval Source

  • Catamaran Interviews
  • Catamaran Reviews
  • Buying Advice
  • Selling Advice
  • Woods Design Advice
  •     Admiral 38
  •     Admiral 40
  •     Admiral 50
  •     Americat 3014
  •     Antares 44
  •     Aquila 44
  •     Aquila 48 Power Catamaran
  •     Aventura 37
  •     Balance 442
  •     Balance 482
  •     Balance 526
  •     Bali 4.0
  •     Bali 4.1
  •     Bali 4.2
  •     Bali 4.3
  •     Bali 4.4
  •     Bali 4.5
  •     Bali 4.6
  •     Bali 4.8
  •     Bali 40 Catspace
  •     Bali 5.4
  •     Bali Catsmart
  •     Beneteau Blue II
  •     Broadblue 346
  •     Broadblue 38 Prestige
  •     Broadblue 385
  •     Broadblue 435
  •     Broadblue 46
  •     Rapier 400
  •     Rapier 550
  •     Catalac 10M
  •     Catalac 11M
  •     Catalac 12M
  •     Catalac 8M
  •     Catalac 900
  •     Catalac 9M
  •     Catana 381
  •     Catana 39
  •     Catana 401
  •     Catana 40S
  •     Catana 411
  •     Catana 42
  •     Catana 42 S
  •     Catana 431
  •     Catana 44
  •     Catana 471
  •     Catana 50
  •     Catana 521
  •     Catana 531
  •     Catana 55
  •     Catana 581
  •     Catana 65
  •     Catathai 44
  • Chris White
  •     Chris White 48 Voyager
  •     Chris White 55
  •     Condor 40
  •     Contour 34
  •     Corsair F28 R
  • De Villiers
  •     Dean 365
  •     Dean 400
  •     Dean 440
  •     Dean 500
  •     Dix DH550
  •     Dolphin 380
  •     Dolphin 460
  •     Edel 35
  •     Endeavour 30
  •     Endeavour 35 Victory
  •     Endeavour 36
  •     Endeavour 44
  •     Endeavour 44 TrawlerCat
  •     Endeavour 50 Pilothouse Trawler
  •     Excess 11
  •     Excess 15
  •     F-41
  •     Fastback 43
  •     Fastcat 445
  •     Fisher 28
  •     Fisher 32
  •     Fortuna 36 Island Spirit
  •     Fortuna 401 Island Spirit
  • Fountaine Pajot
  •     FP 32 Maldives
  •     FP 35 Tobago
  •     FP 36 Mahe
  •     FP 37 Antigua
  •     FP 38 Athena
  •     FP 39 Fidji
  •     FP 40 Isla
  •     FP 40 Lavezzi
  •     FP 40 Lucia
  •     FP 40 MY
  •     FP 40 Summerland MY
  •     FP 41 Lipari
  •     FP 42 Astrea
  •     FP 42 Venezia
  •     FP 43 Belize
  •     FP 44 Helia
  •     FP 44 Orana
  •     FP 45 Elba
  •     FP 46 Bahia
  •     FP 46 Casamance
  •     FP 48 Salina
  •     FP 50 Saba
  •     FP 56 Marquises
  •     FP 57 Sanya
  •     FP 58 Ipanema
  •     FP 60 Eleuthera
  •     FP Saona 47
  •     Fusion 40
  •     Gemini 105
  •     Gemini 3000
  •     Gemini 3200
  •     Gemini 3400
  •     Gemini Freestyle 37
  •     Gemini Freestyle 399 Power
  •     Gemini Legacy 35
  •     Grainger 420 Mystery Cove
  •     Gunboat 55
  •     Hirondelle 7M
  •     HopYacht 30
  • Island Packet
  •     Island Packet Cat 35
  •     Kennex 420
  •     Knysna 440
  •     Knysna 480
  •     Knysna 500
  •     Knysna 550
  •     Lagoon 35
  •     Lagoon 37 TPI
  •     Lagoon 380
  •     Lagoon 39
  •     Lagoon 40
  •     Lagoon 400
  •     Lagoon 410
  •     Lagoon 42
  •     Lagoon 42 TPI
  •     Lagoon 420
  •     Lagoon 421
  •     Lagoon 43 PC
  •     Lagoon 44 Power Cat
  •     Lagoon 440
  •     Lagoon 450
  •     Lagoon 46
  •     Lagoon 470
  •     Lagoon 50
  •     Lagoon 500
  •     Lagoon 52F
  •     Lagoon 55
  •     Lagoon 560
  •     Lagoon 570
  •     Lagoon 620
  •     Lagoon Seventy 8
  •     Lagoon Sixty 7
  •     Leeuwin 42
  •     Leopard 38
  •     Leopard 39
  •     Leopard 39 PowerCat
  •     Leopard 40
  •     Leopard 42
  •     Leopard 43
  •     Leopard 44
  •     Leopard 45
  •     Leopard 45 Classic
  •     Leopard 46
  •     Leopard 46 Lion PowerCat
  •     Leopard 47
  •     Leopard 47 PowerCat
  •     Leopard 48
  •     Leopard 50
  •     Leopard 51 PowerCat
  •     Leopard 53 PowerCat
  •     Leopard 58
  •     Lidgard 73 Executive
  •     Looping 50
  •     Maine Cat 30
  •     Maine Cat 38
  •     Maine Cat 41
  •     Manta 40
  •     Manta 42
  •     Matrix 450 Vision
  •     Matrix 760 Silhouette
  •     Maverick 400
  •     Maverick 420
  •     Maverick 440
  •     Moxie 61
  •     Nautitech 40
  •     Nautitech 40 Open
  •     Nautitech 44 Open
  •     Nautitech 442
  •     Nautitech 46 Open
  •     Nautitech 47
  •     Nautitech 47 Power
  •     Nautitech 475
  •     Nautitech 65
  •     Neel 45
  •     Neel 47
  •     Outremer 40
  •     Outremer 45
  •     Outremer 50 Standard
  •     Outremer 55
  •     Outremer 5X
  •     PDQ 32
  •     PDQ 36
  •     PDQ 42 Antares
  •     Privilege 37
  •     Privilege 39
  •     Privilege 42
  •     Privilege 43
  •     Privilege 435
  •     Privilege 45
  •     Privilege 465
  •     Privilege 48 Transcat
  •     Privilege 482
  •     Privilege 495
  •     Privilege 510
  •     Privilege 65
  •     Privilege Serie 5
  •     Prout 31 Quest
  •     Prout 33 Quest
  •     Prout 34 Event
  •     Prout 35 Snowgoose
  •     Prout 37 Snowgoose
  •     Prout 37 Snowgoose Elite
  •     Prout 38
  •     Prout 38 Manta
  •     Prout 39 Escale
  •     Prout 45
  •     Prout 46
  •     Royal Cape 45
  •     Royal Cape 500 Majestic
  •     Royal Cape 530 Majestic
  •     Sailcraft 30 Iroquois
  •     Sailcraft 32 Comanche
  •     Sailcraft 35 Cherokee
  •     Sailcraft 41 Apache
  •     Sailcraft 44 Apache
  •     Scape 39
  •     Wildcat 350
  •     Seacart 30
  •     Seawind 1000
  •     Seawind 1160
  •     Seawind 1190
  •     Seawind 1200
  •     Seawind 1260
  •     Seawind 1600
  •     Simpson 48
  •     Solaris 36 Sunrise
  •     Solaris 36 Sunstar
  •     Solaris 42
  •     St Francis 44
  •     St Francis 48
  •     St Francis 50
  •     Stealth 11.8
  •     Sunreef 60
  •     Sunreef 62
  •     Sunreef 70
  •     Sunreef 74C
  •     Sunreef 82 DD
  •     Sunreef 88 DD
  •     Switch 51
  •     Switch 55
  •     TRT 1200
  •     Heavenly Twins 26
  •     Ocean Twins 38
  •     Vaan R5
  •     Vision 444
  •     Voyage 380 Maxim
  •     Voyage 400 Norseman
  •     Voyage 430 Norseman
  •     Voyage 440
  •     Voyage 450 Cabriolet
  •     Voyage 47 Mayotte
  •     Voyage 480
  •     Voyage 500
  •     Voyage 580
  •     Voyage 590
  •     Kronos 45
  •     Wharram 38 Tiki
  •     AMI 320 Renaissance
  •     Woods 22 Wizard
  •     Woods 35 Banshee
  •     Woods 35 Flica
  •     Woods 36 Scylla
  •     Woods 36 Vardo
  •     Woods 38 Transit
  •     Woods 40 Meander
  •     Xquisite X5
  •     Xquisite X5+

Leopard 46 Review: Better than a Lagoon?

  • Post author By Richard
  • Post date December 7, 2011
  • No Comments on Leopard 46 Review: Better than a Lagoon?

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

Clients often debate about which of the production catamaran brands to purchase. Is there a significant difference between a Fountain-Pajot, Lagoon, and Leopard? After an 11 day delivery of a Leopard 46 from Fort Lauderdale to Cartagena, Colombia and a delivery of a Lagoon 440 in March from Fort Lauderdale to Annapolis , in many respects the Leopard out classed the Lagoon including performance, durability, and comfort. My colleague and super star sailor Kevin Bray lauded the Leopard throughout the delivery. “After working on this boat for 3 months and now sailing her, I can honestly say I like this Leopard 46 design, and there are not a lot of boats that I can say that about,” shared Kevin. In a few areas, I give the edge to Lagoon. Read on to see which.

John Robertson and the late Jerry Caine founded the manufacturer Robertson & Caine in 1991 in Cape Town, South Africa. Initially, the business involved custom mono-hull sailing yacht building. The 70ft maxi, Broomstick, won the Cape to Rio International Yacht Race in 1993 and impressed international racing enthusiasts. This interest enabled the company to be awarded the licence to manufacture the Mumm 36 racer designed by Bruce Farr and attracted the interest of the yacht charter company Tui Marine.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

Since 1994 the South African yard has enjoyed a relationship with Tui Marine, owner of charter companies Moorings and Sunsail. R&C has supplied more than 800 Leopard catamarans to Tui Marine. The Leopard historical range includes 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, and 62-foot models by naval architects Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin or Alexander Simonis and Maarten Voogd. Today, Robertson & Caine is South Africa’s largest boat-building exporter launching on average three boats a week. Cruising World recently awarded their new Leopard 44, their 2012 cruising boat of the year.

First Impressions

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

In the same way Lagoons are easily identified by their vertical saloon windows, Leopards have distinct steps in front of their windows for deck manoeuvrability. The 46 is sexy to my eye with her aggressive, possibly feline side windows. These windows are paired with the typical fine bows, trampoline centerline forward, and sugar scoop sterns aft. Large, industrial dingy davits leave you feeling safe on the high seas with your tender tightly secured. The helm positioning is like the Lagoon 420 instead of the 440, offset portside. This provides more security though I enjoyed the high positioned, flybridge of the 440 while in close quarters or docking.

Underneath the bridgedeck has above average clearance for offshore performance. There is an escape hatch centerline just below the entranceway. The keels are sacrificial and secured via large diameter horizontal keel bolts. These bolts corrode but are easily maintained if you check on them after each haul. The Yanmar saildrives stick through the bottom next and help Robertson & Caine maximize interior space. Spade rudders are aftmost.

Construction and What To Look For

I heard a story about Moorings whose US sales office is at Harbortown next door to our office here in Dania Beach, Florida. Originally they chartered in the Caribbean both Lagoon and Leopard catamarans. But they found that the Lagoons did not hold up and that the higher quality build of the Leopards maximised their profits. From my comparison in every respect, Leopard makes the choice towards higher quality materials, more sophisticated techniques, or more robust engineering. One thing to look at are the edges on the laminated cabinetry. More often than not Leopard finished out the edges to prevent water intrusion while Lagoon rarely does. It is these kind of small yet important things on yachts that differentiates quality which can withstand the many years of cruising abuse.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

On deck the Leopard 46 features watertight compartments port and starboard for storage. Aft of the trampoline is the windlass, water tankage, sail storage, and generator compartments. The generator in its sound proof shield aboard the yacht I delivered was incredibly quiet. For security at the mast, I love Robertson & Caine’s semicircle support on the mast. Like granny bars this helps you stay on the boat in rough conditions offshore. It also is a step to help climb the mast and a rack to coil and tie the bitter end of halyard lines to. The distinctive and functional Leopard glass steps allow you to easily mount the rooftop. While anchored at Staniel Cay, I ignored the “Do Not Dive From Platform” sign and had great fun launching myself from 15-feet in the air and swan diving in between the davits into the beautiful, azure Bahamian waters.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

The cockpit aboard the Leopard 46 is incredible and illustrates why people love catamarans. While on a mono-hull you would spend your time cramped in a long narrow cockpit, here you can luxuriously lay out in an incredible number of ergonomic spots. We dined, navigated, and fished from the cockpit. In the Caribbean, we were rarely inside except to sleep, navigate from the nav station, or cook. The stern swim platforms provide easy access to the water and a place to cleanly gut fish.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

One feature Lagoon has over Leopard is a lighter interior. While the Leopard is open and light, Lagoon takes this to another level with the vertical, uninhibited windows. Leopard has those steps which block light and visibility from the interior. The woodwork is lighter on Lagoons as well which often draws a quiet preference from clients.

Catamaran layouts are mostly the same these days. Sure some cats have galleys down, but by and large especially on larger cats, the galley up arrangement is standard. I sailed to Colombia aboard the owner version of the Leopard 46 where the starboard hull has a large master head forward and light and airy master berth aft. This owner suite makes a big difference for clients who are dislike the dark, closed in feel of the 2 head, 2 stateroom charter hull.

One of my biggest complaints during my earlier delivery of the Lagoon 440 to Annapolis was the low and uncomfortable nav station seat. I was pleased to experience on the Leopard a proper height and ergonomical seat with multiple seating options, likewise for the exterior helm. It did not hurt that the Leopard owner had made some savvy upholstery decisions to heighten the comfort factor.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

The engines are Volvo D55, Yanmar 4JH3E, or Yanmar’s latest saildrives, the 54HP Yanmar 4JH4’s. Our 4JH4 ran smoothly throughout our trip. The only catch was an unusual buzzing sound. We finally figured out that this happened when when boat speed outpaced engine speed. The saildrives were telling us “what the hell are you doing? Either ramp up the RPM’s or turn me off.” We motored at 7 to 8 knots at 2,000 RPM’s burning about .9 gal/hour of diesel.

I prefer the Leopard’s engine room arrangement. While overlaying the engine rooms on Lagoons are plywood laminated levels, the Leopard has open compartments with a single removable glass board across. Storage for gerry cans is available behind the engines. This space fits 3 easy and maybe a fourth can. We had a little trouble with a leaky gas jug which would have been dangerous if the compartment was not so well ventilated.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

During the delivery I had some of the best catamaran sailing ever I have experienced. The smooth motion and minimal slapping even in 10-foot seas and a line squall was the best takeaway from the delivery. Through the windward passage and most of the Caribbean passage, we had 10 to 20 knots of north east wind and following seas. When light we put up the gennaker for a day and a half and made 6 to 7 knots in 5 to 15 knots downwind. As the wind picked up, we put out the jib and main and made 7 or even 8 knots consistently. Our last night in somewhat squally conditions we hit a very unsafe 12 knots before blowing the jib. Upwind we could sail at a reasonable clip of 6 knots up to 60 degrees off apparent wind. Otherwise as we were in delivery mode, we kicked on the iron genny, blew the sails, and motored at 7+ knots.

The premier you pay for a Leopard versus a Lagoon is justified, and for offshore sailing, I would recommend the Leopard. The softer offshore performance, high quality materials, and navigation station comfort give the Leopard my edge. The Lagoon has better interior space, visibility, and airiness. Expect to pay around $600k versus $500k for a late model Leopard 46 compared to an equivalent Lagoon 440.

  • Tags Catamaran Reviews

Richard

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

[ Sailing Range ]

Leopard 46 sailing main heading image

  • Home > Sailing Catamarans >

Introducing the Leopard 46: The Evolution of Cruising Perfection

The future of cruising.

Leopard 46 Open Aft Cockpit

SPECIAL OFFER

Fill out the form below to receive an instant download with the current offer.

Build Your Boat

Visit our Build Your Boat tool for Standard and Optional Equipment lists and Prices

TECHNICAL FEATURES

Specification at a glance, water capacity.

185 gal / 660 L

fuel Capacity

182 gal / 690 L

Displacement

37 939 lbs / 17 209 kg

2 x Yanmar 45 hp Diesel

length overall

47 ft 6 in / 14.48 m

5 ft 5 in / 1.65 m

24 ft 1 in / 7.35 m

TOTAL SAIL AREA

1554 sqft / 144.4 sqm

Waterline length

44 ft / 13.42 m

Load Carrying Capacity

12 952 lbs / 5875 kg

Holding Tank Capacity

48 gal / 181 L

All Leopard Catamarans are NMMA and CE Certified.

GENERAL LAYOUT

Leopard 46 Sailplans

Salon & Cockpit Configurations

Standard Configuration

Standard size GRP cockpit table and standard dining table.

Doors Closed

Optional Configuration #1

Compact GRP cockpit table and standard dining table.

Optional Configuration #2

Compact GRP cockpit table and salon coffee table.

Optional Configuration #3

Standard size teak cockpit table and standard dining table.

Optional Configuration #4

Standard size teak cockpit table and coffee table.

Leopard 46 Standard layout closed

VIRTUAL TOUR

Explore the leopard 46.

Leopard 46 Sailing

walkthrough & related videos

Boat reviews, in the same range.

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

Evolving from 50 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with builders Robertson and Caine to design today’s Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans.

  • News & Events
  • Our catamarans
  • Sailing Range
  • Power Range
  • Leopard 40PC
  • Leopard 46PC
  • Leopard 53PC
  • Download Brochure
  • Terms of Privacy

©2024 Leopard Catamarans. All Rights Reserved.

Choose Language

logo

  • BOOK ONLINE
  • GET A QUOTE
  • How It Works
  • Islands & Anchorages
  • After you’ve booked

Fleet / Sailing Catamarans

The leopard 46 is a well appointed boat at a value price and features a spacious cockpit and roomy interior layout..

Whitsunday Escape Leopard 46 Cockpit

Description

The Leopard 46 sailing catamaran is perfect for sailing the Whitsundays. She features four double cabins with ensuites and a roomy cockpit for entertaining.

The Leopard 46 can sleep up to eleven. Four double cabins with their own bathroom, the saloon dining setting converts to another double and there is one additional small adult berth in the forward port cabin. All cabins feature plenty of hatches for airflow and comfort. The ample head room, generous refrigeration space, upstairs galley and large fully covered cockpit make for easy entertaining of large groups with room to spread out.

For sailing performance; a full batten main. For easy sailing; she has a roller furling headsail, an autopilot and a raised helm for good visibility.

Suitable for four couples, two families and mixed groups. She will also perform equally well under power.

Customer Reviews

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

We had an excellent week swimming, snorkelling and relaxing on the beaches. We saw dolphins, sharks and lots of fish. Indigo was nice and wide and very easy to drive!

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

What a comfortable and safe boat for 8 people. The configuration + fridges etc we great for 8 people. Having your own ensuite is a must. We found Indigo well appointed with kitchen gear for such a large group.

From first contact Whitsunday Escape made it easy to choose the right charter for us and assisted us with whatever we needed ahead of our departure. Very safety conscious!

Similar Vessels

Lagoon 421 sailing catamaran

The Lagoon 440 offers comfort at a value price. The forward and rear cockpits are complimented by a shaded flybridge.

Leopard 48 Tile

The Leopard 48 offers a variety of bed configurations and entertaining areas, ideal for mixed groups.

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

  • Sailboat Guide

leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

2009 Robertson & Caine Leopard 46

  • Description

Seller's Description

LEOPARD 46 - OWNER’S VERSION - ORION - in Trinidad & Tobago

Privately owned from day one and never chartered - Very light use

Many upgrades - Ready to sail

Engine Hours: 1570

Generator Hours: 1890

230 and 115 VAC outlets throughout the boat

NEW LISTING - more photos shortly

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

  • SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
  • D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
  • LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

  • D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
  • LOA: Length overall in feet
  • Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

MOORINGS 4600 (charter) / LEOPARD 46 (private ownership).

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

View on SailboatListings.com

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

Similar Sailboats For Sale

Photo of 2011 Leopard 46

2011 Leopard 46

Photo of 2009 Leopard 46

2009 Leopard 46

Photo of 2011 Leopard Leopard 46

2011 Leopard Leopard 46

Photo of 2009 Leopard 46

  • About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

IMAGES

  1. Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Review

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

  2. 2012 Leopard 46 Catamaran Sailboat

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

  3. 2012 Leopard 46 Catamaran Sailboat

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

  4. Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Firefly for sale

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

  5. Leopard 46 Yacht Charter Details, Caribbean Sailing Catamaran

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

  6. Leopard 46 Power Catamaran

    leopard 46 catamaran sailboat

VIDEO

  1. Leopard 48 owner's version

  2. Leopard 40 PC Test & Features Video 2023 by BoatTEST.com

  3. Leopard 46 Powercat

  4. Leopard 46 Powercat

  5. Sailing Bahamas, Eleuthera, Nassau, Leopard 50 Catamaran, 4/4

  6. Lady Lynne, Leopard 46 Power Catamaran Whitsunday Rent A Yacht Charters Queensland, Australia

COMMENTS

  1. Leopard 46 boats for sale

    Find Leopard 46 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. ... 2004 Leopard 46. US$249,000. Catamaran Central | Bradenton, Florida. Request Info; New Arrival; 2010 Leopard 46. ... ↓ Price Drop. US $2,849/mo. South Florida Sailing | Topping, Virginia. Request Info; 2011 Leopard 46. US$439,000. US $3,335/mo. Catamaran Guru ...

  2. Leopard 46

    The Leopard 46 represents an exciting new opportunity to own the replacement of the most popular Leopard Catamaran ever built, the Leopard 45, with a new and exciting model that is now available with a hybrid electric propulsion system. ... The new Leopard 46 sailing catamaran represent a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Leopard 45 ...

  3. Leopard 46 Powercat

    The Leopard 46 Powercat is the embodiment of elevated living on the water. As part of the new generation of Leopard Powercats, the Leopard 46 marries comfort and performance in a cruising catamaran designed to fit your every need. From ambient lighting to optimized spaces, the Leopard 46 functions like a home, with intuitive touchpoints and efficient functionality.

  4. Leopard 46 boats for sale

    Contact. 561-623-3500. Advertisement. Leopard 46. Chaguarmas, Trinidad and Tobago. 2011. $398,137. 2011 Leopard 46 - 4 cabin - €359,000.00 EURO **New listing ** This spacious vessel sports 4 cabins and 4 heads in the guest area and there are two crew cabins, one with a head located in the forepeaks making her perfect for crewed charter or ...

  5. Sail Leopard Catamaran 46 boats for sale

    Find Sail Leopard Catamaran 46 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Leopard boats to choose from. ... South Florida Sailing | St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. 2019 Leopard 40. US$379,000. Moorings Yacht Brokerage USA | Tortola, British Virgin Islands. 2020 Leopard 50. US$856,936.

  6. Leopard Catamarans US

    Evolving from over 40 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with builders Robertson and Caine to design today's Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. ... Sailing Range; Leopard 42; Leopard 46; Leopard 50; Power Range; Leopard 40PC; Leopard 46PC; Leopard 53PC ...

  7. Leopard 46 Powercat boats for sale

    2018 Leopard 45. US$445,000. Moorings Yacht Brokerage USA | Port Louis, Saint Martin. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of transaction.

  8. Leopard 46 Powercat

    The Leopard 46 Powercat is the embodiment of elevated living on the water. As part of the new generation of Leopard Powercats, the Leopard 46 marries comfort and performance in a cruising catamaran designed to fit your every need. From ambient lighting to optimized spaces, the Leopard 46 functions like a home, with intuitive touchpoints and ...

  9. LEOPARD 46 (MOORINGS 4600)

    Catamaran Twin Keel: Rigging Type: Fractional Sloop: LOA: 46.32 ft / 14.12 m: ... MOORINGS 4600 (charter) / LEOPARD 46 (private ownership). Sailboat Forum. View All Topics: ... Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length ...

  10. Leopard 46 Sailboat Review

    The Leopard 46 has the genes of a racer. It's built in South Africa by Robertson and Caine and was designed by Gino Morelli and Pete Melvin, who drew the record-breaking maxi-catamaran PlayStation. ... All things considered, the Leopard 46 looks like it would be a good boat to mosey around the islands of the Caribbean at speed, lounge in some ...

  11. Leopard 46 Powercat Boat Review

    Leopard 46 Powercat. The 46's layout was dreamed up with long-range cruising and entertainment firmly in mind. That means space, of course, is at the forefront. A massive salon makes full use of the boat's 24-foot, 1-inch beam and is connected to the bow deck via a glass door on centerline. Up top, a low-profile hardtop offers shade to the ...

  12. Leopard 46 boats for sale

    Find Leopard 46 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Leopard boats to choose from. ... South Florida Sailing | Topping, Virginia. Request Info; Sale Pending; 2010 Leopard 46. ... 2011 Leopard 46. £335,569. Catamaran Guru | League City, Texas. Request Info; Price Drop; 2010 Leopard 46. £ ...

  13. Leopard Power Catamaran 46 boats for sale

    2020 Leopard 40. US$390,000. Moorings Yacht Brokerage USA | Fort Louis, Saint Martin. <. 1. >. * Price displayed is based on today's currency conversion rate of the listed sales price. Boats Group does not guarantee the accuracy of conversion rates and rates may differ than those provided by financial institutions at the time of transaction ...

  14. Leopard 46 Power Catamaran

    The Leopard 46 Powercat stands proudly as the second in a new range of powercats that have benefited from almost 30 years of accumulated design experience, as well as an injection of new thinking. Following in the footsteps of the award-winning Leopard 53 Powercat. The new Leopard 46 Powercat brings you all the style, luxury, outdoor living ...

  15. Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Review

    Leopard 46 Sailing Catamaran Through the Years. Originally Leopard Catamarans came with Volvo engines, but in 2008 Leopard switched over to Yanmar's going forward. The 4JH5E provided the right amount of reliable power to cruise at about 7.5 to 8 knots at 2500rpm. One common comment was that the engines had been put in back to front.

  16. Leopard 46 Review: Better than a Lagoon?

    The softer offshore performance, high quality materials, and navigation station comfort give the Leopard my edge. The Lagoon has better interior space, visibility, and airiness. Expect to pay around $600k versus $500k for a late model Leopard 46 compared to an equivalent Lagoon 440. Catamaran Reviews.

  17. Leopard 46

    Leopard 46 is a 46′ 3″ / 14.1 m catamaran sailboat designed by Morrelli & Melvin and built by Robertson & Caine starting in 2008. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

  18. 2010 Leopard 46 Catamaran for sale

    Find more information and images about the boat and contact the seller or search more boats for sale on YachtWorld. ... "Getaway" is a clean well kept Leopard 46. Arguably the best catamaran ever produced by Leopard Catamarans. Designed in collaboration between Architects Morrelli and Melvin and Robertson and Caine, the Leopard 46 (4 Cabin ...

  19. Leopard 46 boats for sale

    Leopard 46. A sailboat built by Leopard, the 46 is a multi-hull vessel. Leopard 46 boats are typically used for overnight-cruising and sailing. These boats were built with a fiberglass catamaran; usually with an inboard and available in Diesel. Got a specific Leopard 46 in mind?

  20. Power Catamarans

    The Leopard 46 Powercat is the embodiment of elevated living on the water. As part of the new generation of Leopard Powercats, the Leopard 46 marries comfort and performance in a cruising catamaran designed to fit your every need. From ambient lighting to optimized spaces, the Leopard 46 functions like a home, with intuitive touchpoints and ...

  21. Leopard 46

    The Leopard 46 represents an exciting new opportunity to own the replacement of the most popular Leopard Catamaran ever built, the Leopard 45, with a new and exciting model that is now available with a hybrid electric propulsion system. ... The new Leopard 46 sailing catamaran represent a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Leopard 45 ...

  22. Leopard 46

    The Leopard 46 sailing catamaran is perfect for sailing the Whitsundays. She features four double cabins with ensuites and a roomy cockpit for entertaining. The Leopard 46 can sleep up to eleven. Four double cabins with their own bathroom, the saloon dining setting converts to another double and there is one additional small adult berth in the ...

  23. Sail Leopard Catamaran boats for sale

    Find Sail Leopard Catamaran boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Leopard boats to choose from. ... 2008 Leopard 46. US$375,000. ↓ Price Drop. US $2,849/mo. South Florida Sailing | Topping, Virginia. Request Info; New Arrival; 2018 Leopard 40. US$439,000. US $3,335/mo. Catamaran Brokerage ...

  24. 2009 Robertson & Caine Leopard 46

    The higher a boat's D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL: Waterline length in feet

  25. 2023 Leopard 50 Catamaran for sale

    Find more information and images about the boat and contact the seller or search more boats for sale on YachtWorld. ... we bring to you the next generation of Leopard Catamarans, the Leopard 50. She has been designed to replace one of the best-selling Leopard Catamarans of all time, the award-winning Leopard 48. ... 2004 Leopard 46. US$249,000 ...