European Sailing Boat 2018: 3 multihulls for long cruises at sea

Leopard 45 © Bateaux.com

In the multihull category, there are catamarans as well as trimarans - represented in this category by the Neel shipyard. With much more space than a monohull, multihulls are a great support for long, comfortable and stable journeys around the planet.

Leopard 45

With its 13.72 m length, the new Leopard 45 attacks the heart of the cruising catamaran market and takes on the design and layout already seen on the brand's other models. The replacement for the Leopard 44 broadly takes the amenities of the Leopard 40 (launched in 2014) but modernizes the design notably with more angular lines. On board, there are interior/exterior living spaces such as the aft cockpit on the same level as the saloon with an interior and exterior dining area. The boat is available in 3 or 4 cabins.

A model that is suitable for both owners and charters.

Neel 51

The Neel 51 completes the range of boats and fills the gap between the Neel 45 and the Neel 65 and offers an alternative to the 50-foot catamarans. A large glass window separates the exterior cockpit from the interior saloon. Composed of 5 elements, it allows to modulate the opening of the roof towards the outside until it disappears to create a unique space, the "cockloon", a concept registered by Neel.

Another particularity, offered by the width of the trimaran, a single-storey cabin shares the space of the roof with the kitchen and the chart table. There are 4 cabins on board and a nice sundeck next to the helm station on starboard.

The Saona 47

The Saona 47 is a cruising catamaran with beautiful relaxation areas, including a 9m2 lounge deck at the helm (on the roof). The interior is bright and spacious and offers 3 or 5 cabins. Its weight/volume ratio is optimized to provide great sensations at the helm and offer great performance. In the range, it fits between the Helia 44 and the Saba 50, offering an attractive alternative to sailors looking for a modern marine boat.

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