After eight years of loyal service, the Leopard 45 gives way to the Leopard 46. For this new catamaran, the designers in charge of the project didn't seek to revolutionize the genre, but rather to improve and optimize one of the brand's best-sellers. This intelligent approach has resulted in a highly versatile multihull that is truly suited to its dual Owner/Charter program.
The Leopard 46's task is to replace the 45, which was a huge success for the brand - 368 units were sold. It's no easy task to succeed an icon, and Robertson & Caine (builder of Leopard catamarans) drew on its experience and customer feedback to optimize the multihull's layout and performance.
From the beginning, the designers wanted to create a catamaran that would be very habitable, i.e. with totally optimized on-board space. The idea was also to create an open concept, with a very bright main deck that was truly open to the rest of the boat.
The shipyard also wanted to offer good performance under sail, whether in charter mode or in the hands of a private owner. Finally, Leopard is taking advantage of this new model to go electric, offering this mode of propulsion as an option. An interesting statement of work, and an even more interesting result.
Even if the brand is backed by solid know-how, the decision to opt for a hybrid engine is a bit of a game-changer, bringing Leopard into the club of hybrid multihulls.
Summary of the report
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Leopard 46, a design that incorporates the brand's key styling elements
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Leopard 46, a wide-open interior that blurs the boundary between inside and outside
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Leopard 46, good performance while sailing and with a hybrid engine option
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