Big cruising catamarans are an ever-evolving segment of the expanding cat universe, but the truth of the matter is, many builders and designers approach the deck layouts and interior accommodations with the lucrative charter market in mind. Hence, we see plenty of features that cater specifically to consumers of sailing vacations: upper-level decks with sun pads and lounges, flybridges with couches and refrigerators, quartets of double staterooms with en suite heads, and so on.
All of which is why it was so refreshing to inspect and sail these two well-executed cats that have been developed with real cruising sailors in mind. Yes, Robertson and Caine, the builders of Leopard cats, provide many boats to charter vendors such as The Moorings, but the Leopard 46 is a cruiser, and a solid one at that. Meanwhile, you can certainly find Nautitechs on charter in places including the British Virgin Islands, but they’re the choice of avid sailors. What a matchup. Let the games begin.
WINNER: Leopard 46
Leopard Catamarans
A lot of innovation has been baked into the DNA of the latest in a lengthy inventory of Leopards, and Mark Pillsbury found a lot to like: “The Leopard is yet another in a long line of versatile catamarans designed by Alex Simonis and built by Robertson and Caine in South Africa. On the one hand, the boat was built to a price point that will enable it to be a financial success when put into charter service. On the other, the 46 that we sailed is aimed at cruising sailors, with an optional hybrid propulsion system that’s a real game-changer (and that isn’t available in the charter version). The system’s electric motors rely on power stored in lithium batteries that can be replenished by solar panels, a diesel generator or regeneration while sailing, meaning you can cruise under power more efficiently and arrive at your destination with your batteries charged. If the system proves stable and reliable, it will mark a step forward toward more-efficient energy use. A four-panel door really opens up the Leopard’s salon and creates an uninterrupted flow of space out into the cockpit. With the front door also open, the tropical breeze blowing through should be amazing.”
Tim Murphy offered a deeper dive into the boat’s systems: “The so-called OneBox from Alternative Energies is the brains of a 400-volt DC system that supplies power to the boat’s electric motors. User-friendly monitors make a complicated system understandable to operators who aren’t computer programmers. We had an engineer guide us through the features, which are truly accessible and easily understood. We’re seeing more and more electric options, and this is a solid step in the right direction.”
Finalist: Nautitech 48 Open
Nautitech Catamarans
Judge Herb McCormick has never owned a catamaran, but he’s tested dozens of them, and he was mightily impressed with the latest Nautitech. “This is a boat that really spoke to me,” he said. “You could see from the moment you stepped aboard that the priority here was performance sailing, not how many bedrooms were spread out below, which is not always the case with big cats. This design is from the offices of the late Marc Lombard, and the design brief clearly emphasizes the need for speed: rounded, more buoyant hulls; a dedicated commitment to reduce drag; a careful analysis of weight and volume distribution, in the service of livelier sailing; a longer waterline; and on and on. We had a lot of great sailing over the course of our sea trials, but none better than on the 48 Open. And it corrected my long-standing misconception that you had to have daggerboards on a cat to achieve truly thrilling and rewarding sailing. This is a great boat. I deferred to my judges on the Leopard, and agree that it’s the purer cruiser. But my choice here would be the Nautitech.”
Mark Pillsbury was also taken by 48 Open’s performance: “During our sea trial on the Nautitech 48, I jotted down ‘really smooth ride’ in my notes and underlined it. It’s a great sailing boat and a quick one too. In one good puff into the low 20s, we hit 15 knots. That would translate into a lot of miles under the keels if you were sailing in steady trade winds. Accustomed to the monohull world, I really liked the location of the helm stations on the Nautitech: aft and outboard. The visibility was excellent. In good weather, you’re out where you can feel the elements around you, and if things turn gnarly, you can always step into the salon and keep watch there.”
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