If you come to the Mediterranean, you will see more and more catamarans in the harbours and on the water. They are sold either as an owner's version or often as a charter version. For the latter, you usually need as many berths as possible. And the Leopard 46 Powercat offers a total of four of these, namely double berths and four wet cells, which are housed in the spacious hulls. However, the programme also includes an owner's version - like our test boat - with a generous cabin layout in the starboard hull (with a total of three cabins). The Leopard charter market is managed by The Moorings, which also offers a so-called yacht owner programme for investors.
Like its big brother, the 53, the 46 is being built in the South African shipyard Robertson and Caine. Another 40-foot version is also being planned there. The workmanship of our test boat makes a good impression: it starts with the smooth gelcoat surfaces, continues with the neatly painted storage compartments and the expertly fitted fixtures and fittings and ends with the meticulous upholstery work. Our test boat is moored in the harbour of Saint-Raphaël, where a Leopard office is also located.
Optical finesse
Access to the boat is via a side opening in the railing; access via the bathing platform (optional electric version for raising and lowering) is also possible. A wide staircase on each side leads from the platform to the cockpit. Handrails on the sides ensure safe movement. It almost goes without saying that there is a stern shower in the platform area. The same applies to a wide bathing ladder that extends far into the water and makes getting out of the water child's play. There is a large table in the cockpit, surrounded by a U-shaped bench seat. Wide side decks provide safe access to the foredeck. This is where the shipyard has installed two large, comfortable sun loungers. The highlight: the sunbed unit can also be safely accessed from the saloon via a centre passageway. Another advantage of the door: together with the open stern section, a fresh breeze can flow through the boat.
Most of the wind is on the flybridge, the front two thirds of which are covered by a roof. Below this, the crew will find a galley, seating areas with a table and the outside driving position. There are loungers for sun worshippers at the rear. Another highlight is definitely the saloon, which offers a superb all-round view and invites you to eat and relax. At the rear is the well-organised galley with everything you need for cooking. The companionways lead into the spacious cabins roughly in the centre of the saloon. On the port side there are two double berths with suitable storage space. Each cabin has a separate bathroom. There is plenty of room to move around in both. The owner's bathroom to starboard is of course even more spacious. There is a dressing table and a desk in the cabin, the berth is a good size and has comfortable cushions. A convertible sofa is located behind the helm station in the saloon and can be folded out into a berth if required.
Driving behaviour
Now it's time for our test drive, so off to the flybridge. From there, two 250 hp Yanmar diesels are operated in the standard version, but our test boat has the optional 370 hp diesel. Manoeuvring with the two engines and a bow thruster (extra) shows just how manoeuvrable a catamaran can be. On the Mediterranean, we let the Leopard run at around 1500 rpm and measured a speed of 8 knots. The fuel gauge then shows a good 12.4 l/h for two engines, which in turn gives us a range of more than 1000 nm plus 15% reserve. We push the lever forwards and the catamaran starts to glide without any major trimming. Between 18 and 20 knots, it makes a pleasant journey. Of course, the fuel consumption increases considerably and we only calculate ranges of around 300 and 350 nm.
We reach a top speed of 23 knots. The catamaran behaves particularly well in fast bends, because it doesn't really lie on its side here, but stays quite flat and does its laps cleanly. To feel anything at all on slalom courses, you have to turn the steering wheel back and forth really hard. Rough water? The Mediterranean is at its most beautiful on the test day, with blue skies and only a light breeze. The hull enters the waves of other boats softly. If it does get rainy and windy, there is still the sheltered driving position below deck. The drawback: the seat backrest is quite low, which makes sitting uncomfortable, and there is not enough legroom for standing.
The two engines are easy to reach, as ladders help to access the large engine compartments. Everything is well secured and installed down here. Fire extinguishing systems and diesel filters are exemplary standard features. The same applies to four electric bilge pumps and two hand bilge pumps. A solid railing and plenty of handrails ensure safe movement on board. Fenders can be easily attached to the railing.
Conclusion
With the 46 Powercat, Leopard is launching a new boat on the market that will impress both charter guests and owners. The huge saloon together with the galley make for a really nice living area. But the catamaran also offers plenty of comfort on the outside. The boat is safe to sail and guarantees a long range at a speed of 8 knots.
Technical data Leopard 46 Powercat
The boat
- Shipyard: Robertson & Caine/South Africa
- Type: Leopard 46 Powercat
- CE category: A/10 persons
- Hull and deck:Plastic
- Length over everything: 14,13 m
- Width: 7,34 m
- Weight: 16,758 kg
- Draught (unloaded): 0,88 m
- Clearance height:5,64 m
- Fuel tank:1825 l
- Water tank: 700 l
- Holding tank: 160 l
- Cabins: 3 + Salon
- Berths: 6 + 1
- Standard motorisation: 2x diesel engines, 184 kW (250 hp)
- Test motorisation: 2x Yanmar 8L V370, 272 kW (370 hp) each
- Price (for 2023): 986.510 €
- Shipyard: www.robertsonandcaine.com
- Distribution: www.leopardcatamarans.de
The motor
- ManufacturerYanmar
- Type: 8LV370
- Performance: 272 kW (370 hp)
- Rated speed: 3800 rpm
- Cylinder: 8 in series
- cubic capacity: 4460 cc
- Fuel: Diesel
- Cooling: Water/double circuit
- Gear ratio: 2,43 : 1
- Test propeller: 4x 584 mm x 595 mm
