South African boatbuilder Robertson and Caine has signed an export contract worth R200 million (£15.4 million) for sailing catamarans to be delivered to First Choice Marine. First Choice is the holding company for charter boat firms Sunsail and The Moorings.
World class cruisers
Lex Raas, president and CEO of First Choice Marine, said that the order was the product of a 10-year relationship with Robertson and Caine. Eight different models had gone to The Moorings' sailing destinations around the world. According to Raas, the new Leopard 46 was designed in collaboration between Robertson and Caine's design team and leading US naval architects Morrelli and Melvin, embodying "a host of innovative ideas that would raise the bar for everybody in the international marine industry."
The Moorings & Sunsail too
Raas said Robertson and Caine will also become the official supplier to rival charter company Sunsail. The two charter companies have 72 bases worldwide, and a fleet of 1,800 boats, and 300,000 customers per year.
100,000 Leopard sailors
"With catamarans making up a third of the fleet, this means that nearly 100,000 people worldwide are holidaying on Robertson and Caine boats every year," says Raas. The Leopard 46 replaces the top selling Leopard 47, which racked up sales of over 150 yachts delivered worldwide.
Record-setting design team
Though similar to sister Leopard designs, the Leopard 46 is the first to be designed outside South Africa - another triumph for the world class team of Morrelli and Melvin who designed Steve Fossett's PlayStation and other large, record-breaking cats.
A long line of winners
Record-breakers themselves, Robertson & Caine were only two years old when they built the Alex Simonis-designed 1993 Cape to Rio winner Broomstick - following up with Orion Express which won the licence to manufacture Bruce Farr-designed Mumm 36 racers - one of only five boat builders in the world to be granted this accolade.
Top American choice
Success followed success and the Leopard 45 was voted Charter Boat of the Year by Cruising World in 1998. Last year the Leopard 40 won Sail Magazine's "Best Boats 2005" Award, "Best Overall Import Boat in USA 2005" and "Best Multihull 40 Feet and Under 2005".
Magic from the end of the world
At the end of the world on the tip of Africa, Robertson & Caine build boats by hand at the remarkable rate of two a week, with every part checked and tested to the demanding standards of the American Boat & Yacht Council, the US Coast Guard, and the country to which each boat is consigned.
The Leopard difference
Two things distinguish a Leopard immediately, both born of experience cruising in the tropics. The first is the huge bimini, often a hard-top, essential when the sun is strong. The second is the targa bar aft that the bimini sits on, which keeps sheeting clear above head height when family and guests are relaxing on deck.
Leopard 46 Specifications:
Cabins: 3 or 4
Heads: 3 or 4
L.O.A.: 46 ft 4 in
L.W.L.: 44 ft 7 in
Beam: 24 ft 10 in
Draft: 4 ft 5 in
Volvo x 2: 40 HP
Fuel: 185 gal
Water: 206 gal
Sail: 1,593 sq ft
Mast Height: 70 ft 9 in
Load Carrying Capacity: 13,271 lbs
Holding Tank Capacity: 45 gal
