Robertson and Caine Venture into Hybrid Electric Drive
Robertson and Caine, renowned globally for its innovative and award-winning catamaran designs, is proud to announce the launch of the Leopard 46 sailing catamaran, the newest member of the iconic Leopard sailboat family. The Leopard 46 takes a bold leap forward, showcasing cutting-edge design, groundbreaking technology and unrivalled versatility, setting a new benchmark in luxury sailing. This is the first electric model for the manufacturing company made its launch in Fall 2024, at the United States Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland.
With two primary lines of Leopard Catamarans – Sailing and Power – the Leopard 46 has an extensive set of upgrades and functionality when compared to existing catamarans on the market, creating a desired luxury experience for all on board.
Overall styling improvements on the Leopard 46 welcome the next evolution of the Leopard DNA and brand. Every detail of the Leopard 46 has been carefully considered to provide an unmatched sailing experience. From the elegant aesthetics to the ergonomic layout and advanced functionality, the Leopard 46 is the embodiment of Robertson and Caine’s commitment to delivering excellence in yacht building.
“The culmination of various improvements and innovations on the Leopard 46 sailing catamaran provides customers with the perfect balance of affordability, performance and space,” said Michael Robertson, design manager of Robertson and Caine. “As we near 35 years in business, it is crucial that we continue to epitomize quality and innovation, and those elements are truly woven into the DNA of this new vessel.”
The Leopard 46 continues the tradition of modern design that has come to define the Leopard family. The sailboat’s sleek exterior is highlighted by wraparound saloon glass windows that provide the interior saloon with panoramic views and abundant natural light. Inside, owners will experience the perfect blend of style and functionality, with an expansive entertainment space created by a sliding door that stows completely behind the helm station, seamlessly integrating the saloon and aft cockpit.
“The vessel brings a modern look and feel with advances in technology that help drive a more sustainable experience including increased solar capacity, improved energy management, hybrid electric drive and regeneration,” said Robertson. “Sustainability in our craftsmanship and products is vital to our business, and we highly anticipate a wave of delighted owners with the new Leopard 46 SC Electric Drive.”
Founded upon a pedigree of attention to detail and functional innovation, internationally renowned for its rugged build quality for blue-water oceans, Leopard Catamarans can attribute its market success to the synergy with builder Robertson and Caine. Leopard credits Lex Raas with the vision of catamarans in charter and together with John Robertson, Jerry Caine, naval architect Alex Simonis and designer Anthony Key, the Leopard product became synonymous with rugged build quality, performance, ease-of-operation, elegant interiors, space, comfort and innovation-leading design trends, all of which constitute the modern Leopard DNA.
The boat will be available for sale through THL Marine, a longtime partner of Robertson and Caine and provider of customer service to Leopard Catamaran customers. The vessel is now available. More details can be found on the Robertson and Caine website.
About Robertson and Caine
Founded by John Robertson and the late Jerry Caine 33 years ago, Robertson and Caine is a South African-based business which operates its manufacturing facility in Cape Town with a sales, customer service, design and procurement team in Tampa, Florida, USA. Robertson and Caine is one of the world’s leading mid-size sailing and power catamaran manufacturers under its globally renowned Leopard brand for sale to individuals and fleet operators in the US market, the Mediterranean and other exotic locations worldwide.
About Leopard Catamarans
Sea trialed and tested off the coast of South Africa, Leopard Catamarans is a world leader in the power catamaran market. Both sailboat and power catamaran lines are built with flexibility for the modern seafarer and offer a range of equipment and layout options, designed with each boater’s journey in mind. Evolving from 50 years of customer feedback, Leopard Catamarans has pooled their expertise with South African boat builders Robertson and Caine and Naval Architects Simonis Voogd to design today’s Leopard range: spacious, robust, performance-driven blue water cruising catamarans. Set sail to new horizons from the power and beauty of Leopard Catamarans. For more information, visit leopardcatamarans.com.
