For the ultimate sailing experience, there’s nothing like venturing out into the deep blue sea in a luxury powercat
They say a sea trial on a powercat will convert you to a cat lover, waving goodbye to monohulls forever. And as long as you know the basics of keeping a proper trim, you’re good to go with a powercat as they’re incredibly simple to operate. They also offer the impossible when it comes to yachts – more space, more speed with less expensive engines, and less fuel consumption thanks to a semi-displacement cat hull designed for performance at high speeds.
South Africa – and the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal in particular – has some of the world’s best cruising grounds which makes sailing and testing the newest member of Leopard Catamaran’s power fleet – the Leopard 51 PC – more fulfilling. Faced with giant waves along our coastline, this first-class powercat’s twin-hull design allows for a smoother drift in beam seas, which makes her settle much faster than a monohull.
Sleek in terms of design, the Leopard 51 PC comes with a multitude of exciting features including a large forward cockpit, an expansive fly bridge, redesigned underbody, and an interior kitted out with modern appliances. Perfect for the serious family sportsman, her deck layout is also ideal for offshore fishing, with additional lounges an added bonus.
Modern cats are designed to bank inboard, especially at high rates of speed. At slow speeds and during slow turns, the Leopard 51 PC does tend to lean slightly outboard, but the effect is so minor it’s hardly noticeable. This is also why for thousands of years avid sailors have trusted the superior twin hull design to get them through big seas.
Designed by Simonis Voogd Design and built by world-renowned Robertson and Caine, this high-performance catamaran is bluewater ready and built to the highest standards. She can reach speeds of 20 knots and top speeds of 25 knots. Both agility and efficiency are paired perfectly, as the Leopard 51 PC has enough range to go from Durban to Cape Town without refuelling.
Recessed lighting under the cabinets and bench seating, as well as new cabinetry, appliances and additional storage space in the galley, are just a few of the exciting things this powercat has to offer in terms of interior design. The open saloon area – with seating in a wide U-shape – is filled with natural light and boasts stunning views from the panoramic windows, with enough room for eight guests.
The renovated galley is superb, and deep side-by-side sinks and Corian countertops make prepping for meal an absolute pleasure. With plenty of storage and cabinet space, you can take all the luxuries of home with you no matter where your journey takes you. *