A world premiere at Cannes Yachting Competition 2025 and Crusing Catamaran 14-18m winner at Yacht Fashion Awards 2026, the all-new Leopard 52 replaces the 50 because the flagship of the model’s vary of crusing catamarans, which like its powercats, are in-built South Africa by Robertson and Caine.
The brand new mannequin boasts a extra highly effective rig, a flexible format focused at each non-public homeowners and constitution, and an optionally available hybrid diesel/electrical propulsion that’s seamless and straightforward to make use of. We have been lucky to go to the brand new mannequin at each Cannes and the Annapolis Sailboat Present, the place the 52-footer made its US debut and once more generated vital curiosity.
For the Leopard 52, naval architects Simonis Voogd joined Robertson and Caine’s design staff to create refined stepped hulls with a slim entry for elevated agility and vital quantity above the waterline to accommodate a sizeable inside. The rig has change into extra sturdy and there’s a alternative of ordinary diesel engines or twin hybrid pods for propulsion.
As a result of this mannequin will serve each non-public homeowners and constitution company with The Moorings fleet, the design is considerably modular for spectacular format versatility.
Key Leopard components are nonetheless seen on this new mannequin, beginning with the raised helm on starboard the place two electrical winches and a set of jammers deal with the traces. A bench seat for 2 and a alternative of Garmin or Raymarine electronics make simple work of navigation.
Visibility is sweet ahead and down the starboard facet, and the motive force can duck below the flybridge overhang to see the aft port nook. An enhanced coachroof lounge gives seating round a desk, so company can preserve the helmsman firm. This semi-flybridge configuration has all of the social area however much less windage of a full flybridge.
PERFORMANCE
Our check day served up gusty winds, pouring rain and plummeting temperatures, however the Leopard 52 was constructed to take these circumstances and preserve us considerably heat and dry. This mannequin likes quite a lot of wind, so at 18-22 knots of true breeze, we sailed 8.2-8.3 knots at 50 levels obvious wind angle (AWA).
In 24-knot gusts, she pumped as much as 9 knots of velocity with the genoa and the square-top mainsail remaining unreefed. As we cracked off to 150 levels AWA, the wind dipped to 14 knots, however we nonetheless held on to 7.3 knots of boat velocity. The brand new rig is highly effective with a taller mast, longer growth and 17 per cent extra upwind sail space than on the Leopard 50. Ulman aramid sails are optionally available.
Normal energy is offered by twin 57hp diesel engines that may be upgraded to 80hp variations. Our check boat was outfitted with the Joool serial hybrid system. This features a 1,600W photo voltaic array and a 24kW range-extending generator that powers a 27kWh lithium battery financial institution, which in flip drives twin 25kW electrical pods beneath the waterline.
The system is designed to have the genset begin routinely when the batteries attain 40 per cent with out the necessity for operator interface. Hydro-regeneration below sail is feasible on the contact of a button, however the massive propellers induce drag, slowing the boat down. Though touted to start out at 5-6 knots, any measurable regeneration wants a minimum of 9 knots earlier than it turns into significant.
It was a bit depressing once we sailed, however the Leopard 52 was confident, even with all of the canvas up, and we had loads of locations to tuck in to heat up. In our estimation, it was the one boat to have been out for sea trials on that day.
ONBOARD COMFORT
In addition to the stable helm set-up, Leopard signatures on the 52 embrace the model’s famend ahead cockpit that may be accessed by the facet decks or the watertight, ahead saloon door, which will also be used to chill down the boat rapidly when open.
Ahead of the door is a coated, sunken seating space, whereas there’s loads of area to lounge on the huge expanse of sunpads and the nets, plus there are floating ‘stools’ connected to the siderails in each ahead corners.
On the different finish, the aft cockpit gives a big dinette to port and an L-shaped couch and a barbecue space to starboard. An optionally available hydraulic platform provides a lot to the sensible use in addition to the enjoyment of the boat that it needs to be on the spec checklist.
Leopard is experimenting with a brand new format that’s changing into more and more common throughout the multihull universe. The spotlight of this configuration is the mixing of the inside and exterior with a eating association that flows in a straight line from the saloon to the cockpit, making a linked setting.
On the 52, two tables, a foldable one inside and a big one outdoors, create banquet-style eating alongside the port facet, whereas foldable chairs and a bench couch will be moved as wanted. To create a gap massive sufficient to make this indoor-outdoor connection work, the panels of the glass door stack and disappear on starboard, bettering circulation and mixing the 2 residing areas.
One factor that Leopard clings to – and for good motive – is a full navigation station tucked into the ahead port nook of the saloon. It’s devoted to the enterprise of working the ship and if electrical propulsion is specified, it holds a repeater display so the skipper can monitor the system from inside.
VERSATILE ACCOMMODATION
The Leopard 52 is offered with three to 6 visitor cabins plus a small optionally available crew cabin within the port forepeak.
For liveaboard homeowners, the three-stateroom configuration comes with a spacious grasp stateroom that takes up two thirds of the starboard hull and has its personal inside stairway. A big, forward-facing mattress, an arrogance desk and an unlimited rest room ahead create a stunning proprietor’s retreat.
The grasp is joined within the starboard hull by an en-suite VIP cabin, which has a equally massive mattress however going through the hull window, whereas the room additionally advantages from a skylight. The opposite format possibility for the starboard hull is three en-suite cabins, with two cabins instead of the grasp.
There are fascinating choices for the port hull, which might embrace an extended aft cabin with its personal exterior companionway to the aft cockpit and a smaller visitor cabin ahead.
Nonetheless, as pictured, there’s an possibility for a ahead utility room, which might act as a devoted area for all types of instruments, spares and sundries, with a washer/dryer obtainable. There’s additionally the choice for as much as three visitor cabins within the port hull, whereas the area for the smaller aft cabin will also be used as an aft utility room.
The layouts with 4, 5 and 6 visitor cabins are appropriate for constitution, the place neither consolation nor privateness can be sacrificed.
Massive wraparound home windows, tender oblique lighting, and impartial color schemes enable sailors to reside on the water similar to they do at dwelling. Extra consolation choices embrace a dishwasher, a wine fridge and an induction cooktop to get rid of the necessity for propane.
Robertson and Caine has launched over 3,000 boats in its lengthy historical past, so has a lot experience on which to attract. Leopard’s new flagship is a giant boat that’s steady and tolerant of something that even new charterers can serve up. Nonetheless, with the brand new sail configuration, she’s additionally surprisingly responsive and agile. House owners trying to do in depth cruising will recognize that.
The Leopard 52 has been requested to do many issues and manages all of them properly, which entitles her to be known as the queen of versatility. Lengthy might she reign.
Phrases: Zuzana Prochazka; Images: Leopard
This text was first seen on YACHT STYLE
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