MarineMax Unveils 46’ Powercat For BVIs

We're just back from the Miami Boatshow, our knees are killing us and, mercifully, we can’t feel our feet.  Lots of walking, but some fascinating news, too.

MarineMax Vacations showed off plans and renderings for their new 46-foot power catamaran that will be available in the British Virgin Islands for bareboat charters.  They have ordered 30 of the cats, which will be called the MarineMax 464, and charters will start as early as December of this year at their Tortola base.

The MarineMax 464 will have some innovative features and a list of equipment not found on most bareboats.  One that appealed to us is the easy access to the foredeck from the flybridge.  Stairs on each side of the bridge lead forward to the foredeck, making it easy for the skipper to help with anchoring or picking up a mooring buoy without having to go aft to the cockpit and then along the side deck to the bow. 

A second innovation we liked is the high-low cockpit sole.  The entire after section of the cockpit can be lowered electrically to water level, creating a solid “beach” for swimming and snorkeling, and vastly simplifying retrieval of the tender. 

Another great feature is the forward cockpit.  Shaded by the overhang of the bridge and reached by a very civilized door from the salon, it has wrap-around seating and a table.  This, in our opinion, is the perfect place on the yacht to enjoy a sundowner at anchor. 

Other niceties on the 464 are a Spectra watermaker (no stopping every day to buy water!), Kenyon electric barbecue (no messy charcoal!), full Raymarine electronics including radar, GPS and chartplotter, and Northern Lights air conditioning with generator.

While there is a three-cabin “owner’s” version, the 464s in charter service will have four double cabins, each with ensuite heads with showers. 

For info, MarineMax Vacations or 888-461-5497.

Leopard 44 Best Boat Of The Year

Introduced to North America at the Strictly Sail Miami Show in early 2011, the Leopard 44 has received the SAIL Magazine Best Boat 2012 for the category of Cruising Multihulls under 50 feet.  Built by Robertson and Caine in South Africa, the Leopard cats have proven to be fast, sailor-friendly and robust in charter service worldwide. 

Drawing on an idea from Lagoon catamarans, the Leopard 44 has a door from the saloon to a forward lounging cockpit that should prove attractive with its comfortable seating and sun protection from the extended cabin top.  It is, we think, ideal for enjoying a sundowner at anchor.

The Leopard 44 is available in two versions, with either an owner’s suite filling the entire starboard hull and two ensuite guest cabins in the port hull or a more charter-friendly four-stateroom four-head version.  Going into service with Sunsail as the Sunsail 444 is the four-cabin version, while other charter companies (including TMM Charters) offer the owner’s layout.

Either way, the 44/444 has a raised bridge with excellent visibility and electric winches for sail trim.  Other bareboat features include generator and air conditioning, electric windlass, fully-battened stacking mainsail and furling genoa, and full Raymarine electronics.

Sunsail, 888-350-3568, www.sunsail.com

TMM, 800-633-0155, www.sailtmm.com