Sunsail Opens Base In Mallorca

Sunsail has opened a new charter base in Mallorca, opening up bareboating in the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera. The base is located in Palma, the capital and cultural center of the islands, at the Marina Naviera Balear, just a short walk from the old town of Palma.

The initial fleet will consist of Sunsail 47 monohulls and the new Sunsail 444 catamaran.  The 47 is a powerful and well-balanced yacht with a four-cabin, four-head layout, while the 444 is a Robertson & Caine design that features a unique forward cockpit with direct access from the saloon. 

Mallorca has numerous fishing ports to explore as well as several outstanding bays that are ideal of overnighting and the Cabrera National Park is just a half-day sail from the base, with great diving and snorkeling.  The islands of Ibiza and Formentera are known as jet-set party islands, while Menorca has a unique culture and cuisine.

Sunsail, (877) 630-7358, www.sunsail.com

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