MarineMax Goes Power, Too!

Following on the heels of the announcement by MarineMax Vacations of their fleet of 13 new Dufour sailboats entering charter service in the BVIs is news that they will add 10 new power catamarans starting on June 1, 2012 at the same Hodges Creek Marina.  According to VP Raul Bermudez, the cats will be customized Aquila 38s, designed by Morelli and Melvin. 

Like the Dufour sailboats, MarineMax Vacations is going for an upscale audience by adding such niceties as a watermaker, electric barbecue grill and wi-fi.  The two-cabin, two-head boats will, of course, have the expected amenities such as generators and air conditioning.  To be called the MarineMax 382, the boats have a forward walk-through from the oversized flybridge which MarineMax prexy, Lex Raas, labels succinctly as “huge”. 

MarineMax Vacations, 888-461-5497, www.marinemaxvacations.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