The Leopard 46 Leaps to Lead -Robertson & Caine

by Cape Business news www.cbn.co.za on 4 Aug 2006 The new Leopard 46, the latest from the Cape boatyard Robertson and Caine (Pty) Ltd, is setting new standards in sailing catamaran design and innovation, says Lex Raas, chief executive First Choice Marine, holding company of leading global charter groups The Moorings and Sunsail.

At the launch of the latest version of the blue water cruising catamaran,
Raas said 'This design will raise the bar for everybody in the international marine industry.'

Raas, who formerly headed up The Moorings, was appointed Chief Executive of First Choice Marine when First Choice acquired the US-based charter group The Moorings in a surprise move in December 2005, creating a global leisure
holding company covering five different branded groups.

First Choice Plc is Britain's leading leisure company, with a turnover of Pounds sterling 2.5 billion, and a net asset value of Pounds 1.5 billion.

In the ten-year relationship that the South African yard has enjoyed with The Moorings, it has supplied over 370 catamarans, and the advances in design in the different models has seen the catamarans winning five international awards.

'These have all been very prestigious awards, signalling recognition by the international marine industry of the high standards of design, innovation and build-quality produced by Robertson and Caine,' said Raas, adding: 'This is a very amazing achievement.'

The latest order, worth in excess of US$30-milllion, is for sailing catamarans to be delivered over the next year. Raas also announced that Robertson and Caine had been appointed the official sailing catamaran supplier to Sunsail.

Designed in collaboration with leading US naval architects Morrelli and Melvin, designers of the record-breaking multihull Playstation, the Leopard 46, which the charter groups will designate as The Moorings 4600, and the Sunsail
464, embodies a host of innovative ideas.

Instead of dividing the cockpit and saloon into two separate areas,
the Leopard 46 has a unique one-level space that integrates the two into one huge living area.

The galley is positioned to serve both areas equally. The cockpit hardtop extends seamlessly aft from the saloon roof, enhancing the sleek lines of the boat. To enhance ventilation to the cockpit, an adjustable ventilation cowl opens into the prevailing air stream, directing it to the cockpit seating area.

Aft of the cockpit area a fold-down platform allows easy swimming access, but when raised between the davits creates a secure aft barrier when the boat is underway.

Another innovation is the raised helm station, with a hardtop bimini, which allows 360 degree panoramic visibility, for efficient handling even in crowded marinas, and allows all the sailing functions to be centred in one convenient
area.

As a private sales option the starboard hull is entirely dedicated to the owner, with a large private cabin, study area and separate shower room.
The port hull accommodates two spacious guest cabins, each with en suite head and separate shower. Attractive wild cherry wood finishes are a standard feature throughout on every Leopard 46.

Raas said that had anyone said eight months ago that The Moorings and Sunsail would be part of the same team, it would have sounded impossible.
'But today, from a global point of view, these exciting brands have 72 bases worldwide, and a fleet of 1800 boats, and 300 000 customers per year.

'With catamarans making up a third of the fleet, this means that nearly 100,000 people worldwide are holidaying on Robertson and Caine boats every year.'

Independently of the R200-million sailing catamaran order, the Cape boatbuilder is working on a 47-foot power catamaran for the Nautic Blue group, also in the First Choice Marine stable, which will be launched in early 2007.

Following quickly on the heels of the announcement of US14.3 million order (R100 million) in August 2005 for a 2006 delivery, Robertson and Caine, based in Capetown, with First Choice for an order of US$28.6 million (R200 million) for sailing catamarans to be delivered in 2007. This cements its position as South Africa’s leading exporter of luxury yachts.

Raas continued: 'It is a highly competitive industry, and for Robertson and Caine, the strength of the Rand hasn’t helped at all. So it is really important that these projects are supported by government. There is a lot of investment going on the in the boat-building world, which this Cape boatyard has to match to keep its leading edge.'

'Had anyone said eight months ago that The Moorings and Sunsail would be part of the same team, it would have sounded impossible. Today, from a global point of view, these exciting brands have 72 bases worldwide, and a fleet of 1,800 boats, and 300,000 customers per year. With catamarans making up a third of the fleet, this mean that nearly 100,000 people worldwide are holidaying on Robertson and Caine boats every year.'

Robertson and Caine marketing director Ellian Perch, says the orders would secure a lot of jobs. 'We are hoping that with our expansion and these developments, this will be a driving force for job expansion in the Western Cape.'

'There are some hurdles we have to overcome. One is transport, since we are a long way from our markets. But at the moment we hope to do all our expansion in South Africa, to keep the jobs here in the Western Cape, which we think with support of government we can do.'

The boat-building industry has also fostered considerable growth in related fields such as sail-making and mast-building, with leading mast-builder Sparcraft recently announcing a deal with New Zealand’s Southern Spars, and a massive drive in capital expenditure.

Recent estimates put the annual turnover of the South Africa boating industry and related fields at around a billion rand, (US$140 million) providing an important element in job creation and the development of skills.