Moorings 4600 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Moorings 4600 is often cited by delivery skippers and reviewers alike for its surprising agility compared to more "condo-maran" styled competitors of the same era. Much of this performance is attributed to the Simonis Voogd design, which features hulls that are relatively narrow at the waterline before flaring out with a distinct "step" to create interior volume. According to a technical review by Cruising World, this hull shape reduces wetted surface area, allowing the boat to remain responsive in light air while the stepped hulls provide significant buoyancy in heavy seas.

On the water, the 4600 is known for its balanced feel and impressive bridge deck clearance, which significantly reduces "slamming" when heading into a chop—a common grievance in multihull design. The sail plan is manageable for a short-handed crew, with a large roach mainsail and a slightly overlapping genoa. All primary control lines are led to a raised helm station on the starboard side, providing the helmsman with excellent visibility over all four corners of the boat, though it remains more integrated with the cockpit than the "flybridge" designs seen on more modern vessels. This lower center of gravity at the helm contributes to a more stable motion and a greater sense of connection to the sea state.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Moorings 4600 was engineered for durability and high-traffic use, featuring Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, and hard-wearing cherry or beechwood finishes. While the private Leopard 46 was frequently sold as a three-cabin "Owner’s Version," the Moorings 4600 is almost exclusively found in the four-cabin, four-head configuration. Each hull houses two mirror-image VIP cabins, each with a dedicated ensuite head and separate shower stall, ensuring privacy for four couples.

Ventilation is a standout feature of this model. Robertson & Caine incorporated large, forward-facing hatches in the saloon and port-lights in the hulls to take advantage of natural trade wind breezes. The transition from the saloon to the cockpit is seamless, facilitated by a large sliding glass door that effectively doubles the living area when at anchor. While the Moorings 4600 lacks the "forward cockpit" door found on later Leopard models, its traditional aft cockpit is exceptionally deep and well-protected by a robust hardtop bimini. A sibling variant, the Sunsail 464, was also produced on the same hull but featured distinct branding and minor interior trim differences for the Sunsail charter fleet.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Moorings 4600 (as the Leopard 46) is one of the most decorated catamarans in its class. Shortly after its debut, it was named "Best Multihull" and "Best Overall Import" by Cruising World in 2007. These accolades solidified the reputation of Robertson & Caine in the North American market, proving that a boat built for the rigors of charter could also meet the exacting standards of the private cruising community. The model has also gained a following in the "vlogger" community, frequently appearing as a recommended used purchase for long-term cruisers on channels focused on blue-water multihull transitions, such as those documenting the "ARC" (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers).

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a former Moorings 4600 should focus on areas typical of high-use charter vessels. While the hulls are robustly built with a balsa-cored sandwich above the waterline and solid laminate below, specific technical areas require scrutiny:

• Bulkhead Bonding: In some early models, the secondary bonding of the structural bulkheads to the hull was known to show signs of movement or hair-line cracking if the boat was driven hard in heavy seas. A survey should include a detailed inspection of the "tabbing" in the forward and aft lockers.
• Sail Drive Seals: Equipped with Yanmar engines and SD50 sail drives, the 4600 requires strict adherence to sail drive diaphragm replacement intervals. Older units may also experience "clutch slipping," a known issue with the SD50 series that often requires lapping the clutch cones.
• Electrical Systems: As a charter-spec boat, many 4600s were fitted with complex 110V/220V systems and generators. Ensure the wiring has not been compromised by "DIY" additions from previous owners and that the high-output alternators are functioning correctly.
• Standing Rigging: Given that many of these boats have crossed the Atlantic multiple times (Cape Town to the Caribbean and back/forth for seasonal work), the standing rigging is often near its fatigue life and should be a primary point of negotiation.

The Verdict

The Moorings 4600 remains one of the most respected production catamarans ever built. It bridges the gap between the heavy, slow cruisers of the 1990s and the modern, luxury-focused apartments of today. For the private buyer, a well-maintained 4600 offers a level of sailing performance that many newer, heavier catamarans cannot match.

Pros

• Superior Sea-Kindliness: High bridge deck clearance and Simonis Voogd hull lines provide a dry, comfortable ride.
• Robust Construction: Built to withstand the 6,000-mile delivery trip from South Africa to the Caribbean on its own bottom.
• Ventilation: Exceptional airflow through the saloon and cabins makes it ideal for tropical cruising.
• Market Support: Part of a massive global fleet, making parts and technical advice easy to source.

Cons

• Charter Wear: Most 4600s began their lives in the Moorings fleet, meaning they may have high engine hours and aesthetic "bruises."
• Rigid Layout: Finding a three-cabin "Owner’s" version is rare, as most Moorings-spec boats are four-cabin configurations.
• Aging Systems: Many original components (fridges, air conditioning units) are reaching the end of their operational life.