Preview two Top 10 Best Boats 2025 nominees.
Xquisite 60 Solar Sail
The new flagship in the Xquisite Yachts sailing line is the 60 Solar Sail, a no-luxury-left-behind bluewater cat that that employs hybrid propulsion to maximize energy autonomy.
Xquisite partnered with Dixon Yacht Design to create this South African-built cat with an emphasis on lightweight composite construction, carbon reinforced in critical areas. The lines are sleek, with reverse wave-piercing bows and a flat sheer offset by the nicely sloped cabintop.
The helm is to starboard and up high, with a neighboring lounge area on the flybridge that can get some quick shade from a retractable awning built into the boom. All sailhandling is led to the helm, with all-electric winches helping manage the boat’s 2,324 square feet of upwind sail area.
The cockpit has dedicated storage for dive gear, a garage for water toys, and an outdoor grilling area. The salon features an enormous galley to port with all-electric induction cooktop and a nifty breakfast or cocktail bar area opposite. A nav station is forward, facing the large windows that open to allow maximum ventilation.
The owner’s version dedicates the portside hull to the owner’s suite with a walk-in wardrobe and luxurious bathroom. Two cabins are in the starboard hull, each with their own heads. All beds are king-size walkaround.
Hull No. 1 is a traditional diesel and genset setup, but subsequent hulls will offer two options for hybrid propulsion without the need for a generator. The Integrel e-Drive option offers two 15kW electric motors between two Yanmar 110-hp diesels and saildrives, with 60kWh lithium ion battery packs and 6kW solar panels. Or, an E-Motion parallel hybrid system uses two 100 kW electric motors between the Yanmars and V-drive transmissions, with 104kW Li battery packs and 6kW solar panels.
LOA 61’7” LWL 58’4” Beam 29’2” Draft 5’4” Air Draft 89’5” Displacement 55,000 lbs (light) Sail Area 2,324 (mainsail and 110% genoa) Power Yanmar 110hp (2x) w/ 15kW electric (2x) or 100 kW electric (2x) Xquisite Yachts
Leopard 46
The new Leopard 46 replaces and builds on the success of its predecessor, the immensely popular Leopard 45 launched in 2017 (380 boats built). While certain aspects of the Leopard DNA are still in evidence in this model—the forward cockpit for entertaining accessed from the salon, the helm position relatively high and to one side with sail controls led here, and a large flybridge lounge next to the helm—new features include an integrated salon and cockpit layout with a sliding door to create a larger indoor/outdoor living and entertainment space. The boat is available with three, four, or five cabins and heads. And, a new electric propulsion option is being offered with the 46, which is set to make its debut at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October.
LOA 45’6” Beam 24’1 Draft 4’11 Air Draft 70’ Displacement 31,596 lbs Sail Area 1,554 sq ft (upwind, std) Power Yanmar 45hp 2X (std) opt elec Leopard Catamarans
Meet the Other 2025 Top 10 Best Boats Nominees
SAIL New Boats & Gear 2025 is here and it’s chock-a-block with new boat reviews by SAIL‘s boat review team, info on the latest models hitting the water, and gear SAIL‘s editors have checked out as well. It’s available on newsstands, so head to your nearest West Marine or Barnes & Noble, or catch us at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis in October to say hi and get your issue.
NBGR 2025
