Rafiki

Reading this specification

Rafiki is published as Leopard 48.3 at 48 ft class, a catamaran operated by Whitsunday Escape out of Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach. As a catamaran she will not heel, will draw less than a monohull of the same length, and will carry far more living space for her length. The trade is upwind performance and, in most marinas, a higher berthing fee for the beam.

The published figure of 8–11 guests is the number the operator advertises. It does not tell you which of the three limits it is. A vessel commonly carries a day-passenger limit, a lower offshore limit and a lower again count of usable overnight berths, and only the survey certificate settles which applies to your route. The 3 cabins listed are cabins, not berths, and a paid skipper or sail guide will occupy one of them.

What the specification cannot tell you is the part that decides the week: boarding geometry for an older guest, whether the air conditioning runs at anchor or only on shore power, how much shade the cockpit actually has at two in the afternoon, and whether the photographs are of this hull or a sister ship. Those are questions for the operator, and the list below is the short version.

Public specifications reviewed 11 September 2026. The operator’s written confirmation and the vessel’s applicable commercial certificate control.

Suitability notes

Length and nominal capacity do not describe comfort by themselves. Ask for the exact deck plan, usable guest berths, shade, ventilation, refrigeration, tender, swim access and wet-weather space. A boat may have different limits for sheltered day operations, offshore passages and overnight accommodation.

For a bareboat, confirm engines, ground tackle, sail controls, chart plotter, communications, included safety equipment and the operator’s experience threshold. For a crewed charter, confirm how much guest space is lost to skipper, deckhand or host accommodation.

Verification questions

• Is this exact vessel guaranteed, or may a sister ship be substituted?
• What passenger limit applies to the proposed route and conditions?
• How many private guest cabins and fixed berths are usable?
• Which features in photographs are currently operational and included?
• What bond, insurance excess and damage waiver apply?

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