#245t

[@r050460]

my utmost respect for your work. I would never think of doing such a job myself because I simply wouldn't trust myself to do it. Now I would try it myself. But only thanks to your video. I have learned a lot from it and will also save a lot of money. If we ever meet on the water, I owe you a big bottle of fun

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you very much! This is what I aimed for when I published the video! To help other people save money :-)

[@GininoBruni]

Hi guys, I just joined your channel especially from my home country also! Loving all the details that you guys have in your videos. From buying to sailing. Going to take me a while to catch up from your 1st videos.(looking forward to it)Safe travels and stay safe! Hopefully we will also be sailing soon!

[@challenger2ultralightadventure]

It's wonderful that you had a few extra hands to get the job done. I too work for beer, when asked. Cheers from Winnipeg.

[@SailingSisu]

Right on! Well spotted! love your attitude! so much nicer answering your humor!

[@coffeegetsme9465]

What a reflection on Leopards production. How often do we hear of separation issues. Anyone lining up to purchase will always look at service to past owners or lack of! Also, how old is she? It's very disturbing. Obviously, it's a production issue that the company should fix without question...

[@SailingSisu]

Yeah, I guess all boats with acrylic windows will go through the same process eventually. The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebid the window, and how to do it a fraction of the cost a boat yard is charging. Sisu is already six years old and went through rough seas in her 35,000nm journey. But, it is currently a Lewmar issue, not the boat manufacturer's issue. Robertson and Caine follows the instructions, which Lewmar put together for the windows, hatches, clutches, and winches. And Lewmar is following Sikaflex's advice on how to fix acrylic windows to fiberglass....vicious circle of blaming the other.

[@marcandnadine]

​@@SailingSisu Off course all true, boat is out of warranty. But I think the vicious circle of blaming the other is handled by law very clearly, when still under warranty. You buy not the lose parts, you buy @leopard, so all warranty should be handled by them. How they solve it with supplier should not be the customers problem. Nonetheless, I would have done the same as you did, and safe me the legal hassle, just solve it and perhaps Leopard will refund you the Sikaflex 🙂 (I always ask my wife to solve that, and she is good in that part 🙂) Also for Leopard this video is helpful for owners to show it's doable to re-glue your windows .

[@brownnoise357]

@@marcandnadine I must admit,from what I have seen of the Sailing Sisu Leopard 45 Cstamaran, and examples of others in the range, if I could get on ok with Catamarans Motion upwind, I’d buy a Leopard.Probably a 40. But unfortunately my allergy to Catamaran Motion into Waves is pretty extreme, and rules out me ever having one. If the two hulls connect with a wave at different times, I’m basically A Monohull, by default, only has one hull to connect to a wave with thank god. ❤️⛵️Bob.

[@brownnoise357]

PS.Sod’s Law when Sailing to a destination, the Wind direction is always coming directly from the destination . Bob.🤔☹️

[@SailingSisu]

exactly!

[@DirkDiggler-qp3vm]

I’ve seen that done many times mostly on the Hard. You my friend are a legend, you made that look easy. And you did one hell of a job. New sub

[@SailingSisu]

I appreciate that! Way too kind 😅 but most is research and planning...implementation is 20%

[@SailingSisu]

I appreciate that! Way too kind 😅 but most is research and planning...implementation is 20%

[@Moftoo]

Looks like a nice job. Good call getting rid of the primer, for next time I'd consider getting rid of the weather stripping all together and putting 3M VHB tape in it's place and then adding the Sikaflex around that - VHB tape has similar waterproofing closed cell foam properties as weather stripping but the strong adhesive on both sides also helps to hold the window very firmly in place. VHB tape also has 50% of its ultimate strength after 20 minutes so it can help hold things in place for the Sikaflex to cure. To be fair I haven't tried to bond in a window that large with it and you mentioned a lot of flexing, but it has worked exceptionally well on smaller windows for me - 2ft by 5 ft being some of the larger.

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you for the good advice!

[@dinkinsranch]

I am on a Lagoon 450 and we have similar issues. It was recommended to use Dowsil 795 to caulk the plexiglass rather than Sika. It is used a lot in commercial buildings with large glass surfaces.

[@SailingSisu]

lol, that is what non-boat people do not get :-D ALL boats with acrylic windows do that. the video is more about why it happens and how to fix it. that said, Robertson and Caine follows the instructions, which Lewmar put together for the windows, hatches, clutches, and winches. And Lewmar is following Sikaflex's advice on how to fix acrylic windows to fiberglass....vicious circle of blaming the other. All boats with acrylic windows go through the same pain at some time. so, thank you for the advice on Dowsil! I heard something similar in Turkey about a 3M product? I guess at one point, the sun will destroy any bonding exposed to the sun :-(

[@kurtwacker4622]

Job well done! Saved yourself a small fortune. Sell your frame to next Leopard, maybe you should patent your design😂

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you for the kind words! I should, but then I heard about better and easier ways to hold the window in place :-D will rebed the port side window and put that video out ;-)

[@leehoffman3604]

What a pain, but a job well done. Have fun on the passage and then the ultimate fun, washing the windows. Seriously, you will enjoy looking through them. Good sailing! There is nothing like clean windows in a boat.

[@SailingSisu]

That's the plan! I have also polished that one...HUGE difference!

[@mikeferguson2828]

Frik my experience with my Leopard 40 and having to rebed a window and then owning a Catana which does not seem to have the same Leopard window delamination problem leads me to believe that Catana got it right. What they do is paint the outside of the acrylic all the way around where the sika is on the inside. This seems to shield the UV rays from the sika and acrylic bond. This seems to be the answer. I have the same amount of acrylic around the boat as you but no de lamination since new.

[@SailingSisu]

I think that is the right way to do it.

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Guys. It's been a while are you doing alright ? Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob.❤

[@arthurschuler8906]

Well done!

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you!

[@brownnoise357]

HiGuys. Hoping you are doing ok and are coping with Hurricane Season. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob in Wales. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you so much for your concern! We are still sailing and loving every moment of it. However, we were hoping for more support from our viewers, and unfortunately, it hasn’t turned out as well as we hoped. We’re running out of funds and are exploring other means to sustain ourselves and maintain the boat. We’ve started chartering in the BVI, and you can help us by spreading the word about www.sailingsisu.com. Your support means the world to us!

[@Sonnell]

Sorry to hear your troubles. But the job is well done :)

[@SailingSisu]

yeah, it is a shlep to rebel the windows every few years :-( thank you for the kind compliment!

[@Sonnell]

@@SailingSisu Yeah, I do not find this a good design. And it looks like you had to spend too much on repairs on your new boat as well. I expected more from Leopard. Or how do you see this?

[@86config]

Sailing Sisu. Travel Sketch ( plus 3 other unamed leo 45's in yard at same time. ), Sailing Utopia getting remedial works as well, Leopard are having extensive warranty issues and at this point must be seriously concerned about potential legal cases/class actions.

[@SailingSisu]

maybe. but then again ALL boats with acrylic glass is going through the same issues eventually. we still love our boat, Leopard, and Robertson and Caine. We will not join the "class action". what is up with this class action anyways? I am no lawyer, but every boat owner knows that at one point he/she needs to maintain the boat and the sun is absolutely brutal on Sikaflex or similar bonding, sails, lines/ropes/gelcoat/well every thing on the boat is attacked by UV, heat, salt spray, vibrations, slamming. I do not know of one boat with acrylic glass who has not rebed their windows within a ten year span. Sisu is 6 years old. Robertson and Caine follows the Lewmar instructions, which Lewmar put together for the windows, hatches, clutches, and winches. And Lewmar is following Sikaflex's advice on how to fix acrylic windows to fiberglass....vicious circle of blaming the other.

[@86config]

@@SailingSisu Ahh, the issues are not restricted to acrylic windows, if only it was. Infusion voids in the hulls are not a minor issue, it goes to the structural integrity and basic seaworthiness of the boat. Rather than type a report here, go look at the work Travel Sketch have had to get done under thier extensive warranty repairs ( 1 year on the hard on a two and a half year old boat so far ). You mention Sisu is 6yo, so prior to covid, i hope you are free from the issues some are having, its my best wish for you. Personaly, i would be getting my boat checked for infusion voids with my fingers and toes crossed that you are free of those particular concerns, Leopard have always had a great reputation but right now, best check.

[@SailingSisu]

thank you for your concerns!

[@SailingSisu]

well, this video was about the windows and nothing else. again, not going to comment Travel Sketch, it is not my place nor my view.

[@86config]

@@SailingSisu umm.. ok... i guess. Im happy to have expressed my concerns and fully accept your thanks for having done so.

[@adrianschutte]

Boer maak n plan. WELL DONE Sisu crew

[@SailingSisu]

Baie dankie, Adrian! danie vir die inloer!

[@larrymeyer2917]

Frik, I have done a few of the windows on Kats Away, and more to go. Fabulous seeing the boaters help. My suggestion would be to go with a closed cell double sided adhesive weather strip as I don’t believe these fixes will last forever. Otherwise you did a great job at sea. I highly recommend a screen like the side windows to keep the sun off the windows, it’s simply impossible to stop the window buckling with the sun on it for long and ongoing periods. Let me know if you start offering cabins for charter during your travels and I will sell it to my clients.

[@SailingSisu]

AH, now with this comment I can deal with! a man with experience and solutions other than class action lawsuits :-D thank you for the kind advice, we will for sure take that into consideration on the next round of rebedding. the sun is absolutely a killer for everything. we are now registered charters in British Virgin Islands (BVI) www.sailingsisu.com

[@larrymeyer2917]

⁠@@SailingSisuare you selling cabins on your boat with you skippering the vessel and offering meals or is it full on bareboat charter. Not something I would advise you to do with your boat in Caribbean.

[@SailingSisu]

www.sailingsisu.com

[@sachavanhoever7469]

Extremely useful! Thanks for going through the effort to share this!

[@SailingSisu]

Glad it was helpful! This is what the video was about :-) to help other people.

[@brownnoise357]

Ooooh! I missed first time around that you are considering chartering Sisu ? Well if everything pans out well Carter ing Sisu to take me to St Lucia, for me to pick up an ex Chartering Monohull I’ll be purchasing may work out really well, and I will need skipper and crew to take the Monohull to a good yard to get some alterations and updates done for me, such as changing a slab reefing Mast for an ICW eight Mast with in mast Furling etc. I know a brilliant Boatyard up in Massachusetts, which was brilliant for my last sailboat, and it is well out of Hurricane Season issues. Just waiting still for the Silver Bullion price to take off.😅😅😅

[@SailingSisu]

Awesome! Please have a look at our website www.sailingsisu.com We are mainly operating in BVI, but let's talk when you ready 😊

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingSisu I'll be Registering the boat in the BVI, which is a piece of cake for a British Subject, and to me anyway, is worth the expense, plus no Tax on Boats, and will be a semi base for me to cruise from and to the Caribbean, though up to Massachusetts for Gurricane Season. That's the plan anyway, for about 5 years before sailing home. I abandoned all plans for a circumnavigation years ago, and replaced it with Specific Destinations instead, to travel to as interest in specific places grabs me. When things in the Middle East settle down for example, I really want to go to Saudi Arabia, to take a look at the wonderful job they are doing with Farming the Desert via Water Desalination and Drip Agriculture and spray irrigation. They are producing such high quality Fruit and vegetables, they are now exporting them ! They are also exposing the Fraud that is Organic Growing. People don't realise that the extensive use of NPK Fertilisers Stsrted in 1820, and it was closely monitored by very Real Scientists for a very long time? They were actually what drove the Golden Age of Victorian Farming, and there has been no increase today, in the amount of Plant food required to grow specific Plants. I did a ,ot of experimenting on my Smallholding, and became a big fan of Straw Bale Hydroponic Growing as a result. As soon as I know what Boat and where it can be collected from I'll give you all the relevant info. A lot of them in the Caribbean ex Charter, have their Phase Out Work from the Charter Fleet done in Saint Lucia - a place on my Bucket List to Visit, as my late Uncle, a doctor of Tropical Diseases, ran a Clinic there with my Aunt as the Clinic Nurse. They loved the place. From there, they went to Nigeria, where my Cousin was born, and in tribute to the local Tribal Princess, she was named after her. That Cousin is presently living in South Africa, but have lost touch since her parents died. So a visit to South Africa to look up her a d her husband may well be on the cards for a Destination. See how things go I suppose. Best Wishes, Fair Winds, and Safe Travels. Bob. 🤔🌟🌟🌟👍❤️

[@moonhand8311]

Modern Leopard cats do seem to have a whole list of problems - I'd survey your hull and deck, and mast, if I was you before your 'warranty' expires.

[@SailingSisu]

We've sailed more than 35,000nm in the last six years, mostly sailing. The rig, bulkheads, and was surely tried and tested. We do an annual 100 point check, and Sisu is still in good condition.

[@Coleen-Love]

Very interesting! -- QUESTION -- Your Leopard seems to be very well built, especially those bulkheads (I watched that video). I watched youtuber TravelSketch, and they seem to have so many problems. Any idea why there Leopard seems so bad compared to your one?

[@SailingSisu]

No that is a good question! He is the only Leopard 45 with a million issues. He is part of the Leopard owners group and we do have issues, like every boat, but that many? Perhaps it is because of a lot of extensive modifications? Who knows?

[@mikehedghog]

I like the cost which includes the price of help “beers”. A true cost. 😊

[@SailingSisu]

Absolutely! Had to disclose all 😅

[@svrainbowsafari]

Hi Frik, thanks for sharing. Interesting technique using Sika 295 as blackout instead of primer. Is it holding up? We used 295 without primer. Looked great at the beginning. But unfortunately after 2 months the whole window has fallen out again.

[@SailingSisu]

Oh wow! I was wondering myself about it...

[@bjornholmberg3208]

You are both very practical..i like :) Wonder if you had an recess in the glass..inner and outer and silicone. Then gluing and an nipple to a small vacumpump...maybe leopard could do this in the future...even windowd on the outside could easyly be re glued after the years to come. Swim calm..🙂

[@SailingSisu]

Very good idea!

[@Rcp-pi8vo]

Y’all still near WillyTs?… nice meeting yall a couple weeks back

[@SailingSisu]

nope, did the clock-wise route again :-)

[@rustie4242]

Well you bought a leopard and they have a reputation of dodgy work now in a properly built cat windows installed should last for 20 years. Maybe they should rename leopard catamarans as leper catamarans because things on them just continually fall apart break and fall off that probably sums it up pretty well. I’m so glad I have a fully custom built epoxy composite cat.

[@SailingSisu]

good on you! we've sailed 36,000nm the last six years and we still love our boat, Leopard and Robertson and Caine. We have been through rough seas and high winds, at sea and at anchor. we still love our big windows and forward cockpit. we love the design, the layout, the way Robertson and Caine thought about using hidden spaces, placement of propellors, how the chain plates is attached, the safety measures such as propane or CO alarms, placement of the electrical board and DB board. But, that said, I would not mind to have a boat like yours, which has absolutely no issues the last six years. we looked at custom build boats especially those expensive all composite and carbon fibre boats, and it is honestly an unreachable dream for us. But tell us, no issues the last six years?

[@trevhedges]

Actually very clever.. cheers guys!

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you Trev! Thanx for dropping by!

[@trevhedges]

@@SailingSisu you finally got recommended by youtube.. seriously! Reminded me “wow it’s been awhile” hopefully you keep getting recommended..

[@moonhand8311]

Informative video 👍

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you for the kind comment!

[@bfs007a]

Sailing Uma said that in their boat, it was due to that the boat wasn't stiff enough. So when the sealant ages and becomes stiffer, the movement causes delamination. I would suspect that this could be an even bigger problem on catamarans. But obviously I don't know that this was a large factor for you, given the primer. Either way it just sucks to fix windows again and again.

[@SailingSisu]

exactly! yeah, there is flexing, but I guess since it is bonded to a bulkhead....there should not be boat flexing, only the expansion and contraction of the acrylic?

[@bfs007a]

@@SailingSisu I misunderstood the initial issue, but as far as I know, bulkheads are mostly strong in one direction, they may flex in others. In a monohull like Uma:s, it would mostly be the compression of the roof vertically from the mast under load, but on a catamaran it would rather be twisting due to one hull hitting a wave and the other one not doing so. However Leopards seem to have a better reputation strengthwise, so I suppose that would rather be a potential issue for those unfortunate Lagoons way back. Also, to make it clear, I am really speculating, not knowing.

[@SailingSisu]

I hear you! there may definitely be a twist going on.

[@petaJJJ256]

Jesus guys! What a Frikin' nightmare! You must've been so pissed off with Leopard having such poor build standards. Hats off to you for completing such a repair yourselves, and at anchor! Great work!

[@SailingSisu]

Thanx, Paul! We still Frikken love our boat ;-) The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebid the window, and how to do it a fraction of the cost a boat yard is charging. ALL boats with acrylic windows attached with Sikaflex (no screws or frames), will eventually go through the same process. The sun is a killer for anything exposed to it, sails lines, gelcoat, dinghies, and Sikaflex. I guess people love frameless windows too much! Well, we still love our forward cockpit and the big windows. We just need a way to get the bonding right :-) Thank you for dropping in!

[@petaJJJ256]

@@SailingSisu Sorry Cap'n! I didn't mean to imply something wrong with the whole build of Leopards. Just that you've had to do this with all of your portlights, due to non-flexible primer, from what I understand from your video. I work with acrylic sheet everyday, and understand the issues with expansion and contraction due to heat, and the need to account for this if you are trying to make a water-tight seal. Again, I think you did a tremendous job to fix this issue, but I think Leopard should have used a flexible primer in the first place, and then you wouldn't have to do this repair at all... BUT I could be wrong, of course! ;)

[@petaJJJ256]

P.S. Ikigai (2008 build) had plexiglass portlights on the freeboard held in solely with Sikaflex (or similar) and she managed 15 years without them become non-waterproof. Yes, much smaller than your forward windows, but ours were actually submerged often... Not saying one boat is better than the other, but just that there could be a way to install it better than it was initally. It looks like the job you have done will be way better, and last much longer (water tight) than how the boat was delivered. Great job!

[@SailingSisu]

Paul, I agree 100% with you! But many of us got the "repair" flyer from Lewmar and Sikaflex requiring us to use that primer... that said, I saw another Sikaflex article where they require a UV protective film in front of the window too. So, I am thinking of that, basically a sticker frame on the outside?

[@davidballabio2264]

Good job and cheers from SA

[@SailingSisu]

thank you David!

[@geniexmay562]

Excellent team effort!! 😀👍

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you 😀

[@brownnoise357]

Is it UV Light causing the delamination ? If so, there are UV protection polishes which can be a huge help, and which are worth kooking into ? My father installed new upvc Fascias and Soffits to his house in 1989, and we coated them with a Marine Silicone Polish. They all face East, and today they look as good as the day they were I stalled. 🤔 Best Wishes. Bob. 👍🌟🌟🌟⛵️❤️

[@SailingSisu]

Awesome advice, thank you Bob!

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingSisu hopefully you can get hold of something suitable. Bob. 👍PS. The Monohull I am after has small square deck hatches, and narrow smaller portholes so replacements will be very easily obtained. Apparently, Full Beam Skylights in the Deck are an absolute nightmare to sort out at vast expense, IF you can even get anything suitable to fit. It’s surprising how many really pretty boats have ruled themselves out purely from the choice of Torturously shaped portholes. For example, the tragedy that is many of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey Deck Saloon models. I’d have liked a 44 DS tbh. Now I wouldn’t touch one.☹️

[@Vinnigefrik]

Frik . Jy is lekker slap on so te sit🙈 my Morgan islander 51 doen ek Al my werk self want die labour is duurder as die parte en dan weet ek dit is reg gedoen! Voorspoed⛵️🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@SailingSisu]

Stem 100%....maar ek is maar nog 'n groentjie wanneer dit by bootwerk kom. Ook, meeste boat yards soos Florida, laat jou nie toe om sukke werk self te doen. Ons moet nou antifoul en ek sukkel om 'n boat yard te kry wat my gaan toelaat om alles self te doen...

[@marcandnadine]

Hi, Nice job, I only think the glue needs UV protection, I heard from car glue wholesaler, when exposed to direct UV sunlight, the glue will disintegrate pretty fast. That's why they use the black primer (and for the esthetics). The primers stick on real (car)glas not on plastics. I'm not 100% sure, but you should inform if this is the case with the glue you used as well. Solution I think of is to wrap the edges of the windows with high gloss black (car)wrap. This will protect the glue from UV light, and probably doesn't't looks bad at all. It would be a shame if you have to do this job again within 2 years.

[@SailingSisu]

That sounds like very good advice! Thank you!

[@redbovine]

Leopard lagoon and Neel are not high on my list of boats I would own.

[@SailingSisu]

And still, after 36,000nm, we will not buy anything else than our Leopard 45.

[@brownnoise357]

Hi Guys, this may be useful for you - not sure if you know, but most flexible Solar Panels are not UV proof, so Delaminate and Die, normally in under 2 years ? So Hobothech has found one with Delamination protection and which comes with a 10 year Warranty, the 200 watt one only weighs 7 pounds. As I am not in a position to get some myself for testing, I'd advise handling them gently, and not Bending them too much when fixing . Hobotech did pretty decent testing, and ay some point, fingers crossed I'll be ablecto do extended long term testing, with some solid output numbers from at least two of these panels. Links to the seller are in the Video description. Link : kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJK7hIt_jbZ0bMkfeature=shared

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you! Our Solbain panels have a 10 year warranty too, so, we got 10 panels for free!

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingSisu Really nice to hear from you by the way. Bob. 👍👍👍

[@Skippernick1957]

Another leopard 45 in houtbay is refitting its windows at the moment.

[@SailingSisu]

Really? What's the boat's name? Perhaps you can point them to this video, if they are not under warranty, that is.

[@matthewmeuleman9872]

the molti tool is not the brushless model as the brushless one is a starlock

[@SailingSisu]

oh, I just read on the side where it says "brushless 48V" :-)

[@matthewmeuleman9872]

@@SailingSisu it looks like a 18v

[@SailingSisu]

:-D

[@jkoorts]

$3 a beer in Bahamas is not bad at all!

[@SailingSisu]

I was generous 😅

[@knotwerken]

Any regrets going with Leopard?

[@SailingSisu]

absolutely not. The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebid the window, and how to do it a fraction of the cost a boat yard is charging.

[@MrCoyote928]

Did you quit KZbin? We haven't seen you in a while??? Are y'all still sailing Sisu?

[@bjornholmberg3208]

2024..dec 18. Are you still sailing ?

[@kodiak7]

Sailing Sisu + Travel Sketch = avoid Leopard

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

Plus Sailing Utopia! What a shit show, Leopard/R&C are.

[@SailingSisu]

absolutely not! I know Travel Sketch's attitude and will not comment on their relationship with Leopard, but we absolutely still love RC, Leopard, and our boat. We've walked 6 years and more than 36,000nm with them and we are still friends and we still love our boat! thank you for watching and visiting! you may want to watch our other videos and see how we love our boat! We have been through rough seas and high winds, at sea and at anchor. we still love our big windows and forward cockpit. we love the design, the layout, the way Robertson and Caine thought about using hidden spaces, placement of propellors, how the chain plates is attached, the safety measures such as propane or CO alarms, placement of the electrical board and DB board. Are there issues? oh yeah! it is how you deal with them. some can deal with issues and others not, but, believe me you will not even buy a toaster without warranty, BECAUSE you expect issues. A boat is in just so much more aggressive environment than a toaster. are there things that irritate us? oh, yeah for sure! but looking at other boats with their irritations, then it just becomes a preference like which car you like best.

[@kodiak7]

@@SailingSisu appreciate the input.

[@SailingSisu]

The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebid the window, and how to do it a fraction of the cost a boat yard is charging.

[@PondoSinatra680]

Sketch and Utopia loved their boats too. That’s why they bought them. Did you see the issues they are having with their masts? How do boats in this condition leave the yard? Because they are not built to a quality standard, they are built to a price point. And when something breaks, shift the blame instead of fixing the problem. If you can install a Lewmar window so that it doesn’t leak, why can’t they? Because that would take time and money and expertise…and those values do not align with R&C’s business plan whether you love them or not.

[@ssmith4045]

Time for a class action against Leopard, too many of you out there suffering from sub optimal manufacturing, seems like there is zero QC happening at base, I bet the charter companies don't pay for these repairs!

[@SailingSisu]

:-D we will not be joining that action. The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebed the window at a fraction of the cost the boat yard is charging. We've sailed 6 years and more than 36,000nm and we still love our boat! thank you for watching and visiting! you may want to watch our other videos and see how we love our boat! We have been through rough seas and high winds, at sea and at anchor. we still love our big windows and forward cockpit. we love the design, the layout, the way Robertson and Caine thought about using hidden spaces, placement of propellors, how the chain plates is attached, the safety measures such as propane or CO alarms, placement of the electrical board and DB board. Are there issues? oh yeah! it is how you deal with them. some can deal with issues and others not, but, believe me you will not even buy a toaster without warranty, BECAUSE you expect issues. A boat is in just so much more aggressive environment than a toaster. are there things that irritate us? oh, yeah for sure! but looking at other boats with their irritations, then it just becomes a preference like which car you like best.

[@brownnoise357]

tbh, I think the actual issue is far too much UV Light is now getting through Our Solar Emissions damaged Ozone Layer, and we don’t have nearly enough CO2 Content in Our Atmosphere to really boost Photosynthesis, to create the Ozone needed to make the necessary repairs? tbh, this is why in Mast Furling for protecting Sailcloth from rapid UV Damage is now pretty much an indispensable essential for sailing from the Arctic Circle, south as far as the Mediterranean and Caribbean latitudes. Should be the same for the Pacific as well ? 🤔 Something I’ve been waiting on, showed up in the Greek Islands of the Mediterranean in Mid December 2023 - Purple Couloured Algae ! 🤔☹️☹️☹️Bob.☹️☹️

[@brownnoise357]

@@SailingSisu Frankly, if sailing Catamarans didn’t seriously do my head and my balance in, Sisu has impressed me so much, that I would actually buy a Leopard, though would specify square moderately sized portholes, with external sunshades. For a Monohull, square moderaly sized deck lights, with rectangular narrow sized hull portholes- like recent Jeanneau and Beneteau Sailboats have shifted to. 🤔 Bob. PS.Full beam deck glazing, are an expensive nightmare just waiting to need replacing. 🤔

[@poepflater]

Hey Frikkie if only my wife could swim!

[@SailingSisu]

you can use pool noodles! thanx for the comment!

[@poepflater]

@@SailingSisu die tannie gaan al 'n paar kort.

[@hezi973]

All I see across so many channels is how Leopard screw up on every aspect of boat building. Why buy Leopard???

[@SailingSisu]

Silly question :-D we still love our Leopard 45. We've been now around the sea for six years and not once found a boat that we could say, wow! wish we had bought that one! if I had all the money in the world, I would still lean towards the Leopard, but I don't so, I bought a Leopard and still love the boat after six years of sailing more than 36,000nm :-)

[@dc1544]

They used such little amount of window sealer it isn't even funny. They charge millions for a boat and skimp everywhere they can. This is why glass windows is the way to go and with a builder who doesn't skimp.

[@SailingSisu]

well, we bought the boat for half a million :-) let me tell you something else. the guys in Turkey did a super job to rebel our saloon roof window, but added so much Sikaflex that it did not expand with the window and now that window is cracking... so, I guess there is a fine line where the lines of Sikaflex needs to be able to flex but still have enough area to bond properly.

[@dc1544]

@@SailingSisu Yes you are correct. I meant use enough so when the plexiglass presses it makes a tight bond and pushes it sideways enough. Also like you mentioned in the video it has to be able to flex with the boat and not be tight against any edge that can move or it will free itself like the edge against the side wall and you added a slight gap which is very smart on your behalf. Buying a used boat you got a great deal. I am saying when they make these boats they do things as cheap as they can and I do not agree with them skimping as almost all of them do that 1 way or another. I prefer glass windows and yes more weight but when sailing you can just have less water in your tanks to make up difference for light wind sailing.

[@SailingSisu]

yeah, the market is tuff. I am hearing so many times that the Leopards are too expensive and people are buying one of the other big three cruising cats. I think many people think a boat is a boat and not really thinking about quality. so, if Leopard do go for quality, then there sales will drop, people will loose jobs, shareholders get upset, etc. it is a vicious thing, capitalism

[@steveward287]

Your vidio should be called; Why would anyone buy a Leopard?

[@SailingSisu]

Obviously you missed the gist of the video 🤣 but, at least you commented! It helps our rating however poor it currently is 😅

[@SailingFridaafWisby]

Really annoying on such a new boat with so much problem with the windows

[@SailingSisu]

Certainly are! I am certain all boats with acrylic glass will behave the same and would eventually be rebedded.

[@GS-ef6qe]

Have you guys given up sailing?

[@SailingSisu]

Thank you so much for your concern! We are still sailing and loving every moment of it. However, we were hoping for more support from our viewers, and unfortunately, it hasn’t turned out as well as we hoped. We’re running out of funds and are exploring other means to sustain ourselves and maintain the boat. We’ve started chartering in the BVI, and you can help us by spreading the word about www.sailingsisu.com. Your support means the world to us!

[@br5927]

an other channel having issues w leopard quality, scary

[@SailingSisu]

Uhm...not what the video is about

[@jestricariaan]

$60 for beers, good investment

[@SailingSisu]

Sure was!

[@carltontweedle5724]

The thing is that is a danger to the boat if it fell out or just let water in. Bad weather happens no sea room to turn down wind, big wave your going down. This is safety issue. Bad design bad installation.

[@SailingSisu]

sure, we had serious weather with those windows. if you watch a few videos back where I do the Thorny Path, you will see just how serious, and I did see some water splash through that gap when the waves hit the wind, but it was not serious, I had more serious leaks from repairs done in Florida to worry about. we have done 35,000nm in the last 6 years and we still love our forward cockpit and the big windows :-) that said, Robertson and Caine follows the instructions, which Lewmar put together for the windows, hatches, clutches, and winches. And Lewmar is following Sikaflex's advice on how to fix acrylic windows to fiberglass....vicious circle of blaming the other. All boats with acrylic windows go through the same pain at some time.

[@JeanineGarlick]

Boer maak n plan. But what a crap attitude from Leopard for what is patently a factory fault. Dreadful company. Must be exposed and learn to look after their clients.

[@SailingSisu]

thanx for the visit! yeah the video is why this happen, what we did to fix it, and how we rebed the window. and how to do it for a fraction of the price the boat yard did it. ALL boats with acrylic glass will go through this process eventually. the hull carries a warranty of six years so, there is that. boat owners eventually realize just how aggressive the seawater, everyday sun, shaking and slamming through waves, environment is on everything, lines, gelcoat, sails, stainless steel, as well as Sikaflex bonds exposed to the sun. Yes, we do use UV resistant stuff, but the sun and salt spray beats all human made efforts in a heartbeat :-D

[@johnnybravo8736]

'n Boer maak 'n plan.....

[@SailingSisu]

baie dankie, Johnny! thanx for dropping by!

[@gunghoadventures871]

A Boer maak a plaan

[@SailingSisu]

baie danie vir die inloer!

[@drb-tb1lh]

Leopard and Lagoon are built incredibly badly !

[@SailingSisu]

Boats are build badly or, the sea environment is incredibly aggressive. The sun kills everything on the boat, sails, lines, gelcoat, Sikaflex. The salt spray attacks everything else.

[@chrisstephen4563]

Very poor reflection on Leopard

[@SailingSisu]

really? The video is actually about what the issue is with acrylic windows, how we fixed it, and how to rebid the window, and how to do it a fraction of the cost a boat yard is charging. We've sailed 6 years and more than 36,000nm and we still love our boat! thank you for watching and visiting! you may want to watch our other videos and see how we love our boat! We have been through rough seas and high winds, at sea and at anchor. we still love our big windows and forward cockpit. we love the design, the layout, the way Robertson and Caine thought about using hidden spaces, placement of propellors, how the chain plates is attached, the safety measures such as propane or CO alarms, placement of the electrical board and DB board. Are there issues? oh yeah! it is how you deal with them. some can deal with issues and others not, but, believe me you will not even buy a toaster without warranty, BECAUSE you expect issues. A boat is in just so much more aggressive environment than a toaster. are there things that irritate us? oh, yeah for sure! but looking at other boats with their irritations, then it just becomes a preference like which car you like best.

[@p.l.b.3061]

Never buy a Leopard, they have lost all quality.

[@SailingSisu]

I would buy a Leopard anytime again. But it would be interesting to know what boat you own and what catamaran you would recommend from firsthand experience?

[@Skippernick1957]

The primer is letting everyone down.

[@SailingSisu]

The sun is the killer 😉

[@stevenr8606]

😢 💯 % inferiority of its primer

[@SailingSisu]

Yeah, it seems that Lewmar suffers to find a solution for that

[@peterasquith6942]

Oh boy I’m glad I didn’t buy a Lemon Leopard.

[@SailingSisu]

Me too!