Leopard Catamaran Delamination - Leopard 42 Boat Review

[@practical-sailor]

Leopard replied to our request for comment: "We are aware of a customer complaint in relation to a fiberglass issue and have gone above and beyond to work with the customer to deliver a satisfactory resolution. We remain committed to providing high quality catamarans and best-in-class customer service to our global client base."

[@MrRgr004]

This is a bad joke, how many months & years have Telicia, Trent & Tynan been waiting and suffering because of the so many defects on their boat ?

[@StephanParry]

Ive worked for many large corps in management - that soundbite all means nothing except virtue signalling. As you noted - a travel corp that decided it could branch out into boat building - badly.

[@travelsketch]

They have conducted repairs on five different Leopard 45s in Trinidad. All had fiberglass issues among other things. If they keep going "above and beyond" we might even have a seaworthy hull soon. 🥳

[@juergenzenner4219]

@@travelsketch I hope they go after 3 years of your drama with Leopard above and beyond. It’s getting time more sooner than later that you 3 + dog go back in the water and set sail in your dreams!!!

[@AWBepi]

I worked on a new leopard last year that had some serious Shakedown problems including a leaking light above the wheel.

[@johnkosowski3321]

Not to split hairs, but delamination is a process where the material breaks down and separates. What we have here is voids where resin never made it into the laminate at all.

[@darthkek1953]

Aye, non-lamination LOL.

[@louischannel7008]

This is a problem with resin infusions but better control on the work floor “should “ solve this .

[@garycheavin8768]

resin dry areas are what we were shown, Delamination's are generally due to external damage breaking the resin and separating it from the fibres (dropping a hammer for instance), Unbonds are caused by the resin not adhering to another surface ply - they tend to be a planer defect along a single ply to ply bondline. A simple ultrasonic scan of the hull once built will find those areas and they can then be repaired using a simple localised vacuum bag resin injection. Better to find it in factory then thousands of miles away.. cheaper as well provided they honor their warranties.

[@dlabout]

I think if Lagoon can survive the broken bulkheads of the 450 then Leopard can survive this. The real difference will be how they fix the problems with the owners. I have watched that couple with nearly 2 years of repair work and going round and round with Leopard to get it fixed or reimbursed for the repair. These folks bought a boat to sail, not spend years fixing the dream.

[@travelsketch]

Thank you for the support. We are currently working with a joint Moorings/Robertson & Caine and soon to add ZSpar team so we can finally leave Trinidad after over a year on the hard stand due to poor work among other issues. Please subscribe, hopefully they make things right and recognize the extreme damage to our lives so we can finally close this chapter and move on.

[@nabieasaurus]

Watching your video has made me reconsider buying a Leopard. There is another channel with Leopard 50 owner who are facing similar issues.

[@douglasmontgomery6315]

Not sure how much that scan of the boat cost, but sounds like it should be part of any boat survey ! - Watch your videos, Dave S & Parleys has me rethinking boat purchase. Plus, boat buying needs a similar warranty resolution to car manufactures. People buy a new car and then buy an extended warranty to have piece of mind. These purchases are in the range of $30-$80k purchase. Why doesn't a $600-$1.2 million dollar purchase warrant a similar experience.

[@TMAXXPUNISHER]

I will never buy anything from a manufacturer who tries to weasel out of doing the right thing. Lol "Normal wear and tear" my arse!

[@TheGirmann]

It sounds like they're saying "Don't take it across the Atlantic", which is fine, but they just alienated a significant percentage of Leopard buyers by saying that.

[@WillN2Go1]

Last year I crossed the Pacific in a 42' Seawind 1260. There was a lot to criticize, but it was all fixable. 7500 nM. As an once framing carpenter, furniture maker, I sited every line and angle on the boat brand new in Vietnam so I could see if and how they moved. Then crawled over every inch/cm of it for three months. Laminations were good, construction was absolutely solid. No squeaks. Once I thought ah-ha a problem. The door latch on the port side of the huge lifting door between the saloon and the deck wasn't aligning. A t shirt was caught on the opposite side. If after three hard months in 3 - 4 meters seas the only structural problem was temporary and caused by a t shirt? Leopard's been getting away with bad laminations and build because these are the absolute baseline expectation. I've learned. Never buy a new boat, buy a used boat owned by smart sailors. The Seawind in Vietnam was a great boat with headaches, after all that sailing and some time in the boatyard on Vancouver Island, it was an even better boat. Want a new boat? Find one that's only a couple of years old. Must be a new boat? Hire a lawyer to negotiate and add clauses to the contract. Suppose you did this with a $700k Leopard, and they were hesitating on agreeing to taking full responsibility and a financial penalty for any lamination problems? Would you really want to go through with that deal? There's a brand new Rapido 60 in Thailand that hasn't been sailed in 8 months. The rudders fell apart sailing from Vietnam to Thailand. Maybe 500 nM. Rapido hasn't fixed them yet.

[@darthkek1953]

@@TheGirmann They advertise it as a full Cat A boat.

[@enhard]

“Lagoon doesn’t have the horror stories”!?! Can you say “bulkhead”😂😂😂

[@Maxim380_catamaran]

...or moisture / rot in the bulkhead supporting the mast base (L400) 🤯

[@partek2]

@@Maxim380_catamaranI just had to repair this on my L400 this year. 3 weeks and nearly $20k. She’s a more solid boat now though!

[@roadboat9216]

@@enhard bulkheads and more.

[@geoff850]

I am the owner of a new Lagoon 42 since 2020. I have never heard of this particular model ever having any structural or de-lamination problems, and this after making over one thousand of them.

[@AndrewGoldman-b8s]

Bought a Leopard 50 power cat in 2014…… Took it from Florida to Maine that summer…… By the time we got to Charleston we put the boat on the market…. The boat, in my opinion was not seaworthy and a sister boat lost 5 feet of the starboard pontoon off Ft. Lauderdale in 5 foot seas…… Leopard did a recall and sent an 20 foot fiberglass cap that spanned the pontoons and suggested that the cap be attached with 3M 4200….. My fiberglass folks laughed and glassed the cap on the boat and made additional structural changes to the bow and sent Leopard a bill for close to $40 K (which they paid)……

[@Frog13799]

Leopard never made a 50PC perhaps a 51 or 53?

[@sterlingarcher1962]

Having just sold our Amel, I contacted Leopard to speak with them concerning their vessels and specifically the issues as seen on KZbin. The conversation that ensued assured me that we will not be purchasing a Leopard for our next boat. Plainly, I wouldn't do business with them with your money or YOUR time, certainly not with mine.

[@Maxim380_catamaran]

I sold my Amel SM2K years ago...owned several Lagoons after that, and now own a Maxim catamaran...Maxim feels a lot more like Amel build quality!

[@nextari]

why tease? tell us what happened we are not children.

[@sterlingarcher1962]

@@nextari I can expand on the topic if you wish, sure. I'm a retired business consultant that specialized in process efficiency and technology infrastructure wherein 90% of my clients were manufacturers. Therefore I emailed them and explained what I saw online regarding QC issues they are clearly having. I posed a short list of questions spanning across areas of concern I felt needed to be addressed before I could consider them for my next purchase. I asked some questions such as, "Could you please outline the specific actionable items you have implemented in your manufacturing process to achieve improvements in these areas?" NONE of my questions were addressed. Rather than addressing their challenges and outlining the measures they have taken to ensure the quality of their products, they opted to place blame on KZbinrs for the issues with their boat. It was suggested that the KZbinrs are contributing to these problems in pursuit of views and attention. I have functioning eyes... dry glass is not something they can cause to a boat they purchased already completed. Additionally, the tone of the messages I received were rather aggressive to say the least and we won't get into length of time between replies. In my opinion, if anyone purchases from them at this point, they deserve what they get for being stupid. How's that reply, better?

[@roberts8783]

what did they say?

[@sterlingarcher1962]

@@nextari apologies... read below

[@PaulGriffith]

Things do go wrong. How a company handles the situation, regardless of warranty status, goes a long way in picking a manufacturer.

[@earlhunt2815]

Leopard is ultimately owned by an investment company. Leopard will never change as long as owned by an investment company whose bottom line is the only driver.

[@cliffnicholls]

@@earlhunt2815 A Leopard never changes its spots I guess🤣

[@javacup912]

Fiberglass delamination caused by a slingle ocean trip on a new boat? I think not. How many boats, cats and mono hauls 10-20 old have made ocean crossings? Looks like a failed manufacturing process and QC, period. When one of these cats breaks a hull and sinks in 200 or more feet of water, are they going to say the boat hit a reef head? Watching that fiberglass being pulled like new from a finished hull, gives me goose bumps. Gelcoat and epoxy and no glass? Save money to spend it on warrant claims? For a half to three quarter million boat that's totally unacceptable. The company should warrant those expensive repairs, and get sued.

[@roadboat9216]

I wouldn’t buy either. Lagoon has had some pretty major structural issues too. To spent upwards of a million dollars on a boat an have significant structural issues, and THEN have the manufacturers try to weasel out and minimize the problems, is outrageous. I would not buy either.

[@greenlee1630]

Travel Sketch has a L45 not an L42. Not sure if this makes a difference but just want to get the info straight. It isn’t a design issue more of a build quality so this could be across all models in the Leopard family.

[@earlhunt2815]

Leopard is owned by an investment company with many different types of investments. I expect them to cut Robinson Cane loose for bargain basement sale or just playing bankruptcy

[@michaelmcburnie611]

I have a 2022 42 and have not heard about the issue described in this video and I network with many other 42 owners on a FB page. I love my Leopard design with the front door and would not go with another boat. Hopefully all other maufactures will copy the Leopard payout in the future. I have not experienced any major issues with my boat.

[@paulstephens5229]

Thankyou for this video, the boat is well designed it is a good boat, unfortunately it’s built by Robertson and crane. After watching several Utube channels and actually walking around the boat, the quality of workmanship just is not upto scratch, and reports of customer relations is appalling, Leopard have some serious work to do to reinstate there brand, and it won’t be cheap.

[@srupp9271]

Leopard isn't the only company out there that makes really bad boats. A while ago I watched a video with a broken hull. I think it was a Fountaine Pajot with extremely bad fiberglass layup and dry spots. It was a hurricane damaged boat which gave me the idea to suggest to you to go after a hurricane hits to go to that area and look at hurricane damaged boats. There you could find the truth about build quality. I red a book by David H. Pascoe "Mid size power boats ". HE used to work for Bertram and then became a boat surveyor.Changed my whole opinion about composite construction. Great video by the way!

[@PopsGG]

I just considering a used 2020 Leopard 45, this has given me great pause.

[@jackdbur]

If you're not up for a huge amount of money and work on the hard, Run from the deal. That was peak time for bad builds world wide. 😊

[@DBFRESH1]

Thanks for opening my eyes, never really saw bad press on leopard, only heard all the bad press on lagoon with their bulkhead problems. Privledge still my favorite cat

[@cliffnicholls]

I chartered a Leopard, badged as a Sunsail in the BVIs in 2019. We paid extra for a "premium" boat, I.e newish and the boat we had was 1 season old and we were the first charter of its 2nd season. The boat was utter garbage with bits hanging off all over the place, a main sail that would only go 2/3rds up (that REALLY helped the upwind sailing🤣), a genny that would only run for 5 mins before overheating and much much more. I would never ever buy one of these boats!

[@eddieohearn17]

I had to come back to add a little something. The response by leopard to the excessive elimination was very worrying. And that would push me in a different direction for any boat by any builder if this was their response.

[@larryboles629]

Been watching Travel Sketch for years. They have been on the hard for over two years dealing with the defects of their boat along with the "We don't give a fuck" attitude from Leopard.

[@Stoic-of-Rome]

I cannot believe that bone dry fibreglass matt!! Always been a fan of Leopard but this has me as worried as a Lagon bulkhead issue!!

[@dirkmcmanus1640]

Thanks for content about catamarans

[@alandelmas1236]

One thing is to have manufacturing issues, the other is to have a manufacturer denying any wrong doing and not solving things,

[@thomasjohannsen1997]

Might be better to wait until Hallberg Rassy starts making catamarans 😉

[@nelsonswartz4589]

At no less than $2 million a copy?

[@thomasjohannsen1997]

@nelsonswartz4589 and 10 tons per hull at least 😉

[@Ekowal1965]

Thank you for making this video. Educating the public & keeping manufacturers honest is very important. If they "manufacture" those hauls for charter business it means they have no interest in making them strong and seaworthy for the long term. They know they will get rid of them in two seasons. If peeps will stop buying them they will have big problem on their hands.

[@robertkreamer7522]

I had a boat dealership about 20 years ago one of several that I owned over the years and had friends who were bringing in catamaran for the Annapolis boat show . One of them did not arrive. They were sailing on their own bottoms from South Africa probably made by the guys that you’re talking about well it kind of fell apart in the south Atlantic. Luckily, they were sailing side-by-side and the boat that made it pick them up. Oh well, just another empty slit at the boat show, that’s how the fiberglass crumbles

[@MEdGrant]

Another channel sailing a Lagoon and having problems with the structure is < Sailing Nahoa > . They spent quite a bit of time and resources repairing a bulkhead/cockpit sole/delam issue as well.

[@t-hex6876]

There are two KZbin channels dedicated towards outing Leopards horrible quality & warranty services. That tells me they don’t care about fixing their work or harming the resell value of past customers boats. I’ll pass.

[@jackdbur]

@@t-hex6876 Leopard & Lagoon make their money selling to rental companies which rents them out for several years or until a hurricane hits.

[@mbur5099]

Structural deficiencies are a deal breaker.

[@TerryKeever]

Couple things of note. Travel Sketch is owned by 3 friends not a couple. They had problems and spent months on the hard before crossing the Atlantic. Not sure how long it's been since it was launched but over 400 days on the hard last time I paid attention. That was weeks ago. Leopard in last few episodes has finally sent competent people to make repairs. For any business that wants to know how customer service should be run, watch these folks and do the opposite. And many structural issues of other Leopards have been covered with similar warranty probs. I don't think I would spend upwards of $1 million of a boat I couldn't trust to sail and warranty work was a fight even for obvious covered probs

[@VeganSurf]

I'm not convinced that Fountaine Pajot or Lagoon are any better - all of these "production" boats have many shortcuts and compromises to hit the price point. I was the first charter customer for a brand new Fountaine Pajot Astraea 42 and it had numerous issues (including bilges that would fill with water setting off bilge alarms every time it rained because the boat was not rain-tight.)

[@Jeremy-mu1tj]

I captained a 58 for 3 years and 3 looos of the carib, after 5000 nm it was falling apart. Third world wiring and unsealed plywood tabbed to hull all cracked and separated. Hard dodger filled with water and windows can loose everywhere. Major delamination problems too. Worse issue was their attitude to repairs. As soon as they have your cash, your relationship is over. Pay for a Lagoon or Foutaine.

[@marklong8608]

Skip the Lagoon and FP, as one charter base manager told me, FPs are disposable boats. Get a used Privilege, Outremer, for the same price or a new Seawind.

[@bobcornwell403]

With a boat, especially a big, expensive one like this, the bones are more important than the flesh. Resale value is based on how well the boat holds up over time, not it's amenities. If I won the lottery and had to choose between the two, I would go with the Lagoon any day. This video shows why I don't trust production boats. Too often, surface appearance is given priority over structural integrity. The gold standard for cored fiberglass construction is hand layup followed by vacuum bagging. Next, after that, is simply hand layup. Dry, vacuum infusion comes in at such a distant 3rd, in my opinion, that it is not worth considering. Proper quality control is that difficult to maintain.

[@brendanroets9877]

Will never get a lagoon after watching parlay revival bulk head issue

[@Leosarebetter]

Not just the bulkheads, but almost all the issues discussed here.

[@nelsonswartz4589]

And yet he is out there in big seas and sailing everywhere in the world as are many of us.

[@jackdbur]

​@@nelsonswartz4589After a year of ripping the inside of the hulls out and completely refiberglassing the bulkheads & that was with 2 to 3 guys.😊

[@nelsonswartz4589]

@@jackdbur First, his boat is over ten years old and was badly damaged in a hurricane so some of the problems could be related to that. Second, he had a lot of rotted wood in the bulkheads from a forward tramp ring leak so he had to replace major parts of the bulkhead. Third, he went beyond specifications in his bulkhead replacements to the point that some of the boat's flexibility may be lost. In our case the bulkheads were fixed and certified by Lagoon in two days. We had no rot so no major replacement was needed. Other Lagoon 450 owners we know have had a similar experience to ours.

[@ronal0508]

So, Leopard with a deamination problem and Lagoon with bulkhead problems. Well, good moment to choose another brand

[@svaqua6525]

I have a 2006 Leopard 40. We have had to do some bulk head strengthening and fixed some issues with the deck stiffeners. It road out a cat 5 hurricane at dock in St Croix. We have put almost 30,000 Caribbean Sea miles on her. No delaminating issues. This is the Morrelli design. It was designed as a charter boat, we have modified her into a tank and love the boat. Personally, the foreward cockpits, on the newer boats, are a deal breaker for me. Very sad to hear about the new quality issues. I have always found R&C helpful.

[@danahawthorne1633]

Neither. The companies are not quality, the boats are not quality. Further more the box catamarans are not my idea of sailing so I'll pass. But thanks for reporting the issues. If enough people stop buying from these companies, they will improve or fail. You are providing awareness, thank you!

[@ravet3254]

Sold our cat. Bought steel hull trawler. Way less problems

[@artsmith103]

How does Leopard ever sell another boat?

[@ot0m0t0]

How does Lagoon? :)

[@Tetsaraku]

Not everybody watch KZbin…

[@Frog13799]

Much like the 42 did, the 46 will sell 30 units before the first one hits the boat show, there is a 2 to 3 year waiting list

[@WAWACreations]

Because some people realize that when you have built thousands of boats, one failure does not represent the entire quality. Even Rolls Royce has had bad cars in fact a lot more but they are still a quality brand.

[@artsmith103]

@@WAWACreations I've been to boat building facility. A process that allows for even possibility of no resin is completely unacceptable. I'll never be a catamaran owner but I have own(ed) many boats so Leopard isn't exactly losing a customer in me.

[@hypnocracy6102]

Sadly at $700k not an issue for me...about ten times my budget...but NICE boats!

[@danielhaxton2884]

Never touch anything designed for the charter market, look fancy on the outside but cheap and nasty underneath to make it profitable for charter companies.

[@happybartons]

It's possible that the delamination issues are limited to the 45s, and not the 42s or other Leopard models, since each model has a different mold, line and even factory. Also, R&C was spun off from Travelopia and sold to PPF - which also owns Beneteau and Dream Yacht Charter - in 2023.

[@randomtraveler3363]

In the 42 foot Catamaran market, I'd look at a Fountaine Pajot Astra 42 first, I think its a better design and build boat from a company with a true racing and sailing heritage. In my opinion, the FP is a better sailing cat. I've sailed Lagoons and was not impressed. I don't like the front door on the Leopard, I think it is unsafe in any kind of seaway, a feature that would turn me away from a cat.

[@1sailfast]

FPs are good until they need fixing. Few access ports for maintenance and tanks/engines/wiring/plumbing that were put in before the hull was permanently bonded to the liners. A maintenance nightmare.

[@Frog13799]

The front door being half the size of every production cat out there's rear doors, so every cat would turn you away? You do realise that it's way more likely to take a breaking sea from astern while running. I have taken some big hits on the leopard front doors while delivering them, more so on the PC's than the sail boats and they are sound, the front cockpit drains in about 2 seconds so it's never been a concern.

[@maxx9384]

You think it‘s safer to walk outside around the salon to go to the bow at night? Well, reconsider your risk assessment. I LOVE the direct and safe access to the bow. It’s safer and more convenient.

[@Kevin-ru8mx]

I have a Leopard 50. The front door is the best feature and is certainly safer than the side windows, by far

[@eddieohearn17]

I think before I even bought a new leopard, I would have an ultrasound done on the boat. The delamination issues that I saw on that boat would suggest careless building practices. I can say this because I worked in the construction and repair industry for a great number of years.. before buying a leopard I would recommend that you have an ultrasound done on the boat even a new one freshly finished an ultrasound done on that boat you select a company and the builder Leopard should pay for that ultrasound. Because they can’t be trusted anymore.

[@matthewphair2469]

Vacuum bagging. Yes gets the lightest best ratio of glass too resin but seriously make it heavier and properly saturated and I'll get everybody to go to the toilet before leaving the dock to regain the difference.

[@EngineerK]

I don't know much about vacuum bagging but would think its a fairly straightforward quality control procedure do do a leak test prior to infusion? They have holes in their vacuum bags and just continued production and NOBODY put the brakes on it although it would have been abundantly clear what was going on. We never get to see inside these production facilities and what type of management mentality exists. They could have the best craftsmen on the floor but if the Bean Counters are in control so many things can go amiss. Alot of suppliers are complicit as well (i.e. Lewmar and the un-anodized window hatches...). And how does a boat get manufactured without exhaust and raw water vent loops in this day and age? This topic showed up on one of my facebook user groups with an owner who sucked water into his engine. Turned out there was no venting and talked about an internal battle: Leopard said Yanmar was responsible for installing vent loops and Yanmar said this was the manufacturer's responsibility.

[@ianwaynemcdonald]

The door at the front looks nice but I would assume you give up storage room to have it.

[@michaelmcburnie611]

I have the 42 Leopard and the front door is now a must for a boat this size in my view. Eventually the other makers will hopefully coy it. Anyone that has pets, kids or elderly parents that come on board can move around the boat with comfort and safety.

[@davidseslar5798]

I wonder how this stands up to a wave over the bow, whether sailing open water sailing in a storm or stuffing the bow entering/exiting challenging harbor channel conditions. I've seen a few "Haul-over" videos where a big boat stuffed the bow and and had their entire glass front instantly removed. I can't imagine adding a door improves things in this regard although it certainly would be a valued "floating condo" feature.

[@juergenzenner4219]

Leopard is in the moment off limits at all. Alone if you look how you claim warranty is far too complicated and time consuming. 😢

[@bubbleobill267]

Normal wear and tear that includes not wetting out mat with resin………

[@brownnoise357]

Oops ! this removed Leopard from my list of nearly good enough to Tame Violent Bucjing Bronco Catamaran Motion, despite Leopard having another Delamination problem - with large very expensive Glazing Panels Delamination. I like the Sailing Sisu KZbin Channel which has a Leopard 45, which nearly Tames that motion, which really does my head in, and which finished me with Catamarans, after a Trial Sail with the view of Purchasing a Prout Catamaran in the 1980's, as I was a bit Catamaran keen, after Reading Rosie Swale's - who lives up the road here- book. Luckily the Trial Sail was in the Irish Sea, and we had the very common vertical Faced 4 to 6 foot waves, and the hulls connecting with them resulted in that Disastrous motion which had me really glad to get back to Shore. Sailing Sisu Crossedvthe Atlantic on theirs, and cruised the Caribbean and up the East Coast of the USA, and have done a workable repair to their UV damaged Laminated Windows. I think the clear warning to all Catamaran owners is be very careful about the windows fitted to the Boat you are buying. If Possible, go for manageable sized Square or Rectangular Windows that are easily Sourced, and economical to Replace, and be extra careful perhaps with the Patio Doors and that they are reliable to use and easy to maintain - some are really dreadful. Not that I will ever buy a Multihull personally, but apart from downwind Sailing issues, there are only Two Makes that I can Recommend For Me to Sail if I was going to buy one Number one Choice ? Nautitech, Second Choice ? Catana. and I *Think* I know how to fix the Downwind Sailing issue pointed Out by Igor Stropnik -Change the Mast to a lower height Air Draft, with a much Shorter Boom, and have in Mast Furling. This allows a Shorter, Narrower Mainsail, which should greatly reduce or even fully remove the Wind Shading effect on the Headsails, plus has the side benefit of removing the need for Crew to climb onto the Cabin Roof to do work on the Main in likely very bad conditions. Igor has pointed out that very long Booms with way too short Main Sheet Tracks cause problems for controlling Gybing as well. He is presently in the Canary Islands, after Sailing a Catana 50 there from Gibraltar, and his insights on Nautitech Catamarans have been a bit of an eye opener for me, and he agrees that for Cruising, Catamarans really need in Mast Furling, and said the only reason lassie Masts appear to be used is aesthetic, as they are felt to be 'Prettier'. Prettier for the Wallet perhaps, as they are cheaper for the Builder ? 😅 Bob. 👍🌟🌟🌟♥️⛵️

[@markthomasson5077]

That’s a luxury apartment…not an ocean going sailboat.

[@Frog13799]

@@markthomasson5077 yet the far less seaworthy L39 did many Southern Ocean deliveries from Cape Town to Australia and New Zealand

[@markthomasson5077]

@ yes they are amazing, going downwind they seem to cope very well. I have seen one video where a family was doing just that, young kids and all in the cockpit, fabric enclosure. No tethers, one rogue wave would wash them all away! (Boat would probably survive) Clawing away from a Lee shore when your engine is not working, perhaps a different matter? One other thing that shocks me is that they have huge open spaces without any handholds.

[@abtechgroup]

resin voids is normal wear and tear? Easy decision

[@Cptnbond]

I'm surprised the couple with the problematic boat are not chased by angry lawyers from the yard, publically telling their horror story.

[@anna-tn2ww]

As a long time follower I remember someone tried to threaten them and instead of giving in they shared the letter in a video! Since then nothing and they've kept sharing so my feeling is the truth is the ultimate defense. 🙏

[@davidtydeman1434]

Maybe they have a truth defence

[@adrianrubi5012]

Are there Aluminum Sailing Catamarans in this length?

[@usefulcommunication4516]

Could you get any closer to Pink Houses without a copyright strike?

[@jamesstrom6991]

they’re made for chartering, not owning. what else would you expect? they won’t ever change course, because they are delivering what their customer wants.

[@johnhewett2525]

When the day comes when I can afford $700,000 for a boat then that will be the time that I will do my own research and just maybe this video will still be around.

[@blueyhis.zarsoff1147]

power went off and they lost the vacuum, power so reliable in SA..lol

[@cowlevelcrypto2346]

Does not matter how pretty or what new tech is in the boat. If the boat don't float, buy it I won't.

[@chriscodrington5464]

Production management and or policy...regardless results are outrageous.

[@comesatime123]

Leopard’s issues seem to have mostly started with Covid, haven’t heard of many issues other than the windows with their boats built before 2020.

[@miscreanity]

Everything seems to have gone downhill since then. Tighter budgets, harsher schedules. Neel did alright by us, even changing the production line after we broke the boat, but Volvo warranty was worthless when we needed it. Shipping is a nightmare as well, having waited six months for something so critical as a manual bilge pump diaphragm.

[@oh-brothers]

Did he get his teeth fixed or did he suffer from a stroke?

[@calvinhorn8978]

Why buy a Leopard or Lagoon when you could buy a Fountain Pajot ?

[@marklong8608]

A charter base manager described FPs as "disposable" boats. Get an older privilege, Outremer, Antares, etc

[@nelsonswartz4589]

@@marklong8608 Older Privilege's have some major keel issues. If it is a boat, it will have problems.

[@Philanderthal]

Which boat show was this filmed at ?

[@nmauch]

Annapolis

[@mnrneck]

Never leopard, never lagoon... next!

[@gordondyer4587]

You have a very short memory if you cannot recall the major lamination problems that gave the name Bendycow.

[@GuyGoodwin-l4q]

The cost of building a hull correctly is not that much more expensive than building it poorly.

[@jackdbur]

R&C being in south Africa are having a labour quality issue & with their large orders of charter boats that are sold off after a few years of service their operations are geared to just getting boats out the door. 😊

[@keithbores4146]

As noted below travel sketch is a L45. The 45 also has a delamination of the side windows as a known issue. Leopard/RC have been fixing those for owners.

[@1sailfast]

The window problem is not a delamination. It’s a bonding issue between the window material and the hull. Whether it’s from too much flex or poor adhesive choice or poor application is the big question, and it might bary in each case. FWIW this is an industry wide problem with most boats of ANY brand with acrylic windows that are bonded direct to the hull without bolted metal frames.

[@markustourister]

well when you intend to cross oceans I would rather look for a boat built for it.....when you want to impress your friends in the marina or a nearby anchorage, buy this boat......

[@michaelmcburnie611]

You are confusing different boast models as the 42 is not known to have the issue you are referring to. I have a 2022 and being in a Leopard 42 FB group of most boats owners the the issues you are describing for 42 is not actually happening. I have really enjoyed my Leopard 42, with the layout and forward door being best in class.

[@wanabesailer9599]

I am from South Africa and used to love the Leopard cats but after travel sketch issues, nah.....I will never buy a lagoon either after the bulk head issues that Sailing Parley exposed. I would rather buy a Seawind, De Villiers or a Mumby cat.

[@donaldlovegrove1754]

De Villiers designs and Mumby cats are both aluminium, so no composite failures. A DVD Delos 53 is being built here (near Brisbane). I have viewed their build twice during Patreon meetups, and boy, are they seriously strong, and all welding work is clearly visible for inspection.

[@wanabesailer9599]

@donaldlovegrove1754 I have actually bought the DIY building plans for the Mumby 48 from Tim Mumby. Now just have to find a good build location and buy the aluminium 😅

[@briank.6482]

So many new Leopard Catamarans are stuck on the hard with major issues and Leopard does little to nothing for these owners. I think their plan is to delay until the warantee is over leaving the owners standed with a million dollar brick. So sad, I would avoid this company.

[@jlb473]

No more Leopard their sense of responsibility for factory default is inaceptable

[@MK-gr9qz]

To be honest, if you want to be robbed, bay a L.

[@EarlBritt]

dialog doesn't complement the video. Looking at one part of the boat but narrative is about another part of the boat. confusing.

[@earlhunt2815]

It's Practical Sailor's company channel so the owners of leopard which is investment company PPF would be unhappy with any more negativity from Practical Sailor. The lady k channel however is not a corporate entity and could elaborate a lot more on the problem leopard has had since Robertson and Cain was sold and ultimately owned by PPF investment firm.

[@RobbyP1969]

This is very disappointing news, I must say. I visited the Lagoon, Fountain Pagot, and Leopard 42's at the Annapolis boat show, and while they were all tremendous boats, the decision (for me of course) between the three was not difficult at all. The Leopard had it hands down. The owners side of the boat felt far more spacious, the roof top relaxation area was a tremendous addition, and the forward door not only allowed airflow and access forward, it also seemed a great safety feature. If you have to go forward in bad weather because something breaks, would you rather go along the rails, or through the lounge? That door makes moving from the stern to the bow quicker, easier and safer. While the 740k price of the Leopard at Annapolis was about 200k more than I wanted, the slightly used market for this boat (think of all the Moorings boats that are available) was right in my wheelhouse. I haven't heard anything about delamination in boats from the late teens, so I'd be interested to hear if Leopard has changed how they do their glasswork. As someone mentioned earlier, Lagoon had their issues with the 45, and handled it well, owning up and repairing the affected boats at their cost (mostly). Leopard must do the same thing, or the damage to their reputation would be severe. Handle it well, and they'll become known as a manufacturer that looks after their clients, even if there is a financial hit. I'll be watching this closely, particularly to see if this is a new issue, or something that can be found in older boats. I'm really hoping it's just a 2024/25 problem, because a Leopard 40 - 46 from 4 to 8 years ago is my cat of choice for retirement a few years from now.

[@1sailfast]

None of them are without faults. One big selling point of the Leopards is that they have access ports everywhere to facilitate maintenance, and you can even remove tanks without cutting fiberglass. That was a major reason I went with Leopard. Try removing an engine from a Seawind, or a tank fitting from a FP.

[@jackdbur]

It was a 2020 & onwards problem.

[@billhanna5455]

Lagoon just breaks up

[@prutser3386]

i'll never have the money for a boat , but i know i'd NEVER have a fiberglass one. atleast with steel you can SEE the holes..

[@jimsmith1687]

Leopard should make good on the boat and stop throwing the customer under the bus. I've watched some of Travelsketch vids and the owners have been boned. Practical Sailor is doing nothing more than shilling for dollars. Shame.......

[@nextari]

you think they PAID him to do this? serious?

[@SV_Try_Magic]

I almost bought a leopard and then I found out the 2018 was already rotting and the new ones didn't have any resin in them. All the big brands raised the price with covid as a big scheme of the fascist kleptocracy.

[@B2bsellingskillsAu]

Travel Sketch have a Leopard 45, not a 42, and it’s three friends who bought the boat, not a couple. I agree the work done on this boat is horrific but you should do a bit more research to get your facts right. Maybe watching a few of their episodes might help you out.

[@richardduval9237]

Merci

[@lancemarriott9671]

all those interior sharp edges make it a no for me

[@michaeltownsend4644]

We’re looking to buy a Leopard 53 PC. This shitty workmanship is not on and off putting. A pity as it is the ideal boat for our family

[@nextari]

If you'll be doing coastal cruising and not in big seas, maybe ok?

[@Frog13799]

@@nextari I crossed the Atlantic from Cape Town to Uruguay on a 53PC, its been done on a 43PC, I also did two crossings from CT to Tortola on the old 39pc, and a CT to Mauritius on a 51pc.

[@ChrisWhiteDesigns]

8 to 9 knot cruise? In your dreams. 27,000 lbs (light) in 42' is not a solution for a decent sailing boat. Not even close.

[@stevenf927]

That's almost twice the displacement of the Atlantic 42 - a Chris White design. And probably half the speed of the Atlantic 42

[@Frog13799]

Delivery skipper averaged 7.35 from Cape Town to Seychelles on a 42 recently, that is without a light air sail/code zero, considering it wasn't a downwind milk run and how challenging the wild coast and Indian ocean is, 8 is a viable figure.

[@pmorph]

I'm with you on this one Chris!

[@jamielancaster01]

Let’s not forget Lagoon is having problems with broken bulkhead. I’d take a little delamination over a broken bulkhead any day.

[@nextari]

why do you say "a little"? Do you not think it could also be structural? All it would take is a 24" vertical length in a hull and you've lost a very serious amount of strength, add to that the constant flex and it sound like something that could send it to the depths.

[@andrewsheedy6145]

Lagoon parlay say no more

[@Leosarebetter]

Lagoon doesn't have horror stories??? WTF - try watching some YT videos on those issues with Lagoon.

[@seandayma]

That catamaran was poorly constructed and pushed out the door without proper quality control. I would run away from the leopard, it's a death trap.

[@maxx9384]

Sounds as if you don‘t have the money to buy it in the first place..

[@nextari]

Please for the love of god would someone tell me WHY you would sacrifice 1/4 of your bed space for 8 hours sleeping to save yourself 3 seconds of getting into it by cutting the corners? If your knees are really that bad, I don't think you're living on a boat.🤔

[@ClivehWright]

The windows will be falling out next! It’s concerning that these boats go offshore.

[@Telicia_]

There's an @travelsketch video on that subject; at this point every window on the boat has been rebed

[@jackdbur]

If you watched the early travelsketch videos their hull windows did that twice once when they were test sailing the boat & all the hull windows were removed and replaced in Cape Town and then again when they sailed it to the Mediterranean the windows leaked and were again replaced! 😅

[@captainrehab2047]

New word ? Leopardsy

[@Boody523]

You are mistaking two different boats, the 42 and the 45. Made at different locations. Travel Sketch is a 45.

[@practical-sailor]

Correct they have a 45

[@Boody523]

@@practical-sailorGlad you acknowledge but I don’t think you understand your error. You are only talking about a 42 in the video which do not have the issues you are discussing

[@stugc88]

I don't think the boat show tour was relevant. Stick to the issue.

[@bobgranafei6809]

If you want a condo, buy a condo.

[@markbailey6051]

You can't compromise on the building and materials of a catamaran. Personally I like cruising trimarans. Carnivore menu Baby!

[@larrymeyer2917]

Rot creeps slowly into poorly managed businesses. NO ISO 9000 listed business could ever produce crap ongoing, obviously the accrediting ISO is equal crap and there are no production procedures, no re-occurrence prevention process so they never get to correct the production process, it in Hull # 1 to the last hull. And no QA to correct not only the process but to deal with the warranty claims professionally. Your hard earned $Mil can be spent better by looking at Balance catamarans, unfortunately the so-called top 3 are worst quality.

[@cliveengel5744]

Chop strand fiber layup and polyester resin are all recipes for disaster! Catamarans are just Caravans. They are big, bulky, and have a lot of windage. They are also slow and have little sail area!

[@Frog13799]

@@cliveengel5744 yet they cross oceans days ahead of most monohulls

[@cliveengel5744]

@ Not really. We always beat the overloaded Lagoon 440 and Outeremer 50 with the TP-52, a real sailing boat that has won the Handicap honors on many Sydney to Hobart races. The Caravans are just too painful to sail upwind, and in a storm, they will be blown sideways. They are Caravans only!

[@Frog13799]

@@cliveengel5744 a tp 52 is a balls to the wall race boat, have you tried cruising in it with your family? 🤣

[@cliveengel5744]

@ Sailboats are not caravans; sailing is getting from one port to the other. In a severe storm, the Caravan Cat will turn over. Monohulls are safer, and at anchor, they pose a less of risk of getting hit by other boats. Many a TP boats have been converted to fast safe sailng boats. However, if you want to go to sea in a chop-strand fibreglass boat built of Polyester Resin that burns out of control when a fire errupts inside, then be my quest.

[@Frog13799]

@cliveengel5744 BS I have been extreme conditions in Leopards, been delivering them worldwide for over 15 years, most of my 250k miles as a delivery skipper have been on Leopards, and I'm talking dozens of Atlantic crossings from the 39s to 53ft both power and sail, the South Indian, South of Madagascar in 50knot conditions, the wild coast and Mozambique channel recently in the new gen 42 and 50 in some really gnarly conditions. Never once have I felt unsafe, to be honest I actually turn down monohull jobs now days.

[@willowglenn]

Half critical info, half marketing.

[@warrenclark3475]

All multihulls needs to be light if you're boat is over 6 ton for a 40 footer then it's a motorsailer a well designed mono will sail faster

[@chrigdichein]

That video ends in pure advertising, insuring all best except the boat is falling into pieces. A boat that is more on land for repairs is NO boat! reported as spam