Are Leopards Better Built?

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by Mook1e

That was a Lagoon.

Mookie!

Thanks so much for that. What a brain fart, eh?

I have no idea why I transposed "Lagoon" as "Leopard". There I was, going along, digging up what I thought were all these helpful mentions... of the wrong brand of cat! Sheesh

And Docwood, you've probably figured out by now that all those "helpful" links I was pointing to were all about Lagoons...SO sorry!

Fortunately, Fore and Aft, good guy that he is, has replied directly to this thread and offered some top tips. He's the one you should be listening to anyway.

Gratefully (and apologies),
LittleWing77

[Simi 60]

Good, fast cruising multihulls are light
Charter boats are not
And it's be rare to find an epoxy build.


I would love to see a lagoon or leopard in epoxy with real attention paid to weight saving (so several tonne lighter)
I reckon they'd probably be a great cruiser that actually performed.

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Good, fast cruising multihulls are light and expensive

I fixed that for you.

[Simi 60]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

I fixed that for you.

Not necessarily
They could be a shell with carry on 25 litre water containers and a blow up air mattress.
Niceties could be added later as and if deemed necessary, when you have an idea what is "really" needed.

That was what our first relatively fast epoxy build had and we cruised her extensively up and down the east coast of Oz and the Pacific Isles winning rum as we cruised.
Never did get that fancy fitout. ��

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by Simi 60

Good, fast cruising multihulls are light
Charter boats are not
And it's be rare to find an epoxy build.


I would love to see a lagoon or leopard in epoxy with real attention paid to weight saving (so several tonne lighter)
I reckon they'd probably be a great cruiser that actually performed.

Exactly

[aqfishing]

Had a Leopard 44 with Sunsail in Seychelles for 5 years. Had the timing been right we would gladly have kept her to cruise on. She held up very well.

We now have a 2020 Leopard 40 owners version at the same base. This one we may well keep to cruise.

I guess it depends on the base management and not so much the company.

Most of the newer Leopard there seem to last very well with no major issues. Except the 39’s (guessing 2009 models) that were built in China (I think). Their gelcoat went yellow.

[Cameron65]

Ref buying older production cat's that have balsa core or plywood bulkheads. Applies to Leopard, Lagoon and more recent Fountaine Pajot. My impression is that Incorporating one or both of these two materials in the build gives good initial short-term results, but over longer period has a high probability of extensive future repairs. Factors which have limited my wish list for a 40’ – 44’ 20 years build to the likes of Dolphin, FP Belize, Knysna, Manta, Privilege, St Francis.

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by Cameron65

Ref buying older production cat's that have balsa core or plywood bulkheads. Applies to Leopard, Lagoon and more recent Fountaine Pajot. My impression is that Incorporating one or both of these two materials in the build gives good initial short-term results, but over longer period has a high probability of extensive future repairs. Factors which have limited my wish list for a 40’ – 44’ 20 years build to the likes of Dolphin, FP Belize, Knysna, Manta, Privilege, St Francis.

Wait, when did FP start using plywood bulkheads?

[Cameron65]

Recent builds have balsa, not plywood

[udo]

Leopards better build? After seeing various youtubes from this channel (see link below) it looks like the build quality is the worst you can imagine. Even the most simple things are done incorrect. They discovered fibre glass mats with no resin in the hull. Just dry, they just could peel it off. Through mast cables not properly secured. Deck hatches leaking. Gas bottles not secured properly, and the story goes on and on. Looks like there is a lot of nonsense talk also on this forum unfortunately. Bit unbelieveable what I see on this youtube channel.
Have a look yourself and do not buy these yachts. I would not in a thousand years after seeing this. Guess they use cheap (unskilled) labour in south africa which is coming at a price.

https://www.youtube.com/@travelsketch/videos

[aqfishing]

Originally Posted by udo

Leopards better build? After seeing various youtubes from this channel (see link below) it looks like the build quality is the worst you can imagine. Even the most simple things are done incorrect. They discovered fibre glass mats with no resin in the hull. Just dry, they just could peel it off. Through mast cables not properly secured. Deck hatches leaking. Gas bottles not secured properly, and the story goes on and on. Looks like there is a lot of nonsense talk also on this forum unfortunately. Bit unbelieveable what I see on this youtube channel.
Have a look yourself and do not buy these yachts. I would not in a thousand years after seeing this. Guess they use cheap (unskilled) labour in south africa which is coming at a price.

https://www.youtube.com/@travelsketch/videos

I think you are generalising too much. I very much doubt that any production builder has never produced a dud or 10 or more…If you want to guarantee a perfect strong light yacht then you are going to have to cough up for a custom or semi custom…

[Piscis]

Looks like "docwood" has left the building almost 2 years ago.... ;-)