New Catamaran Handover: Rusted Engine & Destroyed Sail Drive

New Catamaran Handover: Rusted Engine & Destroyed Sail Drive | LEOPARD 45 WARRANTY EXPERIENCE REVIEW

Рет қаралды 13,706

Жыл бұрын

***ATTENTION*** This video has been reported so we have made the decision to cut certain sections out using the KZfaq editing function to mitigate any possibility of this video being removed.
Check out our website www.travelsketchsailing.com/l... to watch original, videos, see our survey after 1 year of ownership and the hull scans of our bridge deck and crossbeam.
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During the handover test sail, Trent and Tynan noticed water sloshing around in the engine bay of our new yacht and the bilge light going on and off.
Details include the warranty dynamic with Yanmar's representatives, Leopard and boat builders. 4JH45 engines and the install by Robertson and Caine factory on Leopard Catamarans. New owners should be aware of causes, implications to warranty, who is at fault and why.
This is just one of many events that used up the boys time in Cape Town. Warranty issues like this and having them resolved prevented them from enjoying touring South Africa during their seven months, whether it be the Leopard factory or a safari tour they never got to go on.
After backpacking Asia, road tripping Europe and doing a bit of van life, we’re now exploring the world aboard our Leopard 45 catamaran.
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#sailing #catamaran #yachtlife

Пікірлер: 119

@carlnelson8927 11 ай бұрын

What a load of entitled crap. There are some people who are just not cut out to own a cruising sailboat. All boats have problems. I’ve owned six over 40 years and my Leopard has had fewer problems than the others and the warranty support has been better. If you know of a production cat with fewer problems and better warranty than Leopard please enlighten us. Owning a boat is not like owning a car anymore than owning a house is like owning a car.. Never has been. Can it be frustrating? Sure. But it’s time to stop whining on KZfaq and put on your big boy pants. Or sell it and find something that isn’t so stressful to own like a van.

@robertmunafo5039 11 ай бұрын

There are people who are not just cut out to post on KZfaq (failing to even grasp the least little bit of understanding on why they have chosen to post these videos) but I see that hasn't stopped you. Its funny how these R&C shills all of a sudden pop out of the woodwork. Their comments are remarkably the same, seemingly not comprehending even a shred of the reasons you guys are making these videos. Travel Sketch, steady on and don't let the trolls get to you.

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

@@robertmunafo5039 Carl is a moderator for the Leopard Catamaran Owners group on FB which is moderated by brokers. The group that deletes anyone who has anything negative to say about Leopard, Robertson and Caine and their build quality and consistency. You can thank people like Carl for contributing to suppressing issues like windows delaminating over HUNDREDS of hulls and people not being able to reference severity and demand better. Carl cares more about the resale value of his hull than the health and safety of other sailors.

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

Carl the moderator, we love your little musings so much we think we might dedicate the next video to you. We appreciate you spending time viewing these videos. We also love your statements which suggest that all of these troubles are normal. We must have been ignorant and should have expected to lose two years of our lives to this circus when buying a production boat. We will make sure that everyone else knows that this is what is normal and to expect from a purchase as expensive as a house. That way people can reflect on what you say they are in for before making such a purchase in ignorance.

@anna-tn2ww 11 ай бұрын

@carl I am assuming you either didn't watch the video, are being paid off by Leopard or are just not very bright because no one in their right mind thinks it's "entitled" to not want an engine that was covered in salt water 🤪🤡

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

Thank you :)@@anna-tn2ww

@gmonnig 10 ай бұрын

Wow, after watching all your struggles we have taken Leopard off our potential list. Thank you for posting all of this.

@travelsketch 10 ай бұрын

Please let them know if you get a chance to encourage them to make our situation right :) we will continue to pay it forward.

@Joseph-gy5tg 4 ай бұрын

Why would you slam the gears in reverse after doing 3000rpm in forward?

@hurtback3467 Жыл бұрын

I’ve watched all your warranty issues video. All I can say is I really admire your patience. Really sad they don’t care about you as a customer. I’m wondering if you may have a bigger issue with your boat. Windows that pop and break the seal, generator mount that cracked and separated from hull with no machinery on it, and the cracks in the hull at cross beam mount locations. Looks to me like your hull has flexed causing these issues. Structural problems like that are just not coincidence. I also believe that the light coming thru your hull shows inconsistencies in Hull thickness and no fiberglass at hatches shows failing build procedures. I think you need to find a good lawyer and find someone that is an expert in the integrity of boat hulls. Perhaps someone like Walt Schulz from Shannon boats would know someone or maybe he would be willing to inspect you boat. I really believe your boat may have structural issues and should be assessed before I took it on a long passage. I know that really is the last thing you want to hear after all you have been through, but better safe than sorry, as I wouldn’t want to be on a boat in heavy weather 1000 miles offshore that starts to break apart. I hope I’m wrong and wish you all the best with your boat.

@normanboyes4983 11 ай бұрын

This is a great vignette of why no one should buy any sort of watercraft from this joke of a company. Not only are they incompetent, they have compounded this with dishonesty and deceit. Clearly you have bought this boat and are in a difficult position - prospective buyers can avoid that position very easily thanks to your videos.

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

Yeah if we knew this earlier because people were open about their experiences in the past we likely would have avoided a lot of pain.

@nooneanybodyknows7912 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting this educational video. You've articulated professionally and clearly, with constrained emotions. Bravo! IMHO, a very few new boat owners could hold it together as well as you. I feel your disappointment. I hope this matter is resolved to your liking. Perhaps another brand of new boat would be the preferred choice. 🤔

@anna-tn2ww Жыл бұрын

👏👏👏

@user-qp1sn6jy4s 10 ай бұрын

Cannot thank you enough for creating these videos! We are in process of purchasing our first catamaran and although the design and layout of the Leopard 45 HAD made it our top choice, we will now be going with a Lagoon purely based on the workmanship. (Or lack of!) Can't risk dumping our life savings into a boat with so many build issues- most of them due to utter carelessness. Yes all boats have issues- we have owned several and can attest to that. But how many issues, what type of issues, and how those issues are handled are what is important. Look at how Lagoon is handling their bulkhead issue... They changed the factory production halfway thru the model year to address a POTENTIAL bulkhead issue. Then, ALL Lagoon 46's produced prior to production change are given a time slot to have their bulkheads reinforced BEFORE they would even potentially have an issue. (At no charge and work is completed by Lagoon themselves) I hope Leopard starts to grasp the importance of reputation and word of mouth as well as the power of KZfaq because if they don't act on this quickly, it won't just be our business that they have lost.

@travelsketch 10 ай бұрын

We didn't know that. Very interesting about the slots for repair.

@FamilyManMoving 8 ай бұрын

We're shopping for a 45-50 foot cat, for retirement in about three years. Watching how Lagoon and Leopard handled warranty and construction issues has been enlightening. It pays to watch who did better. FWIW, Robertson and Caine no longer run the Leopard show. They sold to an investor group that helped found Dream Yacht Charter.

@marydavis9989 23 күн бұрын

Glad you're saving yourself the stress and inconvenience of dealing with Leopard. They're a JOKE of a company with ZERO leadership. Once they've got your money, they don't want to know you anymore!

@gearhed78 Жыл бұрын

I am really getting into this new trend of rage sailing.... I am joking a little. I have a R&C Leopard as well. Bulkheads, warranty issues, poor customer service, after sale after warranty support. They are really getting a bad rep.

@markussirup7562 20 күн бұрын

Good to know. My wife and I wanted to buy a new Leopard. We certainly won't be doing that now. Our friends at the sailing club were horrified when they heard this. Once again the total failure of unqualified managers. Thanks for sharing. You have saved us from a big mistake 🙏

@travelsketch 19 күн бұрын

We hope that we helped you. Please contact the builder to let them know this, to encourage them to do better for us if we helped you. :)

@juergenzenner4219 Жыл бұрын

Will it stop one day? I love your sarcasm. Keep us posted how far it goes and when Robinson will start to take full responsibility

@Telicia_ Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the ongoing support Juergen, we appreciate it and will keep sharing how things are progressing :)

@sailingsvintegrity 11 ай бұрын

Keep trudging forward. Your sacrifices are appreciated.

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

Thank you

@AbNomal621 Жыл бұрын

Not to slur Thomas, but… if he is the most experienced captain… I have no words. I just wonder why they don’t have any older. And Caines and Robertson should have pulled the exhaust hose as they knew it would be in the way of the likely forgotten holes. They likely fought because admission would leave them on the hook for everything in that bay (which is exactly what they should be on the hook for).

@svourtime123 9 ай бұрын

As a live aboard who recently sold there Lagoon 450 and looking to get new I have ruled out any R&C products. Poor quality and workmanship reputation will keep getting around. They lost my sale. Thank you so much for letting the boaters know about your experience.

@southernfriedkiwi7726 Жыл бұрын

The lack of QC from these monkeys is staggering. It's painfully obvious that they treat these wildly expensive yachts as just production widgets to flog off to customers.

@marydavis9989 23 күн бұрын

My Leopard salesman literally told me "If you'd wanted a boat with no problems, you should've spent another million." I AM SERIOUS.

@lassesarnhult9283 Жыл бұрын

I would never buy a Leopard. They are shit. And dealing with people that cant confess there blunders is just so bad

@tcurdt 5 ай бұрын

I keep watching and yet another video pops up with more pain and craziness. Will this saga ever stop? So sorry for you guys.

@travelsketch 5 ай бұрын

Hopefully soon but for now we are still hauled out in Trinidad and the warranty repairs are still ongoing, we just hope to relaunch before the next hurricane season starts and we're forced to spend another 6 months on the hard 😔

@tcurdt 5 ай бұрын

@@travelsketch 😔 Make the best out of it. It probably means you are around for the leatherback nesting. If you are into wildlife, something not to miss when in Trinidad. And it will take your mind off of things. And you will remember why you started this adventure in the first place :) At least I found it magical. Good luck with everything!

@trentspencer7991 2 ай бұрын

@@tcurdt Thanks for the support, good advice to keep remembering

@grahamnielsen4797 16 күн бұрын

Awesome to see your keeping the bastards honest, This is happening more now day's as warranties are worthless. I had a brand new tractor with only 180hours that snapped in half with only light use on it, Never was able to get anything back due to stupid law's that don't do shit for the buyer however the sellers still able to sell more of the same products with faults no problem. Keep the fight going and thanks from all of us!

@travelsketch 16 күн бұрын

Thanks for the support. This is the world now. every system screws the consumer and only shining a light burns away BS and encourages decent behaviour.

@mickharfield6907 Жыл бұрын

It's such a shame as we had our hearts on a New Leopard 45 🐆 ⛵ But after watching and keeping in contact with you guys we just can't go down that path now 😢 Trent what year did you guys buy your ⛵ and was it the same year build date. Cheers Mick 🇦🇺

@travelsketch Жыл бұрын

Hi Mick, that could be a long conversation for here so it might be best if you got to the about section and use the contact details there to reach out :) We're also on another platform but KZfaq seems to delete it when I suggest messaging there - Telicia

@deestiff2332 4 ай бұрын

Leopard is off my list of choices!!! Leopard what are you doing to your business???

@sailingirwin5489 Жыл бұрын

These types of build issues (holes in exhaust hoses and drilled holes left unfilled) indicate a significant culture issue with the builder/yard staff. There are hundreds of other places within this boat that are likely impacted.

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

Hopefully it isn't a matter of complacency from middle management and lack of creativity in solving QC challenges on the line. 😏

@danb9143 Жыл бұрын

good video thank you for sharing

@ajsonstegard5729 Жыл бұрын

😮😢 omg assinating! So glad you’ve been able to finally rectify

@Telicia_ Жыл бұрын

Thanks AJ, hope all is well with you and Tad x

@ajsonstegard5729 Жыл бұрын

@@Telicia_ just repowered our boat as well so feeling your pain. Trying to figure out where we will wind up. Hugs 🤗

@user-dx8zh5ql2l Жыл бұрын

Love it

@juergenzenner4219 Жыл бұрын

Looks like AJ and Tad signed the NDA. 😢

@Antipodean33 11 ай бұрын

Why did the dude jam it into reverse, what was his reason for that? Also who is he, surely he's not a Yanmar employee because they'd know better than to be going forward at 3000 revs and to then jam into into reverse without pause at around 2000 revs. Did anyone ask him why he did that, it's inconceivable to me why someone would do such a thing, that is unless they've never been on a boat before. but even then common sense would tell you that you can't do such a thing

@travelsketch 11 ай бұрын

There was a pressure leak in the exhaust mixer hose where a Robertson and Caine employee drilled into it during construction. He increased the revs to find where the leaks were coming from. He lost his temper and did it. There is no reasonable excuse as to why. 😒 so then you have to debate and demand it be checked and have your time wasted while it's changed out due to, well ill let you think of your own adjectives for him. The employee can be seen in the uncut version of the video on my website in the link.

@tri-capey Жыл бұрын

We were looking at purchasing a brand new leopard, but the price went UP and the quality decreased. We are now still looking at leopards from 2011 to 2019. This shoddy workmanship started during covid. I believe signing an NDA to get boat fixed is WRONG. We run our own business and have had staff totally f***-up and we would have to go to the site and apologize and give a discount and fix the problem. Those people don't forget and so when someone tries to beat up our business, they come out of the woodwork and defend us.

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

Well said

@faircompetition1203 Ай бұрын

At the price these boats are asking , there should be no problems at all

@chrissi9562 Жыл бұрын

better not buy a leopard cat....

@johnenglish1575 27 күн бұрын

We owned and lived aboard a Fountaine Pajot catamaran for 3 years with few issues. I feel sorry for this couple. However I appreciate their efforts in bringing to light Leopard’s poor workmanship and poor warranty follow up to future potential buyers.

@travelsketch 27 күн бұрын

Yeah we often hear "yeah but Lagoon and Fountaine Pajot are just as bad. Ok we understand Lagoon but we rarely hear FP owners complain or have issues like Leopard Owners.

@marktaylor484 Жыл бұрын

Hallejlujah !!! Quite how the Marine Industry is allowed to behave in such a negligent/criminal manner befuddles me. No doubt the (fee hungry) legal beagles' with their NDA's have much to do with this societal disassociation/abject human disregard with the legal concept of "The Reasonable Man" having escaped both common sense and any sense of fairness . However, it must be also noted the deafening silence of former intelligent wholesome owners' whom have chosen to take the path's they have taken and accept the known status quo in indulgence and submission to which they would not indulge themselves in any such manner/circumstance's to their fellow mariner's... Continue to Shout Loud and Proud and to quote my former regiment "Swift and Bold".

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

Well said

@brianstevenson9967 5 ай бұрын

You guys have been extremely unlucky and patient with these problems. I think I would have rejected this boat along time ago, handed it back to the makers and if nec sued them for my money plus compensation for additional expenses caused by poor build quality.

@anna-tn2ww Жыл бұрын

Just disgraceful, they seem to have very little respect for their customers.... not a good look Leopard!

@Harrybollox 12 күн бұрын

I used to think if I got a cat I would like a Lagoon, then they had major issues documented on KZfaq, so I thought maybe Leopard. Well that’s a no no also now. Does anyone make a really comfortable cat 40 to 50ft designed for luxury crushing , (no tiny bunks,no poor helm position, proper sun shading , auto everything etc) that is reliable ?

@rogergrandify 10 ай бұрын

wowwww!!! unbelievable !!!! manufacturers they want to sell you and once it's bought it is your's and your problems.

@LondonCarnaval 10 ай бұрын

This is gone beyond a joke, utterly disgusting and ridiculous 😤. I wouldn't do any business in south Africa or anywhere else outside EU & USA . I would consult different top lawyers and get my money back + compensation. I wouldn't put up with this kind of nonsense, no way. I wish you the very BEST of LUCK 🤞🤞🤞💪💪

@AndyIvan74 8 ай бұрын

I couldn't catch what you were saying. Who was responsible for slamming the saildrive into reverse? Was that the Leopard representative?

@travelsketch 8 ай бұрын

Apologies for the rough edit, the video had to be trimmed to prevent Robertson & Caine staff being able to have it removed - there's a more extensive version on our website. The person who put it in reverse was a Robertson & Caine test captain, who a member of their warranty department later said was their most experienced captain.

@brianlintonjones 13 күн бұрын

Too sad to watch..good luck with your warranty claims and justice for the stress you have gone through..safe sailing

@travelsketch 13 күн бұрын

Thanks for the support, part of what keeps us going is warning others of this BS we fell into by being too trusting.

@gfimadcat 15 күн бұрын

Pretty late to this party (I blame YT throwing this in my recommended somehow) but holy beeping beep... you're a better person than I am, I would've gone nuclear by now. For transparency, I own a very modest 50 year old sailboat so I'm fairly used to things breaking in new and interesting ways (and then fixing them), but if I would've poured my life savings into a new boat and it would've been delivered like this? I'd be past livid right into "I will murder you in your sleep" kind of territory (yes, I've got anger management issues, why? :P). It does seem to be "a thing" though, I've seen a fair number of high-end cats and monohulls come from the factory with severe issues which then get shifted off to "well it's the contractor's fault", which may be true, but in the end it's still the "brand" that needs to do QA and obviously didn't. And that seems to be a-okay with them because hey, money saved!

@travelsketch 14 күн бұрын

Thanks for the support. We often hear this. We have just done our best to handle it. The reality is that they are choosing to make the truth what it is here. If they screw us, everyone will see it. If they help us properly everyone will see it. They have everything to gain or lose and we don't care anymore. What will happen will happen.

@gfimadcat 14 күн бұрын

@@travelsketch Amen. I just think it's sad that Leopard isn't seeing the benefit of just owning up and owning this issue. I hope you guys get it all taken care of so you can finally live the dream.

@craigkoning6634 4 күн бұрын

Cool. So thanks to this channel, I cant buy a leopard. Thanks to parlay revival, I cant buy a Lagood.. What do we have left... Fountaine Pajot? Bali? Nautitech? Man. I think I'm just gonna go back to buying an older larger monohull... 2000 Oyster 70? Oh wait. Talk to Oyster owners and there were a bunch of drama when Oyster was changing hands. Buying a boat is hard. Buy second hand, in survey, well maintained and up to date with maintenance I reckon.

@travelsketch 3 күн бұрын

What we would have done if not for lockdown.

@Cooldudeblue261 20 күн бұрын

You guys are far to patient

@travelsketch 19 күн бұрын

yep we were.

@ddespread 2 ай бұрын

Why didn’t you return the boat?

@travelsketch 2 ай бұрын

They wouldn't swap for another hull at the time and the issues revealed themselves in layers. We have learned a lot since then.

@garryparkes9121 Жыл бұрын

And you still have hair on your head. Mine would be pulled out by now.

@kergwilec 7 ай бұрын

New Hymn for the Leopard Branch = using the talk talk music Such a shame to believe in Robertson and kane. 'A life on sailaway But what to change … there re so many pieces with a fail. Tell me to relax - I just stare. Maybe I don't know what I should change … a feeling of despair. It's a shame

@George-vf7ss 2 ай бұрын

So basically, he spent 785,000 dollars for a nervous breakdown.

@travelsketch 2 ай бұрын

yep and worse

@sentenced2sail 24 күн бұрын

It is simple: The captain who ran his engine for 11 hours without noticing the salt water spray blasting all over it, should be keel-hauled and relocated back to his home-office where he hails from. The prudent mariner will inspect his diesel engine before each startup and during operation at least once per hour Inspection must include shining a bright light over the engine, to note fine mist, exhaust smoke present in the engine room. At least on my boat. Takes literally 3 freakin` seconds! Covering rust caused by salt water by Yanmar warranty does not make any sense either, i don`t want to pay for the repair of the engines destroyed by half-wit skippers like this specimen featured in the video above.

@geo7471 21 күн бұрын

Never get a masmade boat thy just spit them out

@marydavis9989 23 күн бұрын

I am not the least bit surprised by this video. I have YET to speak to a Leopard owner who has experienced nothing but disappointment and stress with this company -- including MYSELF! Pound sand, CARL -- you KNOW this is how Leopard operates. You should be ashamed to work for this wannabe company. (*How about putting your efforts into fixing the problems rather than doing damage control and trying to hide the truth?!)

@Skippernick1957 15 күн бұрын

They will splash some paint on rust and put engine in another new boat 👹

@travelsketch 14 күн бұрын

Thanks for the support :)

@craigkoning6634 4 күн бұрын

Jesus. Save up enough and you can buy a NEW project boat!

@travelsketch 3 күн бұрын

Really sad, absurd waste of money, health opportunity. etc etc

@Skippernick1957 15 күн бұрын

Leopard just don’t care, building 200 boats a year. Original founders of company no longer involved. Management should be fired.

@travelsketch 14 күн бұрын

Travelopia should take over Robertson and Caine and roll the Robertson and Caine management team. Handle all warranty in house with care and empathy.

@user-gy6sf5ox6w 8 күн бұрын

Worst boats ewer! Quality control by producer is practicaly non existant!

@travelsketch 8 күн бұрын

Ours was anyway. Some are much nicer

@user-tb5px1xb4x Жыл бұрын

All I can say is this, using KZfaq as a way to whine to the masses is really unprofessional and speaks volumes about character. Like the old saying goes "$H!T Happens", as it does, to any corporation, company, or institution. And watching your heavily edited video, it's impossible to tell exactly what happened. Pretty one sided if you ask me. And no, an investigative journalist would get all the angles before going to print. My suggestion, you're unhappy for whatever reason, so sell it, or return it. It's really that simple. Till later : "May you have fair winds and following seas"

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

I didn't upload the video but to simplify it for you, the warranty on the sail drive was void so it was replaced. The warranty on the engine was likely void according to Yanmars own paperwork so was replaced. My time was wasted to which I have received no compensation. If I return the boat who pays for my wasted time and accomodation costs etc? I gave permission for my friends to use footage of my boat and don't care what you think of their character in the same way nobody cared that my time and money was being wasted.

@sanyaomerovic1659 Жыл бұрын

Wow, you must be one of R&C team. These people paid almost 1 mil for a new boat, and got lemon. Two years after and they still fixing it because the boat builder company doesn’t stay behind their product. In other words, they knew they sold the lemon, and don’t care for possible loss of life on one of their boats.

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

@@sanyaomerovic1659 🙂 thank you, the anonymous poster shows high level of bravery don't they. "Sell it or return it" really gives away their position doesn't it. In other words, just don't keep filming it. lol

@TURSTY09 Жыл бұрын

@user-tb5px1xb4x What complete crap. If we dont start holding these disgraceful companies to account publicly, then this trend of total dissregard for quality and total lack of interest in standing behind their own products will get worse and worse. To the point that its not possible to buy a boat capable of being reliable. Remote crusing will become impossible and if you own a boat, you will have to keep it within arms reach of a repair centre for its entire life. These guys are doing the boating consumers a great deal of good by posting the raw facts as they are and refusing to sign absolutly mental NDA's. Why on earth should people have to remain silent in order to get poor workmanship repaird. That should be made illegal! Keep it up @trentspencer7991. You and all the other owners that are doing the same are slowly making the world a better place. Look at Parley Revivals story to see how these things can lead to large scale positive action.

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

@@TURSTY09 Thank you for the support you totally get it.

@tri-capey Жыл бұрын

next time you need afrikaans translation contact me

@trentspencer7991 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the offer, I've had them all translated and any with relevance are highly inflammatory with course language. While blatantly damaging I will likely never upload them as it doesn't really serve a purpose and the product is speaking for itself. If anything ever went to court they would have a fun time explaining them and at that point I'd consider making a whole new level of recordings public which I have held back.

@tri-capey Жыл бұрын

@@trentspencer7991 I'm in Canada right now and will be back in South Africa in January, 2024. I may have been a Canadian Citizen for more than I have been a South African, but I am fully "trilinqual" and many Capetonians have come up short with me. Also note I still have family living there if you need anyone to wander around for you. 😇