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

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  • Опубликовано: 14 июл 2023
  • ***ATTENTION*** This video has been reported so we have made the decision to cut certain sections out using the RUclips 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.
    ⛵ Support the Channel! ❤
    For exclusive content: / travelsketch
    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.
    🎶 Music from Artlist ➼ Get yourself 2 months free with a subscription artlist.io/Telicia-1577425
    #sailing #catamaran #yachtlife

Комментарии • 80

  • @carlnelson8927
    @carlnelson8927 10 месяцев назад +3

    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 RUclips and put on your big boy pants. Or sell it and find something that isn’t so stressful to own like a van.

    • @robertmunafo5039
      @robertmunafo5039 10 месяцев назад +12

      There are people who are not just cut out to post on RUclips (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
      @travelsketch  10 месяцев назад +21

      @@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
      @travelsketch  10 месяцев назад +15

      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
      @anna-tn2ww 10 месяцев назад +20

      @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
      @travelsketch  10 месяцев назад +6

      Thank you :)@@anna-tn2ww

  • @hurtback3467
    @hurtback3467 11 месяцев назад +13

    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.

  • @user-qp1sn6jy4s
    @user-qp1sn6jy4s 10 месяцев назад +10

    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 RUclips because if they don't act on this quickly, it won't just be our business that they have lost.

    • @travelsketch
      @travelsketch  9 месяцев назад +2

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

    • @FamilyManMoving
      @FamilyManMoving 7 месяцев назад +1

      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.

  • @nooneanybodyknows7912
    @nooneanybodyknows7912 11 месяцев назад +20

    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
      @anna-tn2ww 11 месяцев назад +1

      👏👏👏

  • @normanboyes4983
    @normanboyes4983 10 месяцев назад +8

    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
      @travelsketch  10 месяцев назад +3

      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.

  • @gmonnig
    @gmonnig 9 месяцев назад +9

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

    • @travelsketch
      @travelsketch  9 месяцев назад +1

      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
      @Joseph-gy5tg 3 месяца назад

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

  • @juergenzenner4219
    @juergenzenner4219 11 месяцев назад +8

    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_
      @Telicia_ 11 месяцев назад +3

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

  • @gearhed78
    @gearhed78 11 месяцев назад +14

    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.

  • @AbNomal621
    @AbNomal621 11 месяцев назад +10

    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).

  • @southernfriedkiwi7726
    @southernfriedkiwi7726 11 месяцев назад +11

    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.

  • @svourtime123
    @svourtime123 8 месяцев назад +2

    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.

  • @sailingsvintegrity
    @sailingsvintegrity 10 месяцев назад +4

    Keep trudging forward. Your sacrifices are appreciated.

  • @mickharfield6907
    @mickharfield6907 11 месяцев назад +9

    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
      @travelsketch  11 месяцев назад +4

      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 RUclips seems to delete it when I suggest messaging there - Telicia

  • @tcurdt
    @tcurdt 4 месяца назад +2

    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
      @travelsketch  4 месяца назад

      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
      @tcurdt 4 месяца назад

      @@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
      @trentspencer7991 Месяц назад +1

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

  • @deestiff2332
    @deestiff2332 3 месяца назад +1

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

  • @danb9143
    @danb9143 11 месяцев назад +3

    good video thank you for sharing

  • @sailingirwin5489
    @sailingirwin5489 11 месяцев назад +5

    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
      @trentspencer7991 11 месяцев назад

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

  • @ajsonstegard5729
    @ajsonstegard5729 11 месяцев назад +2

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

    • @Telicia_
      @Telicia_ 11 месяцев назад +1

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

    • @ajsonstegard5729
      @ajsonstegard5729 11 месяцев назад

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

  • @user-dx8zh5ql2l
    @user-dx8zh5ql2l 11 месяцев назад +3

    Love it

  • @lassesarnhult9283
    @lassesarnhult9283 11 месяцев назад +13

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

  • @johnenglish1575
    @johnenglish1575 3 минуты назад

    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.

  • @brianstevenson9967
    @brianstevenson9967 4 месяца назад +1

    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.

  • @juergenzenner4219
    @juergenzenner4219 11 месяцев назад +4

    Looks like AJ and Tad signed the NDA. 😢

  • @tri-capey
    @tri-capey 11 месяцев назад +4

    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.

  • @faircompetition1203
    @faircompetition1203 Месяц назад +1

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

  • @rogergrandify
    @rogergrandify 10 месяцев назад +3

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

  • @Antipodean33
    @Antipodean33 10 месяцев назад +4

    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
      @travelsketch  10 месяцев назад +2

      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.

  • @AndyIvan74
    @AndyIvan74 7 месяцев назад +1

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

    • @travelsketch
      @travelsketch  7 месяцев назад +3

      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.

  • @chrissi9562
    @chrissi9562 11 месяцев назад +7

    better not buy a leopard cat....

  • @marktaylor484
    @marktaylor484 11 месяцев назад +7

    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".

  • @anna-tn2ww
    @anna-tn2ww 11 месяцев назад +6

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

  • @garryparkes9121
    @garryparkes9121 11 месяцев назад +4

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

  • @ddespread
    @ddespread 2 месяца назад

    Why didn’t you return the boat?

    • @travelsketch
      @travelsketch  2 месяца назад

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

  • @LondonCarnaval
    @LondonCarnaval 9 месяцев назад +4

    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 🤞🤞🤞💪💪

  • @kergwilec
    @kergwilec 6 месяцев назад +1

    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
    @George-vf7ss Месяц назад +1

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

  • @user-tb5px1xb4x
    @user-tb5px1xb4x 11 месяцев назад +2

    All I can say is this, using RUclips 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
      @trentspencer7991 11 месяцев назад +7

      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
      @sanyaomerovic1659 11 месяцев назад +5

      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
      @trentspencer7991 11 месяцев назад +4

      @@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
      @TURSTY09 11 месяцев назад +7

      @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
      @trentspencer7991 11 месяцев назад +4

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

  • @tri-capey
    @tri-capey 11 месяцев назад +4

    next time you need afrikaans translation contact me

    • @trentspencer7991
      @trentspencer7991 11 месяцев назад +5

      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
      @tri-capey 11 месяцев назад +4

      @@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. 😇