Leopard introduced the forward cockpit in 2012 and is building around 200 boats per year... That is a lot forward cockpits being tested the last 7 years!
Dear Frik and Petro, we just stumbled across your channel and video while doing research on which catamaran we want to purchase for sailing around the world. It was a close tie between the Lagoon 450 F and Leopard 45. I liked the height of the fly deck on the former, and was one of those who was concerned about the front door ("hatch") on the Leopard being a safety concern, especially with the water tank adding more weight on the nose when filled. This video was a deal changer. We are now firmly on the side of the Leopard with the front cockpit, for the following reasons: noise while engines are running, improved ventilation in the saloon (you hadn't mentioned this), AND SAFETY: not needing to latch while moving to the front deck, and ESPECIALLY, safety for our 35kg dog, who needs access to the trampoline to do her business. Negotiating the side deck for her while underway was an idea that concerned me. THANK YOU! Is there any way we can contact you directly for more specific questions? Mark and Kathryn
One can see the confidence and improvements in videos . Another good thing we notice the First Lady is always happy and smiling . Great experience not just for you but also for the viewers . One of these days I would like to cross Atlantic. Thanks for sharing
The boat is incredible! The forward cockpit is icing-on-the-cake, with a little 🍹 added!! You guys did a splendid job in your homework & selections, and now the dividends!!! Thanks for sharing the wonderful moments and don’t look back ... unless the 🎣 is dancing!! Bravo!!
Thank you for your review of the forward cockpit ... we really like this option and some of the points that you went over we didn’t even think about. Good to hear a honest opinion from a owner! Safe sailing ⛵️
Thank you! We just love the forward cockpit and do not really appreciate if someone does not do a proper research, but is looking for excuses not to select a Leopard. Why not just say you are biased, like we were, and get it over 😂
Thank you for this video, my wife and I have a 5 year plan to retire early and live aboard a catamaran with the intention of eventually circumnavigating the world, I had wondered about the safety of the forward cockpit, this was very informative.
awesome, Shane! stick to your plan, but i want to recommend the earlier the better :-) we are so happy with our L45, she is one amazing catamaran! remember to mention the Sisu Specs when you talk to your sales guy ;-)
Excellent thank you for pointing me in the direction of this video. Really liked the ISO validation, proper engineering standards. I cannot understand some of the stuff said about the Leopards by other YT channels. Quote "Only good for off shore, would not take one on Ocean passage" So good to watch a thoroughly logical discussion by you both on this topic...thank you.
We have a Leopard 45 Owner's group where we share each other's experiences and besides, dare I say "normal" issues and growing pains during warranty period of any new boat, we also hear about the conditions the L45s are sailing. It is scary stuff. And we have been through some tuff and scary weather conditions, but the boat just kept on sailing. We have this saying "we got scared but the autopilot... never"
Hello Frik and Petra, nice to have you back for some Leopard action. I replied to Ruby Rose and expressed my disagreement with their notion and concern about the forward cockpit. We spent 10 days on a Leopard in St Lucia a year and a half ago and thought the forward cockpit was a god send. With three couples we always had three locations for all to sit, a couple of people on the helm, a couple of people in the aft cockpit and if we wished, and we always did a couple of people in the safe forward cockpit. It was also a better alternative to go through the salon to the forward cockpit then it was to go around the outside of the cabin. Something that was appreciated by the non sailing spouses. I think Leopard has a real winner with the forward cockpit. Ohh did I mention the wonderful sunsets? Fair winds and following sea’s my friends from the west coast of Canada, Vancouver British Columbia. Cheers Doug
Awesome video guys - a friend of ours sailing his Leopard was in a storm which he feared was going to remove his door - turned around and sailed back to Australia. He got around it by fitting a roll bar with Ferrari netting. Hopefully a storm of such magnitude will never be encountered but as Nigel says, having it onboard gives some peace of mind. The forward cockpit is a great place to be - ours not as smart but certainly nice and cool on those steamy days. Cheers guys - enjoyed the vid.
Thank you! Yes, we also know about other Leopard 45 sailors who was in 7m seas with 50kts winds and they lost autopilot and steering. Only had the 2 engines to steer. Scary stuff, but they said that the forward cockpit door is solid. Well, they also said the L45 is build like a tank! Not that we would want to test that statement, but it is good to know 😉
Sailing Sisu - your boat is too fast to be built like a tank ;) Cheers guys - so nice to see you being happy on the deep blue and enjoying your beautiful 45
Great video! We really like the forward cockpit; in fact, we chartered a Leopard 44 in the BVIs last year and it was my favorite place to sit during passage, when I was not manning the helm. Leopards are our favorite because of this feature. We were surprised by the other video channel's opinions and hope they take up Leopard's offer to go sail in one. We think that they will become instant fans.
Your views and explanations are greatly appreciated, even though I will never do another ocean voyage. I must, however, correct your definition of hatches and doors. You walk through doors, watertight or not. Hatches you climb up or down. From 21 years in US Navy. Every one on a ship has a label, door or hatch, watertight or airtight. Joiner.doors are just plain doors and are only labeled as to where they go. Again your narratives are tops. Smooth sailing friends.
Hi guys! I really enjoy your channel and I am gearing up to follow in your footsteps in buying a Leopard and sailing the seas! Looking at this video, something just occured to me. When you showed the water tank position, I immediately wondered if the hatches cannot be changed to open towards the forward cockpit so that you don't have to leave the cockpit to check anything. There might be a very logical reason why you cannot make the change, but just an observation.....
The thing is, the forward lockers main use is to stow fenders, mooring lines, big sails, and water. The majority of the time one opens for other than to check wate
I’m sure there are many things that make sailing this beautiful vessel a bit tough n I’m sure there’s some head shakes... but I’d take that any day over sitting in traffic hating my job lol I aspire to be like y’all cheers!
😅 Yeah, I hear you! The moment I decided to go for it a few years ago, I started to get rid of my debt. It was not easy, because we all want to be better than the Jones next door. So, instead of buying a new car, I stick with the old. Instead of moving into a bigger house, I moved into a smaller and use the extra money from the now paid car and the bigger house, to kill the small house capital. Only after the small house was paid, did I buy a bigger house and rented it out, killing that installments fast. This took me more than 12 years, but I had a goal to live on a boat 😊 it did helped to work 18/7 for 36 years as an IT Guy and many friends told me that all work and no play makes Frik a dull boy, but, I had a goal in mind 😊
Interesting video as usual. The new Leopard 45 has been modified, some minor improvements, but the owner's hull is not as good as yours. They have removed a lot of storage to make an island bed, bad idea. The fly will be an option that I do not like because the boom becomes too high and it adds weight. You can not miss the Mediterranean before the Caribbean, it's so beautiful. Always happy to follow you from France.
Thank you, Jacques! Yes, the top lounge version will be the only version soon. Very bad idea in my opinion. We are currently IN Tunisia and will be sailing for Turkey. Will be around France in about 2 years 😊 hope to see you!
Chris, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time on your courses. It is fairly easy, but time consuming. The offshore exam is a solid 12 hour session, but with "correction" time included, most probably 18 hours. They are very friendly and supportive, not giving answers, but still supportive. RYA focus a lot on tides and currents, which will for sure help you to understand many situations around the world.
I love to hear about the solid forward cockpit. I cannot wait to have a drink on the Bali 4.2's forward cockpit next summer. Looks like a great place to be. How about at anchor? Do you get a lot of fresh air through the front door?
Andreas, not sure about what you mean by "solid forward cockpit", but the Leopard 45 has a mesh trampoline. Many of our sailing friends replaced the high-density trampoline, the ones that we have, with even lower density weaving for the waves to dissipate faster. Would love to get feedback from Bali owners with the solid trampoline area. As for the forward cockpit, we absolutely love it! The air flow is amazing at anchor and up till now, we haven't used our aircons...just open the door and those big hatches and everything cools down :-)
Imo the forward cockpit is not a problem...just keep it clear and make sure drains are draining while on passage. Not my preference...but..also, not a structural problem. Beautiful boat, beautiful couple...sail on !!
Douglas, tuff question! Technology in Hull design and optimization of storage did advance, but to be honest, the older boats are just as capable as the new ones. Just ensure that you have a good and independent surveyor and you will be good to go! Oh, and some time on understanding sailing and the dangers and the fun of crossing oceans, etc etc 😅
Calm down Ha ha most Love the Area. I think its fantastic. Another table would be nice. We choose our weather and 90% of the time at anchor. So where are you and where are you going! Winter in the Caribbean?
Thanks for doing this video. Another design direction for Leopard is to put the fly lounge on all their boats going forward, with the hardtop not even as an option. I’m not sure I agree with this. Where would all your solar go? Would you use the fly lounge much? BTW, this is per a Leopard Sales guy, not Internet rumor.
Yes, we can confirm that too. We have mixed feelings about the roof lounge... Personally, we will not take it, we are sailors not entertainers. But we have seen with charters and day trip boats so far that if there is a boat with a roof area, then everybody wants to sit on top.
I'm a TH-cam sailor with my heart set on a Leopard, I watch all your videos. Why have those concerned not thought of enclosing the forward cockpit with huge sliding windows that could be closed in a storm? Your thoughts on this modification Please! Hello from Durban.
Interesting thought! But we do not see any concerns to even entertain that thought. We honestly do not have any issues with the forward cockpit. It is well thought through and safe.
no need to preach to the converted. awsome idea. i would put even bigger drains in but unessacary. DEVILLIERS (kiwi/sth african yacht designer) designs 52' and 62 ' aluminum cats have forward cockpitt and another brilliant idea, insidefront facing helm. great cat design. SV ELCIE has done 80,000nm never had green water over the front and the answer is super bouyant forward hulls. people freak out about forward cockpitts, they just havent owned one yet.
Frik / Petro - I am now glad that you have put this claim of safety to bed once and for all, noticed that you did not mention our famous friend with regards to his claims - 😂
Thank you, Daryl! Yes, the first episodes is all about our desicion process and then all the available options, factory and aftermarket, as well as a walk through. Lots of information in earlier episodes!
A big yes! Frik has done the best job of anybody on youtube documenting the boat options and configurations. He has truly done a service to mankind. Go to his library of vlog's and they are all there.
It is about a safety concern another TH-cam channel was raising, which incidentally was also raised by many viewers in the past. The sailing videos...now those may be excellent ads for Leopard. 😀 Hang in there, the sailing videos is coming soon!
A lot of the people saying the forward cockpit isn't safe are conservative in their views ,in their view a cat has unchangeable lines and oppose any change,this boat is save and no one has proven that it's not!
We think so too! Leopard introduced the forward cockpit in 2012 and is building around 200 boats per year... That is a lot forward cockpits being tested the last 7 years!
@@SailingSisu thanx for rep . i believe this disign will become the norm in the future for all the cats who are not in a hurry ,it woudn't make no sense not having a front cockpit or at least a front door !
Don't bother worrying what Rubi Rose think. For them production catamarans are crap, especially European ones. After all they voted Seawind 1600, a ...meh catamaran with questionable qualities on the top, only because they will build signature edition for them. Biased reviews misleading people in rigged ranking.
Sure it is safe enough if not pushed! But be fair and simply say that margins are lower than compared to say a Garcia Exploration 45, right! Don't take it to the high lattitudes, or into big storms. No shame in being amateurs with no real experience.
We did acknowledge that we were not in big storms and not going to look for it, but we are confident that safety organizations other than Robertson and Caine, looked at the safety claims too 😉
AGarcia is another animal? Why on Earth would anyone compare the two. By the by GRP yachts of all configurations go to high or low Latitudes. The short time the “French or other purpose built yachts “ spend in these areas, are in proportion very limited. Also Garcia promotes their yachts for tropical waters. So no benefit there. Unless you are well funded to do the North West Passage, the argument is well Crass!!
@sailing sisu I acknowledge that you indeed said you had not taken the boat into big storms and are looking to avoid that situation. You did not say that there are boats better suited for that event. That's a completely valid choice. One that I may take, if I choose not to stray too much away from the low risc routes. I have recently sold my current boat and are going again in 4-5 years. If I take a sturdier boat, a larger globe opens up, at the expense of the luxury of a modern cat. I even consider doing both - first a catamaran then an explorer boat.I do not trust the work of safety organizations. Who are setting the design criteria and load cases?
@Peter Wager. So it does appear we agree that you need something different for the very challenging conditions. I have sailed for 50 years. I have seen my share of storms. More will come. Take this beautiful catamaran for the easier patches of water, and know your margins with it is smaller than a boat built for taken a beating will have. And for the tropical waters? Surely the Leopard offers a more luxuries and comfortable life compared to the Garcia. You cant put everything in the same package. I am tired of modern days with everything being called or understod in black/white, where the truth is always grey. In this case you have a great forward cockpit - and especially a lot of glass areas facing forward to enjoy in the mild tropics, where the Garcia loses out. However, if you choose to navigate the Drake Passage and weather plays up, you damn well know what you want to be on, right! So my idea is just to keep that knowledge alive, thanks.
I would dare to say that there will always be a better boat. You select a boat and thousands of viewers will show you a better boat. Whether it is thicker sheet lines, or thinner lighter sheet lines, or multi colored sheet lines... The list goes on. You just have to do your own research and select the boat which fits your [perceived] needs. We did ours and we absolutely love Sisu. We are confident that we made the right choice for our needs as well as where we want to sail.
Leopard introduced the forward cockpit in 2012 and is building around 200 boats per year... That is a lot forward cockpits being tested the last 7 years!
and now they are ad free...enjoy!
Dear Frik and Petro, we just stumbled across your channel and video while doing research on which catamaran we want to purchase for sailing around the world. It was a close tie between the Lagoon 450 F and Leopard 45. I liked the height of the fly deck on the former, and was one of those who was concerned about the front door ("hatch") on the Leopard being a safety concern, especially with the water tank adding more weight on the nose when filled. This video was a deal changer. We are now firmly on the side of the Leopard with the front cockpit, for the following reasons: noise while engines are running, improved ventilation in the saloon (you hadn't mentioned this), AND SAFETY: not needing to latch while moving to the front deck, and ESPECIALLY, safety for our 35kg dog, who needs access to the trampoline to do her business. Negotiating the side deck for her while underway was an idea that concerned me. THANK YOU! Is there any way we can contact you directly for more specific questions? Mark and Kathryn
Thank you, Mark for the kind words! We will contact you.
One can see the confidence and improvements in videos . Another good thing we notice the First Lady is always happy and smiling . Great experience not just for you but also for the viewers . One of these days I would like to cross Atlantic. Thanks for sharing
Thank you for the kind words! And thank you for supporting us!
I also noticed that 1st lady is since launching just perm smiling in the videos, love it.
The boat is incredible! The forward cockpit is icing-on-the-cake, with a little 🍹 added!! You guys did a splendid job in your homework & selections, and now the dividends!!! Thanks for sharing the wonderful moments and don’t look back ... unless the 🎣 is dancing!! Bravo!!
Thank you!
Thank you for your review of the forward cockpit ... we really like this option and some of the points that you went over we didn’t even think about. Good to hear a honest opinion from a owner! Safe sailing ⛵️
Thank you! We just love the forward cockpit and do not really appreciate if someone does not do a proper research, but is looking for excuses not to select a Leopard. Why not just say you are biased, like we were, and get it over 😂
Thank you for this video, my wife and I have a 5 year plan to retire early and live aboard a catamaran with the intention of eventually circumnavigating the world, I had wondered about the safety of the forward cockpit, this was very informative.
awesome, Shane! stick to your plan, but i want to recommend the earlier the better :-) we are so happy with our L45, she is one amazing catamaran! remember to mention the Sisu Specs when you talk to your sales guy ;-)
Be thankful to God for giving you these blessings. Amazing boat guys.
Thank you
Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate it. Happy smiling people and a beautiful sunset. Fair winds!
Thank you!
Excellent thank you for pointing me in the direction of this video.
Really liked the ISO validation, proper engineering standards.
I cannot understand some of the stuff said about the Leopards by other YT channels.
Quote
"Only good for off shore, would not take one on Ocean passage"
So good to watch a thoroughly logical discussion by you both on this topic...thank you.
We have a Leopard 45 Owner's group where we share each other's experiences and besides, dare I say "normal" issues and growing pains during warranty period of any new boat, we also hear about the conditions the L45s are sailing. It is scary stuff. And we have been through some tuff and scary weather conditions, but the boat just kept on sailing. We have this saying "we got scared but the autopilot... never"
Hello Frik and Petra, nice to have you back for some Leopard action. I replied to Ruby Rose and expressed my disagreement with their notion and concern about the forward cockpit. We spent 10 days on a Leopard in St Lucia a year and a half ago and thought the forward cockpit was a god send. With three couples we always had three locations for all to sit, a couple of people on the helm, a couple of people in the aft cockpit and if we wished, and we always did a couple of people in the safe forward cockpit. It was also a better alternative to go through the salon to the forward cockpit then it was to go around the outside of the cabin. Something that was appreciated by the non sailing spouses. I think Leopard has a real winner with the forward cockpit. Ohh did I mention the wonderful sunsets? Fair winds and following sea’s my friends from the west coast of Canada, Vancouver British Columbia. Cheers Doug
The sunsets are amazing! Thank you!
Hi guys thanks for sharing beautiful views n beautiful boat enjoy everymoment..... Greetings from the Republic of Ireland
Thank you for the kind wishes!
Excellent video!
Thank you!
Fantastic boat, I am sold on a forward cockpit.
Like we are!
What a view from that forward cockpit ⛵️
Super awesome to watch sunsets and sunrises!!
Awesome video guys - a friend of ours sailing his Leopard was in a storm which he feared was going to remove his door - turned around and sailed back to Australia. He got around it by fitting a roll bar with Ferrari netting.
Hopefully a storm of such magnitude will never be encountered but as Nigel says, having it onboard gives some peace of mind.
The forward cockpit is a great place to be - ours not as smart but certainly nice and cool on those steamy days.
Cheers guys - enjoyed the vid.
Thank you! Yes, we also know about other Leopard 45 sailors who was in 7m seas with 50kts winds and they lost autopilot and steering. Only had the 2 engines to steer. Scary stuff, but they said that the forward cockpit door is solid. Well, they also said the L45 is build like a tank! Not that we would want to test that statement, but it is good to know 😉
Sailing Sisu - your boat is too fast to be built like a tank ;)
Cheers guys - so nice to see you being happy on the deep blue and enjoying your beautiful 45
Great video! We really like the forward cockpit; in fact, we chartered a Leopard 44 in the BVIs last year and it was my favorite place to sit during passage, when I was not manning the helm. Leopards are our favorite because of this feature. We were surprised by the other video channel's opinions and hope they take up Leopard's offer to go sail in one. We think that they will become instant fans.
Lol, I think he has made his decision, because we also invited them to join us on numerous times. His heart is set on the Lagoon 420.
@@SailingSisu Perhaps they are hoping that Leopard will give them a Leopard 45 to prove them wrong - lol
Your views and explanations are greatly appreciated, even though I will never do another ocean voyage. I must, however, correct your definition of hatches and doors. You walk through doors, watertight or not. Hatches you climb up or down. From 21 years in US Navy. Every one on a ship has a label, door or hatch, watertight or airtight. Joiner.doors are just plain doors and are only labeled as to where they go. Again your narratives are tops. Smooth sailing friends.
Thank you, Floyd! You are correct. I wanted to emphasize that it is watertight with handles like a hatch
@@SailingSisu I h ope I didn't sound critical. My 21 years in the Navy just make me a terminology bigot😁 when it comes to boats.
Nope, not at all!
Awesome Video, we love the Leopard 45 😊
Thank you! So do we!
Hi guys! I really enjoy your channel and I am gearing up to follow in your footsteps in buying a Leopard and sailing the seas! Looking at this video, something just occured to me. When you showed the water tank position, I immediately wondered if the hatches cannot be changed to open towards the forward cockpit so that you don't have to leave the cockpit to check anything. There might be a very logical reason why you cannot make the change, but just an observation.....
The thing is, the forward lockers main use is to stow fenders, mooring lines, big sails, and water. The majority of the time one opens for other than to check wate
Ah, yep, as I thought....logical reason. It's good to have insights into things you pick up from footage you watch....much obliged!👊👊
I’m sure there are many things that make sailing this beautiful vessel a bit tough n I’m sure there’s some head shakes... but I’d take that any day over sitting in traffic hating my job lol I aspire to be like y’all cheers!
😅 Yeah, I hear you! The moment I decided to go for it a few years ago, I started to get rid of my debt. It was not easy, because we all want to be better than the Jones next door. So, instead of buying a new car, I stick with the old. Instead of moving into a bigger house, I moved into a smaller and use the extra money from the now paid car and the bigger house, to kill the small house capital. Only after the small house was paid, did I buy a bigger house and rented it out, killing that installments fast. This took me more than 12 years, but I had a goal to live on a boat 😊 it did helped to work 18/7 for 36 years as an IT Guy and many friends told me that all work and no play makes Frik a dull boy, but, I had a goal in mind 😊
Interesting video as usual.
The new Leopard 45 has been modified, some minor improvements, but the owner's hull is not as good as yours. They have removed a lot of storage to make an island bed, bad idea. The fly will be an option that I do not like because the boom becomes too high and it adds weight.
You can not miss the Mediterranean before the Caribbean, it's so beautiful.
Always happy to follow you from France.
Thank you, Jacques! Yes, the top lounge version will be the only version soon. Very bad idea in my opinion. We are currently IN Tunisia and will be sailing for Turkey. Will be around France in about 2 years 😊 hope to see you!
Hello Frik and Petro, what was your experience like doing your RYA Coastals and Yachtmaster offshore theory through Navathome ? I am doing mine soon.
Chris, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of time on your courses. It is fairly easy, but time consuming. The offshore exam is a solid 12 hour session, but with "correction" time included, most probably 18 hours. They are very friendly and supportive, not giving answers, but still supportive. RYA focus a lot on tides and currents, which will for sure help you to understand many situations around the world.
I love to hear about the solid forward cockpit. I cannot wait to have a drink on the Bali 4.2's forward cockpit next summer. Looks like a great place to be. How about at anchor? Do you get a lot of fresh air through the front door?
Andreas, not sure about what you mean by "solid forward cockpit", but the Leopard 45 has a mesh trampoline. Many of our sailing friends replaced the high-density trampoline, the ones that we have, with even lower density weaving for the waves to dissipate faster. Would love to get feedback from Bali owners with the solid trampoline area. As for the forward cockpit, we absolutely love it! The air flow is amazing at anchor and up till now, we haven't used our aircons...just open the door and those big hatches and everything cools down :-)
That would probably be my favorite spot to sit in the whole boat.
It sure is ours!
Imo the forward cockpit is not a problem...just keep it clear and make sure drains are draining while on passage. Not my preference...but..also, not a structural problem. Beautiful boat, beautiful couple...sail on !!
Thank you, Peter! Yes, they are HUGE drain holes...already lost a few things to Davy Jones Locker through the drain holes 😏
Frik, if one was concerned about budget. Can you see any real differences (other than the salon layout) with the older Leopard 44's?
Douglas, tuff question! Technology in Hull design and optimization of storage did advance, but to be honest, the older boats are just as capable as the new ones. Just ensure that you have a good and independent surveyor and you will be good to go! Oh, and some time on understanding sailing and the dangers and the fun of crossing oceans, etc etc 😅
Calm down Ha ha most Love the Area. I think its fantastic. Another table would be nice. We choose our weather and 90% of the time at anchor. So where are you and where are you going! Winter in the Caribbean?
We love it too! Our plans are changing like Mediterranean weather! 😂 For now it is back to the Turkey idea 😅
Easy to spot those dolphin at 11:43 & 11:48 from the forward cockpit, that is for sure!
If they don't see us upfront, then they will come to the helm and "invited" us to join them upfront 😊
Thanks for doing this video. Another design direction for Leopard is to put the fly lounge on all their boats going forward, with the hardtop not even as an option. I’m not sure I agree with this. Where would all your solar go? Would you use the fly lounge much? BTW, this is per a Leopard Sales guy, not Internet rumor.
Yes, we can confirm that too. We have mixed feelings about the roof lounge... Personally, we will not take it, we are sailors not entertainers. But we have seen with charters and day trip boats so far that if there is a boat with a roof area, then everybody wants to sit on top.
Sailing Sisu Your boat may be quite valuable in several years since it might be one of the last Hardtops.
Sailing Sisu I’ve been catching up on your videos now your theme is stuck in my head😎
Nice vídeo!
Thank you!
Chartering a Leopard 2018 40 next May in the Whitsunday’s has the door to the bow but no sunken seating 🙁
Yes, correct. L40 does not have that.
I'm a TH-cam sailor with my heart set on a Leopard, I watch all your videos.
Why have those concerned not thought of enclosing the forward cockpit with huge sliding windows that could be closed in a storm? Your thoughts on this modification Please! Hello from Durban.
Interesting thought! But we do not see any concerns to even entertain that thought. We honestly do not have any issues with the forward cockpit. It is well thought through and safe.
no need to preach to the converted. awsome idea. i would put even bigger drains in but unessacary. DEVILLIERS (kiwi/sth african yacht designer) designs 52' and 62 ' aluminum cats have forward cockpitt and another brilliant idea, insidefront facing helm. great cat design. SV ELCIE has done 80,000nm never had green water over the front and the answer is super bouyant forward hulls. people freak out about forward cockpitts, they just havent owned one yet.
Exactly!
Frik / Petro - I am now glad that you have put this claim of safety to bed once and for all, noticed that you did not mention our famous friend with regards to his claims - 😂
😅 Very tempting! But he is a great dude and we are his greatest fan 😊
@@SailingSisu ja nee wat kan 'n man nou se
⛵️😂 👍
Presies 😅
By the way if you ever decide to visit come to kinsale County Cork buy you both a pint of Guinness... Cead míle fáilte
We may just take you up on your offer! Remind us again when we exit the Med 😉 Ireland is on our list.
Love your boat. Did you ever publish your boat options/configuration?
Thank you, Daryl! Yes, the first episodes is all about our desicion process and then all the available options, factory and aftermarket, as well as a walk through. Lots of information in earlier episodes!
A big yes! Frik has done the best job of anybody on youtube documenting the boat options and configurations. He has truly done a service to mankind. Go to his library of vlog's and they are all there.
Thank you!
is that an Ad for leopard can we get more on sailing please and thanks
It is about a safety concern another TH-cam channel was raising, which incidentally was also raised by many viewers in the past. The sailing videos...now those may be excellent ads for Leopard. 😀 Hang in there, the sailing videos is coming soon!
A lot of the people saying the forward cockpit isn't safe are conservative in their views ,in their view a cat has unchangeable lines and oppose any change,this boat is save and no one has proven that it's not!
We think so too! Leopard introduced the forward cockpit in 2012 and is building around 200 boats per year... That is a lot forward cockpits being tested the last 7 years!
@@SailingSisu thanx for rep . i believe this disign will become the norm in the future for all the cats who are not in a hurry ,it woudn't make no sense not having a front cockpit or at least a front door !
Hell i feel like a rum now .
So do we!
3
Don't bother worrying what Rubi Rose think. For them production catamarans are crap, especially European ones. After all they voted Seawind 1600, a ...meh catamaran with questionable qualities on the top, only because they will build signature edition for them. Biased reviews misleading people in rigged ranking.
I got the same idea
Me too ⚓️
Nice for charing but you both talk quite a lot. Little or no info on your trip.
Working on it!
Sure it is safe enough if not pushed! But be fair and simply say that margins are lower than compared to say a Garcia Exploration 45, right! Don't take it to the high lattitudes, or into big storms. No shame in being amateurs with no real experience.
We did acknowledge that we were not in big storms and not going to look for it, but we are confident that safety organizations other than Robertson and Caine, looked at the safety claims too 😉
AGarcia is another animal? Why on Earth would anyone compare the two. By the by GRP yachts of all configurations go to high or low Latitudes.
The short time the “French or other purpose built yachts “ spend in these areas, are in proportion very limited. Also Garcia promotes their yachts for tropical waters. So no benefit there.
Unless you are well funded to do the North West Passage, the argument is well Crass!!
@sailing sisu I acknowledge that you indeed said you had not taken the boat into big storms and are looking to avoid that situation. You did not say that there are boats better suited for that event. That's a completely valid choice. One that I may take, if I choose not to stray too much away from the low risc routes. I have recently sold my current boat and are going again in 4-5 years. If I take a sturdier boat, a larger globe opens up, at the expense of the luxury of a modern cat. I even consider doing both - first a catamaran then an explorer boat.I do not trust the work of safety organizations. Who are setting the design criteria and load cases?
@Peter Wager. So it does appear we agree that you need something different for the very challenging conditions. I have sailed for 50 years. I have seen my share of storms. More will come. Take this beautiful catamaran for the easier patches of water, and know your margins with it is smaller than a boat built for taken a beating will have. And for the tropical waters? Surely the Leopard offers a more luxuries and comfortable life compared to the Garcia. You cant put everything in the same package. I am tired of modern days with everything being called or understod in black/white, where the truth is always grey. In this case you have a great forward cockpit - and especially a lot of glass areas facing forward to enjoy in the mild tropics, where the Garcia loses out. However, if you choose to navigate the Drake Passage and weather plays up, you damn well know what you want to be on, right! So my idea is just to keep that knowledge alive, thanks.
I would dare to say that there will always be a better boat. You select a boat and thousands of viewers will show you a better boat. Whether it is thicker sheet lines, or thinner lighter sheet lines, or multi colored sheet lines... The list goes on. You just have to do your own research and select the boat which fits your [perceived] needs. We did ours and we absolutely love Sisu. We are confident that we made the right choice for our needs as well as where we want to sail.