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sail4evr · 26-08-2008, 07:43

Oh I meant to mention that being in bad weather on the flybridge might be nasty or unpleasant, so I installed the optional interior engine controls and I can steer with the autopilot. No I can't dock with the autopilot. For that I have to go outside just like my line handlers

Adaero · 26-08-2008, 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by freetime

Adaero:

When do you pick up your new leopard? Must show us...

She goes in the water tomorrow!!
Unfortunately we booked our flights a couple of months ago when the factory was running 2 weeks late thinking they wouldn't catch up but sods law they did. We fly out on Friday week for the acceptance and sea trials.
If you take a look at our website www.tulliana.adaero.co.uk under "The Boat" and "Leopard 46" tabs there are a few photo's from 10 days ago during build.

BigCat · 26-08-2008, 09:07

The Lagoon 44 has a lightship D/L ratio of 143, and the Leopard 46 has a D/L ratio lightship of 122. The D/L ratio allows you to compensate for different boat lengths, to see which is heavier for its length.

AndyT · 26-08-2008, 11:31

Hi JZK

DO you really belive that the leopard is that far faster then the Lagoon ?
looking at their polar charts it does not look so ????

Regards
Andy

Octopus · 26-08-2008, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyT

Hi Every one .

I am in my finnal debate between lagoon 440 2009 and the Leopard 46 2009
I sail with my family( 5 kids )and would appriciate and recomendations pro's and con's you could help me with .
I sail the Med and have no plans so far for Ocean crossing .
Thanks

Andy

Only five kids Andy? You're a light-weight. We just completed an Atlantic circuit with six kids on our Lagoon 420. You are probably wise to avoid ocean crossings with kids. Ours found the return from the Caribbean a bit tedious. However, there was plenty of room for us on the 420 and the 440 has similar accommodation, so I know you'll be OK.

I have limited experience of the Lagoon 440 and Leopard 46, but my impression is that the build quality is better on the Leopard, but the layout, space, visibility and livability is better with the Lagoon.

One point to bear in mind about the Lagoon -a sailmaker in St Maarten commented to me that the mainsail on the 440 has to be replaced every two or three years, because the lazy bag is left open owing to its inaccessability.

Chris
Octopus, Lagoon 420, Hull 52
Isle of Arran, Scotland

BigCat · 26-08-2008, 12:01

"One point to bear in mind about the Lagoon -a sailmaker in St Maarten commented to me that the mainsail on the 440 has to be replaced every two or three years, because the lazy bag is left open owing to its inaccessability." I'd treat my sails with 303 UV protectant regularly in the tropics. Some UV gets through cloth sail covers even if they are regularly deployed. $59 a gallon online-much cheaper than sails.

AndyT · 27-08-2008, 04:05

Thanks Chris beth And ... all 6 members of your familly
To me the Comfort of my family is more important then all .
I will check the Sail point .
What can you tell me about the handeling and the Speed .
( is it that slow as some mentioned here )
Thanks
Andy T

AndyT · 27-08-2008, 04:06

Thanks BigCat

I will check that point .

Adaero · 27-08-2008, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyT

Thanks Chris beth And ... all 6 members of your familly
To me the Comfort of my family is more important then all .
I will check the Sail point .
What can you tell me about the handeling and the Speed .
( is it that slow as some mentioned here )
Thanks
Andy T

Most of the production cats everyone talks about on here, Leopard, Lagoon, FP, Privilege, Dean, Voyage, Broadblue, Dolphin etc (sorry if I missed any) above 40ft all are capable of safely crossing oceans and do on a regular basis. Performance wise there also isn't a massive difference either (I will pause a moment while all the speed merchants prepare themselves to dispute my last statement) probably 2, maybe 3 knots max between the fastest and slowest. If as you say, you are looking to only sail in and around the Med then its all down to personal preferences and performance doesn't really come in to it. As an example, you are coastal hoping maybe 20 miles a day, the fastest of the above cats will arrive at the next anchorage maybe 20 minutes or half an hour ahead of the slowest. If you are cruising then are you bothered about 20 minutes? If you said you wanted to cruise the world then you need to think a bit more about performance as the difference between a 140 mile day and a 200 mile day soon adds up on a few thousand mile trip.
My advice to you is to go and see as many boats as you possibly can, test sail them or even better see if they will let you stay on board for a weekend. You will soon find the right boat for you and your family.

Octopus · 27-08-2008, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyT

Thanks Chris beth And ... all 6 members of your familly
To me the Comfort of my family is more important then all .
I will check the Sail point .
What can you tell me about the handeling and the Speed .
( is it that slow as some mentioned here )
Thanks
Andy T

Andy

I'm happy to share our experiences with you about cruising with a large family. Check out our blog at Octopus. We haven't updated it since our return, but we will updating it soon with video clips of 'kids afloat'.

The handling of the 420 is excellent, the speed is adequate. Adaero is spot on in what he says about speed and cruising. This is particularly true when you have kids aboard. With kids aboard, you want to sail safely and comfortably. There were plenty of times we could have sailed quicker, but if the kids aren't enjoying it then they will not want to sail any more and this will quickly spoil your fun.

Some people have suggested that the 420 could use more sail to improve performance under sail and it seems that Lagoon have listened and increased sail area for the 2009 model. However, I'm not sure that it's such a good thing. Beth and I can comfortably handle the sails on Octopus on our own and can, if necessary, reef single-handed. A larger sail area makes short-handed sail handling more difficult.

Chris
Octopus, L420, Hull 52
Isle of Arran, Scotland

Gludy · 27-08-2008, 13:34

Just so you know I am publishing a video boat test of the Leopard 46 soon.
The video will cover the test and a tour of the features inside and out.

I will post the video after my return from SA - within 3 weeks and will post the link on the forum. The Leopard 46 sailed well in light winds - I have not sailed in the Lagoon but it had a nice layout.

freetime · 27-08-2008, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octopus

Andy

I'm happy to share our experiences with you about cruising with a large family. Check out our blog at Octopus. We haven't updated it since our return, but we will updating it soon with video clips of 'kids afloat'.

Excellent blog Andy. I saw your boat is a electric...Tell us how it works. Good and bad?

Octopus · 27-08-2008, 15:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by freetime

Excellent blog Andy. I saw your boat is a electric...Tell us how it works. Good and bad?

Hi Joakim

The hybrid diesel electric system on our 420 has worked well for us. Some of the early 420s had problems, because they were produced before some of the development issues were satisfactorily resolved. The G2 Upgrade, subsequently fitted to all hybrids seems to have resolved all the issues and resulted in a hybrid solution that is better than conventional diesel. We think it's brilliant, but there is still room for improvement. Check out my comments on the Lagoon 420 Owners & Fans thread (post 1008)

Chris
Octopus, Lagoon 420 Hybrid, Hull52
Isle of Arran, Scotland