Leopard 43-Inspection Recommendations

[mfreele]

I am about to do an inspection on a Leopard 43 as a pre-purchase condition and wanted to know if anyone has a list of any common issues on these yachts that I should make a note to check?

[belizesailor]

Not unique to Leopards, but have know some Leopards sold out of charter to have some compression under mast step.

[danielamartindm]

Not something to check, but be aware that the 43's have a tendency to ride sterns low, especially during motoring. It's just built into the design, it doesn't seem to have any practical ramifications. They're great cats AND have the advantage (IMHO) of shaft drive and easy-to-service engines under the aft berths.

[Geronimos]

Originally Posted by mfreele

I am about to do an inspection on a Leopard 43 as a pre-purchase condition and wanted to know if anyone has a list of any common issues on these yachts that I should make a note to check?

Be carefull with Yanmar gear, I lost tons of money with My Leopard 48 on Yanmar gear. They installed defective SDrives not only on my boat. It was supposed to be a lot.
I dnot know i f I helped, but they basically don;t care also Leopard doesnt care at all. I dont recommend to buy Leopard.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by Geronimos

Be carefull with Yanmar gear, I lost tons of money with My Leopard 48 on Yanmar gear. They installed defective SDrives not only on my boat. It was supposed to be a lot.
I dnot know i f I helped, but they basically don;t care also Leopard doesnt care at all. I dont recommend to buy Leopard.

I understand you had a problem with your Yanmar, but the vast majority of Yanmar owners love theirs. I have had four, total of 79 years, and wouldn't consider anything else.

Most Leopard owners have also been extremely happy. I have had mine for fourteen years and love it. The OP asked about the 43. It was a very successful design with many happy owners. The probably are unaware of this, but the 43 also has straight shafts, not sail drives, so is rid of the common sail drive issues.