Bridgedeck clearance on Leopards

[frankie46]

I am told that the a 2003 Leopard 42 has a reputation for slapping due to the bridge deck clearance. Would this apply to Leopards in general.

Happy Days Sailing

[admiralslater]

Not sure how long ago but there was a thread on this

[frankie46]

I have no doubt there is a thread somewhere but stuffed if I could find it using the cruisers forum app on my Ipad. I'm not sure if it's me, the Ipad, the App or all of the above. I have no trouble with the cruisers website on my computer.

Sorry if I duplicated the thread.

[admiralslater]

I feel your pain

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by frankie46

I have no doubt there is a thread somewhere but stuffed if I could find it using the cruisers forum app on my Ipad. I'm not sure if it's me, the Ipad, the App or all of the above. I have no trouble with the cruisers website on my computer.

Sorry if I duplicated the thread.

Search on the mobile app SUX. Go to the web site and use Google Custom Search.

[Cherod]

There was a thread recently but not leopard specific tho they were mentioned , opinions ranged from all cats pound to those who claimed theirs didn't , how many opinions do you want , how many experts do you ask . I remember someone saying rule of thumb , " if you can take your dingy under the bridge deck " then it is high enough ., seems about right . Have not heard the Wynns complaining ,, yet .

[Bean Counter]

I think most Leopards built prior to the Leopard 46, had lowish bridge decks. The models since then seem to be on par with the other volume production cats.

[Bulawayo]

I concur. Even so, the 'issue' is not such a problem in reality unless bashing to windward. Many cats slap their tummies in rougher conditions. There are plenty of these tough cats cruising.

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

I think most Leopards built prior to the Leopard 46, had lowish bridge decks. The models since then seem to be on par with the other volume production cats.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by Bean Counter

I think most Leopards built prior to the Leopard 46, had lowish bridge decks. The models since then seem to be on par with the other volume production cats.

Most boats, when motored directly into wind and seas, pound. Cats or mono's. Most boats, when sailed into the wind at a sailing angle, don't. Cats or monohulls. I have a 1999 Leopard 45. Have had it for twelve years. It took me awhile to realize the above. Like many, I was inclined to just punch into the waves, when under power, rather than to sail the boat. Got there about the same time, since I could sail a much faster, if longer course, than when slugging it out, uphill.

The older Leopards definitely had lower bridgedecks, but there is definitely an "archer rather than the arrow" side of why many pounded heavily.

The 42 also has a chine on the side of the hull, and that can slap at times, too, like other chines. But it's a good strong boat.

[jmschmidt]

Robertson and Caine (Leopards and Moorings boats) changed naval architects on the newer lines.

[Big Macca]

Alex Simonis designed the earliest Leopards and the most recent series as well.

The newer Leopards are higher under the bridgedeck than the first series, but Contrail has summed the situation up succinctly.