Leopard 45, Bridge Deck Clearance

[isi]

We are thinking of buying a cat in the Carribean or Florida this year with the plan to sail back to Oz over a couple of years. An ex crewed charter Leopard 45 would suit I rekkon.We are a family of 4.
I have spoken with surveyors over there who recommend the Leopard but has anyone found pounding to be a major drawback?
I realise that overloading it with too many extras will impact on its performance.
Regards,
Isi.

[cat man do]

Hi isi and welcome aboard,

Don't know much about Leopard's, but if you have arond 800-900mm clearance that would be about right for that size boat.

The more the better.

Nice part of the world you are at, envious I am.

Dave

[isi]

Thanks for the welcome Dave.
It is a nice part of the world but the trade winds blow like hell here 20-30knts day in day out a large part of the year and we found it tricky to get out on our boat with the family. Hence the plan to take time out with the kids and sail back from the carribean. We hope it is feasable by buying at the right price over there and still be able to sell here OK, even allowing for those @#$#**$ taxes.

Steve
Steve

[cat man do]

You are right about that wind, but the fan turn's off a bit south around Hope Island's doesnt it?

This is why I'm doing a powercat this time as we found it was 30 kn for days-week's and then glassy calm for a week, so figured on doing the miles in the flat, and hiding up a creek or around a corner or Island having a few rumbo's and fishing when it blow's.

Might be worth speaking to an Accountant re: the tax. I know if you were to sell a boat that you live on , therefore your Principle Place of Residence [PPOR] it is treated the same as a house, therefore does not attract capital gains tax.

You are even allowed to have 2 PPOR for a period of 6 years but have to nominate one when you sell.

May be a way of getting around the import duty.

Dave

[isi]

That is about right and you are probably doing the right thing with the power boat, less chance of spilling the Bundy. We are probably going to end up on the Sunshine coast but we will miss the solitude, the unpoilt reef and this beautiful coastline, hence 2-3 years of travelling first..

Steve