Survey and Sea Trial Checklist for Used Leopard Catamarans

By the time you reach survey and sea trial on a used Leopard catamaran, you have already done a lot of homework. This is where you stop relying on listing photos and start relying on data: an experienced surveyor’s report, objective test results, and what you feel under your feet when the boat is underway.

Our brokers have walked buyers through hundreds of surveys on Leopard sail and power cats in charter fleets and private hands. We have seen deals saved by a good sea trial and, occasionally, deals that buyers wisely walked away from when the facts did not match the brochure. The goal of this checklist is not to turn you into a surveyor, but to help you get the most out of the process.

Before you schedule anything

First, make sure the scope and timing of your survey and sea trial are clearly defined in your purchase agreement. Once this is in place, you can line up the right professionals and avoid surprises.

Confirm that the contract includes an in‑water survey, out‑of‑water inspection (haul‑out), and sea trial, plus clear timelines and a survey contingency.
Select an accredited surveyor (for example, NAMS or SAMS in North America, or a surveyor who is a member of bodies such as the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS) or the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) in Europe), with proven multihull experience and, ideally, prior Leopard catamarans in their portfolio.
Decide whether you will attend in person or rely on a remote debrief with photos, video, and a written report.
Ask your lender and insurance provider if they have specific survey or valuation requirements, so your surveyor can address them.

Pre‑survey preparation

On the logistics side, your broker will coordinate with the seller, yard, and captain, but there are still a few items that work best when the buyer takes the lead.

Confirm the survey date, yard for haul‑out, and sea trial window with all parties (broker, seller, surveyor, and captain).
Set a budget for survey, haul‑out, and any specialist checks (e.g., rigging inspection or engine diagnostics) you might want on top of the standard survey.
Share any known history, invoices, or “watch items” with your surveyor: previous osmosis treatment, rig age, big refits, recent groundings, or recurring notes in the service records.
Prepare a running list of questions to ask while you are on board and during the debrief, so you do not have to rely on memory afterward.

Expert Note

Dylan Haas – Ft. Lauderdale, FL

On one mid‑life Leopard, the seller casually mentioned a “rudder repair a few years back.” The buyer flagged this for the surveyor in advance, who then went straight to that area during haul‑out: checking alignment, looking for stress cracks at the rudder stock, and sounding around the repair. The inspection confirmed the work was properly executed and not spreading into adjacent structure, which turned what could have been a deal‑breaker into a documented, manageable part of the boat’s history.

What your surveyor will typically check

A competent marine survey on a Leopard catamaran is methodical. It covers structure, safety, and systems, then pulls those findings together into a valuation. You do not need to follow every step, but it helps to know what is on the checklist.

Identity, paperwork, and records

Verify the Hull Identification Number (HIN), registration or flag documents, and engine serial numbers against the paperwork.
Review logbooks, service records, major refit invoices, and any builder or yard documentation the seller provides.

Hull, decks, and structure

Inspect hull sides, bridgedeck, and underwater areas for signs of impact damage, repairs, or blistering.
Check deck, cockpit, and coachroof for soft spots, cracks, and evidence of water intrusion around fittings, hatches, and windows.
Examine accessible structural elements such as bulkheads, stringers, and chainplate zones for movement or failed tabbing.

Expert note: On a lightly used Leopard 40, a small crack in a cockpit locker turned out to be purely cosmetic. On another boat, a similar‑looking crack near a key structural bulkhead signaled a previous impact that warranted further investigation. This is where a surveyor who understands multihull loads earns their fee.

Keels, rudders, and underwater gear

Assess keels and rudders for damage, fairing quality, and any play or misalignment.
Inspect shafts or saildrives, propellers, cutlass bearings, and anodes.

Engines and mechanical systems

Visually inspect engines and gearboxes for leaks, corrosion, poor hose routing, or makeshift repairs.
Check engine mounts, exhaust runs, fuel lines, filters, and control linkages.
Note engine hours and decide with your surveyor whether additional diagnostics (such as compression testing or oil analysis) are appropriate for age and usage.

Electrical, plumbing, and safety

Test house and engine batteries, charging sources (alternators, shore power, generator, solar), and the main AC/DC panels.
Inspect visible wiring runs for chafe, unsupported bundles, and non‑marine components.
Run the freshwater system, pumps, water heater, and, if fitted, the watermaker through normal operation.
Check heads, holding tanks, through‑hulls, and seacocks for leaks, stiffness, or non‑functional fittings.
Confirm that required safety gear (bilge pumps, fire extinguishers, PFDs where applicable, flares if carried) is present and in reasonable condition.

Sails and rigging (for sail catamarans)

Examine standing rigging, chainplates, mast and boom, and visible fittings for corrosion or cracking.
Assess sails for age, UV damage, repairs, and remaining life, including any furling or downwind sails.
Inspect running rigging and deck hardware for chafe, seized blocks, and winch condition.

Expert NOte

Richard Vass – Tortola, BVI

It is common on ex‑charter Leopard cats for sails and running rigging to be consumables. A report that calls for a new mainsail and some running rigging does not automatically mean the boat is a poor choice; it simply gives you realistic numbers for your post‑purchase budget.

Haul‑out: out‑of‑water inspection

Many pre‑purchase surveys include a haul‑out at a cooperating yard so the surveyor can see what is normally underwater. This is your best chance to get detailed photos of the bottom, keels, and running gear.

Confirm haul‑out slot and yard charges in advance (lift, block, pressure wash, time on the hard).
Inspect the hull bottom and keels for blisters, prior repairs, fairing, and any evidence of grounding.
Check rudders, saildrives or shafts, props, and all below‑waterline fittings and anodes.
Take clear photos of key underwater areas for your own records and future yard conversations.

Sea trial: how the boat behaves underway

The sea trial is where the checklist meets reality. You are looking for how the Leopard accelerates, how she sounds, and how the systems behave when everything is running at once.

Engines and handling

Start engines from cold and confirm normal starting behavior, temperatures, and oil pressure.
Run through the RPM range, including typical cruise and near‑maximum power, noting vibration, noise, or smoke.
Test shifting in and out of gear, response in forward and reverse, and close‑quarters maneuvering.
Confirm that steering is smooth with no excessive play or binding.

Navigation, electronics, and house systems

Use the chartplotter, depth sounder, and, if installed, autopilot, radar, and AIS while underway.
Turn on key house systems under load (fridges/freezers, air conditioning where fitted, pumps) and watch for voltage drops or nuisance breaker trips.

Sailing performance (for sail cats)

Hoist and trim the mainsail and headsail, then sail on different points to see how the boat tracks and accelerates.
Tack and jibe to evaluate handling, helm balance, and any unusual noises or rig movement under load.

Powercat performance (for powercats)

Run at displacement, typical cruise, and near‑top speed, noting handling in turns, ride comfort, and noise levels.

Expert Note

Patrick O'Reilly – Americas Manager

It is normal for small items to appear on a sea trial “punch list” – a sticky seacock, a temperamental gauge, a fridge latch. The important thing is to distinguish between correctable annoyances and structural or mechanical problems that change how you feel about the boat.

Your role as the buyer

Leopard Brokerage will coordinate logistics and help interpret findings, but a good survey process is collaborative. You, your broker, and your surveyor each have a part to play.

Choose and engage your surveyor; they work for you, not for the seller or the brokerage.
Attend in person if you can, or schedule a focused call to walk through the report and key photos if you are remote.
Read the written report carefully, highlight anything you do not understand, and ask your surveyor to clarify.
Discuss any material findings with your Leopard Brokerage broker so you can decide whether to request repairs, negotiate, or exercise your contingency.

After the survey and sea trial

Once the survey and sea trial are complete, you will usually have a defined window to accept or reject the vessel in writing, often with room to propose adjustments based on significant new information. A thorough survey does not guarantee a perfect boat, but it does give you a realistic, prioritized picture of what you are buying.

Confirm in writing, within the agreed time frame, whether you accept the vessel as‑is, accept subject to agreed adjustments, or decline based on survey.
Use the survey report as a working document for your first‑year maintenance and upgrade plan once you own the boat.

Our role as your brokerage is to help you weigh what the survey and sea trial tell you against your cruising plans, budget, and risk tolerance. A clean report can give you the confidence to move quickly to closing. A report with a few well‑understood projects can still lead to a great outcome, as long as you go in with your eyes open and the numbers make sense for you.