Hunter Legend 36

[ianadams39]

I am strongly considering buying a Legend 36 but am having trouble finding any reviews on the type. Can anyone help?
Does anyone have one who can give me an honest assessment?

Thanks,

Ian A

 

[Twister_Ken]

Ian,

Welcome.

Asking for an honest assessment around here is hopeful - you've never met a more prejudiced bunch! I, of course, am the exception.

For what it's worth, my assessment of the L36 (having spent a weekend on one in the Clyde) is that it has a good drinks locker, and an excellent microwave oven. I couldn't be as kind about the rig though, which wouldn't go upwind worth a bag of crisps, because of headstay sag, and wouldn't go downwind without the spreaders threatening to poke holes in the sail.

We were entertained following one down Southampton Water a few weeks ago. It was breezy (up to 30 knots in gusts), coming in over the starboard quarter, and the Legend was unable to bear away in the gusts because the mainsail was held in by the shrouds and spreaders, which made the boat round up. Kindly, I would describe its course as "scalloped". Others might call it "like a drunk on payday".

 

[ianadams39]

Ken,

I appreciate that.
Where in the Clyde did you sale from? That's where we're based, wondered if it was the same boat we're going to see!
It'd be our first boat and I have read in one review they are easy to sail. We'll get a sail in it before we decide.

Thanks,

Ian

 

[Twister_Ken]

Rhu marina. But I think that boat went to Cornwall with the owner when he chucked corporate life in and went to a more sybaritic lifestyle.

 

[ianadams39]

Not the same boat then, this one's in Holy Loch.

 

[dk]

There is a review in Sailing Today December 04. Check out their website to obtain a copy

 

[Salty John]

It's difficult to comment constructively without knowing how you intend to use the boat, but Hunter boats (the American company) are known for light displacement and rather quirky rigs. I'd be a bit apprehensive about having one as my first boat.

 

[johnalison]

I would never buy a boat on the basis of one review, or even several. As far as I am concerned, the only way to assess a boat is to look at it, with a critical eye. Has it got sweet lines? Is it well-ballasted? Is the cockpit safe and comfortable under sail (i.e. heeled)? Does the design suggest that accommodation has been given priority over sailing qualities? Are the riggings and fittings up to the job.

Most boats will stand up to more than their crew, but I would choose a boat designed for worse than I would choose to sail in. As my sailing is North Sea/Channel, that means my boat should be fit for an ocean (not necessarily equipped for one). If your sailing is in sheltered water, your boat should be fit to go offshore, & so on. Size is not a guarantee of safety or seakindliness. It doesn't require specialised knowledge to estimate the worth of a boat.

 

[photodog]

I'll go out on a limb and tell you my impressions....

Bergstrom Rig... Very difficult if not impossible to tune... Downwind is very poor, upwind not much better.

Build Quality.... down to a price... finish behind the scenes the worst Ive seen, bare screws..... etc.

Very reliant on form stability, so not too good a avs.... light...

Personally i would not have one under any circumstances...

But; interior space is big, beds are comfy, lots of home comforts...

If this is your first boat, and it doesnt sail well... then you are never going to like the sport. You will be frustrated, and if the weather gets bad, possibly scared.

I dont know what your budget is, but I would be looking at something like a 2001 Bavaria 34 or a 2002/3 Bavaria 36.... Both probably simular price, smaller interiors, but much better build quality... and they actually sail very well.

If you get a boat that sails well, but the space is too small, then at least you will know that you are on the right track... but if you get a boat that is crap to sail, you will never know what your missing and may go off the whole thing.

Hope that helps....


Standing by to be flamed....



Ps; Ok, Ive just found your boat on the for sale place, for that money you can buy a LOT of boat... A good 2001 or so Dufour 36 would be in budget.... or a Bavaria 38 as well...
You need to look around more... that boat is gonna take a nail on deprectiation in the next few years.... Look for a Dufour 36, they are a very nicely finished boat, with a great forward cabin....

 

[alandee]

Hi. I am going to send you the E-mail address of a couple we know who have one and spent 6 months taking her to the med at the same time as us and have the utmost faith in her.

 

[ianadams39]

Thanks for all the responses so far, keep them coming, the advice is greatly appreciated.
I'd appreciate that email address.
I'm also looking at the Dufour.

 

[wooslehunter]

Just a thought that may or may not apply to most AWBs about these days. There's a series of videos on the hunter web site I believe showing the construction. Everything's modular. i.e. the innards are fully assembled in a jig & then dropped into the hull & bonded in. The fully fitted out deck is dropped on & bonded.

To now try & fix anything. Can you get at anything: tanks , wiring, bolts for the deck fittings?

Comments anyone?

 

[jwilson]

I have sailed one, a bilge-keel version, though not in anything but light to moderate conditions. I thought it handled fairly typically for a modern production boat, windward performance was respectable, though I'll grant that running downwind was inefficient, with the swept back spreaders. I would not worry about the rig falling down: there are plenty of these around in the US and the rigs do tend to survive.

All light modern boats can get out of control and round up unless reefed more than you would do with a 'traditional' boat: it's the price you pay for the in-harbour comfort.

I did think the build quality was just a bit light, but I seriously considered buying one anyway, as I liked quite a lot about the boat.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, my Bavaria is built the same way - they too have a video. But it does not mean you can't get at things. All 3 tanks can come out without dismantling anything - the forward water tank has already been replaced without any problem. The engine and saildrive would lift straight out and there is access all round to get at service components. all the deck gear is attached by screws into captive plates so no need to gain access from inside. Removeable panels in the coachroof allow access to electrics. And so on. I can, and have climbed into the stern compartment to get at the steering gear.

Remember these boats are simply built with charter markets in mind, where ease of maintenance is a key selling feature.

 

[alandee]

I sent you the E-mail address in a PM.

 

[Bloater]

I have a Legend 36 which looks to be very similar to the boat you are considering. To me that boat at Holy Lock Clyde looks like a good purchase with that spec at that price.

Legends are great boats and are in my opinion better built than those from Jeanneau and Beneteau. A 2006 Legend will have a real teak interior, whereas Jens and Beneteaus for instance will be a cheap laminate. I have seen a 3 year old Beneteau that has bubbles all over the plastic covering on the laminate. Older Jeanneaus that are constructed with real veneer have mismatched wood and grain patterns that make them just look 'thrown together' to a budget. If you take a look 'behind the scenes' in any mass produced boat you will find shortcuts, indeed Beneteaus, Bavarias and Jenneaus are amongst the worst of them all.

Legend (or Hunter) as they are called in the USA are one of the biggest boatbuilers in the world. They are only seen as 'cheap' because of the weak dollar. They are built using quality components and modern techniques. The 36 has been around for many years and constantly refined over that time. They are very popular for good reason.

Legends are characterised by their large mainsails that do not have a backstay, to do this they do have swept back spreaders. This means that in light winds they perform better than most boats. Comparing under stong winds is meaningless as you are reefed anyway - with a Legend you may need to reef earlier due to the large sail size.

We have had three very experienced skippers on our new boat this season in order to assist with the delivery and subsequent training. All have commented on how well the Legend sails. 10's of 1000s of sea miles experience in all types of boats must count for something.

With any comfortable boat there is always going to be a trade off between performance and comfort. We won't be entering any races in ours but have a more enjoyable cruise than most other boats.

Ulimately the best people to comment on Legends, are those who have owned and sailed them. We have owned our 36 for 4 months now, and have not regretted buying her for a second.

If you want to contact me to ask for specific advice on this model then please feel free to PM me.

 

[Bloater]

I've sent you an email.

 

[Refueler]

I know one for sale and is about 4yrs old. The guy bought it new against my advise. Now he wants to sell on. Been for sale for over 2 yrs ...

He has subsequently admitted that I was right and wished he'd bought the older Jeanneau. I pointed him in direction of a 4yr old Jeanneau at a lot less money than the new L36.

During the 4 yrs he had the L36, he found the cockpit lockers so thin they warped and wouldn't close properly.
The rubbing rubber on the sugar-scoop joint parting company with the joint letting you see the poor jointing.
Interior furniture thin and suffered easily damage, plus loads of plastic / moulded gear.
Spreaders swept back seriously to compensate for lack of back-stays made downwind work chafe main and he usually then dropped main to stay on genny.
He said himself - built light.

But his girlfriend liked the accommodation.

There are many out there that like them, fair enough- everyone to their own tastes. Personally I like Nicholsons and other traditional heavy jobs.

 

[solentsailor]

Hi
Obviously it depends how you want to use your boat but we sail ours all year in all weather. Took the 33 cross channel in a force 7. The cockpit is safe and roomy. The traveller is safely above everyone atop the arch which is an excellent handhold. The seats at the back are loved by visitors to enjoy the ride without interfering with the cockpit activity. Down below the spacious layouts provide comfortable wel equipped space. Try looking at the Legend Owners website.
I don't recognise a lot of what has been said apart from downwind being limited as the spreaders do limit the main. Simply cured with Cruising chute or Spinnaker so not that different from other boats.
I had a Legend 33 for 3 years and last year changed for a Legend 41.
Whilst undoubtedly it's like horses for courses, you don't find many Legend owners giving up the Legend for another make, changes sem to be within the range

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
Legend (or Hunter) as they are called in the USA are one of the biggest boatbuilers in the world. They are only seen as 'cheap' because of the weak dollar. They are built using quality components and modern techniques. The 36 has been around for many years and constantly refined over that time. They are very popular for good reason.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but they were cheap BEFORE the weak dollar.

Trouble now is that like many other items for sale second-hand - sellers remember price they paid and think a reduction on that is OK. Actually the market is now that many second-hand boats prices are approaching that of new ! (talking in the budget market ... Bav's, Legends etc.)