Hunter/Legend question......

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peterandjeanette

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Whilst actively looking for a 40 - 45 ft boat I come across the Hunter-Legend range.
Can anyone tell me the advantage/disadvantage of having the mainsheet traveller on an arch above the cockpit?
Whilst I can see it would not be too much of a problem on the 45CC I can't help but feel it would get in the way of the rear open DS boats.
Also, what do YOU think of the Hunter/Legend?
 
peterandjeanette said:
Whilst actively looking for a 40 - 45 ft boat I come across the Hunter-Legend range.
Can anyone tell me the advantage/disadvantage of having the mainsheet traveller on an arch above the cockpit?
Whilst I can see it would not be too much of a problem on the 45CC I can't help but feel it would get in the way of the rear open DS boats.
Also, what do YOU think of the Hunter/Legend?
Click to expand...

Friends of ours has a 45, it has a very nice large saloon, much like a small flat. It also has a bedroom, thats right not a cabin a bedroom. It struck me as being very much like a mobo with a mast.
 
Go through the back issues of the magazines. You will find the Legends have been reviewed regularly.

One of their distinctive features is the B&R rig which does not have a backstay but does use a large well roached mainsail. The arch is their soultion to keeping the mainsail track out of the cockpit without the limitations of coachroof mounted tracks. While they are the only maker using the rig, other builder's also use arch mounted mainsheets.

Legends probably raise more controvesy than other new boats, perhaps because they are different, majoring on accommodation and ease of handling. Some equate this with poor performance and low build quality, but that is not borne out by owners' experiences. Might be a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy but people who do choose to buy them are generally very enthusiastic and satisfied with their choice.
 
Earlier ones had a question mark over the rudder stock but I believe that was rectified. Earlier ones also did seem to concentrate on accommodation ahead of other aspects but again latter models perhaps changed this.

I actually owned a smaller one once and chartered a couple, they were OK but wouldn't be my first choice now, but it would depend on what your plans and tastes were. I know of owners who are very happy.

A few other 40-45ftrs in my link below.
 
Jonic. "Earlier ones also did seem to concentrate on accommodation ahead of other aspects"

Looking at our friends one, accommodation is still very much the key feature, nothing wrong with that, if its what you want.
 
My mate has a Legend 290 which I've been on a few times now (we're doing the RTI in it this year) and my view of the arch based mainsheet traveller based on those trips is that it's quite handy....

Take the following as you wish, as I may not have as much sailing experience as some here, but my thoughts were....

1/. It's handy to have the arch as an anchor point - in bumpy weather it's a handy thing to grab hold of as it's built like a brick out house...

2/. My mate says his concern is uncontrolled gybes - and based on one while we were out, I can see the issue; when the boom goes over, any loose mainsheet as it travels over dangles into the cockpit and if you were really unlucky could have a guillotine effect on anything they catch on as they rapidly tighten on the other tack....

...I haven't sailed enough in the boat to figure out if 1/. outweighs 2/.... :p
 
I own a Hunter 41DS and I have not been happier with a yacht. Admittedly my ownership experience is limited to Beneteau but my Hunter is a joy to sail.

She does need a bit of a blow to get her going, 15 knots is ideal but she is stable, exceedingly fast given her size and weight and so comfortable when you get wherever you're going.

I have owned her for 3 years,the mast has not fallen down,; despite the best efforts of a nine gusting eleven last Christmas, and controlled gybes are an acquired talent but once there, easy.

I was told:

They roll
They will make anyone seasick
The mast will fall down
They're American (err!!)
Oh and the rudders fall off.

Hey ho. But I am less seasick, they don't roll any more than any other yacht I have sailed, the mast is still there, OK they are built for Americans; no bad thing when it comes to galleys and cabins (bedrooms) and the rudder is still there.

Sail one, push it and you will discover why we Hunter/Legend owners stay with the brand.

Oh and to finish, the USA is a very litigious country and if the yachts were as dangerous as alleged, law suits will abound. I can't find one altho' I am sure the whole of this forum will provide plenty of examples; all from folk who haven't sailed one!

I have a friend who is selling his Hunter 41 and before you all jump on that he's buying a bigger one, I'll forward his details if you like.
 
All part of the great anti-AWB conspiracy according to a mate of mine. I'll have to ask him to elaborate when he's back in blighty in the autumn. Might even beat the anchor threads :D
 
richardbayle said:
Oh and to finish, the USA is a very litigious country and if the yachts were as dangerous as alleged, law suits will abound. I can't find one altho' I am sure the whole of this forum will provide plenty of examples; all from folk who haven't sailed one!
Click to expand...

They did have a spot of bother with the composite rudders breaking up. Well written up in the mags and articles showing an otherwise perfectly good boat being scuppered in the middle of the Atlantic. I seem to remember the number of boats affected being over 30 and a number of people have posted on here over the years of their problems of getting their boats fixed.

Think they have changed to stainless stocks now.

Despite all that your experience seems to echo that of other owners.
 
.

I asked similar questions a few weeks back so worth a search. For what its worth I concluded that they are very comfortable boats in terms of accommodation and sailing and build quality is also probably as good as any AWB. We have looked at several and they are still an option for us. The steel arch strikes me as a good idea.
 
"...a number of people have posted on here over the years of their problems of getting their boats fixed."

OK, I can agree with this especially here in France, local agent here useless but the guys in the States a pleasure to do business with and they'll talk you or your tame boat man through any problems. Of course, it will be late in the day, but hey there's always tomorrow
 
Many thanks for all the replies.
Perhaps I should explain that I'm a lifelong mobo man now converting to sail, thus I have rarely ventured to the Scuttlebutt forum.
My apologies to armchairsailor if I've missed all his previous threads on Hunter/Legends. :D
SWMBO has the idea of "comfortable accomodation" combined with the peace and quiet of sailing in gentle breezes and brilliant sunshine and I daren't argue with that.
 
peterandjeanette said:
Many thanks for all the replies.
Perhaps I should explain that I'm a lifelong mobo man now converting to sail, thus I have rarely ventured to the Scuttlebutt forum.
My apologies to armchairsailor if I've missed all his previous threads on Hunter/Legends. :D
SWMBO has the idea of "comfortable accomodation" combined with the peace and quiet of sailing in gentle breezes and brilliant sunshine and I daren't argue with that.
Click to expand...

We are in the same boat so to speak. Just sold our Targa and looking to go for sail this time. Clipper marine at hamble point have a twin keel legend 38 and a fin keel 41. The 41 is very comfortable and with lighter upholstery in the saloon would be a good boat IMHO. They also have a deep fin keel 38 at swannick.

All worth a look if you haven't already
 
peterandjeanette said:
Whilst actively looking for a 40 - 45 ft boat I come across the Hunter-Legend range.
Can anyone tell me the advantage/disadvantage of having the mainsheet traveller on an arch above the cockpit?
Whilst I can see it would not be too much of a problem on the 45CC I can't help but feel it would get in the way of the rear open DS boats.
Also, what do YOU think of the Hunter/Legend?
Click to expand...


I've not sailed a legend, been on and in quite a few on the dock. Very comfy in that mode and most commodious. I like the uncluttered cockpit that the arch gives. But that isn't to comment on how they sail as I don't know. The huge cockpit of the 45 will still be small and uncomfortable compared with what you're used to.

I haven't seen a CC yet in the flesh but the cabin privacy would be good, it will be a big, accommodating boat.

My main point is I do know that a number of owners buy another. Lots of people knock the brand, but lots of people on here knock everything that isn't a long keeler sailed in a hair shirt, and I guess people who have actually owned one must know something :)
 
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