Van de stadt legend 29

[littlepati]

Any good as a cruiser

 

[littlepati]

Come on someone must have something to say.

 

[Tranona]

Given that it was designed specifically for that purpose by one of the leading designers of the day, would guess it to be pretty good. However it is very old and does not have many of the creature comforts expected today and of course those for sale may not be in the best condition, although as a result modestly priced.

 

[KompetentKrew]

Very small for a 30' boat, when berthing is charged per foot.

 

[NealB]

I've never sailed a Legend 29, but I've long been an admirer of the designs of Van de Stadt.

He had a good eye for a good looking, seagoing yacht.

I have sailed an Invicta 26, an Excalibur 36 and a Pioneer 9.

As Tranona says in #3, the Legend 29 is likely to have very decent performance (by the standards of her day). She'll have been very competently put together, but accommodation will be very 'compact'.

Assuming she's in decent nick, she'll make a seriously capable cruiser.

 

[littlepati]

Not bothered in the slightest about creature comforts. Value for money and capable will do

 

[Tranona]

Then you have a huge choice of modestly priced boats from the mid 1960s to, say 1980, of which this is only one. As ever if cost is important look for the best condition for your money rather than being hung up on a specific design.

 

[littlepati]

I completely agree. I have been looking since May. Been to view three missed out on more. I suspected it would be straight forward. That's why I'm widening the search.

 

[Tranona]

Only 3? As you may have discovered, most boats of this age/type price are for sale because they are no longer viable for cruising - worn sails, knackered engine, trashed interiors, general neglect, laid up for 2 years and so on. Any that are decent are snapped up and what is left is mostly dross. So definitely not straightforward, but if it is any consolation much the same applies at all levels of the market as demand for good boats exceeds supply. Upping the budget and looking at more modern boats does however give a better chance of finding a functioning boat simply because the higher value means there is more incentive for owners to keep them going in reasonable condition.

 

[littlepati]

I did start by looking at specific models and am still looking for them. I do also have a soft spot for some of the older long keel boats. Mg30, trintella29, liz29 etc

 

[Rappey]

legend 29

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Don't mess about, get a twister if you can find one.

 

[littlepati]

Don't mess about, get a twister if you can find one.

that is a good one??? finding a good one

 

[Biggles Wader]

Im not familiar with the Legend 29 but as a general thought-----All those early GRP Van der Stadt cruiser racers were heavily built and had great easily driven hull form which makes them fast and fun to sail if a little tippy and sometimes wet in the cockpit. Simple masthead rig is strong and uses a big genoa so can be hard work. Down below is cramped with narrow beam by modern standards but can give standing headroom in some designs like the Pioneer 9/10. Both of those have solid decks so no issues with balsa cores and the like. Old enough to be seriously cheap if you want that sort of boat. Go for it.