What's wrong with Hunter Legends

[Sneaky Pete]

Is there any reason why two Hunter Legend 36's of a similar age (less than 8 years) berthed in a marina on the west coast of Scotland should be on a brokerage for 6 months+ while other craft of a similar size sell more easily. Is there something about Hunter Legends that make them inferior to other boats?

 

[Bilgediver]

Is there any reason why two Hunter Legend 36's of a similar age (less than 8 years) berthed in a marina on the west coast of Scotland should be on a brokerage for 6 months+ while other craft of a similar size sell more easily. Is there something about Hunter Legends that make them inferior to other boats?

How do they compare pricewise with BAvarias the same length....Bavaria might be a better choice in Scotland

Which would you prefer...???

 

[Greg2]

We have been looking at Legends and posted for views on here a few weeks back. They have their detractors (as do most modern boats) but those that own them or have sailed them tend to give good reports - not blue water cruisers but more than good enough for your average cruising sailor it would seem.

Having looked at a 356 last week I can say that they appear to be very well put together and have fantastic accommodation below, both in terms of space and decor. I would go as far as saying that the interior was better than any Ben/Jen/Bav we have looked at. If we do go for sail in our next boat (currently selling our power boat) I am fairly confident that it will be a Legend - not interested in winning races but do want a well priced comfortable boat and they fit the bill.

Not sure that they don't sell though...one we had our eye on went very quickly.

 

[mcframe]

Not much, but it does annoy those of us with Essex-built *British* Hunters.

 

[fastjedi]

A good few years back we looked at a almost new Legend 27. I know they were built down to a price and are not representative of the larger Legends but .... It was a total disgrace. Plastic veneer missing and pealing off, interior doors hanging off and berth cushions that bottomed out when you sat down.

I also know someone with a Legend 33 (much better built) ..... but has had enough build problems to prevent him buying another.

On two occasions I have seen owners of < 5 year old Legends gaffer tapping around the windows during/after heavy rain.

All of the above is most probably an unfortunate co incidence .... problems occur with every type and make of boat, but I haven't heard or seen the same for Bavaria's

 

[sighmoon]

Like any boat, it depends what you want to do with it. A review of a Legent 39 in YM said pretty much the following (from memory):

+Accommodation very comfortable in harbour
+Huge galley, probably more accurately described as a kitchen.

-Athwartship aft berth no good at sea
-The cockpit didn't work well - the goalpost was in the way of the genoa winch, etc.

 

[alant]

Is there any reason why two Hunter Legend 36's of a similar age (less than 8 years) berthed in a marina on the west coast of Scotland should be on a brokerage for 6 months+ while other craft of a similar size sell more easily. Is there something about Hunter Legends that make them inferior to other boats?

They are US 'lake' yachts, built to a low price/spec budget & certainly not bluewater.

The yanks are aware of what they are & what they are buying, but I certainly wouldn't spend hard earned cash on them for sailing in the more demanding waters around the UK.

 

[Bilgediver]

They are US 'lake' yachts, built to a low price/spec budget & certainly not bluewater.

The yanks are aware of what they are & what they are buying, but I certainly wouldn't spend hard earned cash on them for sailing in the more demanding waters around the UK.

These are true comments and not only do the Americans have less demanding weather than us generally but we are just starting to enjoy ourselves when they are being advised to get to harbour and enjoy a sundowner. Many races are abandoned when winds reach 25 knots???? Took 45 knots here last night to keep them in the clubhouse!

The result is lighter construction and if you compare the mast and rigging of many american boats this is apparent. Maybe an old Irwin or Island PAcket does not follow this route but many others do especially our old favourite the Mcgregor. It is a 26 footer but compare its rigging with a Centaur!

The larger Legends seem to make up for this with no end of wire criss crossing
between mast and spreader ends.

 

[Garold]

Never owned a Legend but I have a friend who has had four of them, one after the other (now up to a 50 footer). He always seems fairly happy with his boat. And he sails offshore, and spends about half the year aboard.

We have also spent limited time with a small group of Legend owners, and moored close to many of them whilst cruising. They sounded happy with their choice too.

Legend yachts seem pretty well specced to me. The design of the living areas including galley, sleeping cabins, heads, and cockpit all appear well built and designed. And many of the owners always sound commited to the brand. So any talk of cheap and cheerful fit out seems misplaced to me.

Also, it's important to remember that Legends have often been priced very competitive and close the the price of mass produced French boats. So if one expects Halberg Rassy quality and finish, one will be disappointed.

Most importantly no boat will do every job well. Legends seem to be very comfortable cruising boats, and the bigger ones (> 40 foot) have been used to travel offshore. Maybe if you want something to sail in all weather off Scotland, there may be more sea worthy alternatives. The alternatives probably won't be as comfortable in port, and they may be significantly more expensive.

All just my twopennysworth from my observations.

The rig on larger Legends does appear to be very complex, but again, I haven't heard of any Legend owner complaining about its function or reliabilty.

Cheers

Garold

 

[Teetime]

Legends

It is disappointing that no Legend owners have posted about this thread. A short time ago a similar posting occured and I replied to it. I feel I must do so again. In 1996 much against various advice I received I decided to buy a Legend Passage 42. A visit to the factory in Florida and the enthusiasm of the then agents Opal Marine together with what appeared to be excellent value for money convinced me. I have to say that the Legend was the most trouble free of the nine boats I have owned. It sailed really well and was not disgraced in races. The accomodation was extreemly comfortable. We have never been ones to get in rough water if we can help it but we had our share in the Legend and I have to say it inspired as much confidence as any other boat. True the fittings on the boat always looked as though they were on the fragile side and were what you might expect on a budget priced boat. I cannot however remember anything breaking at all. The only problem we had was that the large mailsail was a pig to flake down and cover. We were told that the sail would develope a memory of it's creases but it never did. I have just paid an arm and a leg for a new Southerly 38 with self tacking jib and inmast reefing to help us in our old age. I can only hope that the boat is as trouble free as the Legend and gives us as much fun and enjoyment. Pound for pound this is probably not possible.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

.....not only do the Americans have less demanding weather than us generally...

Really, when was your last Hurricane? Had any good Tornadoes lately? How's the 40' surf doing?

Americans have a wider VARIETY of weather and water to sail in. Yes, they have lakes but they have lot's of other places to sail as well. Having sailed in New York and Newfoundland I can assure that a) they do not cancel races at 25 knots of wind and b) the weather is just as demanding as the UK in most places, just different sometimes.

 

[jhr]

I spent a day on a Legend in Sydney Harbour a few years back (not the most testing of environments, I agree). To be honest, she felt much like most other AWBs and the gear seemed OK, except that the main jammed in its track and couldn't be raised so we pootled around under the Genoa. The boat was one of a charter fleet and was definitely "previously enjoyed", so this could be a function of poor maintenance rather than gear failure. Or, to a pessimist, it could be evidence that they age quickly. Who knows?

However, the deal breaker for me would be the rig. I know, in my heart of hearts, that it's perfectly robust and I haven't heard any tales of failure, but a boat without a backstay just feels wrong. Maybe that's the problem?

Here I am at the helm...

 

[SolentBoat]

Is there any reason why two Hunter Legend 36's of a similar age (less than 8 years) berthed in a marina on the west coast of Scotland should be on a brokerage for 6 months+ while other craft of a similar size sell more easily. Is there something about Hunter Legends that make them inferior to other boats?

Whether you're selling a boat, a house or whatever - if it's not selling it's because the price is too high.

 

[alant]

Whether you're selling a boat, a house or whatever - if it's not selling it's because the price is too high.

Because its ****?

 

[Pye_End]

Chartered one last year for a week. The interior was fine, although I would echo the comments about the aft cabin being difficult at sea.

However, I found helming uncomfortable. She sailed badly on the wind (not that I could point high enough to be considered 'on the wind'. The main was a touch baggy, so the goal post prevented full sheeting. Sail handing was awkward - the boom was sufficiently high to feel very exposed getting to most of it. I sailed in winds in this 32 footer that I would have felt considerably safer and more comfortable in my 26ft. Wouldn't want to sail one again.

Off the wind she was fairly quick, and she was certainly very comfortable in the marina.