Hunter Legend 45

[AsGoodAsItGets]

Hi:

I'm new to this forum. Have owned and chartered several Hunters. After being out of sailing for a few years....I'm diving back in.

I am seriously looking at a 45' Legend. So, I would love your help and suggestions:

-Why?....well, I have had great luck with my Hunters, and despite all the web talk about their quality....that hasn't been my experience. Also, looking for a 2nd place to hang my hat that comfortable for me and my wife....Not into purchasing any boat that hasn't been somewhat depreciated out....not afraid of the work and I like crawling around in a bilge.

So...I'm scared to death of an almost 30 year old boat, even though it's fiberglass. Can anybody fill me in on the Legend in terms of keel and rudder issues inherent in this boat? Also, I have a leak that needs to be fixed in the holding tank in the bow, but it's glassed in...any suggestions.

Other than a surveyor who may or may not know what he's talking about, what else should I be aware of with the rest of the boat?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[KD3PC]

I had a 1991 42 Passage, I believe a follow on boat to the legend series. There are no inherent issues, unique to this boat. As an older boat, that can be a real asset or a liability. The real question is condition and maintenance.

The older boats, even Hunters are likely to have better build quality than many of the new boats. For example - a lot of the wood, is real wood, not veneer or synthetic or the like. The hulls are thicker - good or bad? one can make a case for each. Again the question is condition.

Down side is the older boats can have issues like blistering, wet cores and bulkheads, and possible delaminations. A good survey is key, as well as maintenance records and condition. Even tanks glassed in....solution is to have it removed and a reasonable replacement installed. Most tanks are available via third party makers to fit a multitude of boats/tasks. Down side is this will cost money and render the boat tough to live in for a few days if done correctly or could be weeks waiting on a new tank or parts. If you are handy and have the tools it can be a DIY, if not the check book in hand at the yard.

There have been a very small handful of rudder issues with larger Hunters (not really any worse than any other builder, I would guess), but no keels that I recall. Rudder issues have likely been addressed in the time that has passed (see maintenance) since the boat was built. Again a good survey can let you know what condition these are in.

I am concerned that you "are scared to death of a 30 year old boat" as there is no substance to that. I had a new Beneteau and it had similar problems to my 1991 Hunter - so even new boats have issues.

Going forward, you will need - at a minimum, a surveyor of your choice, whom you trust. If you have any ill feelings in talking with one (be sure to talk to a few), hire someone else. You are not paying for a friend, but an expert in assessing boat condition. Even an engine and rigging inspection on a boat of this age would be a good idea.

Lastly, don't buy a boat you are scared to death of....there is something there for that feeling to be at the forefront at this point of purchase. I usually get that feeling about an hour after the sale is complete.

Best of luck.

 

[ben solomon]

I have a 1990 legend 37.5 and love her!! I was told that the older hunters were built better than the newer ones. I had an excellent survey and the one issue that came up was a wet core on the foredeck where the furling line enters the deck on its way to the anchor locker (the furler is below deck). The PO stopped the ongoing problem, but the I haven't fixed the core yet (two years I have had the boat. We enjoy her so much! I put my wife, three kids, and two dogs on board for weeks at a time. The legends sail very well. I looked at a legend 45, but bought my boat only for the sake of a little less draft, and a slightly smaller mast so I could get to more chesapeake anchorages, and get under a fixed bascule bridge. You can see her in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2pH4D0pRI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Good luck!!

 

[AsGoodAsItGets]

Thanks

I have a 1990 legend 37.5 and love her!! I was told that the older hunters were built better than the newer ones. I had an excellent survey and the one issue that came up was a wet core on the foredeck where the furling line enters the deck on its way to the anchor locker (the furler is below deck). The PO stopped the ongoing problem, but the I haven't fixed the core yet (two years I have had the boat. We enjoy her so much! I put my wife, three kids, and two dogs on board for weeks at a time. The legends sail very well. I looked at a legend 45, but bought my boat only for the sake of a little less draft, and a slightly smaller mast so I could get to more chesapeake anchorages, and get under a fixed bascule bridge. You can see her in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg2pH4D0pRI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Good luck!!

I appreciate your insights. Was at Tidewater Marina looking at a 40.5 and a 43 before I looked at the 45, but the shipping to the West Coast is out of hand. I chartered a 37.5 out of the San Juan Islands in July and had some trouble with the furling mechanism that is below decks as well. Other than that love the charter....

Enjoy the balance of your sailing season and I appreciate your comments!

 

[ben solomon]

If you hop over to the "Ask A hunter owner" part of this site, there is a brand new thread about transporting boats across country. The 4th or 5th discussion down. On that board there is talk of a cross country transport in the $8,000-$10,000 range. Also, if you use the www.sailboatlistings.com you can search by model and state. I apologize if you knew that already. That is the site I used to find my boat. I did a quick hunter legend California search and many boats came up that were reasonable.

Ben