need your help with1992 Hunter 35.5 Legend

[robtack]

Dear Hunter Legends owners, I need your help to make my final decision to purchase this specific (above)boat. After reading non owners opinions mostly not positive(in comparison to other boats), I think only you can tell the story. I'm looking at 1992 Hunter 35.5 Legend, fresh water, very clean, well maintained (from provided pictures) vessel. What's is your general opinion about Legend , how they sails? How they behave in heavy blow? They rather tender or stiff (my admiral preference). I'll appreciate it any insights and your's experiences.
Thank you All
Sincerely, Robert

 

[David in Sandusky]

Rob, sorry the Legend gang has not responded yet. Here are 59 reviews by former owners. (I can say that this boat has a good reputation on this site.)

https://hunter.sailboatowners.com/reviews.php?mid=34&model=35.5

 

[Sailgunner]

loved my 30T. Good boat. Where will you sail it? What type of use?

 

[robtack]

My base on the Hudson River Newburgh NY. Trips to Long Island Sound , MA, coast of Maine etc.

 

[Sailgunner]

That boat should do fine. As with all boats, the current condition is extremely important. Age of electronics? All items to consider when negotiating price. Good luck.

 

[tjar]

I own a 1993 Legend 35.5 and am very pleased with it. It sails well in light as well as medium air, but I haven't been out in anything greater than about 15 mph. I find it to be very responsive. The only "complaint" I have is the Hood furler positioned below the deck. Although this does allow for a larger jib, as well as reduced forward visibility, I did have to replace it last year. After looking at the alternatives, I decided to go again with a Hood below the deck, but committed to regular washing. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have about the boat. --Tom

 

[Hunter Ad Bot]

And now a word from the sponsor...

Hunter faucets and parts

Replacement fixtures, hoses, sprayers, washers, and more.
See the product

 

[Steverhnm]

I have a 1990 35.5 Legend, love this boat. 4'6" draft means I can launch almost anytime. I have a full batten main and it sails like a dream in light weather and really hauls butt in heavy weather. I have sailed this boat in up to 25 knots without a reef and up to 35 with a reef on the sea of Cortez. Sailed all the way from Bahia Concepcion to San Carlos (mainland) in 11 hours once, That's an average of 7 knots, with a peak of 8.5 knots and a 20 degree heel. We did reef in the center at 25 knots because we expected more but it was not needed. That wing keel really helps keep the boat from porpoising, I feel like it kind of holds the boat in the water better than no wing keel, keeps it a little flatter plowing through the waves - just a little.

It's not stiff, but not tender. The amount of heel is mostly how you trim the sails but she is not tender in my opinion. However, if you like her to run with a bone in her teeth, she will hit 25 degrees and stick pretty well, again, sail trim. Like a sleigh ride. It's not a bluewater boat by definition, although many have taken them to Hawaii... Watch the weather (don't let schedules make you sail in crappy weather), trim the sails for tolerable heel, the Admiral will appreciate it, you boat will feel great. Facebook: s/v Elektra if you would like to see more.

I am not thrilled about is downwind performance, she will wiggle a bit because of the short keel. But then who cares with all the other great things about this boat. PM me if you want more details - I don't want to spend all day at the keyboard because the pros outweigh the cons by a mile. The only other issue (I bet it is fixed in 93) is the reliance on the forestay. Due to the setup of the sidestays (two instead of 3) the mast will come down if you loose the forestay. I wish they would have put a forward side stay. There is a hole for it in the strut, I just think they missed on that one. Don't cheap it out, replace the forestay if you buy it - cheap insurance. Selden will set you up, they did the Hunter rigging back then. If you have a Hood 810 continuous line furler, count on replacing it.

Then enjoy the boat.

 

[tjar]

Hey Steverhnm, great to hear of your experience in high winds. I agree about the boat's stability, but I haven't had the chance to experience higher winds here in Puget Sound. I usually put in a single reef around 15kts, but that's mostly to keep the boat flat and the Admiral happy. I've always felt the boat could take more and am glad to hear that it can.
The Hood furler can be an issue whether you have the continuous line or single line version. I ended up replacing mine last year due to the lack of maintenance by the PO. It can get pretty dank tucked away in the anchor locker, so you need to be diligent about making sure it gets washed regularly. I looked into moving the drum above deck, but the the anchor locker door comes so close to the forestay I would have had to give up 16 inches of sail. I ended up installing a new Hood Seafurl-5 below the deck and it works perfectly. Also replaced the forestay in the process.

 

[Michael-Louis]

I have a 1992 Legend 35.5.
Negative: below deck furler-I changed to above deck (see one of my writings on furler), aluminium waste tank - replaced with plastic tank. Positives: very agile in light wind (I make 6 kts on 8 kts of apparent wind with a spi on), performs well in strong wind (I saild in 30 kts wind , but with 2nd reffed main sail), easy to handle by one person, if ropes are taken back to the cockpit. Of coures all boats can be improved according to your specific needs. All in all out of my 6 boats this is the best. If you have specific questions, plse ask and happy to help you.

 

[shawanaga]

Hi all I two weeks ago won the Lake Ontario 300 with my 1990 35.5 Legend. Couple of questions my fuel tank gage I am not sure if it is performing properly I just keep topping it up to make sure it doesn’t run out. I believe it’s a snake river gage. What’s involved in recalibration? Also I have my gas tank behind the aft birth where many of you seem to have your holding tank there. My holding tank is located in the swim platform lockers and I replaced the original tank but could only fit a 12 gal tank through the opening. I am thinking of adding another small tank with y valves? It’s a great boat we had it on a reach in a squall 24 knots of wind at speed over ground
With the gps at 9.3 knots !

 

[tjar]

Shawanaga, my plastic fuel tank sits under the swim step, between the lockers, about 22 gal. And my holding tank sits behind the aft birth. The original aluminum holding tank was only 13 gal and over 20 years old, so I replaced it with a 26 gal plastic tank. I don't know what type of fuel gauge I have, but it sits on top of the fuel tank and I only need to look into the lazerette to see how much fuel I have. I know it's accurate when the tank is full, but I'm afraid to see how accurate it is below about 1/4 of a tank.