Hunter Legend 35.5 - Behind the Curtain
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- Опубліковано 7 лип 2024
- Are you interested in a 32-36 foot sailboat that's small enough to sail as a couple, big enough to sleep on comfortably, fast enough to have fun sailing on, but still an affordable sailboat? Interested in buying a Hunter Legend 35.5 sailboat? This week, Bert Vermeer from Good Ol' Boat gives us a full review and tour of the Hunter 35.5 foot legend.
Full article: www.practical-sailor.com/sail...
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I love that you do a review on this boat (I've been interested in sailing only a short time, and already know the supposed issues with Hunter) just like you would with a name like Beneteau. You make sailing feel so accessible, and I love it! Seriously, I am so much more likely to actually get on a boat and sail because of your average guy sailor approach. Thank you!
It's so interesting that you did this review. I have an interesting story about this model. I operate a marine apparel company specializing in tees for sailors, which comes into play in this story. I get a call from a couple that want about 5 dozen tees celebrating their circumnavigation to hand out to friends. I agreed to make them and asked for the info on the vessel. It was this review that you are doing. I had to ask several times, a Hunter 35.5? "YEP" Of course, the captain told me they got it offshore ready before they left. I asked a million questions because I was shocked. It took them 5 years as they took their time and always aware of weather.. Shocked? I was too! So my take to your conclusion is that it can go offshore with the right sailors.
"Son of Townhall" proved that in the right conditions, even a literal pile of garbage can cross an ocean in the right conditions.
I've owned my Hunter Legend 35.5 for almost 5 years. I enjoy the layout, ease of single handling and sailing performance.
Thanks, Tim! I'd be interested in more (new) full keel or skegged rudder sailboat reviews. The only ones that immediately come to mind are Kraken and Island Packet, but maybe there are more.
I owned a Hunter legend 35.5 for 5 yrs and it was a great boat for my seasonal cruising. I stored it on the hard for FL summer hurricane season, while I was at my Colorado mountain home. Then I'd head back to Fl every fall, get the boat ready and head to the Bahamas. I'd spend about 5 months island hopping through the Bahamas, then back to Fl. I lived aboard, sailed single handed, sailed in a wide variety of conditions and did all my own maintenance. Other than routine maint and some improvements & upgrades, I never had any issues with the boat. sold it for more than I paid for it
I just bought a 35.5 ❤ I’m so excited to start island hopping in November !!!!! 🎉
I crewed for several years on a 35.5 on the BC west coast. It was raced extensively in club and regional race series, including the Swiftsure long course and the Vic-Maui. It pointed well, was surprisingly fast in light air but also handled heavy weather easily. As obvious in the video, it was very comfortable below decks. Highly recommended as a coastal racer-cruiser.
Just got one of these, mine is a 1995. Can't wait to get out there with it
Great timing got watch before work. Love the content keep it coming!!
Ha, it's 2030 in AU, I'm cracking my 2nd [responsible] beer lol.⚓
@@UncleJoeLITE Always blame it on the beer ~ lol
Hunter used a plywood deck core for this series, which quickly turned punky if fittings were not properly sealed. The most vulnerable area was under the curved seahood, where trapped water soaked into the cabin top. Also, the recessed furler line fitting at the bow, which affected the side deck aft to the chain plates and beyond. It's probably a reasonable bet, though, that after 3 decades, these issues have been identified and repaired.
What or where is the curved seahood.? Is it the dodger?
Agree with leaking. I have a ‘83 new to me 34. The seahood is screwed right into the deck and the holes are not potted. Over time, water has leaked into the plywood core thru these screw holes. I’m currently potting mine.
@markpeter1968 it's the fixed panel below which the companionway panel slides forward into.
@@peterm4475 I see. Cheers.
I've only heard of 2 complaints about Hunter 35.5's and water intrusion into the deck is one of them, the location I've heard mentioned many times is up at the front, in the area around the anchor locker and the anchor winch. The other issue owners have mentioned is the thin-gauge aluminum grey-water holding tank, which will be eaten by the acid content of the liquid inside, most people seem to have replaced them with a plastic tank after about 10 years.
I own a Hunter 31 - Produced in the early years of their sailboat construction. It follows most of the design, lite duty specifics here for the 35.5. Traditional lay out and you can't be more than 6 feet tall to use the V-birth - The boat has been perfect first timer trainer - with a full keel of 6 feet. Hunters are good boats to start on - and if you only coastal sail, like I do from San Diego - It's the perfects starter boat!
I think overall these are great boats at a reasonable price, and I've got my eye on one right now. Having said that, I've been doing my research before making an offer, and I've consistently heard a couple of concerns: 1) the holding tank is made of thin-gauge aluminum and many people decide to replace them with a plastic tank, before the aluminum fails. 2) definitely water penetration into the deck can be a concern, in several areas particularly around the furler, where the furling lines run through the foredeck, 3) access to the batteries, 4) access to the head overboard discharge valve - apparently it's almost impossible to reach, 5) delamination of the rudders in 2 of 5 boats that were surveyed... and finally, the structural grid makes inspection of many areas of the boat difficult. I'll be aware of all of these things when i go over the boat, but overall I think it's a boat that could suit me very well, for the type of sailing I plan on doing.
Yes those aluminum tanks have a limited life.We had a 1989 30T. Joined the Facebook page for this model and discovered nearly every other boat had replaced the aluminum holding tank.
As always, great job Tim.
Any chance of reviewing Seaward sailboat? In special the RK ones?
My closest friend and dock mate owns a 1993 Hunter 40.5 Legend. The deck stepped mast leaks at the base despite a variety of countermeasures to stop it. To solve the problem (hopefully) he installed a catch basin mounted inside the cabin around the support pole. A hose runs down to the bilge. Additionally, the large side windows leaked badly; he replaced the plexiglass, installed new caulking, and trimmed both windows with an aluminum frame. One still leaks slightly. A few years ago another sailboat rubbed against his hull and chafed an above the waterline thru-hull. We were amazed just how thin the glass was.....less that 1/4"!
The leak problem is common… over the years the drain holes in the bottom of the deck step plate get clogged with dirt so the mast fills up with water. The easiest fix is to drill a couple small weep holes (1/8 in)at the bottom of the mast on the front and back to let the mast drain and occasionally run a small piece of wire or a drill bit in the holes to keep them clean. I did my 40.5 last fall and it’s been dry inside ever since.
Also, I changed all of my above the waterline thru hulls to stainless fittings this spring and found at least 1/2” - 3/4” thick glass everywhere… not sure where you saw less than 1/4.
@@dcmidyett Oh I failed to mention he has drilled several larger holes just a syou described but the problem still exist.
Would love the whole history on Hunter, including the purchase of Hunter by Marlow and then what’s happened since the mid 2010’s to current. I see they still have a website, but clearly not selling production boats any longer.
Tim, how about reviewing the venerable Pearson 365? Or the nicely done S2 36'? Or the prolific (700+ built) Islander 36? Maybe the well done Gulfstar 37 (true blue water cruiser?) And don't forget the Cal 34-III and its cousins - many have made ocean crossings?
Could you guys do the 40.5 legend? Also great video, thanks Tim
It goes by quickly, but the phrase "too angled" is used for the cockpit coaming a couple of times. My H28 of the same vintage is the same. It's angled more than the 25-35 degrees of heel that you probably should consider max with the shoal keel. I find it bizarre, but fortunately there is no good reason to sit there.
nice report
Always good, could you do the Pearson 35 and then suggest upgrades to it or even boat replacements to look at? I always struggle with the idea of going newer now vs making the old girl last even longer.
Love Hunter. Thé 45 Legend would be my preferred choice though.
I’d like to see a comparison/ assessment of …
30’ but ocean going
40’ but coastal cruiser
Is the 40’ coastal cruiser similarly seaworthy to the 30’ ocean sailer ? At what size difference would they kinda become equals?
Full of detail , if I wanted to take notes and play one set sentence at a time. Listen to and letting it run through I miss a lot. Not a fan of this read of a note book or screen made it less personal. Just my opinion Tim . I think you do a outstanding job and your very thorough. I think if the budget minded sailor was interested in this boat , I think it would do them a world of good.
I’d like you to review the Kraken 50. I’ve heard about it but never seen a professional review.
Please review the Morgan 383.
Great jot Lady k !
Can you make a review of the beneteau 42 and/or 44 cc please
How about a review of a beneteau 390, not much has been documented about them being the very earliest production boat from that manufacturer, there going for cheap for a 3 double cabin layout, enjoy your Chanel from the uk
How about reviewing some of the old Allied boats: Seawind 2, XL2 etc.
I don't like the swept back spreaders. I noticed that some of those Hunters had parallel spreaders to the mast with a back stay. Those I would like.
Hunter make great comfortable boats and the fact they are still in business is good.
But, I am not a fan of the pedestal mounted mainsheet and traveller. Great on goid days, but when needed to sail in bad weather, it's location prohibits the closing of the transition piece to close off the dodger and bimini.
I'm also not a big fan of the furler drum below deck. Stepping and unstepping the mast become a little acrobatic!
Just saw my 'perfect' boat for sailing the Whitsundays. C'mon skip, she's plenty big enough for two people to spend more time aboard. ;) As for speed, it looks like even I could stay near the midfield! Shame Hunter lost the deep fin keel option, but really plenty to like here. 8-9/10 this one. Thanks Tim.⚓
_Was this not suggested by commenters in a recent video?_
How about a review of the Pilot 35?
Not a bad boat , I always liked the 34 think it was called the Cherinube or something forget now that's long ago but the designer was a good one and wonder if the same guy drew this one , anyway Thx for the video
Nice boat
It's interesting. Hunter always got a bad wrap on their designs when they came out but years later are appreciated. They were the earliest American sailboat manufacturers to have aft cabins, innovative rigs, and modern shoal draft keels. Always a bit ahead of their time. 5-10 years later, the other other manufacturers would follow suit.
So if you had a 35 to 40 foot boat, what thins would do to it to make it as easy to single hand sail as you can?
Can you address Rudder stock and water tight bulk head location? Specifically is it an aluminum stock in rudder and lack of water tight bulkhead where rudder goes thru the hull...
Uma watcher shoutout,lol!!
Do the Hunter Passage!
How about a review on a Niagara 35?
Catalina 42 Mk2 pullman layout?
How about the Hunter 40.5 Legend with single aft master's cabin (my boat LOL!)
We love our 40.5! Coming from an Irwin my expectations were pretty high, and this boat has met or exceeded them.
Can I ask why this boat is disqualified as an ocean-crosser?
All the sailboat have problems even the new one. So Hunter bad reputation is not that bad at the end!
Balsa deck. Nope. Nope. And nope.
I check out at spade rudder. Skeg or gtfoh.
@@southernpaths2986 not an issue if someone actually wants spade rudder. Skeg or spade are preferences. Balsa deck on the other hand- that is real, objective problem.
What production boat is there that doesn’t have a balsa-cored deck? Every one of them I’ve ever owned did… C&C, Catalina, Irwin and Beneteau.
@@dcmidyett everyone else? GPR is used for decks since 7os. For a reason. As for stated companies- they don't use balsa decks for all their products.
@@cetterusI think you’re misunderstanding the use of balsa in deck construction. The deck of virtually every production boat is GRP laminated to a balsa core. Some builders use close-celled foam as a core material, but they are all cored. Catalina describes the deck construction on all of their new boats as “Fiberqlass Deck End Grain Balsa Core with Bonded Full Fiberglass Headliner”.
Hunter boats are complete piles of junk in every way possible. Period.
That’s quite the blanket statement… what experience do you base it on?
I’ve owned multiple different makes and models of production boats (C&C, Catalina, Irwin and Beneteau) and find my current Legend 40.5 to be as good or better than any of my previous boats. It’s not perfect as like all the others it’s a production boat, but it does the job well, is comfortable and I feel completely safe on it when making open water passages.
@@dcmidyett - You have a lot to learn .. good luck.
@@Jumbo-D such as what? Enlighten me with your vast knowledge of production sail boats? I guess my 30 years of boat ownership have taught me nothing.
@@dcmidyett It's really weird how You tube cut off the last part of Jumbo D's name.... used to be oucheBag at the end.
@@Ranchpig67 LOL, yeah. It always amazes me how many keyboard warriors spew nonsense in the comments on a video. I usually just watch the video and move on... but this time I had some time to kill so I looked at the comments and couldnt keep myself from calling out ignorance.