Boat review: Hunter Legend 36

Our verdict on the Hunter Legend 36

What’s she like to sail?

Having sailed most Legends since their introduction, I have complete confidence in the rig’s integrity. The 36 is reasonably well arranged for shorthanded sailing, with two-speed Lewmar 40ST genoa winches by the helm and the mainsheet traveller control on the arch. All other control lines, bar kicker and topping lift, are led aft to the cockpit.

She is lively in blustery conditions and heels noticeably, but once in her groove she strides forward with the log hovering around 6 knots. In gusts over 20 knots it’s best to drop the traveller car at the leeward end of the track and play the mainsheet.

She points pretty well for a bilge-keeler, once you get the sails properly balanced, but needs reefing early. During earlier tests, we maintained a respectable 5.8 knots at 40° off a 24-knot apparent wind. Leeway was evident, but not awful, and improved when we reefed her. She’s principally driven by her powerful mainsail, so I’d fit a third reef if planning an open-ocean passage. On a reach she flies, with the log usually showing 7-8 knots. Off the wind she tracks reasonably well, but the swept spreaders limit boom movement.

What’s she like in port and at anchor?

As with all Legends she has a wide and spacious cockpit with straight seats and a sturdy cockpit table. The mainsheet arch makes an ideal support for a bimini or cockpit tent for northern waters. There is a deep cockpit locker to port, with a step and a light, and a useful high-fiddled shelf for bits and pieces along the back. A fold-down helm seat forms a step to the swimming platform, which also features two lazarette lockers and a telescopic boarding ladder.

She’s well set up for anchoring, with a twin bow roller and a chain locker that contains a below-deck windlass. There are six sturdy cleats set within the moulded toerail, making fairleads unnecessary.

Down below she is beamy, bright, airy and voluminous – so much so that she’ll probably be the boat everyone heads to for evening drinks when the weather’s not so good. She shouldn’t prove problematic in a marina as she handles well under power, with no noticeable quirks other than a slight delay in response, due to the saildrive prop being a long way from the rudder. She should happily cruise at 6 knots-plus, at around 2,800rpm.

Would she suit you and your crew?

Legends (Hunters in the US) are renowned for their voluminous and comfortable accommodation. The standard of fit-out below wasn’t necessarily the highest quality, but is mitigated by a comprehensive standard inventory and many home comforts not normally found on a production cruiser of that era, such as sprung mattresses, top- and front-opening fridges, pressurised hot water, separate shower stall, wet locker, and more. Cabins and berths are generous in size and stowage plentiful, making her ideal for cruising with friends.

On deck her layout is straightforward and easy to work with just a couple on board. Sail handling doesn’t require a tame gorilla every time you want to sail, although the large mainsail takes a little getting used to and early reefing is advisable if you want to relax.

In all, she is a competent sailing yacht, easily handled and fun to sail. Although her wide, open cockpit and shallow coamings wouldn’t inspire confidence in extreme conditions, as a marina-hopping weekender she offers all the comforts of a modern, spacious seaside apartment with bags of room for guests.

Guide price (2004–2010 boat) £59,000-£114,000

LOA 10.85m (35ft 6in)

LWL 9.35m (30ft 7in)

Beam 3.74m (12ft 3in)

Draught 1.25m (4ft 11in)

Sail area 67m2 (721sq ft)

Berths 6/7

Engine Yanmar 3YM30

Displacement 6,304kg (13,900 lb)

Ballast 2,643kg (5,828 lb)

Fuel 172 lit (38gal)

Water 340 lit (75gal)

Designer Glenn Henderson

Builder Luhrs Marine