Writing in Yachting Monthly, a reviewer who had sailed most Legends since their introduction expressed complete confidence in the rig’s integrity. The boat rewards that trust with lively, forgiving passage-making.
Design and Construction
The 36 Legend is a solid fiberglass monohull with a nearly plumb stem and a walk-through reverse transom opening onto a swimming platform. She carries 5,828 pounds of ballast in a 13,900-pound hull. The standard fin keel draws 4 feet 11 inches, and beam is 12 feet 3 inches.
Hunter Marine built hulls of this era with solid glass below the waterline and balsa-core sandwich topsides. The hull and deck meet at an outward-facing flange, sealed with adhesive and through-bolted around the perimeter.
The interior finish drew one caveat from Yachting Monthly: the standard of joinery wasn’t necessarily of the highest quality. What the boat lacks in bespoke finish, however, it makes up for in volume. Legends were renowned for voluminous, comfortable accommodation, and the 36 has a beamy, bright, airy interior with generous cabins, plentiful berths, and matching stowage.
Rig, Sailing Performance, and Handling
The defining feature aloft is the fractional B&R rig with swept spreaders. These limit boom movement, while the mainsheet traveller sits on an arch rather than the cabin top. The arch also provides an ideal support for a bimini or, in northern waters, a cockpit tent.
All control lines except the kicker and topping lift lead aft to the cockpit. The large mainsail provides most of the driving force and is powerful enough that early reefing is advisable if you want a relaxed sail.
The tester found the boat lively in blustery conditions. She heels noticeably and, in gusts over 20 knots, needs the traveller dropped to leeward and the mainsheet played. Once in her groove, she strides along at around 6 knots; on a reach, the log usually shows 7 to 8. She points pretty well for a bilge-keeler. Leeway is evident but not awful, and it improves once the boat is reefed. Earlier tests recorded 5.8 knots at 40 degrees off a 24-knot apparent wind.
Under power, the Yanmar 3YM30 drives her at 6 knots-plus near 2,800 rpm. The saildrive propeller sits well away from the rudder, however, introducing a slight delay in steering response.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The deck layout is straightforward and easy for a couple to manage. The cockpit is wide and spacious, with straight seats, a sturdy table, and a deep locker to port fitted with a step and light. A high-fiddled shelf runs along the back for odds and ends.
The fold-down helm seat doubles as a step to the swimming platform. The platform carries two lazarette lockers and a telescopic boarding ladder.
Forward, a twin bow roller and below-deck windlass in the chain locker simplify anchoring. Six sturdy cleats set into the moulded toerail remove the need for separate fairleads.
Accommodation and Equipment
The comprehensive standard inventory included home comforts that were unusual on a production cruiser of the era. Among the six or seven berths were sprung mattresses, while the wider fit-out included pressurised hot water, top- and front-opening fridges, a separate shower stall, and a wet locker.
Known Issues and Practical Upgrades
The wide, open cockpit and shallow coamings wouldn’t inspire confidence in extreme conditions. The reviewer accepted that trade-off for the social deck space but flagged it plainly.
The other documented reservation is the quality of the interior fit-out, rather than a defect.
For an open-ocean passage, the reviewer would add a third reef to the powerful mainsail. That modest upgrade addresses the boat’s early-reefing temperament without changing the character of the rig.
Ownership
The class association at legendowners.com supports owners. The boat’s straightforward deck plan also makes shorthanded sailing and routine upgrades practical for a couple.
Verdict
The Hunter 36 Legend is a competent, easily handled cruiser that’s fun to sail and generous below. She trades some interior polish and cockpit protection for volume and a well-organized deck. Henderson’s B&R rig and beamy hull make her a forgiving platform for two-person crews and support lively, forgiving passage-making.
Pros
- B&R rig with proven integrity and nearly all control lines led aft
- Beam and volume provide unusually comfortable accommodation for the length
- Strong all-round performance: around 6 knots close-winded, 7–8 on a reach, and 6 knots-plus under power
- Straightforward shorthanded deck layout with an arch-mounted traveller
Cons
- Wide, open cockpit and shallow coamings are less reassuring in extreme conditions
- Interior fit-out isn’t of the highest quality
- Steering response under power is delayed slightly because the saildrive propeller is well away from the rudder
