Design and Construction
The 37 Legend's hull is solid fiberglass below the waterline, while the deck is balsa-cored — a combination that keeps weight down yet invites the usual caution around water intrusion. Longitudinal stringers run in the hull midsection to each side of the keel, providing additional structural support at the center of the boat. The coachroof is lowered and blends seamlessly into the foredeck, giving the boat a clean, uncluttered profile with a reverse transom and flush-mounted deck skylights. A balanced spade rudder and the Bergstrom & Ridder fractional rig with swept spreaders complete the picture.
Rig and Handling
With a 59-foot fractional rig and a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, the 37 Legend carries a big main and behaves like a fast boat. Owners report she performs remarkably in light air and is fast even when reefed correctly in heavy wind, and she sails well upwind even with the shoal wing keel and bulb. She really points, and one owner has coaxed 8.5 knots out of her — beyond the 7.5-knot hull speed. The cockpit is sculpted for six, with pedestal steering and a large destroyer wheel, though the space behind the helm is tight. Many owners have removed the arched bench behind the wheel to open that area up.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon is graced with a mix of exotic woods over a teak-and-holly sole, with 6 feet 3 inches of headroom. A drop-leaf table sits within a circular seating pattern, and settees to each side double as single berths. The U-shaped galley to port holds a two-basin stainless steel sink, a top-loading refrigerator, and a two- or three-burner stove with oven. A navigator's station to starboard has a hinged desk drawer and storage. The aft berth beneath the cockpit uses a pedestal queen bed reached from either side through the cabin door or the head; the ceiling there is low. Forward, the V-berth cabin sleeps two and has a hanging locker and vanity sink with mirror, though some owners have removed that sink for more stowage. One shared head also serves as a shower and is accessible from both the aft cabin and the saloon.
Known Issues
The balsa-cored deck is the structural weak point: delamination from water infiltration is always a possibility on this design. Some owners have claimed the cabintop handrails were fastened with screws that pulled out, and problems with the Edson steering system have been reported. The aluminum fuel tank — a 33-gallon unit under the aft berth — has been known to corrode. On the mechanical side, servicing the top of the 34-horsepower Yanmar 3HM35F is more difficult due to tight clearance, even though the sides are reached through twin side doors or a larger front opening.
Refits and Ownership
Beyond the common removal of the aft bench and forward sink, the 37 Legend has proven adaptable. The freshwater-cooled Yanmar pushes her at 7 knots at 2,800 rpm per owner reports, and most pre-owned boats retain that factory engine with a two-bladed propeller. The wide sidedecks and clean foredeck make routine deckwork straightforward, and the lowered coachroof improves sightlines from the cockpit.
The Verdict
The Hunter 37 Legend is a quick, roomy fractional-rig cruiser from the late-1980s Hunter line, with a distinctive low coachroof and a genuinely fast sail plan. Her accommodations are generous for the length, and her structural package is sound apart from the balsa deck's vulnerability. She rewards an attentive survey and a careful owner.
Pros
- Fast in light and heavy air, points well, exceeds hull speed downwind
- Roomy cockpit and saloon with 6'3" headroom and versatile berths
- Solid fiberglass hull with midsection stringers and balanced spade rudder
Cons
- Balsa-cored deck prone to delamination from water intrusion
- Aluminum fuel tank corrosion and reported Edson steering issues
- Tight engine-top access; some handrail screw-pullout reports
