Hunter Legend 27 Edge - UK waters

[McClure]

All, I'm considering looking at a Hunter Legend 27 Edge as it appears to have the flexibility that I'm looking for between motorboating and sailing, and both locally and for the odd trip to the continent. However I've read before that US boats are not particularly well suited to UK waters due to the shape of the hull. Is that correct? If so is there an equivalent boat that is more suitable to the UK?

Thanks people.

[schmalex]

Hmmmm. I'd also be looking at a Jeanneau / Beneteau or older Maxi

American boats can be a little "light" to really plough through a decent wind over tide Solent chop & end up getting bounced around a little.

[McClure]

Thanks; a quick look suggests the Beneteau First 25.7 is worth further research.

Cheers Alex.

[maser_spyder]

Are you looking for new or used?

[s2kjock]

What is an "Edge"?

We have had a Legend 30 for several years - friends have the model down from it (can't remember length).

[McClure]

maser_spyder said:

Are you looking for new or used?

I haven't got that far yet, but probably new. I'm one of those anal types who take time to find exactly the right example and specification of something and then keep it for years.

s2kjock said:

What is an "Edge"?

We have had a Legend 30 for several years - friends have the model down from it (can't remember length).

http://www.huntermarine.com/Models2011/27Edge/27EDGEIndex2011.html

I think the "Edge" reference simply means it has fittings for an outboard motor.

The Beneteau Oceanis 31 has now come to my attention though...

[tank slapper]

Where are you going to be sailing? It's very different sailing down in Cornwall or the Solent compared to the east coast for example. Many people there have twin keeled shoal draft boats which let them enter the numerous shallow ports and take the ground easily instead of a deep draft fin keel which would be a lot more restrictive.

[McClure]

Yes, East coast - at the moment Tollesbury is looking the most likely for slightly more convenience of heading to France and Plymouth.

So do you think a twin keel like the Jenneau Sun Odyssey 32 would be more suitable?

[schmalex]

For sailing performance, I'd steer well clear of a twin keel (although, to be fair, for me on a yacht, performance is everything with everything else coming a distant second).

I'm pretty sure Beneteau do a lifting keel in their range. This would be preferable to a twin keel for me

[McClure]

schmalex said:

For sailing performance, I'd steer well clear of a twin keel (although, to be fair, for me on a yacht, performance is everything with everything else coming a distant second).

I'm pretty sure Beneteau do a lifting keel in their range. This would be preferable to a twin keel for me

Yes, there is a lifting keel version of the Oceanis 31.

Thanks guys, this has been very helpful.

[schmalex]

You'll find that the lifting keel isn't quite as stiff as a fin & bulb when sailing upwind, as the weight is a bit higher. However, you'll gain at least 5 - 7 degrees height upwind when compared to a twin keel. Whilst it doesn't sound a lot, or even important, it is huge and over a 3 or 4 mile beat out of the estuary against the tide, it could mean as many as 20 or so fewer tacks, which leads to a much more relaxing time for all on board!!!

[tank slapper]

McClure said:

Yes, East coast - at the moment Tollesbury is looking the most likely for slightly more convenience of heading to France and Plymouth.

So do you think a twin keel like the Jenneau Sun Odyssey 32 would be more suitable?

There is a reason that many boats on the east coast are twin keel. What Schmalex says is right if you are intending going racing, but for pottering about the Blackwater and surrounding areas a 2m draft would be a huge disadvantage, where it wouldn't be a problem in other areas. Tollesbury dries out every tide, so every extra bit of keel depth reduces the time you have to get in or out of your mooring (although it's a mud bottom so you won't fall over at least).

We have a twin keeled boat a bit further up the Blackwater towards Maldon, and although you do lose a little performance the difference is not massive if you choose the boat carefully. If you are going to be mostly cruising, it probably won't make a lot of difference. The ability to sit on the bottom for a tide is extremely useful - you can visit drying moorings with no problem and you can beach for a tide to scrub off or change anodes without having to pay someone to haul you out.

If you are going to be mainly doing long passages over the channel and round the coast, or racing, then the extra performance of a fin keel might be valuable, but if you will spend most of the time locally then it's a worthwhile trade off in my opinion. Take a look at the depths on the chart for places like Brightlingsea, the mouths of the Deben and the Alde, up at Maldon, Walton backwaters etc, and the countless sandbanks in the estuary to see what I mean.

Lifting keel boats like a Southerly or a Parker are a good compromise, but you tend to pay a bit more for them.

[MOTORVATOR]

Interesting point you make there TS. Every boat is a compromise of some sort as displayed by that Edge trying to do all things but as a result can't do any individual discipline really well.

With power we get exactly the same with decisions over using shafts around the Thames, it focuses the mind somewhat when coming into Bradwell or rounding the Wittaker at low tide to have a few grands worth of turning machinery under you that you can't lift up.

For a decent skiboat pull you really want shaft driven but then you don't go pulling up a beach for a barbie with it.

Jet ribs great but how do you pull it up your foredeck.

If you want to keep a sail boat around Southend you must have something that doesn't fall over when the tide goes out but don't expect to be first boat home in the nore race.

If you want to keep motor are the P brackets and shafts really designed to take the whole weight of the boat on hard sands?

Cats and tris, lovely but you aren't going to be sliding into a little backwater marina that easily or cheaply.

Go on a swinging mooring and if you are swing keel expect to be first boat round with a huge scope on your rode and no idea of which way she will lay so you need a bit of thought for the space around you.

So you must decide what you want to achieve first and the trade offs you will be happy with before looking at any boat or risk disappointment.

[McClure]

Thanks Alex, TS, Motorvator.

I'm not looking to race - this is going to be my "getting away from it all" toy and will be cruising pretty much all of the time.

I think I need to speak to the guys at EASS; and maybe charter each of a lifting keel and a twin keel at some point to compare. Still have a lot to learn...