Yachting

MAY 2016 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 89

OUR VERDICT ON THE BOAT

What’s she like to sail?

Our test boat had twin keels, and unless you were hard on the

wind you’d be pushed to tell. She was nimble through the tacks

and responded to the helm in a timely fashion. The cockpit layout

seems to prevent anything being done quickly, but it does make

sailing safe and simple, and the loads are light. The one exception

to this is the top guardrails fouling the genoa winches, which

makes tacking more of a cumbersome affair.

At the helm you do feel rather far back: the bathing platform

creates a solid barrier behind you and the space between that

and the wheel isn’t generous – it feels high, but not exposed. The

cockpit is wide and the canting wheel is a necessity, rather than a

luxury. The wheel-canting mechanism seemed stiff – much more

so than any Jefa system I’ve tried – but this was my fi rst time

using the Lewmar system so I don’t know whether the stiffness

was a trait of the steering mechanism or of this boat.

With most of her power coming from the mainsail it’s handy to

be able to depower it from the helm without leaving the wheel.

What’s she like in port and at anchor?

With a cockpit so wide, it’s easy to forget the seats are just 1.50m

(4ft 11in) long. Lying down is out of the question, as the coaming

would be uncomfortable on your calves. Sitting up is made a little

less comfortable by the recessed steps forward, which are there

to help you get in and out of the cockpit. However, there are

the very comfy pushpit seats, where you can sit and relax with

a drink and a commanding view. The cockpit table is wide but

quite short. The fold-down transom is quite high from the water,

keeping it dry and making access to the dinghy a step down. A

boarding ladder to starboard retracts into the transom so it can

be used from the water even if the platform isn’t deployed.

Her engine is reverse-mounted, so the saildrive is under the

companionway. This gives a bit of a delay between applying

power and wash over the rudder when manoeuvring.

Below decks, she has the space of a boat a few feet longer,

though sadly not the stowage. The saloon is broad and spacious,

and the high coachroof and windows help make it feel roomy.

Ventilation is also good thanks to the twin overhead hatches.

There’s a small, single bow roller and the anchor locker has

space for a windlass, though it isn’t that deep.

Would she suit you and your crew?

Personally, I didn’t fi nd the Legend 31 an exciting boat to sail.

This might sound negative, but it’s not meant to be. Sailing

doesn’t need to be exciting. Not everyone puts to sea to be

challenged or spend time tweaking lines. For many sailors, being

out on the water is all about ease and relaxation. Navigating from

A to B is excitement enough and an uneventful trip is actually a

good thing; even better if you can do it in comfort. If this sounds

like you and your crew, the Legend 31 is well worth a look.

The mainsheet arch is a useful feature, which few (if any) boats

of her size offer. Add her voluminous interior and the option of

bilge keels, which are a boon in many cruising grounds and will

allow her to live on a cheap, drying mooring – and you’ll see that

the Legend 31 has a lot going for her.

Would she

suit your style

of sailing?

COA STA L

PORT-HOPPING

★★★★★

CREEK

CRAWLING

★★★★★

OFFSHORE

PASSAGE-MAKING

★★★★★

TRADE WIND

VOYAGING

★★★★★

HIGH-LATITUDE

ADVENTURE

★★★★★

FACTS AND FIGURES

■ Price £136,101

■ LOA 9.86m (32ft 4in)

■ LWL 9.04m (29ft 8in)

■ Beam 3.61m (11ft 10in)

■ Draught 1.35m (4ft 5in)

■ Displacement

5,443kg (12,000 lb)

■ Ballast 1,599kg (3,525 lb)

■ Ballast ratio 29.4 (%)

■ Sail area 54m^2 (581sq ft)

■ SA/D ratio 17.8

■ Diesel 95 litres (21 gal)

■ Water 189 litres (42 gal)

■ Engine 21hp

■ Transmission Saildrive

■ RCD category A

■ Designer Glenn Henderson

■ Builder Marlow Hunter

■ UK Agent Legend Yachts UK

■ Te l 02392 637756

■ Website

http://www.legendyachtsuk.co.uk

NEW BOAT TEST

The galley has ample worktop space, two fridges and a microwave

The athwartships berth is over

2.12m long with a handy bedside

area for your night time needs

Legend 31

GRAPHICS: MAXINE HEATH