Anyone Familiar with a 1987 Hunter Legend 45

[Phisher]

Hello all I am new to this sailing thing and looking for a boat to sail the Caribbean and Mexico. I have found a completely restored Legend 45. The price fits my budget. Feedback on this boat would be nice. I have hundreds of hours on the water on motorboats but clueless when it comes to sailboats .. Thanks Brian

[slomotion]

Not familiar with the 45, but I crewed on a Legend 40 ('87 I think) from N.J. to Bermuda. It was a very fast, roomy, capable boat which handled a variety of weather and sea conditions very well. People have varying ideas of "completely restored." These boats are now 23 years old and the one you are considering may well be in excellent condition. However, I would recommend an expert survey.

For some owner reviews on the 45, go here:

HunterOwners.com

[gettinthere]

Is there a stainless steel bar across the inside of the main cabin ceiling? This would run transversely from side to side about the same position as the side stays. I'm told that was the fix for stiffening the hull after the fact. Stiffened up the boat considerably. Otherwise, look for bulkheads that may have separated from the hull from too much flexing...

[Wakadui]

Owned a 1988 Hunter Legend 45 with a steel cross bar in cabin (as noted in gettinthere reply). Loved her, but need more time than I could give her (22 year old boats tend to do that). Fast! Nice lines! Took several beatings heading up Washington coast to San Juan's.

The only headache... location of the damn batteries! They are located in the port stern. Accessing them is no problem (crawl on hands and knees 6 feet through the port lazarette). Once there, getting them out is a problem. A crowbar levered over the stern fuel tank (accessed via a panel in the aft cabin), a box of baking soda, and some luck one can extract them.

As with any old boat, get a good survey. Mine lasted all day when I sold her. Not good for seller, but good for buyer! Heart still races when I see her.

[Phisher]

Thanks for the replies your time is appreciated..