
Legende was the first high tech custom racing boat that Jeanneau had ever built, and unfortunately she was delivered two months late and she ended up being launched on just the day before the 1985 SORC. The first time the sails were hoisted was on the way to the startline and she simply hadn't been properly optimised and rated about 0.2ft higher for the series than she should have (30.7ft IOR), and just higher than the One Ton limit of 30.55ft.
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Legende being launched a day before the start of the 1985 SORC series (photo credit P Bishop) |
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Legende heading out to the start of a race during the 1985 SORC |
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Legende in the marina during the 1985 SORC, alongside the Joubert/Nivelt Innisfree (photo credit P Bishop) |
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Legende sailing upwind during the 1985 SORC |
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Above and below - Legende lies in Knight Marine in Rockland, circa 1992 |
Legende has been recently (April 2015) located in Thomaston, Maine, still on dry land but by all accounts in good condition, although the deck needs some cosmetic work and the engine would require replacement.
Legend had a new keel, designed by Bill Tripp, installed in May 1985. Her engine installation issues were resolved at the same time. In July '85 her hydrolic controlled rigging was removed and replaced, making for a much lighter setup. By the end of July '85 she was fully optimized to the one ton rule rating of 30.5. Legende's upwind performance remained strong and she became much quicker downwind. From '86 to '91 Legende was campaigned heavily throughout New England, including in Newport, Marblehead , Maine and the New York end of Long Island Sound. She was a consistent winner, winning her class in the New England PHRF Championships several times and in the Monhegan Race in '87 and '89. She finished second in class in the '85 (IOR) and '90 (PHRF) Monhegan Races. Legende won many other regattas and season championships too. Legende was not given up on and abandoned to the hard but was always well maintained and raced. In the fall of 1991 I sold Legende to two partners from Charleston, SC. Shortly thereafter they had a falling out and their bank foreclosed on their loan and assumed ownership. In spite of many offers over the years the bank never sold Legende and just let it sit there. Finally, they sold it for a partial pay ment on the accumulated yard fees to a longtime Legende crew member who restored it. Jack Bush, original owner of Legende ,1984-1991.
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