Running downwind, we unfurled the rest of the genoa and went goose-winged. This increased to 7.1 knots on her best point of sail, a close reach, but dropped a little to 5.6 knots with the wind on her quarter. Despite being heavy by today’s standards, she is predictable and drama-free in her handling and exhibits a thoroughly easy, sea-kindly motion through the steepest of seas, allowing her to make up in overall passage times what she might lose against a modern yacht in lighter airs and flatter seas.Īt first we tacked back and forth inside the harbour walls of Portland where the water was flatter, (with a reef in the genoa and full mainsail), making a healthy 6.0-6.5 knots in 16 knots true wind. The Legend 34 was produced from 1969, with the majority built by the Tyler Boat Company in Tunbridge.Ī seaworthy masthead sloop, 34 was designed and built for ocean sailing. We joined retired GP Guy Dickinson for a sail aboard his 1972 Legend 34, Quetzal. Producing over 400 designs since 1933, and some 25,000 Van de Stadt-designed yachts were launched. They were famous for such well- known designs as the Trintella, Pionier, Excaliber, Invicta, Wing, Seal, Etap and many more cruising and racing yachts. Few design houses have stood the test of time, are so well known or are as prolific as Van de Stadt. It’s always interesting to sail boats from the 1970s, seeing how yacht design has evolved in 40 odd years, how hull shape and interior volume has come on, what remains and The club also provides a range of training facilities. CCSC has a recently built clubhouse overlooking the harbour and a membership of 350 cruisers and racers of all ages. Guy keeps her on a mooring at Castle Cove SC (in Portland Harbour, where she is protected by the long harbour wall. He’s also added a new electric windlass, solar panels, upholstery, wiring and instruments. Guy has upgraded Quetzal considerably, including replacing her old Sabb with a new 25hp Beta with a feathering three-bladed prop. Prior to then Guy owned a Hunter Sonata and a variety of small plywood cruisers and dinghies. Quetzal was launched in 1972 and bought by Guy Dickinson in 2006.
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