Paddlers:
TW 6’1”, 180 pound male. Owner report. Multiple day and overnight trips, 17-day cruise. Waves to 4 feet, swells to 8 feet. Winds up to 30 knots. Gear load for cruise about 115 pounds.
TS 5’11”, 150 pound male. Day trip in light air, ship and boat wakes to 1 ½’
MH 5’10”, 190 pound male. Day trip in moderate winds, light chop.
ST 5’10”, 165 pound male. Call for conditions mentions light winds.
CC 5’7”, 140 pound female. Day trips with light breeze.

The Legend is “pleasing to the eye” and “built with rock-solid construction” (ST) and “noticeably well finished” (TS)…. Hoisted from the cockpit, the kayak balances with the bow down, though the balance is “not an issue after you have hoisted the boat a few times” (TW). …. “The Legend’s cockpit was great, though tight for large paddlers. The deck height creates plenty of room for bulky foot wear” (ST)……

For MH the close fit made the Legend “incredibly easy to roll, brace and scull in.” The fiberglass seat gave all of our reviewers a comfortable fit. ST would have added some foam under his thighs for more comfort on long paddling days…….

The Yakima foot braces have a solid feel and can be adjusted either by foot or hand…. “The layout of the [recessed] deck fittings is great. There are lines along the perimeter of the bow and stern providing a solid place to grab in a rescue, [and] bungies for holding a chart case and spare paddles” (TW). There is a recess for a compass forward of the forward hatch. The Legend is not equipped with a rudder, and none of the reviewers thought it needed one.

“The Legend is initially very tippy and would not be relaxing for a beginner to paddle. When fully loaded, it settles down and becomes considerably more stable, yet still responsive to leaning. When leaned over on its side the Legend is easily stabilized with a light scull” (TW). The Legend is “fairly stiff tracking but not so stiff that direction adjustments [with leaned turns] are difficult. In following seas and rough waters the Legend tracks well and slides down the faces of waves without a strong tendency to yaw” (TW). The Legend is “very maneuverable” (TW) when leaned on edge, and its stability characteristics make it easy to lean and comfortable to hold on edge while turning.

Our reviewers gave the Legend high marks for its acceleration and the ease with which it holds a high cruising speed. The recessed hatches keep spray to a minimum and the configuration of the foredeck allows “waves to spill off easily in larger seas” (TW).

Three of the five reviewers noted the Legend weathercocks slightly, but that “any tendency to weathercock is easily tweaked out with light edging” (MH). While cruising TW minimized weathercocking by “loading the Legend heavier in the stern.” “On following wind waves the Legend surfs readily and easily, making long paddles in following seas a joy” (TW).

Similarly, TS ”could maintain directional control easily. I could put one chine in the water and carve [a turn] without needing to brace.” In steeper waves CC noted the “bow pearls a bit [and has a] moderate tendency to broach.” While CC “wouldn’t pack the kitchen sink, there is plenty of room for an organized packer to take all the gear they need.” “Two weeks in the Legend is definitely possible,” wrote TW, “The small day compartment behind the seat is great for lunch, first aid, repair kit, or other items I want readily accessible.” The two large oval hatches made for easy storage in the main compartments and all three VCP hatch covers were easy to use and together with the fiberglass bulkheads, kept the compartments dry “even after extensive roll and rescue practice” (ST). Only TW used the Legend with a full cruising load aboard: “It becomes more stable, yet still maneuverable. In rough seas, fully loaded, the Legend comes into its own and is a great boat to be in.”

Our reviewers thought the Legend requires “at least intermediate skill level” (CC) or a “beginner [who will] learn and use good paddling techniques.” (TW). “A good choice for beginners keen on learning skills” (MH). In general our reviewers held the Legend in high regard. MH thought the Legend met the designer’s goals spot on.” “I’d add one to my own fleet” (ST). “Legendary? I wouldn’t be the one to say. But remarkable? I think so” (TS)…….

Boat Specifications
Length: 17’10" Width: 21" Weight: 57 lbs. Capacity: 300 lbs.

Adventure Kayak Legend Review

Paddler Magazine Legend Review

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