The Hunter 355 Legend is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 29.8′, the Hunter 355 Legend tops out around 7.3 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √29.8′ LWL = 7.3 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.5
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
36.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
220
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
24.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.00
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
24.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.00
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Hunter 355 Legend sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Hunter 356
138s/nm
Catalina 355
140s/nm
Catalina 350
147s/nm
Beneteau 343
150s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.1 |
4.2 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.9 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.8 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.3 kts),
SA/D (16.5), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Hunter 355 Legend — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hunter 355 Legend.
|
Hunter 355 Legend |
Beneteau 343 |
Catalina 350 |
Catalina 355 |
Ericson 35 3 |
Hunter 356 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.6 |
35.5 |
35.4 |
35.5 |
35.5 |
35.6 |
| LWL |
29.8 |
30.8 |
31.3 |
30.5 |
28.9 |
30.3 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
11.4 |
11.9 |
12.4 |
11.3 |
12.0 |
| Displacement |
13 |
13 |
14,013 |
14 |
13 |
13 |
| Ballast |
4 |
3 |
6,213 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
569 |
649 |
731 |
592 |
597 |
600 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
150 |
147 |
140 |
— |
138 |
| SA/Disp |
16.5 |
18.4 |
20.1 |
16.1 |
17.3 |
16.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
36.9 |
25.3 |
44.3 |
40.6 |
40.0 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
24.0 |
25.2 |
24.4 |
24.6 |
25.7 |
24.5 |
| Capsize |
2.00 |
1.92 |
1.98 |
2.00 |
1.93 |
2.00 |
| Hull Speed |
7.3 |
7.4 |
7.5 |
7.4 |
7.2 |
7.4 |