Legend Boats

[Big dreams]

For those who have road in them, how do they compare to Rangers or Bass Cats?

[TheFishinPollock]

The 21 footer will overly outride a ranger .

[Big dreams]

That new V20 really looks nice.  I wonder how much that thing goes for.

[Manxfishing]

There a sweet looking boat
They started out from the Cobra/Viper molds

[Big dreams]

I've heard they ride like a Champion with the detail of a Ranger or Basscat.

[Manxfishing]

I've heard they ride like a Champion with the detail of a Ranger or Basscat.

There kind of tied to the Champions
After John Storie left Champion
He did the only thing he knew, He started building boats agian
He had a no complete clause for building a deep "V" like the Champion
So he splashed a 4 series ranger hull and added the Champion top cap and those were the Hawk boats
The Hawk molds became the Cobra, Viper and were then sold to Legend

The newer ones are a pure Legend design
But if you look at a Champion, Hawk, Cobra,Viper or Legend you'll notice they all resemble each other

That V20 is a sweet boat, I'd guess it's 60K plus boat

[Big dreams]

Thanks for the history session.  I always wondered if all those guys knew each other.  Seems like a small world in the boat industry.  When was the "Legend" brand established?

[Manxfishing]

Thanks for the history session.  I always wondered if all those guys knew each other.  Seems like a small world in the boat industry.  When was the "Legend" brand established?

Hawk went under in 01
And the molds were bought from them

So 2002
http://legendmarine.com/faqs/

[Big dreams]

These boats are amazing!  I think I am in love

[MSURoss]

I own a 18.5 ft viper which is similar to the legend hull. My next boat will probably be a legend! 

[Manxfishing]

Simiiar,

Here's the story according to Pat Goff that worked at Champion on how the Viper molds were sold to
Legend


"John Storie sold Champion to Dave Porthouse, and among other things, Dave had him sign a non compete contract which was quite clever. He knew he couldn't prevent Storie from building boats, that was his livelihood, so he prevented him from building only "deep V wedge" designed boats. Which is of course what the Champ hull is.
John simply splashed a 482 ranger, added a turning chine, and a little more setback, and there was his boat.
Porthouse bought Champion from Storie in the early 90's, and had John continue to run the company for several years.
John wanted nothing to do with building anything besides the tried and proven 86" beamed boats. Bill Pace is the one who designed and built the first wide champ, the 190. John left to contemplate his navel for a few years, and managment was taken over by little dave. The later boats, 186, 202,191 were designed by Dave Schlicke, all very fine hulls.
Storie hooked back up with Bruce Benton, and they are the ones who designed the Cobra/viper/etc etc. Again, this was a hull that wouldn't interfere with his non compete contract.
To say they didn't want to build new boats is just wrong, they built lots of new hulls. But they were all based on the proven hull dynamics that put champ where they were.
I was with Champ from '84 to the demise in '01 I only know of Stories actions based on friends in Mt. Home who kept track of such things.
The "legend" of Stories boat designing skills are for the most part seriously overrated, for every minute he spent tweaking a boat, Bill Pace spent an hour.
Legend/Hawk/Cobra/Viper, they all run together.
Here's the scoop, and anything else you hear is just B.S.
John Storie was wanting to start another boat company, but he was locked down in a very strict non compete contract with Champion. He could build a boat, but couldn't build a deep V Wedge hull boat.
So, what he did was splash a Ranger 482, added a turning chine, and increased the lifting strakes, and he had him a boat mold. That was the beginning of the Cobra/Viper boats, and they did the Fisher glass boats there also, same hull.
Storie got runnoft from Cobra, they went flaming down, and he and Bruce Benton started the Hawk boat, same basic mold, same basic boat. '01 came and they didn't have the legs to stay in the race, so that died. The molds were bought and brought to Texas where they started building the legends, then bought again and moved to Midway Ark.
Just so it's clear...again...
Legend/hawk/viper/cobras are all a splash off a ranger 482. Modified, but still in the same gene pool.
It's more honest and accurate to state the legend/clones are modified rangers than some breed of champ. "

[Big dreams]

Good to know.  Thanks for this information.  I think my next boat will be a Legend

[raisinrat]

I habe rode on them and the ride is pretty nice. Right there with ranger.

[thedude]

i just brought this one home from TN on wed


They ride smooth and very flat, in fact the nose seems like its pointed down toward the water a bit. The fit and finish is 2nd to none. There may not be any plastic anywhere on the boat except maybe the buttons for the controls.  Hole shot is amazing.

[Grinny]

Congrats on the new ride! It looks awesome...how long is it?

[thedude]

2013 alpha199

[Big dreams]

Nice boat Dude!  I am jeleous...  Someday

[Manxfishing]

Sweet boat Dude
I love the colors, You don't see allot of boats trim in green
And that one has just the right amount.

[Hoekset]

i just brought this one home from TN on wed


They ride smooth and very flat, in fact the nose seems like its pointed down toward the water a bit. The fit and finish is 2nd to none. There may not be any plastic anywhere on the boat except maybe the buttons for the controls.  Hole shot is amazing.

I got to fish out of it already! One bad mutha

[VinceR]

Congrats on the new boat! You KNOW I like that. The Alpha 211 is 1A on my list for my next boat.