How do the Legends perform in comparison to other boats in speed?

mygreenihc · April 15, 2013, 06:19:00 PM

I will be in the market for a new boat in the next year or so and have been trying to do my homework while I wait. I have wanted a Bullet for years now and decided that this time a Bullet was in the bag. However, after listening to you guys and seeing Mike's new boat being built, I am second guessing myself.

I know how a Bullet performs and I have a few friends with new Rangers. Bullets are fast and Rangers are relatively slow. Bullets will beat you to death and Rangers are typically smooth. You guys all brag about the Legend as far as ride and maneuverability are concerned, but I haven't heard much about what kind of speed these boats typically run. What kind of speed would you see on a decent fair weather day out of a 191 with a 200 Pro XS on it?

I can sure see me riding around in this thing.

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K2Racing · April 15, 2013, 07:23:11 PM

I think that hull may be the fastest hull from the Legend catalog. I run an LE21 with a Mercury Optimax 225, I seriously have a problem with too much tackle in my boat and I have not spent the right amount of time and effort to get it any faster but I can hit 70.6 GPS with full load by myself, 69.5 consistently, 67 with a partner and his gear and 66.5 with livewells full and partner, etc. That being said, I can run all those speeds with one hand on the wheel due to the stability of the boat. If you're looking for 80+ boat, this may be a bad choice. If you're looking for a smooth, quality built, dry and great handling boat with the best customer support in the business, then this is your boat.
Best of luck in your decision

BassBUFF · April 15, 2013, 07:54:24 PM

K2 gave a great summary! I've got an 07 LE195 w/200 Optimax (the Pro XS wasn't available) which the 191 replaces. Best I've achieved was 71.9 with 1/8 tank of gas and just me and my gear aboard. With a partner, his gear, 1/2 tank, and full livewells it'll run 66-67 all day. Empty livewells 68.5-69.5.

I'll take the ride, handling, build, and customer service over speed any day!

Mike Cork · April 16, 2013, 08:41:11 AM

I don't have much experience with the 191 but what I do have I can tell you it's the sports car of bass boats. The handling is like it's on rails, the hole shot is amazing. Top end, I can't answer. The one I drove was "tweaked" and it broke 70 pretty easy.

As you seen with my latest boat. Legend's customer service is awesome. They will keep you updated throughout the build process, even send you photo's. Everything about Legend Boats is custom, so if you order one be prepared to answer a lot of questions about what exactly you'd like from bow to stern, motor to electronics, seat patterns to striping designs. Once you build a Legend, it's yours and unless you copied another boat, you won't find another one just like it.

Picked up my boat two weeks ago, got a call from the owner yesterday. He just wanted to make sure everything was working, that I still loved my boat, and to offer any assistance if needed.

Nelsonv1975 · April 16, 2013, 01:18:44 PM

I had no experience with Legend prior to last year. After talking to Legend and some Legend owners I decided to go with new Alpha 211. I would have to assume the 191 is built just as great. This is an unbelievable boat. Great hole shot, smooth in the roughest water, and fast enough for me. I don't need a boat to do 85mph for me to catch fish. Mid 70's from the dealer with no tweaking I'd good enough for me. You can't go wrong with a Legend!!

K2Racing · April 16, 2013, 01:37:22 PM

Ive yet to catch a fish going 70+ mph!! Its about how it rides getting there and how it fishes all day while I'm using an electric trolling motor to actually fish. That, my friend, is where a Legend shines.

mygreenihc · April 16, 2013, 10:54:33 PM

LOL. Hang on. Maybe I emphasized on speed a little too much. I am almost 50 years old and my boat has a 115 on it. I have no desire to run around in an Allison. My interest was sparked by you guys bragging about the handling and ride quality, but I myself can see the excellent quality in detail.

I guess the biggest reason for my question is that a friend of mine has an almost new (2010 I think) 20 foot Ranger Comanche with a 225 Etec on it and flat out it will run about 62. I can almost stay with him with my 115. That is just a little too slow. I would like to see 70 or maybe a little better, but I mainly wanted to know if the ride and handling quality was mostly due to weight or if Legend has a superior hull design.

Nelsonv1975 · April 16, 2013, 11:13:36 PM

The ride is great, super smooth, hell I don't even have to hold the wheel at all while I'm running WOT.

K2Racing · April 17, 2013, 07:21:06 AM

FishinSteelers has a 199 with a 200 ProXS on it and I'm fairly certain he's a 70+ mph boat. You should have no problems skiing right on past your buddy in that Ranger, I'm sure of that. Whatever the reason, Legend nailed the hull for stability, control, ride quality and dryness. Combine that with enough speed to keep you up and ahead of most of the pack and the best fit and finish on the water, you have yourself a winner.

laynboards · April 22, 2013, 08:36:12 PM

Oh yea I have a 199 with the 225 pro xs and I run 70+ everytime im out , most I think I have ever seen on gps was 76 that's flat out getting it on the water I don't care what boat your in !!!!!!! I love my Legend and will only own Legends from now until .......

Captk88 · April 26, 2013, 04:35:35 PM

I'm in the middle to of looking for a new boat and am stuck between Legend Ranger and Phoenix, I am really leaning towards the Phoenix with Legend in a close second. If you want speed I know the phoenix is silly fast but everything I have heard and seen says legend is a better ride, but then again at a certain point nothing rides good!

Mike Cork · April 27, 2013, 07:23:52 PM

Quote from: Captk88 on April 26, 2013, 04:35:35 PM
I'm in the middle to of looking for a new boat and am stuck between Legend Ranger and Phoenix, I am really leaning towards the Phoenix with Legend in a close second. If you want speed I know the phoenix is silly fast but everything I have heard and seen says legend is a better ride, but then again at a certain point nothing rides good!

Captk88, in the ride department. I comfortably drove at 64-67 mph on top of the Grand Lake water we fished. All my partners loved the ride and said it was the best rough water riding boat they'd ever been in. Food for thought. Only you, in this thread, know what we were dealing with.

Captk88 · April 28, 2013, 05:50:21 PM

Oh I know, I'm not saying Legend isn't one of the best rides on the market right now. I'm currently in the market for a Legend or Phoenix depending on the price and everything. I just think the Phoenix has some cool features to it and is a comparable boat in the same price range.

Elwood · April 29, 2013, 12:13:41 PM

While Legends are great rough water boats....I believe that good experienced driver can actually make most any modern boat perform well in rough water and no two brands drive the same. Legends take big water better if trimmed down and cutting through the water...Bass Cat on the other hand will take big water better on top of the waves. Driver experience will dictate which passeger in those two will have sore kidney's and who will not. This all to a certain point also....really bigs waves are bad no matter which brand you have..

I can not comment on the Phoenix...never been in one...they are quick

Flyswatter · April 29, 2013, 08:09:52 PM

Quote from: Elwood on April 29, 2013, 12:13:41 PM
While Legends are great rough water boats....I believe that good experienced driver can actually make most any modern boat perform well in rough water and no two brands drive the same. Legends take big water better if trimmed down and cutting through the water...Bass Cat on the other hand will take big water better on top of the waves. Driver experience will dictate which passeger in those two will have sore kidney's and who will not. This all to a certain point also....really bigs waves are bad no matter which brand you have..

I couldn't agree more. Behind the wheel experience is a major factor on all fronts. Gotta say I hope to ride in a Legend someday. They are cool looking boats.

-Shawn- · May 02, 2013, 08:43:37 AM

With My Set up LE21 225 pro XS I can run 69-70 with My wife and I and way to much tackle on Tourney mornings and when its rough we usually pass 99% of the boats on the water..... We fish a lot of Bigger water Like Falcon and running 3-4 footers is fairly regular. I know the Aplhas set up right with Propwork are 75-77 MPH boats and tend to handle the Rough water with the bow higher than the LE's
I watched Dwight Running Solid 3 footers Straight in the side on Fork a couple of years ago Cruising about 60 and never seen him get wet.

Flyswatter · June 18, 2013, 05:44:56 PM

Just got off of Kentucky Lake which is a 184 mile long lake, North to South and guessing it's 2 miles wide. Speed is overrated. After being on it for 5 days rough water ride tickles my feathers more then speed. I have been awaken. Now my home waters on the Coosa Chain rough water is never an issue. I have much more respect for rough water ride. Mother Nature can be nasty to a boat. Hmmm..... I not talking smack at you Laurie.

All the same IMO where you fish can determine the type of boat you want. Just a thought!