Legacy Yachts

HOW DOES LEGACY CONSTRUCT ITS MODELS FOR PERFORMANCE & SAFETY?

Legacy Yachts continue today to develop and refine the most advanced yacht building techniques with the finest materials and technology possible. The result is a hull that is among the most durable and stable in the boating industry today. Legacy’s hulls are built with unidirectional E-glass, a synthetic structural foam coring, and an epoxy modified vinylester resin resulting in superior strength. The use of vinylester resin instead of polyester resin does raise the cost of the construction process, but the end result is a much stiffer hull with osmotic resistance not seen in boats that use polyester. In addition, vinylester resin does not continue to cure after being exposed to sunlight which can shrink the resin volumetrically creating a core print-through that can be seen with the naked eye.

Every Legacy Yacht deck is built to last and goes through a customized vacuum infusion process that creates the perfect resin-to-glass ratio. Legacy decks become stronger and easier to maintain in the process. Typical deck construction in other yacht brands involves a very labor intensive process of hand-laying which can become problematic if the builder is inexperienced. Additionally, air can become entrapped in the deck causing structural issues further into ownership. With a vacuum-bagged resin-infused deck and hull, the possibility of water entry or water migration through the core becomes impossible.

While there is much to say about the superior performance of a Legacy Yacht, it’s the stunning interior design and luxurious appointments that should be noticed first. The Legacy factory goes to great lengths to use only the finest materials inside each yacht including real cherry wood doors, teak flooring, and custom-made furniture and cabinetry. Even the wood is bent in-house for beautiful curves that accent interior design. There are no fake or man-made products on a Legacy Yacht, only high-quality natural woods with custom installation.

HOW IS THE LEGACY 12 DIFFERENT FROM PREVIOUS MODELS?

The Legacy 12 is a noticeable departure from earlier Legacy models because it’s conceived as a compact, high-performance, outboard-powered cruising yacht rather than the classic inboard Downeast formula. Legacy describes it as a “robust yet compact” Downeast-style cruiser with a moderate deep-V hull, twin outboards (350 hp standard), and top speed around 45 knots, plus ABS and ABYC build standards, electro-hydraulic steering, and modern electronics. The interior concept also leans more “modern weekender cruiser” with galley-up, 360° salon views, and flexible accommodations (owner’s suite + convertible guest arrangements).

Compared with the prior Legacy 32/36/42 lineup, the biggest differences are propulsion/drive type, performance envelope, and how the boat is packaged for cruising. The Legacy 32 and 36 are built around single inboard diesel + shaft/prop + skeg/keel protection (e.g., Legacy 32 lists a Cummins QSB 380hp with shaft/prop and a “full skeg” protecting prop and rudder; the Legacy 36 brochure similarly describes an inboard Cummins with prop shaft and keel/skeg protection). The Legacy 42 moved to twin Volvo IPS pods with joystick control (still inboard, but pod-driven). In contrast, the Legacy 12 is outboard-based with twin outboards (gas and optional diesel outboards) and styling/hull changes like aft hull extensions to visually “hide” the outboards and added buoyancy/running surface to support them.

A few highlights showing the differences:

• Outboards vs inboards: different maintenance access, different weight distribution, and typically different low-speed handling behavior—plus the ability to spec multiple outboard power packages on the 12.

• Much higher top-end (and a more “sport cruiser” feel): Legacy positions the 12 with up to ~45 knots versus prior models whose published performance figures are generally lower and tied to efficient inboard cruising.

• Construction spec emphasis: the Legacy 12 outboard specification sheet explicitly calls out an infused epoxy laminate with carbon fiber (rigidity) and aramid/Kevlar (impact resistance), plus “no plywood or timber” below sole levels—language that’s more “modern composite spec sheet” than the older model summaries.

• Layout/experience: the 12 is heavily marketed around galley-up + big views + flexible cabins for couples and island-hopping/Great Loop style cruising.

Legacy Yachts are available at all Seattle Yachts locations in the Pacific Northwest, California, Maryland, and Florida.