rustler 36 sailboat

Equilibrium. Sailing a Rustler 36.

• December 12th, 2023
• Sailing Yacht

Oh man. Quite some busy weeks this year – having been to Les Sables only one week ago , I returned a few days ago once again to finally inspect and take over another catamaran from the shipyard. Being a lucky man that I am, it was again a wonderful sunny and mild week with temperatures nearing 10 degrees Celsius, a brightly shining sun and thus my mood was on an absolute high, having just escaped the freezing grip of the onset of winter back in Germany. Even more lucky I felt when I called Andrea Lodolo, asking if he would be available for another flying visit – and he was!

Walking down the pontoon I admired the classy lines of his Rustler 36. This boat is a 10.77 meter long classic, built by Rustler yachts of Falmouth, England. It has first been built in 1980 and since then more than 120 units had been built. She is well known for her exceptionally rugged structure, practically unbreakable and is therefore one of the big names when it comes to “go anywhere”-boats. 36 feet is a size that is very well manageable by a solo skipper and sustainable for two people. Rustler still offers this boat the same way it has been built since almost 45 years. She is beautiful, indeed, appealing to the classic eye, a long keeler I´d love to sail.

An invitation I couldn´t decline

Andrea Lodolo, skipper of BIBI, as the yacht is named, kindly invites me to come aboard and as if the warm sunshine of this glorious day isn´t enough, offers to have a little fun dash out: “Wanna see how she sails?”, he asks. And so he starts to ready the boat. As my punch list for today´s work is completed, I happily grab my oils from the car (I am always ready to cast off, equipment-wise) and join Andrea in getting ready.

Andrea Lodolo is a 52 years old skipper from Italy, a highly respected business-man and focused professional mariner. Having transferred his activities largely to entrepreneurial activities, he shifted his attention and basically his whole life to sailing. Officially entering the attendance list for the Golden Globe Race 2026, BIBI is his boat of choice for this notorious circumnavigation – surely a good choice, as this is the most popular boat within the Golden Globe Race-fleet. With a sturdy 7.6 tons full displacement hull (long keel!) this boat has 3.5 tons of ballast, which is a nearly 50 per cent ballast ratio – something that is very re-assuring for entering the Southern Ocean …

Casting off a couple of minutes later, I remain on the jetty and ask Andrea to steam past my camera lense a few times, just to admire the full lines of the yacht. She appears to be larger than 36 feet to my eyes. A relatively high freeboard, a nice sheer line and a good visual balance between hull and cabin roof: A beautiful, timeless boat for sure. Andrea collects me at the pontoon, we start to head out from Les Sables Port Olona into the Biscay.

Feeling at the helm

Taking away the fenders and dock lines, Andrea hands me the tiller to steer out BIBI. It´s my first time on the helm of a full displacement boat. Often I had read about the alleged sturdiness or portliness of long-keeled boats and so I was keen on how she felt: Is it really such a difference to the modern double-ruddered light-displacement yachts of current days? I´d say yes, indeed! First of all, it is always a joy to have a boat with a tiller. I like steering wheels , of course, as they are convenient, look very sleek and “yacht-like”. But honestly, nothing beats a tiller in terms of directness, rudder feedback and reaction time.

The latter in brackets: My first impression of the Rustler 36 under engine at the helm is very different from my past experience with modern boats. Whereas a boat like my First 27 SE was extremely light-footed and nimble on the helm, almost instantaneously translated even the smallest impulses from the tiller into course changes, the Rustler seems to take an eternity until she is moving. But then it is also quite hard to stop the impulse and adjust course. It takes a few minutes to getting used to this but I soon understand that this full displacement hull is kind of inert and needs a lot of tactfulness. On our way back into the marina I will again get the opportunity to be at the helm: By then I could get a better feel and my movements became less awkward and clumsy.

Hoisting the canvas, solo-sailing mode

Andrea in the meantime is back in the cockpit and we steam outside between the breakwaters. He points his head towards the long walkway that leads up to the starboard side lighthouse of Les Sables and says to me: “This is where the masses will round up when the Vendeé Globe starts.” And he means: When the Golden Globe Race will start. We steam past the lighthouses – a large Atlantic Ocean welcomes us with a huge swell. Let´s roll!

It is absolutely interesting for me to watch Andrea Lodolo: As a skilled sailor and solo skipper who is currently training in Les Sables on a daily basis, often dashing out twice a day, there should be a lot of things to watch, to notice, to learn from. And right away it started with something I had not expected: Andrea turns the boat into the mightly swell and adjusted the windvane of the self steering mechanism. I was eager to learn how the wind pilot works in real life after writing my article last time and here we are: A live demonstration!

After adjusting the pilot, the boat steers itself dead into the wind. I watch the windvane work and it is absolutely exhilarating: How nimble and easy the vane works on the small rudder behind the boat. It keeps BIBI right in course and not even the highest waves rolling in can put the Rustler off course. Which leads me to the next Aha-moment.

Quite some tough free waves …

Whilst Andrea is standing at the mast foot working to get up the first 2 or 3 meters of the mainsail, later returning to the cockpit to crank the halyard winch. The waves are pretty impressive: Les Sables d´Olonne has a tricky entrance to the harbor with a zone of, I´d say, half a mile where the Ocean floor seems to produce high and steep waves. It gets better the more distance one can get from the harbour, but immediately after/before the entrance, it´s the worst.

I don´t know if Andrea did this for training purposes, but he decided not to steam into the calmer waters but to hoist sails just right here where the Ocean was literally boiling. The waves had an average height of at least three meters, which already is pretty intense. But every fifth or sixth wave was a true freaky one: A wall of fierce foaming greenish water with white foam caps was travelling towards the boat, forcing her bow pointing up towards the sunny blue sky, skyrocketing the ship up.

“You do not ever do this in a modern boat!”, I always thought to myself, being on the crest of the wave, as BIBI put her bow down and shot sliding down the wave, gaining momentum. The first few times I really feared the hard slamming, the wobbling of the mast, the grim sounds a suffering rigging will make. But apparently … nothing! Nothing at all! I mean, no slamming, no splashing into the water – not even some rocking. Just a smooth and gentle movement, calm and re-assuring. It was like a revelation for me! Literally, in those conditions, steaming 90 degrees dead ahead right into the oncoming steep waves … you never do this is a modern boat.

Finding the balance

I calmed down inside. Letting go my initial presentiment and, leaning back and enjoying the ride. In the meantime, Andrea had hoisted the main and veered away, quickly unrolling the Genoa. I killed the engine upon his advice and got u in the cockpit again to watch the second lesson of the day: Finetuning the boat´s course. Unlocking the helm and taking a sharp turn to portside, he started by roughly aligning the boat to a beam reach. Then he fixed the tiller again to amidship and started to work the windvane.

„I´ve added some marks on the trim wheel”, he told me: Pointing to white markings, Andrea found quick links for the main points of sail. By using his “remote control” (you may read the details of this mechanism by checking the article here ) he can now quickly bridge the gabs when changing to a new point of sail by just turning the trim wheel and have the finetune later. This system works pretty fine and again, I was puzzled by the effectiveness of the windvane. As I am only used to engaging and disengaging electric or hydraulic auto pilots, this simple yet ingenious mechanical system fascinates me quite much!

The boat is held on course in an absolute balance. The instant reaction of the windvane causes to the boat to steer a slightly zig-zag-course, which in the midst of this violently boiling seas went totally unnoticed. Andrea tells me that the windvane has three settings, for “light”, “moderate” and “heavy” winds, which makes it even more adjustable. I really begin to be a big fan of such a steering mechanism!

It is only then when Andrea starts to trim his sails. Up until now, he was just caring about getting up the canvas, find a general course, finetune the windvane to the exact course. Just now he leans back in his cockpit and literally for the first time of our dash out, he seems to look up and into the very sails. Checking Windex and the tell tales in sails, he finally starts to trim the sails, easing a sheet here, cranking in another sheet there. After some 15 or 20 minutes he finally looks at me: “Now we have it!” Smiling. There it is: The equilibrium.

Deeply impressive: Rustler´s sailing performance

This is the first moment Andrea´s strain eases. He smiles for the first time. Looking out and around into the waves. “This is why we do this, right?”, pointing to the incoming waves: “Look at this grandeur! Isn´t it amazing?” While we chat, he offers me a sandwich he brought on board, a tasty, fresh French baguette with jambon et fromage , the salty delight is a treat for my stomach, still a bit stirred up by the rollercoaster of Les Sables´ harbor entrance.

The Rustler marches forward. Adjusting the windvane Andrea gets to sail the boat in all major points of sail, just to show me how it feels like. I am amazed by the seaworthiness and, much more, by the seakindness of this boat. What felt like a slowly turning supertanker just 60 minutes before, is now a lively, nimble and impressively quick sailing yacht. The best part of it is how she copes with the swell, which is really a gamechanger for me! This classic long keel full displacement hull is by far the most comfortable boat I ever got sail in my whole life! I´ve never experienced a boat so smooth, so gentle, so calm and quiet like this one. “Now, perfectly in balance, well-trimmed”, Andrea says, “she could be going on forever …” I nod, knowing that in his mind he visualizes himself already tackling all the offshore-adventures I is about to set out to. And now I indeed understand why this boat is the number one choice for most of the previous Golden Globe Race attendants: Three and four meter waves like we are experiencing right now seem impressive, and they surely are. But they are nothing compared to the violence and rage the Ocean can throw at a boat in the Southern Ocean. In this, having such a kind boat, stable, stiff and remarkably strong, is not a bonus, it´s simply a must-have.

A rugged cruising classic

And she is pretty quick indeed! In fact, quicker than I had thought: After Andrea had found the right trim for the sails and once she set of to spring on a beam reach, she easily reached 6 to 7 knots. I am sure there is potential for more speed – no planning of course – but a speed that will make even a circumnavigation go by relatively fast. Jean Luc Van Den Heede won his Golden Globe Race 2018 on a Rustler 36 after 211 days at see.

Of course, this is no comparison to a modern planning or even foiling high performance yacht, like CHARAL or MALIZIA, which do the same route in 75 days, being three times faster than the Rustlers. But even an average speed of 5 knots for the Rustler, taking on the 24.000 miles adventure around the world is a good speed, I´d say. Or let´s put it this way: I had thought these boats were slower.

Andrea is in his element. He seemingly relaxes by the minute. Now, that the work is done and the boat had found its equilibrium, perfectly trimmed, the windvane doing its job, he can let go: Maybe he is in his equilibrium now too? It is often said that sailors and boats are a unity, forming a bond, being able to read each other and react. Maybe that´s the state he is now in?

Modern hull design vs. full displacement

Every nice thing has to find its end, finally. After three hours out in the swirling green of the Biscay he tacks BIBI and puts her to an upwind course, the last point of sail to check on our little sea trial. Amazingly enough, the boat sails extremely stable and there is no difference in speed: We are clocking a steady 6 knots. Andrea furls the Genoa as I start the Diesel , takes down the mainsail and after passing the lighthouses, being inside the Les Sables channel, the boat stops to move around. I take the helm, thinking about what I had ultimatel learned today.

First of all I am amazed by the stiffness and seakindness of the boat. This is really a completely different game compared to the flat, thin modern hulls. They may be far superior in light and medium conditions, but I am sure if we had done the stunt in the high waves with a modern boat, we would have seriously endangered both the rigging and maybe the structural integrity of the boat. I´d never have done this with one of our boats, for sure!

Secondly, and that comes with the seakindness, the Rustler was absolutely “quiet”. I had never been sailing on a yacht so quiet, without any noise! Of course, the free boom did some clanking around during hoisting of the mainsail, but apart from that, it was absolutely quiet. Just the noise of the waves and the hollering of the wind around us, an occasional horn of a fishing boat nearby dancing fantastically on the wave crests as we did. So quiet. Both things lead to a deep trust in the safety as a passenger on board. It´s like a built-in life insurance. I trust this boat!

I say Goodbye to Andrea and thank him for this impressive demonstration of what BIBI is capable. Being a pro-sailor, he just briefly notifies me as he is busy completing his logbook with a proper entry for this day. A good sign, a proper seafarer, a serious GGR contender. Driving home back to Germany I think much about my learnings, and I must smile suddenly: My new boat is also a classic. Although bearing a more modern hull design and a moderate fin keel, the Omega 42 is not a flat planning boat, but an elegant and fast displacement yacht. If she offers just half of the seakindness of the Rustler 36, I will for sure be a happy man.

You might as well be interested in these related articles:

Hull design and different keel types

How modern hull design affects internal volume

Talking to Rob & Tom Humphreys about modern yacht design

• Types of Sailboats
• Parts of a Sailboat
• Cruising Boats
• Small Sailboats
• Design Basics
• Sailboats under 30'
• Sailboats 30'-35
• Sailboats 35'-40'
• Sailboats 40'-45'
• Sailboats 45'-50'
• Sailboats 50'-55'
• Sailboats over 55'
• Masts & Spars
• Knots, Bends & Hitches
• The 12v Energy Equation
• Electronics & Instrumentation
• Build Your Own Boat
• Buying a Used Boat
• Choosing Accessories
• Living on a Boat
• Cruising Offshore
• Sailing in the Caribbean
• Anchoring Skills
• Sailing Authors & Their Writings
• Mary's Journal
• Nautical Terms
• Cruising Sailboats for Sale
• List your Boat for Sale Here!
• Used Sailing Equipment for Sale
• Sell Your Unwanted Gear
• Sailing eBooks: Download them here!
• Your Sailboats
• Your Sailing Stories
• Your Fishing Stories
• Advertising
• What's New?
• Chartering a Sailboat
• Cruising Yachts 35' to 40'

The Rustler 36 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Rustler 36, a long-keeled masthead sloop, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by Rustler Yachts Ltd.

Published Specification for the Rustler 36

Underwater Profile:  Long keel, with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (fiberglass)

Length Overall:  35'4" (10.8m)

Waterline Length:  26'11" (8.2m)

Beam:  11'0" (3.4m)

Draft:  5'6" (1.7m)

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop

Displacement:  16,805lb (7,623kg)

Designer:  Holman & Pye

Builder:  Rustler Yachts (UK)

Year First Built:  1980

Number Built:  100

Published Design Ratios for the Rustler 36

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  11.4

Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  45.3

Displacement/Length Ratio:  385

Comfort Ratio:  36.2

Capsize Screening Formula:   1.7

read more about these all-revealing numbers...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Rustler 36

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 11.4 suggests that the Rustler 36 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 45.3 means that the Rustler 36 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 385, tells us the Rustler 36 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 36.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Rustler 36 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Rustler 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Read this review of the Rustler 36 sailboat...

The Rustler 36: A Classic Offshore Cruiser

The Rustler 36 is a classic sailboat in every sense of the word. It has a graceful sheer line, a long overhang at the bow and a counter stern that give it a timeless look. It has a cutter rig with a bowsprit that allows for a large sail area and easy sail handling. It has a long, deep keel that gives it stability and directional stability in a seaway. It has a skeg-hung rudder that protects it from damage and provides good steering control. It has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate four people comfortably and has a tiller steering system that gives direct feedback from the rudder. It has a solid GRP hull and deck that are hand laid to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. It has a displacement of 7.5 tons and a ballast of 3.4 tons, which give it a generous payload capacity for long distance cruising.

The Rustler 36 is not a mass-produced boat. Each boat is built to order and customized to the owner's preferences. The interior joinery is constructed from high quality materials by skilled craftsmen who are happy to incorporate owners' modifications. The boat can be fitted with various options such as different engine sizes, heating systems, water makers, solar panels, wind generators, etc. The boat can also be ordered with different versions such as an owner's version with a larger aft cabin or a charter version with more berths.

The Rustler 36 is a boat that has proven itself in many ocean passages and circumnavigations. It has been described by sailing magazines as "a seaworthy cruising yacht in which you could embark on any serious ocean passage with confidence" (Sailing Today) and "a boat chosen by those who want to go places and need to survive anything the sea can throw at them" (Practical Boat Owner) . The Rustler 36 is a boat that will inspire you to explore new horizons and enjoy the journey along the way.

Accommodation The Rustler 36 offers comfortable living conditions below deck for up to six people. The layout consists of a forward cabin with a V-berth and storage lockers, a saloon with two settees that can convert into berths and a folding table, an aft cabin with a double berth and storage space, a galley with a two-burner stove, an oven, a sink, a fridge and ample counter space, a navigation station with a chart table and instruments, and a head compartment with a marine toilet, a sink and a shower. The interior is finished in teak woodwork that creates a warm and cozy atmosphere. The upholstery is available in various colors and fabrics. The headroom is about 6 feet throughout the boat. The ventilation is provided by several opening ports and hatches. The lighting is provided by LED lights and reading lamps. The heating is provided by an optional diesel heater or an electric heater.

The accommodation of the Rustler 36 can be customized to suit the owner's needs. For example, the owner's version can have a larger aft cabin with more storage space and access to the cockpit locker. The charter version can have more berths in the saloon or the aft cabin. The galley can be fitted with additional appliances such as a microwave or a freezer.

Hull and Deck The hull of the Rustler 36 is made of hand laid GRP to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. The hull is reinforced by longitudinal stringers and transverse frames that create a strong and rigid structure. The hull is also insulated with foam to reduce condensation and noise. The hull color is white as standard but can be customized to any color.

The deck of the Rustler 36 is also made of hand laid GRP to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. The deck is bonded to the hull with a flange and fastened with stainless steel bolts. The deck is also reinforced by a plywood core that adds strength and stiffness. The deck is covered with a non-slip surface that provides good grip and traction. The deck color is white as standard but can be customized to any color.

The hull and deck of the Rustler 36 are fitted with high quality hardware and fittings that are rated to perform well in harsh conditions. The boat has a stainless steel pulpit, pushpit, stanchions and lifelines that provide safety and security on deck. The boat has a teak toe rail that adds beauty and protection to the hull. The boat has six mooring cleats and four fairleads that allow for easy docking and anchoring. The boat has a large anchor locker that can store a CQR anchor, a chain and a windlass. The boat has a bowsprit that extends the foredeck and supports the cutter rig. The boat has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate four people comfortably and has a tiller steering system that gives direct feedback from the rudder. The cockpit has two large lockers that can store sails, fenders, lines, etc. The cockpit also has a sprayhood that protects the crew from wind and spray.

Mast and Rigging The mast of the Rustler 36 is made of anodized aluminum and is keel-stepped for strength and stability. The mast has two sets of spreaders that support the masthead sloop rig. The mast has internal halyards that run through sheaves and exit at the mast base. The mast has an optional spinnaker pole that can be stored on the mast or on the deck.

The rigging of the Rustler 36 is made of stainless steel wire and is attached to the mast and the chainplates with swaged terminals. The rigging consists of a forestay, a backstay, two upper shrouds, two lower shrouds and two intermediate shrouds. The rigging is tensioned by turnbuckles and secured by split pins.

The sails of the Rustler 36 are made of Dacron fabric and are triple stitched for durability. The sails consist of a fully battened mainsail with three reef points, a furling genoa with UV protection, a staysail with hanks, and an optional spinnaker or gennaker. The sails are controlled by winches, clutches, blocks, tracks, cars, cleats and lines.

Keel and Rudder The keel of the Rustler 36 is a long, deep keel that gives the boat stability and directional stability in a seaway. The keel is made of cast iron and is bolted to the hull with stainless steel bolts. The keel has a ballast of 3.4 tons, which gives the boat a ballast ratio of 45%. The keel has a draft of 5 feet 6 inches, which allows the boat to access most harbors and anchorages.

The rudder of the Rustler 36 is a skeg-hung rudder that protects it from damage and provides good steering control. The rudder is made of GRP with a stainless steel stock and pintles. 

The keel and rudder of the Rustler 36 are designed to match the hull shape and performance characteristics of the boat. They provide a smooth flow of water around the boat and minimize drag and leeway. They also provide a comfortable motion in waves and reduce pitching and rolling.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

Other sailboats in the Rustler range include:

Recent Articles

'Cabo Frio', a Catalina Morgan 43 for sale

Apr 01, 24 08:35 AM

Live Aboard Boats For Sale

Mar 30, 24 07:02 PM

A Beneteau Oceanis 43 for Sale

Mar 30, 24 06:01 PM

Here's where to:

• Find  Used Sailboats for Sale...
• Find Used Sailing Gear for Sale...
• List your Sailboat for Sale...
• List your Used Sailing Gear...

Our eBooks...

A few of our Most Popular Pages...

Copyright © 2024  Dick McClary  Sailboat-Cruising.com

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Rustler 36 is a 35 ′ 4 ″ / 10.8 m monohull sailboat designed by Kim Holman and built by Rustler Yachts Ltd. starting in 1980.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Engine and tankage are for more recent versions.

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Rustler 36 is a 35.33ft masthead sloop designed by Holman & Pye and built in fiberglass by Rustler Yachts Ltd. since 1980.

100 units have been built..

The Rustler 36 is a heavy sailboat which is under powered. It is very stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat. The fuel capacity is originally small. There is a short water supply range.

Rustler 36 for sale elsewhere on the web:

Main features

Login or register to personnalize this screen.

You will be able to pin external links of your choice.

See how Sailboatlab works in video

We help you build your own hydraulic steering system - Lecomble & Schmitt

Accommodations

Builder data, other photos, modal title.

The content of your modal.

Personalize your sailboat data sheet

RUSTLER 36 similar search results:

WINNER 11.20

The RUSTLER 36 shown below has been sold:

Sales information

• De Valk Belgium Belgium
• +3258680218
• Call the broker

e-mail the broker

Tell a friend.

• download brochure

Take time onboard with a live video tour

Seen a boat that piques your interest but can't make a visit in person? One of our brokers will be your eyes and ears as they take you on a video tour with their phone. You can also ask them questions about anything that isn't visually obvious. Make the call and be welcomed aboard...

Download brochure

Broker's comments.

The Rustler 36 needs no introduction. Over the years, this boat has earned an enviable reputation as an elegant and safe ocean sailor with excellent sailing performance. The fact that the Rustler 36 is still offered today by the renowned Rustler Yachts yard in Falmouth is a testament to her timeless success. "Fair Isle" has been carefully and professionally maintained by the current owner. All major components have been renewed. Today "Fair Isle" is a carefree and seaworthy sailing vessel ready for serious ocean cruising!

General - RUSTLER 36

Accommodation.

JEANNEAU SUN ODYSSEY 36I

HALLBERG RASSY 34

DEGERO 31 DS

ENDURANCE 38

JEANNEAU SUN FAST 3200

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Golden Globe Race: Rustler 36 re-build for Susie Goodall

• Katy Stickland
• May 14, 2018

Susie Goodall's Rustler 36 has undergone a major refit ahead of the Golden Globe Race, as Sue Pelling discovers

DHL Starlight Credit: DHL/GGR/PPL

Susie Goodall, 28, is the only female sailor signed up for next year’s Golden Globe Race.

She said she wanted a good, seaworthy yacht that could be adapted to suit her needs.

The Rustler 36 was always her first choice and so she was delighted when she took ownership of the 1995-built Ariadne, which has now been renamed  DHL Starlight.

It will be hard to miss Susie’s red and yellow boat. Credit: Theo Stocker

Goodall said the time spent on the boat while crossing the Atlantic in 2017 was invaluable: ‘I discovered everything that leaks and all the problems with the boat, including the toe-rail deck fitting seals which were letting water in. All the deck fittings have come off; some have been replaced because they were so corroded. The toe-rails were taken off and resealed. The boat has basically had a re-build.;

The 22-year-old deck-stepped mast has now been replaced with a new keel-stepped Selden mast.

The new windows are smaller for security in extreme conditions. Credit: Sue Pelling

“Thanks to Selden I have new rigging and have switched from single to twin spreaders for extra stiffness. I was going to add a second forestay, and backstay and an extra set of shrouds but Selden tell me the specs for the new rig is well above the safety line anyway,’ she said.

With safety a key concern and the thinking behind her ideas based on whether the boat can withstand a Southern Ocean roll, it has been the superstructure has been significantly modified.

Continues below…

Golden Globe Race: Dream come true for Susie Goodall

Sue Pelling meets up with Susie Goodall to find out what possessed her to sign up for a nine-month, non-stop…

Golden Globe Race 2018: Susie Goodall sponsored by Seldén Masts Ltd

Seldén Masts Ltd have announced they are sponsoring young British sailor Susie Goodall in the Golden Globe Race

Golden Globe Race: skippers’ thoughts

With less than two months to go, some of the Golden Globe Race skippers reveal how they are preparing for…

As well as adding extra buoyancy at the bow by completely glassing in the anchor locker and filling it with foam, and adding a new bulkhead into the fo’c’sle with a watertight door, the companionway has been totally re-vamped.

‘The companionway was something I was really worried about on my Atlantic trip because I knew if I had a serious knockdown the washboard would have come out the boat would have essentially just filled up.

‘The new-look submarine entrance – which I will climb down into – is going to have a Perspex hatch to make it 100 per cent sealed.’

Susie Goodall is the only woman taking part in the race. Credit: Sue Pelling

Goodall has also chosen to replace the windows. ‘The standard windows on the Rustler are great because they are big and give plenty of light when cruising but for what I am doing it is a massive weakness so all four of them have been completely glassed in and replaced with smaller versions.

‘Also I had three deck hatches but one has been glassed in because I don’t need it.’

Gary Colwell, one of the engineers working full time on the boat, said like all re-fits it is never that straight-forward: ‘Glassing up the windows and replacing them with smaller versions was a bigger job than in sounds because to fill the ‘holes’ where the old ones came out, we had to first graft in new glassfibre.

The toe rails have been removed, resealed and rebolted. Credit: Sue Pelling

‘It wasn’t a case of just cutting out an insert and glassing it in because it would have just popped out when the first wave hit.’

Re-sealing the toe rails was also a major job because to reach the fittings, all the internal locker joinery had to be removed.

Colwell continued: ‘Although we managed to re-claim the actual toe rail, the fixings were right under the deck behind everything. We basically had to strip everything out, seal the deck and then replace with all new bolts.’

RUSTLER 36 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of RUSTLER 36. Built by Rustler Yachts Ltd. and designed by Kim Holman, the boat was first built in 1980. It has a hull type of Long keel w/trans. hung rudder and LOA is 10.77. Its sail area/displacement ratio 16.96. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Nanni, runs on Diesel.

RUSTLER 36 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about RUSTLER 36 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, auxillary power tank, contributions, who designed the rustler 36.

RUSTLER 36 was designed by Kim Holman.

Who builds RUSTLER 36?

RUSTLER 36 is built by Rustler Yachts Ltd..

When was RUSTLER 36 first built?

RUSTLER 36 was first built in 1980.

How long is RUSTLER 36?

RUSTLER 36 is 8.21 m in length.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

• Boats for Sale

New and used Rustler 36 boats for sale

• United Kingdom

Find your dream Rustler 36 on TheYachtMarket today. We have Rustler 36 brokers and sellers from around the world at great prices.

Sign up to our newsletter

By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookie Policy

Change units of measure

This feature requires cookies to be enabled on your browser.

Show price in:

Show lengths, beam and draft in:

Show displacement or weight in:

Show capacity or volume in:

Show speed in:

Show distance in:

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Rustler 37 boat test – Just your cup of tea?

• Toby Hodges
• March 1, 2015

Much as an old-fashioned teapot is said to produce the perfect cuppa, this traditional-looking cruiser is designed to appeal to the discerning cruiser. Can Toby Hodges taste the difference?

Rustler 37 – traditional-looking cruiser for two. Photos: Brendan Fitzgerald

They say the key to the perfect cup of tea is to use a good old-fashioned teapot. It brews the leaves properly and provides an altogether different tasting cuppa, more flavoursome and refreshing. The extra effort and apparatus involved pays off as a teapot blend is typically enjoyed in company, plus it encourages you to indulge in more than one cup.

When was the last time you used a teapot? It seems outdated in today’s era of suave continental coffee machines – a little like the Rustler 37 among today’s spacious, style-conscious European cruisers. The R37 is to a cruising couple what a teapot is to the discerning tea drinker: a timeless design that entirely suits its purpose.

And clients of Rustler tend to be discerning types. Rustler’s director Adrian Jones describes owners as typically well-heeled: “Range Rover drivers in their fifties, typically CEOs and fund managers.” As we saw from our August issue, the brand is even the choice of royalty. HRH The Princess Royal recently upgraded to a new Rustler 44 from the Rustler 36 she owned for 20 years.

The Cornish company has a loyal client base and an enviable reputation. The obvious question, especially during these times of frugality, is how? In an age when new boats offer increasing volume for the price, where does this appeal for traditional designs come from? This conservative new Rustler 37 is nearly three times the price of similar-sized mass-produced cruisers. Why pay so much for a moderate-sized yacht that looks as if it were designed in the last century?

These questions ran through my mind as I headed to Falmouth in August. But, given that the R37 shares a similar hull shape to her larger sisterships, the R42 and R44, I thought I could safely predict the answers – which were confirmed almost immediately when we took this first new 37 to sea in a Force 6. Ask most cruising couples who sail offshore what they want in a boat and a comfortable motion at sea will top their wishlist.

The classic West Country conditions we experienced on our test, a gusty south-westerly with a sharp sea outside the harbour, were the type that would expose the failings of a lighter, flatter-shaped boat.

There was no slamming aboard the Rustler. She has a deep canoe-shaped hull which, together with her full displacement, helps her part the seas softly.

The motion as we went through the waves was so comfortable, in fact, that we could have taken Cornish cream tea in the cockpit . . . from a teapot even.

Just for two

Designer Stephen Jones and Rustler set out to produce a yacht that is perfectly suited to couples. The highly regarded Rustler 36 is 30 years old now and has a long keel, so the new R37 immediately wins on space, speed and agility. In fact, she is comparable to the similar-looking R42, of which 30 have so far been launched.

A number of traditional features help promote comfortable cruising, such as a lead-ballasted, fully encapsulated keel, and generous stowage and tankage. A skeg-hung rudder was paramount. Rustler’s stance is that, however solid the stock, if the rudder strikes something hard enough, it can hole the yacht. A compromise between handling and safety was found by using a half skeg.

This belt and braces approach is what helped convince Tim and Mary Stevenson to take the plunge with this first 37.

“I considered 35-40ft to be ideal and wouldn’t consider mass-produced boats,” said Tim Stevenson during our trial. “I wanted to know that the boat would look after you whatever.” Stevenson is a typical Rustler owner; he predominantly sails with Mary or solo, he plans to compete in the Azores and Back Race next year and hopes to do the ARC one day.

The saloon offers a nice balance between good ambient light for the summer and cosiness for colder climes. Six can sit around the table and the starboard sofa converts to a pilotberth thanks to double trotter boxes

Bespoke production

Along with its seaworthy build, the custom capability of the Rustler yard remains its chief appeal. Where once dozens of Scandinavian yards offered hand-built glassfibre yachts with classic lines, there are few to pick from today. Rustler puts a bespoke focus on clients’ needs. “People equate us to Morgan cars,” says Jones, referring to Rustler as a ‘quirky small company’. And in common with those classic motors, potential clients favour the ‘country gent’ style of a Rustler.

Owners are encouraged to visit during the build. Rustler assigns one team to each boat so the owner gets to know them, making the project more personal. For Tim Stevenson this process was part of the reward of ownership. “I have literally watched it from the mould being made, which has been fascinating,” he says. He is also amazed at the level of custom details – down to taking his inside leg measurement to get the mast step height right.

In her comfort zone

It’s surprisingly rare to be able to test-sail a boat in the conditions for which she has been designed, but as you emerge from Rustler’s Penryn yard, where the yachts are built, you can be in the deep green water in half an hour.

In the relative confines of the Carrick Roads it was perhaps understandable that the R37 felt a little twitchy as we tried to find the correct sailplan to suit the conditions. We set full sail, predicting a Force 5, but with gusts over 25 knots barrelling down off the town, prudence demanded less canvas. Even with a few turns in the genoa she was pressed, encouraging a reef in her main.

The coachroof is flat with a good grip for walking to the mastbase

Once out in the clean air and consistent breeze, however, the R37 was in her element. This is not to say she is ungainly in flat water conditions – indeed she was obedient enough to tack through the trots to the maritime museum so we could sail past the moored tall ships – but she seems to relax into a more assured stride when at sea.

We decided to swap the genoa for a yankee, which further improved the balance. It made me question why a genoa is the standard offering, as the optional cutter rig suits the purpose and design of the boat more fittingly.

The deep cockpit remained bone dry despite having the sprayhood down. She never broached or overloaded on the wheel even with 30 knots over the deck. Her very high displacement:LWL ratio (330) and ballast ratio (35.9) offers comfort in stability. Her design promises to be kindly in a blow and stand up to her canvas. Once heeled onto her overhangs, this disp:LWL ratio diminishes and she slips to weather with surprising pace.

The conditions afforded a pleasurable few hours reaching in and out of Falmouth entrance past St Anthony Head. Speeds were steady, close-reaching at 7 knots, broad reaching at mid 8 knots, occasionally topping 9. But what shone out for me was her consistency. We maintained a steady 6.8 to 7 knots for over ten minutes in flat water upwind, despite 8-knot variance in wind.

Her long fin keel provides good directional stability. The R37 pointed relatively high and felt light on the helm. Even with the leeward deck awash, she didn’t feel overpowered and provided plenty of grip to feather off the gusts.

From the comfort of the cockpit quarter I felt reassured, with coamings at near chest level. I favoured the leeward helming position snuggled against the coaming, with good sightlines below the foot of the yankee. Perched to windward it is a bit of a stretch to the smallish wheel – but then I’m sure Rustler owners don’t ‘perch’ very often.

The galley feels commendably secure to work in at sea. It is larger even than the R42’s, while maintaining a seaworthy layout. There is good fiddled worktop and copious stowage

Seaworthiness before space

Rustler owners tend to be couples who sail together and occasionally invite friends aboard in port. The R37 is therefore perfectly proportioned for a couple below decks, with everything to hand.

Modern beamy designs will obviously feel more voluminous, especially aft, where they may even be able to offer a third cabin. But there are no big open spaces aboard the R37, and stowage is abundant throughout. Fiddles and grabrails are used intelligently and bracing is well-considered.

Seaworthy design elements abound. The engine is mounted centrally over the keel. There are access covers for maintenance and the whole box can be removed for full service. The calorifier is mounted on an A-frame to one side, making its plumbing accessible. The engine housing also includes an aft-facing seat so crew can remove foulweather clothing at the base of the companionway. And there is a dedicated wet hanging locker beside the steps.

The forward cabin is designed for owners, with a wide berth and lots of deep usable stowage. I particularly like the full-size chart drawer below the berth and the bedding stowage space behind the headboard. There is also the option in here of a second compact heads with fold-down sink, despite the layout focus being on couples

Craftsmanship and attention to detail stand out. A small forest of solid oak has been used to create the interior (European oak is standard), fitted and finished by skilled cabinet-makers. Brass washers behind every screw prevent damage to the fine-finished timber, and bronze skin-fittings are employed throughout. The R37 also feels reassuringly rigid. Bulkheads, sub-bulkheads and furniture are bonded to the hull and/or deck. A benefit of an encapsulated keel is that large tanks are incorporated in the bilge.

The more time you take to explore the Rustler 37, the more the words ‘brick’ and ‘outhouse’ spring to mind.

Specifications

LOA 11.28m/37ft 0in

LWL 9.07m/29ft 9in

Beam (max) 3.76m/12ft 4in

Draught 1.91m/6ft 3in

Disp (lightship) 8,845kg/19,500lb

Ballast 3,175kg/7,000lb

Sail area (100% foretriangle) 69.30m 2 /746ft 2

Engine 38hp Nanni shaft drive

Water 500lt /110gal

Fuel 318lt /70gal

Sail area:disp 16.5

Disp:LWL 330

Price (ex VAT) £262,500

Designed by Stephen Jones

www.rustleryachts.com

Polar diagram

I remember discussing the pre-launch renderings of the Rustler 37 with some fellow journalists who write for other European yachting titles. ‘It’s a bit old fashioned’ was their dismissive view. This is perhaps understandable coming from my cappuccino-drinking counterparts – to them the R37 is as trendy as corduroy trousers.

The interior is more library than club lounge and she might seem to have a slightly self-satisfied air of old money about her. But despite today’s focus on innovation, old-fashioned can still be a good thing when you’re expecting kindly behaviour at sea.

Although the first of a brand new range, the R37 immediately inspired confidence in her handling and instilled the comfort and security to make me want to head offshore. She rewards rather than exhilarates – a pedigree yacht with manners to match.

If you want a spacious yacht for sailing with friends, complete with an array of modern gizmos, don’t choose this boat. But if you seek a tried and tested design to look after you and your partner, then the Rustler might be just your cup of tea.

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• About The Boat
• Boat Review Forum
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

New Boats For Golden Globe Race?

• Add to quote
• Designed prior to 1988 and have a minimum series of 20 yachts built.
• Have a hull length of between 32ft and 40ft***. Bowsprits, wind vanes and outboard rudders, boomkins, pushpits and pulpits are not measured.
• Have full-length keels with rudders attached to the trailing edge.
• A minimum design displacement is 6,200kg.
• Of fibre reinforced plastic construction.

Picture this as a "Cannonball Run" type of race ;-) Click to expand...

With pontoons. I've added a little "clarification" (on oceans). lol  

I think I'd take a Joshua thanks, which will be a class in the 2022 race. If you've read the books by Johnson and Moitessier about their experiences in the original race, there's just no comparison. One boat was falling apart from the get go and the other did her job like the true singlehanded ocean sailing vessel she was.  

Amazing vessel, looking forward to seeing the finished replica version. I went to look at a Damien II a couple of weeks ago, and it was a sadly a rust bucket. Walking on and in it, one could tell that it was built for hardcore adventuring.  

This whole thing with the GGR has never made a lick of sense. I don't understand what it's supposed to prove. Racing around the world is dangerous enough without adding arbitrary, capricious, and dangerous limitations; strange limits that precludes some technologies that existed in the late 1960's but which permits modern technology like full length battens and assymmetrical spinnakers. Afterall, fin keel-spade rudder boats existed and were as seaworthy, or more seaworthy and handled better than boats like the Hinkley Pilot was considered acceptable. But if for the sake of discussion, the rules are be altered so that the discussion waives the requirements for a keel with attached rudder, and the minimum 6200 kg weight, and limited to boats which were designed in 1989 or older, then I would probably pick an Oyster Lightwave 395. A boat like the Lightwave would be expected to finish two to three months faster than a boat like a Rustler 36 and be way easier to handle. Last I heard, Oyster still had the molds for the hull and deck. If that were true and I had the money, then I would probably build a new one, perhaps altering the boat to add watertight bulkheads, beef up the structure a bit, eliminate the liners and fancy interior, perhaps add bigger water tanks. Jeff  

Jeff_H said: I would probably pick an Oyster Lightwave 395. A boat like the Lightwave would be expected to finish two to three months faster than a boat like a Rustler 36 and be way easier to handle. Jeff Click to expand...

Its a somewhat/attempt budget deal. Everybody replaces sails over time. Seems cool Big bucks suck the fun out of too many sports.  

RegisteredUser said: Its a somewhat/attempt budget deal. Everybody replaces sails over time. Seems cool Big bucks suck the fun out of it too many sports. Click to expand...

Always been fond of the migrator version of the yawl block island 40 drawn by Bill Tripp. Add an inner forstay and be good to go. Wonder what’s JeffH’s opinion of that boat?  

outbound said: Always been fond of the migrator version of the yawl block island 40 drawn by Bill Tripp. Add an inner forstay and be good to go. Wonder what's JeffH's opinion of that boat? Click to expand...

Never sailed a BI40. Just sail by them. 🤩 now know why. Thanks Jeff. The other boat around here that catches my eye is a Crealock design the Cambria 38. Is it also such a dog?  

Capta and John_H, Both your comments are excellent additions to the thread in terms of concerns and viewpoints for such a race. It brings up crucial points to consider on such a committing expedition.  

Neither of your pictures are what Capta and I are referring to as a crawlover companionway. What we are referring to is a companionway where the companionway opening is more than a couple feet forward of the aft bulkhead of the cabin, and the bridge deck extends forward to the opening into the cabin. You can see what this looks like in this ad for a Lightwave 39 .. 1988 Oyster Lightwave 395 ad Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com While there is no established name for this type of companionway and they have existed at least from the early 20st century. We are referring to this as a crawlover companionway because in order to stay low enough to get under a dodger or safely move between the cabin and cockpit you end up crawling over the bridge deck. To me they are dangerous. A crash block is somewhat unique to offshore race boats. A crash block is not a bulkhead. What it is is an essentially a solid filled area near the stem of the boat that extends horizontally from the point of entry for severall feet aft of the stem, and from the hull up to the water line or above the waterline. The top of the crash block is heavily reinforced and integral with the hull. Conceptually, if the bow hits an object at speed, the intent is that the block absorbs the blow and distributes the forces of impact to minimize damage. But even if the bottom of the crash block is sheered away, the top of the crash block is intended to remain intact and prevent water ingress. Watertight bulkheads are intended to separate the boat into several watertight compartments so that if the hull is breached in one compartment, there is half a chance to keep the boat afloat and perhaps make repairs. Typically there would be a watertight bulkhead at the forward 1/4 of the boat, somewhere amidships, and somewhere aft isolating the rudder post. Sometimes there is another watertight bulkhead isolating the engine bay of the boat. Jeff  

Thanks Jeff, I get what that type of companionway is now. Very dangerous in big seas, and especially solo, when the slightest error can cause enormous consequences. Might as well reduce risks, call it low hanging fruit. I was looking at the boat...Are you saying the the lighwave might be a good boat for me? ;-) Just to clarify... "What it is is an essentially a solid filled area near the stem of the boat that extends..." Do you mean bow, or actually stern? Later you write about "if the bow hits an object". I can see adding water tight bulkheads in a refit, can a crash block be added too?  

The purpose of the GGR seems to have been lost in these discussions. It is a retro race - it is meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnson's becoming the first person to circumnavigate non-stop and solo during the original Golden Globe Race in 1968. The eligible boats were chosen to fit within parameters chosen by the organisers as being "retro" - and seaworthy - enough to do the race justice. (A Pole just completed a non-stop, solo, circumnavigation in a 21-foot, modified production boat in about 270 days - the smallest sail boat to have gone around via the three Capes non-stop, and unassisted. Point being, a hell of a lot of sail boats can circumnavigate, often just because of the bravery/foolhardiness of its captain.) The boats I am aware of competing in the GGR have all been modified to an extent. Part of the safety rules required the anchor locker of the boats must be filled with foam, to form a crash box. Another requirement is a water tight door at the bulkhead leading to the front cabin. The cabin tops of most boats have been strengthened with extra hanging knees, and solid spray dodgers have been added to most. Most of the eligible boats have single-spreader masts, but it is allowed to change this to double spreaders. The interior of the boats may not be changed and must conform to the original lay out, so these are not stripped out racers. To stay true to the original race, no electronics are allowed, and navigation is by sextant and paper charts. If you want to listen to music, take cassette tapes.  

Riaan Smit said: The purpose of the GGR seems to have been lost in these discussions. It is a retro race - it is meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Robin Knox-Johnson's becoming the first person to circumnavigate non-stop and solo during the original Golden Globe Race in 1968. The eligible boats were chosen to fit within parameters chosen by the organisers as being "retro" - and seaworthy - enough to do the race justice. To stay true to the original race, no electronics are allowed, and navigation is by sextant and paper charts. If you want to listen to music, take cassette tapes. Click to expand...

What’s a “cassette tape?” 😛  

• ?            
• 174K members

Top Contributors this Month