Rustler 36
1984
One of the last long-keel yachts to go into production, this Holman and Pye design embodies lessons learnt over many decades and can be regarded as being among the best of its type. This, plus an enviable reputation for solid build quality, accounts for the boat’s popularity as a steed for the revived Golden Globe Race.
The design is a development of the long-running Rustler 31, which in turn was based on the hugely successful Twister from the 1960s.
In many ways the Rustler 36 therefore represents the ultimate evolution of long keel yachts, and has better handling, speed and comfort than its forebears. A wider beam, carried further aft also gives more interior and cockpit space than many earlier long keel models.
Nevertheless, the boat has less interior volume than we now come to expect from yachts of this size. There’s no space for a double quarter cabin, for instance, so there’s a traditional quarter berth instead. On the plus side, the interior fit out is of a very high standard, especially in later boats.
A few boats were built before Ralf Hogg bought the moulds and established Orion Marine, which later morphed into Rustler Yachts, in 1984. However, it’s not known when the first of these was launched. Between them, Orion and Rustler have built 125 examples.
Used boats tend to be sought after and have often been maintained to a very high standard, which helps to keep resale values high, particularly for recent examples. Rustler Yachts still has the moulds, though it’s five years since the last one was built. Adrian Jones of Rustler tells me they have recently refitted older boats, “... adding new electronics and sails, and making them look lovely for a cost of around £40,000.”