GT35 versus Rustler37

doris

doris

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 Jun 2001
Messages
2,264
Location
London
Visit site
In view of the huge amount of heat generated by the GT35 thread a few week back I was interested to see the
latest YM review of the Rustler 37, also Stephen Jones. Should I be setting off for serious ocean passaging I personally wouldn't
have either but the LWL of the GT reflects the greater space down below which, IMHO, made the GT feel significantly larger than the R37

Close on £60 difference in price was a bit of a gulper as well.

I know its different strokes for different folks but I know which I would prefer even before the 'loose change' of the price differential.
I'm sure there are some very strong views hidden on the forum!

GT 35 R37
LOA 10.7m 11.28
LWL 10.0m 9.07
Draught 1.9 m 1.91
Beam 3.6m 3.76
Displ 7,200 kg 8,845
Bal Ratio 37% 35.9
SA 67sq m 77
STIX 54 42
Price(SIBS)£297k £356k
 
Last edited:
When the first GT35 was being offered for sale second-hand, it was priced at £324K, and the list was supposed to be £350K-ish. So have prices reduced, or are you ignoring the 20% VAT in your pricing?
 
pvb said:
When the first GT35 was being offered for sale second-hand, it was priced at £324K, and the list was supposed to be £350K-ish. So have prices reduced, or are you ignoring the 20% VAT in your pricing?
Click to expand...

The list was never £350k. The YM test boat had a few very expensive extras eg. a £ 5k bow thruster. IIRC the boat tested was about £316k incl vat. The price I mentioned in the OP was the sail away price, incl vat, at SIBS as was the price for the R37.

There was a lot of hot air and bluster about the price of the GT on the last thread. Just thought this might bring a bit of perspective especially bearing in mind it is built in the same yard as Gunfleet and Hardy I believe. Every bit as good as Rustler if not better.
 
doris said:
The list was never £350k. The YM test boat had a few very expensive extras eg. a £ 5k bow thruster. IIRC the boat tested was about £316k incl vat.
Click to expand...

In the context of a boat costing a quarter of a million plus VAT, five grand for a bow thruster doesn't seem very expensive, or even particularly expensive. I suspect a real customer would want rather more than the stripped-down basic interior of the prototype, and also a decent set of sails (was it you who said it has rubbish ones?) each of which should add a fair chunk to the price.

Have they actually managed to sell a GT35 to a genuine buyer yet?
 
JumbleDuck said:
In the context of a boat costing a quarter of a million plus VAT, five grand for a bow thruster doesn't seem very expensive, or even particularly expensive. I suspect a real customer would want rather more than the stripped-down basic interior of the prototype, and also a decent set of sails (was it you who said it has rubbish ones?) each of which should add a fair chunk to the price.

QUOTE]

IMHO a bow thruster on a 35footer is a tad OTT. You obviously haven't been on the boat otherwise you wouldn't describe the interior as basic or stripped down. But then maybe your house is full of Laura Ashley scatter cushions and lurverly wall paper. I would chose the GT interior over the Rustler every time, but then there those that subscribe to Good Housekeeping. The sails were simply averagely made, not necessarily cheap.

I believe the original has been taken off the market, but I haven't tried to buy it recently as I already have a boat.
Click to expand...
 
doris said:
IMHO a bow thruster on a 35footer is a tad OTT. You obviously haven't been on the boat otherwise you wouldn't describe the interior as basic or stripped down. But then maybe your house is full of Laura Ashley scatter cushions and lurverly wall paper.
Click to expand...

I have only the pictures to go by, and the reviews I saw, both of which were underwhelmed by the interior layout, though impressed by the workmanship. I believe Snooks said that a few cushions improved it enormously for Southampton, but I don't know whether they were Laura Ashley or not.

The sails were simply averagely made, not necessarily cheap.
Click to expand...

I'm only going by this previous post. I'm even more puzzled to know why they fitted the demonstrator with "cr*p" sails if not to save money.

doris said:
The sails are indeed very average Dacron, cr*p in fact ...
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I said the interior of the GT35 looked bland during the test. Nothing stripped down or basic about it, it was just a bit uninspiring. At the boatshow she looked a lot better, just breaking up the visual space of the main bulkhead worked wonders.
Compare the interiors for yourself:
http://grahamsnook.com/Ym/gt35 and http://grahamsnook.com/Ym/rustler37

I had a chat with Stephen down below and he said the bits of dressing have improved it.

My main critisim was that I felt there should have been end cushions to the berth/seats as standard. This would have added to the comfort, and broken up the space of the bulkhead a bit.

Both boats are a completely different style, although their designer is the same, and seeing the GT35 again at the show I warmed more to her appearance.
 
Last edited:
snooks said:
I said the interior of the GT35 looked bland during the test. Nothing stripped down or basic about it, it was just a bit uninspiring. At the boatshow she looked a lot better, just breaking up the visual space of the main bulkhead worked wonders.
Compare the interiors for yourself:
http://grahamsnook.com/Ym/gt35 and http://grahamsnook.com/Ym/rustler37

.
Click to expand...

To be honest, as they are in the pictures I find neither a succes. The Rustler to me feels a bland and easy option of a sort of cottage style which has nothing to do with this century. The GT at least makes an effort at a more contemporary idiom, but if you like a modern, minimalist architectural style, this is a halfhearted exercise. I agree with Snooks that the big expanse of bulkhead would benefit from a backrest cushion
If I were to spend that sort of money, I would expect a much more acute feeling of contemporary yet timeless styling.
This is all the more a pity as I fully expect both boats to be good seaboats. Stephen Jones has amply proved he knows how to draw a good boat. my Starlight 39 is a perfect example. If SJ drew a modern version of it, with a good interior designer involved, I would be sorely tempted. Failing that, I'm still more than happy with what I have.
 
Last edited:
Bloody hell this is trivial, still, here we go.

Not too fond of bench seating myself.

Much prefer the U shape for the saloon. So it's the Rustler for me. Fat chance.
 
westhinder said:
The Rustler to me feels a bland and easy option of a sort of cottage style which has nothing to do with this century. .
Click to expand...

I think I would only agree where that turned pole looks as if they stole it from a poor copy of a cottage newel post see.....
http://stairpartsdirect.co.uk/york.html

Many boats for offshore and even ocean sailing are pitifully short of handholds. A post like that would not be the answer as it is far

too large in diameter to keep a firm grip on given a sudden lurch.

Externally the Rustler leaves me cold. Not the best of sheer lines and a back end like a 1950's bread van, but I would like to

experience a sail in one on an ocean cruise, as I guess it would feel really safe and be very comfortable. Probably why it is like it is.

S.
 
Last edited:
Scotty_Tradewind said:
I think I would only agree where that turned pole looks as if they stole it from a poor copy of a cottage newel post see.....
http://stairpartsdirect.co.uk/york.html

Many boats for offshore and even ocean sailing are pitifully short of handholds. A post like that would not be the answer as it is far

too large in diameter to keep a firm grip on given a sudden lurch.

Externally the Rustler leaves me cold. Not the best of sheer lines and a back end like a 1950's bread van, but I would like to

experience a sail in one on an ocean cruise, as I guess it would feel really safe and be very comfortable. Probably why it is like it is.

S.
Click to expand...

The beauty of a custom built boat like the Rustler is that you go on one, decide what you like, what you want changed and then the craftsmen in the factory make it for you. The way you want. When I had my Rustler built I actually gave then a sketch with the shape I wanted for those posts. They were fabulous and very, very practical at sea. I like to have something seriously sturdy to hold onto as I descending the steps, and that post can take all of my weight, as can every single handhold place on the boat. I think the photo makes the post look bigger than it is. The diameter is just right for adult hands.

Its a good job that we all don't like the same looking boats. We would have nothing to criticise when sitting in harbour.

Fortunately for Rustler there seem to be a few of us out there that like the look of the 37. First boat launched this spring and I think they have sold three of four more already.
 
Ex-SolentBoy said:
The beauty of a custom built boat like the Rustler is that you go on one, decide what you like, what you want changed and then the craftsmen in the factory make it for you. The way you want. When I had my Rustler built I actually gave then a sketch with the shape I wanted for those posts. They were fabulous and very, very practical at sea. I like to have something seriously sturdy to hold onto as I descending the steps, and that post can take all of my weight, as can every single handhold place on the boat. I think the photo makes the post look bigger than it is. The diameter is just right for adult hands.

Its a good job that we all don't like the same looking boats. We would have nothing to criticise when sitting in harbour.

Fortunately for Rustler there seem to be a few of us out there that like the look of the 37. First boat launched this spring and I think they have sold three of four more already.
Click to expand...

Spending a lot less will get you out sailing with an impressive list of extras too.

http://www.annoncesbateau.com/voilier/occasion-annonce-655704.html

Keep the extra £300k for paying somebody else to upkeep it.
 
I agree with ex-Solentboy, the post is great. Attacking Rustler for lack of hand holds is not a winning position. The only thing I don't like about theRustlers is the back end., ou cannot climb back on board if you fall in. I prefer the Moody, Sweden or Starlight rear ends, i think they are much safer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top