Hustler 30....good step up from 24 footer?

James W

James W

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Evening all,

I'd just like to pick your brains if possible....

I've always loved the look of the Hustler 30 and nearly pulled the trigger on one earlier in the year. Having kicked myself for not having the guts at the time, I've been looking out for another since and have been offered one locally.

The trouble is that since then I've bought a cheap Achilles 24 that I'm quite fond of. Is the Hustler enough of a step up from a boat that sails as well as an Achilles? The Achilles needs a bit of work to be tip top and be as I'd like her, but she's a sweet little thing. The cost is obviously an issue but I plan to find a cheap deep water mooring if I go for the Hustler to offset the increase in fees for the extra 6 feet.

What do you think, take a step up or stick with a 24 where life is simpler and cheaper?!
 
I know both boats a bit. The Achilles races well on IRC. The Hustler is a good sea-boat, sturdy and conservatively canvassed. We had a Hustler 30 in our fleet years ago and she did well in brisk winds. Make sure she has a diesel engine.
 
savageseadog said:
I know both boats a bit. The Achilles races well on IRC. The Hustler is a good sea-boat, sturdy and conservatively canvassed. We had a Hustler 30 in our fleet years ago and she did well in brisk winds. Make sure she has a diesel engine.
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Thanks! Would you say the Hustler is a bit steady compared to the Achilles? I thought they were known to be pretty swift?
 
I got a Hustler 30 as a step up from a Folkdancer 27. Yep, the Hustler has less volume below than more modern boats but I found the extra elbow room made quite a difference plus forepeak is actually habitable and a proper chart-table. I'd agree that sail area is conservative but hull is very easily driven. If the sails are half decent it will go to windward like a dream with two fingers on the tiller; rolls a bit downwind especially with a spinnaker (I'm told, never hoisted mine). As said, a good sea boat.
Best plan is to have a look and see if downstairs is what you want. Performance wise, I'm very pleased with mine!
 
I think it was a bit large for quarter ton. Most of those were around 25-26ft like my old Mystere and the later Ecumes. The Hustler was prominent in the East Anglian racing series in the '70s and would be a fine all-weather boat. I think some of them had Dolphin engines, not ideal for long-distance cruising but a great little motor.
 
johnalison said:
I think it was a bit large for quarter ton. Most of those were around 25-26ft like my old Mystere and the later Ecumes. The Hustler was prominent in the East Anglian racing series in the '70s and would be a fine all-weather boat. I think some of them had Dolphin engines, not ideal for long-distance cruising but a great little motor.
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Agree, I think Hustler 30s were 1/2 tonners. The Hustler 25.5 was probably a 1/4 tonner?
I've sailed on a few boats with Dolphin engines, almost as much entertainment as Stuart Turners.
 
The Hustler 30 was marketed by John Harrison, who worked out of the same office as Holman & Pye. John had one and raced it on the East Anglian circuit and even entered it for the Half Ton cup. Unfortunately it was not that competive, even with a favourable error on the RORC rating giving the mast to engine distance as longer than the boat's length! There was a fleet sailed as a one design class, IIRC from Scarborough. Landamores were the main builder fitting them out, but some were sold for home completion.

Sorry, I never sailed one but they are sea kindly boats. I never saw one roll badly downwind under spinnaker compared to another boat I used to race when it rhythmically rolled 45° to 45°. They certainly do have the row away factor that very few yachts have. The OP should certainly consider buying a Hustler 30.
 
The Achilles 24 is a great sailing boat - a friend had a nice one at our club a while ago, but - not being rude just honest - they are tiny inside for 24' !

I haven't been aboard a Hustler 30 but know they are well thought of - and would be a major step up in accomodation as well as sailing, even if not roomy compared to modern 30 footers.

I'm not sure what mooring / berthing arrangement the OP has for the Achilles though, and this could be the bit to worry about.

I once sold my lift keel 22 - which was on a lovely sheltered half tide mooring a couple of minute's row from shore - and bought a fin keel Carter 30 - the initial plan had been to keep the 30' in a marina but prices shot up so I had to use deep water moorings.

I did not enjoy using deep water moorings !

Usually out in the exposed middle of nowhere, requiring a very beefy tender like a young lifeboat, and at the several places I tried in 4 years, lots of hassle with secure parking for car, and tender when not sailing.

I was very happy to ditch the Carter and get my old A22 back, luckily I'd kept the good inshore mooring...

Having the 30' fin keeler was good experience, but I was very relieved to go back to a more user friendly set-up.

Also bear in mind sails, let alone spars etc, will be a huge amount more expensive on the Hustler.
 
James W said:
Evening all,

I'd just like to pick your brains if possible....

I've always loved the look of the Hustler 30 and nearly pulled the trigger on one earlier in the year. Having kicked myself for not having the guts at the time, I've been looking out for another since and have been offered one locally.

The trouble is that since then I've bought a cheap Achilles 24 that I'm quite fond of. Is the Hustler enough of a step up from a boat that sails as well as an Achilles? The Achilles needs a bit of work to be tip top and be as I'd like her, but she's a sweet little thing. The cost is obviously an issue but I plan to find a cheap deep water mooring if I go for the Hustler to offset the increase in fees for the extra 6 feet.

What do you think, take a step up or stick with a 24 where life is simpler and cheaper?!
Click to expand...
Is this the H30 that has been laid up at Marconi for more than 10 years?
 
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