picking that boat, still

[david42]

In my search for a new boat I asked about Twisters and someone mentioned Hustlers as an alternative. I did a search on the YBW website and it turned up a couple of boats that seemed to fit the description as well as a Hustler SJ32. Has anyone had any experience with one of these? It looks pretty race oriented.

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[Twister_Ken]

Hustler 32 was a late 70/early 80s half tonner designed by Stephen Jones (hence maybe someone calling it a Hustler SJ32.) A terrific race boat (I sailed on one called Xaviera) but as a buy nowadays probably not a good bet for cruising, lightly built by the standards of the day and likely to have been raced half to death. One of the first designs with a plumb stem and broad transom which has become fairly universal in modern boats. There was a big sister to the Hustler 32, the Hustler 36 which rated at 3/4 ton. They are much rarer. Not to be confused with the earlier Hustlers which were Holman and Pye designs. The Holman and Pye Hustlers were, I think, the 25.5, the 30 and the 35.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[Jeremy_W]

Xaviera was still racing in the Irish Sea in 1997, so the design can stand some punishment. Named, if my memory serves me correctly, after Xaviera Holland "The Happy H##ker".

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[Jacket]

The Hustler 32 and Hustler SJ32 are different boats, though I'm not sure how different. The Hustler 32 doesn't have a plumb stem (Maybe its the SJ32 that does?) and comes in two versions- a fractional rig with runners, and a masthead rig version. I spent a week racing a masthead rigged 32, and then sailed it the 200 miles home. Its a lovely boat, and with some modifications to the sail handling systems would make a competent performance cruiser, but one that needs active sailing. I think they were built with two interiors- a stripped out racing version and a more cruising orientated layout. I sailed the race version. It had the most comfortable pilot berths I've ever come across, a basic galley and a head in the forepeak- everything you need, but not much luxury.

A nice boat, but very different from a twister, or the Hustler 30 which was suggested.

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[aod]

Steven Jones

This bloke is incapable of designing a poor boat. He's a stroppy bugger to deal with but in my view one of the most talented designers we have.

The SJ32, SJ36 and then the SJ35 were all superb sea boats, lightly build but very strong. Quick with an enviable upwind performance.

The SJ320 and the Prima are also excellent Jones designs. The very new but very well received Mystery 35 and I believe the Rustler 42 are also boats designed by him.

If it's a Steven Jones design thats been built to spec and looked after it will be a good boat and that's that

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[porth]

Re: Steven Jones

What about the new Sadler 290? He's packed a hell of a lot into 29ft...

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[aod]

Re: Steven Jones

hmm......didn't know about that one.........probably others as well!

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[david42]

Re: Steven Jones

'...superb sea boats, lightly build but very strong. Quick with an enviable upwind performance.'

That's what I'm looking for... except for the lightly built bit which causes some anxiety. But if the boat's been sailing since the '80's and still get's a good survey then how much stronger do you need it to be? Unless it's been sailing in the bath since the '80's, but it sounds as though other boats of this class have done some serious offshore work up to '97 at least. The interior looks pretty seamanlike as well, loads of handholds, good stowage, nice chart table, crash bar on the cooker etc, excellent engine access. It's a fractional rigged boat with rod rigging and a foil on the forestay - definately a race boat, but I like the deck layout, no coachroof to fall off and a sensible companionway sill.

It just looks so different from my last boat, Vertue 21, which sailed beautifully but needs contant attention to the decks and had about as much room below as a rush hour tube train.

There is something attractive about the SJ32 though, I'm just concerned that it's the same thing that attracts me to my other passion, my Kawasaki Z1A.

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[aod]

Re: Steven Jones

Well I have been around Britain and ireland in my 35 non stop and also across the Bay 6 times, 6 Fastnets, Iceland etc etc etc and light or not she is fantasticaly strong and bloody quick.

Great boats!

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[Birdseye]

Re: Steven Jones

"There is something attractive about the SJ32 though, I'm just concerned that it's the same thing that attracts me to my other passion, my Kawasaki Z1A."

No - from the descriptions of the Hustler, then a Yam RD might be the parallel. The Kwakker's more the motor sailor type! /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by birdseye on 21/09/2003 16:52 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[david42]

Re: Steven Jones

'The Kwakker's more the motor sailor type! '

I'm hurt....when I think of motor sailors I think of Gold Wings, enclosed steering positions, stereos, loads of storage, less than exciting performance (I'm being polite).

Mind you, looking at the Hustler I can see the RD in her, maybe I'm a bit old for that.

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[david42]

Re: Steven Jones

Just re-read my last post, before I get accused of anti-motor-sailor yot snobbery I want to make it plain that I respect the right of others to enjoy motor-sailing and/or Gold Wings.

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