Vancouver or Rustler?

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Fourbees

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If you wanted a heavy displacement, long-keel boat suitable for crossing oceans, and you didn't want it big, would you have a Vancouver 34 or a Rustler 36 (or neither)? We liked the Rustler 36 at SIBS but I fancy the V34 is longer at the waterline... any ideas?
 
Rustler
Rustler36.jpg



Vancouver

Vancouver-36big.jpg



I like the Rustler....
 
Like many I think that the Rustler is a better looking boat, but the two are very very simular in layout and concept... I suspect that the Vancouver may be more manouverable, particularly in astern with its larger cutaway around the prop...

PeteHB drives a Vancouver 34 ... a particularly nice one as well /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif so I am sure he will be able to give you chapter and verse... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Best bet is really to get some time in both, then make a decision...
 
Whatever rocks your boat, I am biased but a V34 has seen me across oceans and all weathers but I know of Rustlers that have done the same. In terms of waterline length there wont be a lot in it their respective handicaps indicate that the Vancouver is the faster of the two but I couldn't possibly say. I prefere the cutter rig of the Vancouver amongst other things.
 
I think you will find that the Vancouver in the photo is a 36 a very different animal and probably the best of the Vancouvers and now available again at a price, the 38 is not worthy of the name.
 
Am I right in thinking the Vancouver 36 hasn't got a proper long keel? If so isn't this a disadvantage? I am biased against fin keels and favour lifting (which I've got) and long (which I'd have if I ever get round to crossing the Atlantic.
 
The 36 is by Tony Taylor as opposed to the original Robert Harris design. The 36 has what is described as a long fin, it is substantial and, I am told is the best Vancouver for long term cruising in terms of livability, that doesn't necessarily mean it is the best in terms of comfortable passage making.
 
This is one of my "when I win the lottery" fantasy dilemmas.

After many sleepless nights worrying over this one I have decided that I would have the Vancouver 34, spacious, long keeled and a cutter. Not as pretty, perhaps not quite as fast as the Rustler, but I think the Vancouver looks a "hardier" sort of vehicle.

But then who would say no to a Rustler, a very beautiful boat.

Oh to have a problem like that.

But then look on the bright side, Friday, good weather, reasonably early finish so I should be out sailing my 26ft MAB (also a beautiful boat) by 4 this afternoon.
 
You're right, it is a bit of a fantasy dilemma, especially if I wanted to buy either a Vancouver or a Rustler new - they are v. expensive. The brokerage ones are pretty rare as well and also a bit pricey... but we really liked the Rustler 36 that's on show at Southampton Boat Show at the moment - a really beautiful vessel shown off by a true enthusiast (who has one himself)...
 
A thought about the Vancouver or the Rustler as "The kids finished at uni, mortgage paid off, retirement boat"

Both are heavy boats. If you were considering the "which boat" question for some long distance often single handed sailing with perhaps your SWMBO flying out to join you in attractive destinations from time to time might you also consider the Vancouver 26 or 28

Never having single handed anything bigger than my 26ft I'm not sure how I would get on with a heavy 34ft boat.
 
I've sailed (briefly) a V34 Pilot and a V38 pilot, Both entirely admirable and handle like pussycats. No problem for one or two up sailing. Not sailed an R36, but know those who have, and they are, apparently, a little more problematical than other boats from the same Holman and Pye drawing board, like the Twister, Hustler 32 and Rustler 31. It's as if the idea doesn't quite scale up. To quote an R36 owner who had moved up from a Twister (the owners' associations had a joint meet this year) "It's just not as satisfying."

Both marques will be more ponderous to handle at close quarters under power than a boat in the modern idiot, esp going astern, but nothing you can't learn to live with.
 
When I get a chance to sail, it is usually on a friend's Nicholson 35; beautiful boat, very solid and well known for it. I felt instantly at home on the Rustler at SIBS, very similar feel of quality, so I would also recommend that you have a look at the Nik


Trutz.jpg


Here it is in last year's RTI showing the others how it's done (c:
 
I once crewed a Twister( back in the early 70s) from Malta to the S of France. An all wooden boat called "Devonshire Dormouse". Great sailing boat

My own boat has the going astern challenge, a 26 ft long keeler.
 
My parents bought a R36 about 7 years ago and have never looked back. She is a good looking boat with a sensible interior for being out at sea. As sea in a blow she just heels over and eats up the miles. Like any boat there are drawbacks and it does take a while to learn what the R36 will do when going astern.

I can't comment on sailing the Vancover, it appears to be a similar boat in terms of build quality but deffo not a goog looking.

Note that there are some variances in the R36's for sale. most have a deck stepped rig but a few are keel stepped + it appears to be 50/50% on wheel/tiller steering.
 
Interesting point about owner's associations. The current Rustler one is not open to R31s-snotty bast**ds! I would have thought that Twisters had much more in common with R31s. There used to be a Rustler association that a lot of R31 owners subscribed to, and we did let R36 owners in as well. The R42 isn't really a member of the same family as the smaller ones. I own a R31 and have sailed Twisters a lot. and I think the Twister is a nicer boat for the pure joy of sailing, but the Rustler has the edge in heavy weather and obviously is more spacious for living aboard.
 
I owned a V32 for six years, and found her a joy to sail. She looked after me well, including a singlehanded transatlantic circuit.

They are expensive (although the 32 is less money) but the build quality is first-class. I'd probably go for the 32 over the 34 because of the tiller steering, and probably for the Vancouver over the Rustler because of the cutter rig (although I'm not sure offhand whether the Rustler is cutter rigged as well). Either one would look after you.
 
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