Would you buy a Twister?

[[70521]]

@PhillM you might find my pal Justin's YouTube Channel of interest.

 

[Frogmogman]

Twisters are good boats, well known and therefore pricey. Why not consider her bigger sister a Rustler 31 also a good boat, but not so well known , and therefore not so pricey, but more suited to longer passages single-handed.

Depending on the sort of programme the OP has in mind, there is a Rustler 31 project boat for sale up in Walton on the Naze; mostly stripped out and work started on converting to a junk rig. Who knows how derisory an offer might be entertained by the vendor ?

Rustler 31 Used Boat for Sale 1966

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Depending on the sort of programme the OP has in mind, there is a Rustler 31 project boat for sale up in Walton on the Naze; mostly stripped out and work started on converting to a junk rig. Who knows how derisory an offer might be entertained by the vendor ?

Rustler 31 Used Boat for Sale 1966

However little you offer it's too much for that. What a shame.

 

[steve yates]

my climbing partner bought a twister after he got hooked coming round lands end with me in my lingbow a few winters ago.
its a composite, so he gets the wood look with much less maintenance than an all wood, and prettier than an all grp. It does not leak at the deck joints.
He paid 10k for it, in decent nick with good sails, a taller rig than standard and a big powerhouse of a genoa,
He spent another 10 k re-engineing it with a beta, and adding fancy electronics like forward sounder, plotter, radar, ais etc, none of which we use much.
It’s a fabulously pretty boat, it sails like a witch, its as tough as hell, I trust it implicitly.
its fine for the two of us, he single hands it whenI’m not there, but its a bit on the cramped side for me inside after my longbow.
they absolutely go backwards, if you know what your doing.
John the rigger at ardfern rattled it backwards and into the slip he wanted it for rigging at top speed. He said you just need to know what your doing and and be bold with the power, never tickle her
They are brilliant sea boats, but I wouldnt buy one personally as I would would,want more in the accomodation side for spending long periods of time on the boat.

 

[Poignard]

"Would you buy a Twister?"
I did buy a Twister, and I haven't regretted it.

 

[Frogmogman]

"Would you buy a Twister?"
I did buy a Twister, and I haven't regretted it.

Pleased to see you back, Poignard.

 

[Poignard]

Pleased to see you back, Poignard.

Thank you. That's very kind.

 

[rotrax]

Going astern in a long keeler is a black art, not a science.

First Mate who is I/C helming, is a member of the "lots of fenders and prayer" faith. Even with a bowthruster it is not certain to turn out as expected.

Twisters are great boats. A fellow club member kept his family boat at his West Oxfordshire farm alongside the Upper Thames. He and his son took it downstream with the mast down, rigged it and then to the Baltic and back. His wife and DiL joined on Bornholm. He said it was a bit cramped for four living aboard on an extended cruise but the attributes at sea made up for it.

 

[Blueboatman]

Some nice options being suggested
A really good winter cover to protect at least the composite cabin top and cockpit would take care of any uncertainties in the OPs future domestic /time available schedules , I would think .

As to going backwards , it’s just planning patience and technique .
Or fit a Hydrovane and steer with that ??

 

[chrishscorp]

Depending on the sort of programme the OP has in mind, there is a Rustler 31 project boat for sale up in Walton on the Naze; mostly stripped out and work started on converting to a junk rig. Who knows how derisory an offer might be entertained by the vendor ?

Rustler 31 Used Boat for Sale 1966

I would have thought putting in the engine and refitting the insides would have been a great idea before sealing up the companion way or perhaps thats all part of the challenge

 

[Yellow Ballad]

If you can accept fin and skeg, all GRP (though with encapsulated lead keel) an Albin Ballad would be a cracking choice and my pick.

I'm glad you posted that as I (as always) was itching to post the suggestion but was resisting the urge. I bought mine with the Jester at the front of my mind.

I would however have a Twister or ideally a Rustler 31 (after sailing on one) if I were forced to replace the Ballad for some reason.

 

[steveeasy]

Not my Twister and not too keen on the sprayhood. but look at the lines. the wooden coachroof follows along through to the cockpit with perfect lines. After a few days sanding lightly and building up the varnish they look oh so good. Its so rewarding.

Steveeasy

 

[Poignard]

View attachment 127858

Not my Twister and not too keen on the sprayhood. but look at the lines. the wooden coachroof follows along through to the cockpit with perfect lines. After a few days sanding lightly and building up the varnish they look oh so good. Its so rewarding.

Steveeasy

"Not a bad line in them" as a Twister owning friend of mine used to say.

 

[PeterWright]

"Not a bad line in them" as a Twister owning friend of mine used to say.

You could say that, accurately, of all Kim Holman's designs. The strange thing is that Kim was firmly of the view that form followed function, yet all the boats he drew to deliver a specific function (in this case to win races under the extant racing rule) looked beautiful and were sea kindly. In my youth in the 60's, my Uncle's Stella was my basic training in yacht sailing and later I was fortunate enough to count Kim as a friend and business colleague.

I'm afraid that, these days, I'm not up to maintaining a wooden yacht, but I still have a 14 foot bermudian rigged clinker dinghy from the 1960's.

Peter.

 

[PhillM]

What does the panel think of this one . Just window shopping atm.

I would guess that a rig inspection, needing to re-do the copper coat and general fettling, another £10K could easily get spent to have her back in decent shape for cruising. Comments?

 

[Concerto]

I would certainly have a look at it. It does seem in good condition and is the halfway point between a wood boat and an all glassfibre one.

 

[Blueboatman]

What do you want it for ?
To row away from and look fabulous
To evening race and weekend potter
To ‘restore’
To do a round Britain ??

I don’t want to poo poo what is a beautiful design and example .. but what is it to you exactly ?

 

[Poignard]

If the coachroof and cockpit are sound, and the engine doesn't burn oil, the price seems very reasonable.

 

[steveeasy]

What does the panel think of this one . Just window shopping atm.

I would guess that a rig inspection, needing to re-do the copper coat and general fettling, another £10K could easily get spent to have her back in decent shape for cruising. Comments?

Hi Phil,
Nice boat. the big question with this one is the engine. apparently very low hours but its covered in rust. will need new engine mounts. needs re wireing. new chainplates . To re rig will cost around £1000. Im sure one could spend £10,000 So what seams a cheap boat suddenly is not. The best one will have new rigging. new sails and a new engine. together with good electronics at a reasonable price.

Steveeasy

 

[PhillM]

What do you want it for ?
To row away from and look fabulous
To evening race and weekend potter
To ‘restore’
To do a round Britain ??

I don’t want to poo poo what is a beautiful design and example .. but what is it to you exactly ?

I would like to work up from weekend cruiser to longer passages, initially 3 months of summer cruising then perhaps eventually an Atlantic circuit, in about 5 - 7 years. My thinking is to get boat that is capable but then spend time getting her to how I want her (e.g put my wind vane back on - sort out power/charging, electronics, etc) and be generally very happy with her in all respects as well as in my capability to single-hand her in all conditions, before casting off for a year of adventure.