Design Brief & Intent
The Mustang 22 was created for sailors who prioritized speed, tactical responsiveness, and shallow-water versatility over interior comfort. While competing manufacturers of the era were churning out heavy, high-volume pocket cruisers with bloated cabins, Bludworth drew a sleek, low-profile hull with a narrow seven-foot beam and a pinched transom. This aggressive styling gave the boat the appearance of moving fast even when resting on its trailer.
The interior of the Mustang 22 is unapologetically Spartan, reflecting its pure racing pedigree 2. Headroom is strictly limited to sitting height, and the cabin sole is dominated by the trunk of the centerboard. While the layout technically sleeps four—utilizing a double V-berth forward, a straight port-side settee, and an aft quarter berth—accommodations are cramped. The galley arrangement is split on both sides just aft of the V-berth but lacks any substantial cabinetry or heavy joinery. The interior finish relies on molded fiberglass structural liners rather than rich wood trim, keeping the boat exceptionally light, easy to wash down after a race, and highly structural.
Variations & Configurations
The Mustang 22 was manufactured in two distinct rig configurations: the standard Fractional Rig (FR) and the Masthead Rig (MH). While the original fractional sail plan used a smaller jib and a larger, highly adjustable mainsail, the Mustang 22 MH shifted the forestay all the way to the masthead. This modification significantly increased the size of the foretriangle, allowing the boat to carry much larger headsails. This masthead configuration was particularly favored for regional handicap racing under early rating systems and performed exceptionally well in the light-to-moderate air conditions common on inland lakes and bays.
Below the waterline, both versions share an identical, highly innovative keel-centerboard configuration. Instead of a traditional swing keel, the hull features a shallow, cast-iron fixed stub keel with a split bulb at its base. A retractable 150-pound iron centerboard is housed entirely within this split bulb, raised and lowered by a winch mounted on the aft cabin bulkhead. With the board fully retracted, the boat draws just over two feet, enabling effortless trailering and launching from shallow ramps. With the board lowered, the draft extends to over five feet, transforming the boat into a stiff, deep-biting racer capable of pointing high upwind.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Mustang 22 MH behaves like a high-performance dinghy on a grand scale. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 20.19, the masthead rig delivers an incredibly potent power-to-weight ratio. The boat accelerates instantly in the lightest of puffs, making it a formidable weapon in light-air lake racing. This liveliness is further enhanced by a displacement-to-length ratio of 153.58, classifying the boat as a genuine light-displacement racer that is eager to slip into a plane downwind under a spinnaker.
Stiffness is remarkably good for a trailerable pocket-racer, thanks to a robust ballast-to-displacement ratio of 38.46 percent. With 750 pounds of its 1,950-pound total displacement located low in the stub keel and centerboard, the boat carries its sail area well before requiring a reef. Helming is exceptionally precise, as the internally mounted spade rudder provides immediate, sensitive feedback to the tiller.
However, this high-spirited performance comes at a cost in rough water. The motion comfort ratio of 11.82 is low, meaning the light hull will motion-respond instantly to every wave crest and trough. In a short chop, the ride can be wet and highly athletic. Additionally, the capsize screening ratio of 2.24 sits well above the traditional limit of 2.0 for offshore work, signaling that this tender, light-displacement craft belongs in coastal bays, protected sounds, and inland lakes rather than open, blue-water ocean passages.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because only about 40 hulls of the Mustang 22 were produced before the PlasTrend factory fire, finding one on the brokerage market today requires patience and dedicated searching. The model operates in a niche, low-cost corner of the market, where it is regarded as a vintage cult racer rather than a mainstream cruiser. These boats generally trade hands at very low financial entry points, often representing a highly affordable path into classic fiberglass fleet racing or fast day sailing.
Prospective buyers should approach the purchase with a clear understanding of refit economics. While the initial acquisition cost of a project boat is minimal, upgrading a neglected hull can easily exceed its market value. A new suit of high-performance sails, a replacement galvanized trailer, and modern deck hardware will quickly outpace the purchase price. However, because the hull itself was constructed to Andy Green's rigid composite standards, the fundamental structural core of the laminate is often in better condition than comparable production boats of the same age.
Known Issues & Triage
The primary technical focus when inspecting or maintaining a Mustang 22 is the complex split-bulb centerboard mechanism. Over several decades of use, the internal cast-iron board, the pivot pin, and the stainless steel lifting cable are highly susceptible to corrosion and wear. A worn pivot pin hole can cause "keel clunking" while underway, which, if left unaddressed, can wear away the fiberglass casing of the trunk. Triage requires hauling the boat, dropping the 150-pound board, and inspecting the pivot pin bushing. Replacing the worn winch cable and ensuring the winch brakes are functioning smoothly are critical safety priorities.
Another major concern is deck compression at the mast step. Because the MH rig features a masthead configuration, it exerts significant downward compression on the deck house. Many of these hulls were built with plywood or balsa deck cores that have suffered from water intrusion around poorly bedded mast steps, chainplates, and handrails. Any deflection, softness, or cracking around the mast step must be investigated immediately, as a rotting core will eventually lead to rig failure.
Additionally, the hull design has low buoyancy aft due to the pinched reverse transom. If too much crew weight is concentrated in the cockpit, the stern will drag, pulling a heavy wake and destroying the boat's light-air performance. Finally, the original aluminum-framed portlights and sliding companionway hatches are notorious for leaking, often requiring complete removal, re-coring of the surrounding fiberglass, and rebedding with modern marine sealants.
Modernization & Upgrades
Restoring a Mustang 22 to modern standards often begins with upgrading the centerboard retrieval system. Veteran owners frequently replace the old, prone-to-kink stainless steel wire cable with high-strength Dyneema line, which eliminates fish-hook burrs and reduces friction inside the trunk. The original cast-iron centerboard is also a prime candidate for sandblasting, epoxy barrier coating, and fairing to prevent rust-jacking inside the narrow keel slot.
For auxiliary power, the original small, heavy gasoline outboards—usually in the 3 to 6 horsepower range—are increasingly being replaced. Modern owners are transitioning to lightweight electric outboards or electric trolling motors. Because the boat's low-displacement hull is so easily driven, a modern electric outboard provides plenty of thrust for harbor maneuvering while saving substantial weight on the transom, directly addressing the boat's natural tendency to drag its stern.
Rewiring is almost always necessary on a vessel of this vintage. Upgrading to a basic 12-volt system powered by a single, lightweight lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery provides more than enough capacity for modern LED navigation lights, a depth sounder, and wireless tactical wind instruments, all while keeping the boat’s overall weight to an absolute minimum.
The Verdict
The Mustang 22 MH is a rare, beautifully designed vintage speedster that offers a pure, unfiltered sailing experience for those who appreciate classic yacht design and responsive helming. It is not a family cruiser, nor is it a blue-water passage maker; rather, it is a highly capable day-racer designed to punch well above its weight class in light-to-moderate breezes. For the sailor willing to maintain its unique centerboard mechanism and preserve its lightweight structure, this historical Texas racer delivers exceptional speed-per-dollar value.
- Fast and highly responsive light-air performance due to a generous sail plan and low displacement.
- Tough, aerospace-influenced fiberglass layup that resists catastrophic hull failure.
- Retractable centerboard allows for easy trailering and shallow-draft exploration.
- Rare, eye-catching retro aesthetics that turn heads at any yacht club.
- Low buoyancy aft causes the stern to drag if the cockpit is overloaded with crew.
- Cramped interior with very low sitting headroom and sparse accommodations.
- High capsize screening ratio limits the vessel to inland lakes and protected coastal waters.
- High maintenance demands on the complex, aging split-bulb centerboard mechanism.
