Design and Construction
With her sound design, substantial build quality, encapsulated long keel and high ballast ratio she is steadfast and sea-kindly, a combination that gives the Rustler 31 a durable, confident character at sea. The deep vee-sectioned, overhanging bow cuts through waves rather than slamming, and little water reaches her cockpit unless you push her too hard, traits that suit the boat to open-water work. A 1981 example reviewed by one publication shows the model’s longevity in service, while the long-keel hull also provides a good, flat base for her to dry out on and, with a pair of legs fitted, she’ll take the ground upright.
Rig and Handling
Her rig is strong and simple – a thick-section mast well supported with chunky fore and aft lower shrouds, and the big genoa provides most of the power and should be reefed first when her lee toerail is awash. She can be cutter-rigged if you need a more flexible sailplan, though she is slower to react to the helm than a lightweight fin-keel yacht yet thoroughly predictable and gets on with the job regardless of sea and weather. The long-keel hull is cumbersome when motoring astern, but she tracks straight with little or no assistance needed on the helm, and an extra turning block on the genoa track can help with solo docking.
Accommodations
The cabin layout is snag but straightforward and practical, with two 1.88m long settees that make very good sea berths with the addition of leecloths, and a version with a quarterberth behind the chart table is especially prized. The accommodation is somewhat cramped and a little gloomy, and the cockpit is long but narrow; if a wheel has been fitted it reduces the useable space quite a bit whereas a tiller can be hinged up to free more space. The galley is basic and small, as is the heads, and few boats have pressurised hot water with no room for a shower unless it is in the cockpit.
Known Issues
On many Rustler 31s the anchor chain is fed down a pipe into a locker below the forward berths, but this can be tedious as often the chain piles up in a pyramid and blocks the pipe when recovering the anchor, so someone has to go below and tip it. She has stout mooring cleats and fairleads, but none amidships, which can complicate certain dock lines.
Refits and Ownership
Many early boats had pilot or pipe cot berths for offshore racing crews above and outboard of the saloon settees, though many of these pilot berths have since been converted into lockers. Most Rustler 31s have saloon tables that hinge down from the forward bulkhead, though you do find different options, and one example had its forecabin modified by making the vee-berth into a permanent double instead of a removable insert. This is a boat for the traditionalist willing to overlook her shortfalls in exchange for the look and feel of a classic yacht.
The Verdict
The Rustler 31 won’t let you down on frequent long, open-ocean passages, and sails to windward effortlessly while exuding an air of rugged durability that inspires immediate confidence. She is indeed pretty and ideal for a two-man crew, but the accommodation downside and certain chain-locker annoyances are worth weighing.
Pros
- Compact and superbly built with sound design and substantial build quality
- Encapsulated long keel and high ballast ratio make her steadfast and sea-kindly
- Strong, simple rig with thick-section mast well supported by lower shrouds
- Tracks straight with little helm assistance and sails to windward effortlessly
- Takes the ground upright with legs and suits short-handed long-distance use
Cons
- Accommodation somewhat cramped and a little gloomy with basic small galley and heads
- Anchor chain locker arrangement can block the pipe when recovering anchor
- Long-arsel hull cumbersome when motoring astern and no amidships cleats
- Slower to react to the helm than a lightweight fin-keel yacht
