The Hustler 30 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hustler 30, an ultra-heavy masthead sloop, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by the Tyler Boat Company during the 1970s.

A Hustler 30 sailboat moored on the UK's River Tamar with the Cornish shore in the background.A Hustler 30

Published Specification for the Hustler 30

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 30'0" (9.1m)

Waterline Length: 22'8" (6.9m)

Beam: 9'2" (2.8m)

Draft: 5'7" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 9,590lb (4,350kg)

Ballast: 4,537lb (2,058kg)

Designer: Holman & Pye

Builder: Tyler Boat Company (UK)

Year First Built: 1970


Published Design Ratios for the Hustler 30

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.8

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 47.3

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 367

4. Comfort Ratio: 31.2

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hustler 30

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.8 suggests that the Hustler 30 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 47.3 means that the Hustler 30 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 367, tells us the Hustler 30 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 31.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Hustler 30 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Hustler 30 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 


Any Questions?

What other sailboats have been created by the designer of the Hustler 30?

The designer of the Hustler 30 is Holman & Pye, a British naval architecture firm that was founded by Kim Holman and Don Pye in 1955. Holman & Pye have designed many other sailboats, both for production and custom projects. Some of their most famous designs include:

  • The Twister, a 28-foot long-keel cruiser that was launched in 1963 and became one of the most popular offshore yachts of its time;
  • The Oyster range, a series of luxury cruising yachts that started with the Oyster 37 in 1978 and continues to this day with models ranging from 37 to 125 feet;
  • The Westerly range, a series of mass-produced cruising yachts that included models such as the Westerly Centaur, the Westerly Berwick, the Westerly Fulmar, and the Westerly Oceanlord;
  • The Nicholson range, a series of high-quality cruising yachts that included models such as the Nicholson 32, the Nicholson 35, the Nicholson 39, and the Nicholson 55;
  • The Bowman range, a series of classic cruising yachts that included models such as the Bowman 40, the Bowman 42, the Bowman 46, and the Bowman 57.

Holman & Pye also designed many custom yachts for individual clients or racing teams. Some examples are:

  • The Vendee Globe winner PRB (ex-Aquitaine Innovations), a 60-foot Open Class yacht that was designed in collaboration with Michel Desjoyeaux in 1996;
  • The Whitbread Round the World Race winner Steinlager II (ex-Fisher & Paykel), an 82-foot maxi yacht that was designed in collaboration with Peter Blake in 1989;
  • The Jules Verne Trophy holder Orange II (ex-Innovation Explorer), a 120-foot catamaran that was designed in collaboration with Bruno Peyron in 2000.

Holman & Pye ceased trading in 2008 after Don Pye retired. Kim Holman had passed away in 1985. Their legacy lives on through their many designs that are still sailing around the world today.

Is the Hustler 30 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

The Hustler 30 is no longer in production. The first model was launched in 1970 and the last one was built in 1976. A total of 84 Hustler 30s were built during this period. 

What is the history of the builders of the Hustler 30 and is the company still in business?

The Hustler 30 was built by two British companies: Tyler Boat Company and Landamores Yacht Builders. Tyler Boat Company was founded in 1958 and specialized in building fiberglass hulls for various yacht designers. Landamores Yacht Builders was established in 1923 and had a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and woodwork. Both companies collaborated with Holman & Pye to produce the Hustler 30, as well as other models such as the Hustler 25.5, the Hustler 35, and the Oyster range of yachts.
Unfortunately, both Tyler Boat Company and Landamores Yacht Builders are no longer in business. Tyler Boat Company ceased trading in 1990 due to financial difficulties. Landamores Yacht Builders closed down in 2012 after being hit by the recession.

What keel options are available for the Hustler 30?

The Hustler 30 has two keel options: a fin keel or a shallow fin keel. The fin keel has a draft of 5'7" (1.7 m) and a ballast of 4,537 lb (2,058 kg). The shallow fin keel has a draft of 4'7" (1.4 m) and a ballast of 4,300 lb (1,950 kg).

What is the Hustler 30 like to sail?

The Hustler 30 is a well-balanced and responsive sailboat that can handle a variety of conditions and sea states. It has a moderate displacement of 9,590 lb (4,350 kg) and a high ballast/displacement ratio of 47.3, which means that it is stiff and stable under sail and can carry a good amount of canvas in a blow. It has a long waterline length of 22'8" (6.9 m) and a narrow beam of 9'2" (2.8 m), which give it a good hull speed and a low wetted surface area. It has a skeg-hung rudder that provides good directional stability and control.
The Hustler 30 is not a fast sailboat, but it is a seaworthy and comfortable one. It can cruise at around 6 knots in moderate winds and can reach speeds of up to 8 knots in strong winds. It can point well to windward and has a good performance on all points of sail. It can cope with rough seas and heavy weather, and has a reputation for being a safe and reliable passage maker.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Hustler 30?

The average cost of a secondhand Hustler 30 depends on the condition, age, equipment, and location of the boat. According to YachtWorld.com, the current asking prices for Hustler 30s range from £8,995 to £14,950 (as of August 2023). The lower end of the price range reflects boats that need some work or updating, while the higher end reflects boats that are in good shape or have been refurbished or upgraded. The price may also vary depending on the market demand and availability of Hustler 30s.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.


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