The Rustler 36 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Rustler 36, a long-keeled masthead sloop, was designed by Holman & Pye and built in the UK by Rustler Yachts Ltd.

The Rustler 36 'Eschaton' at anchor off Jolly Harbour in Antigua, West Indies

This Rustler 36 does the Atlantic circuit (Europe - Caribbean - Europe) most years, and is sailed by a British singlehander.

Published Specification for the Rustler 36

Underwater Profile: Long keel, with transom-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (fiberglass)

Length Overall: 35'4" (10.8m)

Waterline Length: 26'11" (8.2m)

Beam: 11'0" (3.4m)

Draft: 5'6" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 16,805lb (7,623kg)

Designer: Holman & Pye

Builder: Rustler Yachts (UK)

Year First Built: 1980

Number Built: 100

Published Design Ratios for the Rustler 36

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 11.4

Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 45.3

Displacement/Length Ratio: 385

Comfort Ratio: 36.2

Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Rustler 36

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 11.4 suggests that the Rustler 36 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 45.3 means that the Rustler 36 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 385, tells us the Rustler 36 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected. 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 36.2 suggests that crew comfort of a Rustler 36 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 tells us that a Rustler 36 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.

Read this review of the Rustler 36 sailboat...

The Rustler 36: A Classic Offshore Cruiser

The Rustler 36 is a classic sailboat in every sense of the word. It has a graceful sheer line, a long overhang at the bow and a counter stern that give it a timeless look. It has a cutter rig with a bowsprit that allows for a large sail area and easy sail handling. It has a long, deep keel that gives it stability and directional stability in a seaway. It has a skeg-hung rudder that protects it from damage and provides good steering control. It has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate four people comfortably and has a tiller steering system that gives direct feedback from the rudder. It has a solid GRP hull and deck that are hand laid to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. It has a displacement of 7.5 tons and a ballast of 3.4 tons, which give it a generous payload capacity for long distance cruising.

Accommodation Layout & Hull Profile

The Rustler 36 is not a mass-produced boat. Each boat is built to order and customized to the owner's preferences. The interior joinery is constructed from high quality materials by skilled craftsmen who are happy to incorporate owners' modifications. The boat can be fitted with various options such as different engine sizes, heating systems, water makers, solar panels, wind generators, etc. The boat can also be ordered with different versions such as an owner's version with a larger aft cabin or a charter version with more berths.

The Rustler 36 is a boat that has proven itself in many ocean passages and circumnavigations. It has been described by sailing magazines as "a seaworthy cruising yacht in which you could embark on any serious ocean passage with confidence" (Sailing Today) and "a boat chosen by those who want to go places and need to survive anything the sea can throw at them" (Practical Boat Owner). The Rustler 36 is a boat that will inspire you to explore new horizons and enjoy the journey along the way.

Accommodation
The Rustler 36 offers comfortable living conditions below deck for up to six people. The layout consists of a forward cabin with a V-berth and storage lockers, a saloon with two settees that can convert into berths and a folding table, an aft cabin with a double berth and storage space, a galley with a two-burner stove, an oven, a sink, a fridge and ample counter space, a navigation station with a chart table and instruments, and a head compartment with a marine toilet, a sink and a shower.
The interior is finished in teak woodwork that creates a warm and cozy atmosphere. The upholstery is available in various colors and fabrics. The headroom is about 6 feet throughout the boat. The ventilation is provided by several opening ports and hatches. The lighting is provided by LED lights and reading lamps. The heating is provided by an optional diesel heater or an electric heater.

The accommodation of the Rustler 36 can be customized to suit the owner's needs. For example, the owner's version can have a larger aft cabin with more storage space and access to the cockpit locker. The charter version can have more berths in the saloon or the aft cabin. The galley can be fitted with additional appliances such as a microwave or a freezer.

Hull and Deck
The hull of the Rustler 36 is made of hand laid GRP to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. The hull is reinforced by longitudinal stringers and transverse frames that create a strong and rigid structure. The hull is also insulated with foam to reduce condensation and noise. The hull color is white as standard but can be customized to any color.

The deck of the Rustler 36 is also made of hand laid GRP to Lloyds Register specifications using Lloyds approved materials. The deck is bonded to the hull with a flange and fastened with stainless steel bolts. The deck is also reinforced by a plywood core that adds strength and stiffness. The deck is covered with a non-slip surface that provides good grip and traction. The deck color is white as standard but can be customized to any color.

The hull and deck of the Rustler 36 are fitted with high quality hardware and fittings that are rated to perform well in harsh conditions. The boat has a stainless steel pulpit, pushpit, stanchions and lifelines that provide safety and security on deck. The boat has a teak toe rail that adds beauty and protection to the hull. The boat has six mooring cleats and four fairleads that allow for easy docking and anchoring. The boat has a large anchor locker that can store a CQR anchor, a chain and a windlass. The boat has a bowsprit that extends the foredeck and supports the cutter rig. The boat has a spacious cockpit that can accommodate four people comfortably and has a tiller steering system that gives direct feedback from the rudder. The cockpit has two large lockers that can store sails, fenders, lines, etc. The cockpit also has a sprayhood that protects the crew from wind and spray.

Mast and Rigging
The mast of the Rustler 36 is made of anodized aluminum and is keel-stepped for strength and stability. The mast has two sets of spreaders that support the masthead sloop rig. The mast has internal halyards that run through sheaves and exit at the mast base. The mast has an optional spinnaker pole that can be stored on the mast or on the deck.

The rigging of the Rustler 36 is made of stainless steel wire and is attached to the mast and the chainplates with swaged terminals. The rigging consists of a forestay, a backstay, two upper shrouds, two lower shrouds and two intermediate shrouds. The rigging is tensioned by turnbuckles and secured by split pins.

The sails of the Rustler 36 are made of Dacron fabric and are triple stitched for durability. The sails consist of a fully battened mainsail with three reef points, a furling genoa with UV protection, a staysail with hanks, and an optional spinnaker or gennaker. The sails are controlled by winches, clutches, blocks, tracks, cars, cleats and lines.

Keel and Rudder
The keel of the Rustler 36 is a long, deep keel that gives the boat stability and directional stability in a seaway. The keel is made of cast iron and is bolted to the hull with stainless steel bolts. The keel has a ballast of 3.4 tons, which gives the boat a ballast ratio of 45%. The keel has a draft of 5 feet 6 inches, which allows the boat to access most harbors and anchorages.

The rudder of the Rustler 36 is a skeg-hung rudder that protects it from damage and provides good steering control. The rudder is made of GRP with a stainless steel stock and pintles.

The keel and rudder of the Rustler 36 are designed to match the hull shape and performance characteristics of the boat. They provide a smooth flow of water around the boat and minimize drag and leeway. They also provide a comfortable motion in waves and reduce pitching and rolling.

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