Rustler 31 archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers

Rustler 31				Brief details
Builder	various, including Ansteys, Maltings and Orion Marine			A long-keel classic, the Rustler 31 is sought after both as fast coastal cruiser and as a long-distance passage-maker. Good examples command high prices, though as with all long-keelers with a high reputation for seaworthiness, many Rustler 31s have covered a lot of miles in their life, and some inevitably are a little tired.
LOA	31' 5"	Sail area	547 sq ft main and genoa
LWL	24' 0"	Rig	sloop
Beam	9' 0"	Cabins	2
Draught	5' 6"	Berths	4-5
Displacement	12,770 lbs	Engine	various
Ballast	5,600 lbs	BHP	typically 12 - 27
Keel type	Long keel with encapsulated lead ballast

The Rustler 31 was designed by Kim Holman in around 1964/65, and is generally regarded as a bigger version of his famous earlier Twister design, itself a development of the Folkboat type. Later a larger version was built, the Rustler 36. There is a definite family resemblance between these yachts, and they all share an excellent reputation for seaworthiness and all-weather speed. When first built, Rustler 31s were competitive in offshore racing, but nowadays are prized more for their seaworthiness, many having made long ocean passages.

Rustler 31s were built initially by Anstey Yachts, run by Russell Anstey, the Rustler 31 design name being a play on his name. Later boats were built by by Maltings Boats, before the builder switched to Orion Marine in Cornwall, who then became Rustler Yachts. Over the years quite a number of bare hulls (particularly from Orion Marine) were sold to both amateur builders and other boatbuilders.

Practical Boat Owner described the Rustler 31 thus - "....She exudes an air of rugged durability and inspires immediate confidence that she will behave predictably and correctly at all times, being easily handled by a small crew, yet weatherly and reasonably fleet of foot. There is a wonderful feeling of purposefulness and solid predictability that comes with a boat of moderate to heavy displacement - I would call it 'twitch resistance..."