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Hustler 36
Designer: Stephen Jones  ·  Builder: Vervale Yachts  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Hustler 36

Designed by Stephen Jones and built by Vervale Yachts during a brief three-year production run from 1979 to 1981, this fractional sloop represents a classic late-1970s approach to performance cruising. With only ten hulls ever constructed, the Hustler 36 stands as a rare find in today's used boat market. The boat's fin keel and spade rudder configuration, combined with a sail area to displacement ratio of 21.81, positions it as a spirited performer that should satisfy sailors seeking responsive handling and decent turn of speed. The hull achieves a theoretical maximum of 7.15 knots, while the fractional rig provides excellent sail shape control and reduces weather helm in heavy conditions. At 8,500 pounds displacement with nearly half that weight (3,950 pounds) positioned low in the ballast, the design offers reassuring stability for coastal cruising and short offshore passages. The comfort ratio of 15.19 suggests a motion that favors performance over ultimate comfort, making this better suited for active sailors rather than those prioritizing gentle motion at anchor. The fiberglass construction and 6.25-foot draft indicate serious sailing capability, though the deeper keel may limit some shallow-water cruising grounds. For sailors seeking a distinctive, well-balanced coastal cruiser with racing potential, the Hustler 36's rarity only adds to its appeal.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
Beam 12.25 ft / 3.73 m
Max Draft 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Displacement 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast 3,950.00 lb / 1,792 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 566.00 ft² / 52.58 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Stephen Jones
Builder Vervale Yachts
First Built 1979
Last Built 1981
Number Built 10
Associations IOR 3/4 ton
Related Sailboats ["C&C 36" · "Sabre 36" · "S2 110 C" · "Cs 36 Merlin" · "Sigma 362"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 21.81
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 46.47
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 163.92
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 15.19
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.4
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.15 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.78
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,247.46 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 21.8
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 39.50 ft / 12.04 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.80 ft / 3.60 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 41.76 ft / 12.73 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.93 ft / 4.86 m
SA Fore 233.05 ft² / 21.65 m²
SA Main 332.62 ft² / 30.90 m²
SA Total (100%) 565.67 ft² / 52.55 m²
Est. Forestay Length 41.22 ft / 12.56 m
How It Compares

vs. Cs 36 Merlin, S2 110 C, Sabre 36

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hustler 36 ★
36.0 ft
Cs 36 Merlin
36.0 ft
S2 110 C
36.0 ft
Sabre 36
36.0 ft
LWL
Hustler 36 ★
28.5 ft
Cs 36 Merlin
29.2 ft
S2 110 C
28.3 ft
Sabre 36
29.3 ft
Beam
Hustler 36 ★
12.3 ft
Cs 36 Merlin
11.5 ft
S2 110 C
11.9 ft
Sabre 36
11.3 ft
Displacement
Hustler 36 ★
8 lbs
Cs 36 Merlin
13 lbs
S2 110 C
16 lbs
Sabre 36
13 lbs
Ballast
Hustler 36 ★
3 lbs
Cs 36 Merlin
5 lbs
S2 110 C
6 lbs
Sabre 36
5 lbs
Sail Area
Hustler 36 ★
566 sq ft
Cs 36 Merlin
608 sq ft
S2 110 C
625 sq ft
Sabre 36
610 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hustler 36 ★
—
Cs 36 Merlin
126 s/nm
S2 110 C
—
Sabre 36
144 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hustler 36 ★
21.8
Cs 36 Merlin
17.7
S2 110 C
15.8
Sabre 36
17.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hustler 36 ★
46.5 %
Cs 36 Merlin
43.0 %
S2 110 C
—
Sabre 36
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hustler 36 ★
15.2
Cs 36 Merlin
24.9
S2 110 C
29.8
Sabre 36
25.9
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hustler 36 ★
2.40
Cs 36 Merlin
1.96
S2 110 C
1.90
Sabre 36
1.91
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hustler 36 ★
163
Cs 36 Merlin
233
S2 110 C
—
Sabre 36
—
Hull Speed
Hustler 36 ★
7.2 kts
Cs 36 Merlin
7.2 kts
S2 110 C
7.1 kts
Sabre 36
7.3 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hustler 36 ★
3.8
Cs 36 Merlin
2.4
S2 110 C
1.5
Sabre 36
2.4
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