David Sketchley’s Rustler 42, Westward, was launched in 2021. Named after the famous 1910 Herreshoff racing schooner, she was the first Rustler 42 to sport a carbon fibre mast but it’s not just her rig that was new. She also has a unique interior layout and cutting-edge battery charging and power management systems. We caught up with David after his first season with her to find out more about him, and about this extensively customised boat.
3 useful formulas to help you choose a boat
When you know your draught (or draft) from your displacement and that the length overall is not the overall length of the yacht including pulpits and bowsprits, you can start using these figures to help you make an informed decision.
How to choose a boat – yacht measurements explained
There’s a standard set of specifications that appear in boatbuilders’ sales brochures and on yachtbrokers’ websites: LOA, LWL, displacement, sail area, ballast ratio, D/L, SA/D and so on. Most buyers rely on these to some extent, to read between the lines of the marketing literature, but the figures quoted aren’t actually as clear cut as most people think, and some of them are often misconstrued.
What are the benefits of a carbon fibre mast on a cruising boat?
Carbon fibre has long been the material of choice for racing yacht masts. It used to be an exotic material, but it can now be found in many things from pens to pushbikes. Carbon fibre is stiffer and weighs less than other mast materials, but it’s also quite a lot more expensive. So why have we recently had three owners request a carbon fibre mast for their Rustler 42?
Rustler yacht design explained – an interview with Stephen Jones
British naval architect Stephen Jones is renowned for his ability to design boats that are fast, seaworthy and beautiful in equal measure, which makes him the ideal man to design Rustler’s range of sailing yachts. His approach to design, which he explains below, is probably unique and the results speak for themselves.
What makes Rustler Yachts special?
What makes our boats special? They certainly stand out from the crowd. Part of the answer is in our motto – beautiful yachts, beautifully built – but there’s a lot more to it than that. To misquote Aristotle, the hull is more than the sum of its parts. Timeless good looks and modern-classic lines, fine craftsmanship and exceptional build quality all help to define our brand, but the other thing about all Rustlers is simply how well they sail.
