Mustang 2400 Club Sport

With the overwhelming success of its Club Sport 2200 trailerable sportscruiser, Mustang Pleasure Boats has continued the trend and released a big brother. Tagged the Club Sport 2400, the new craft has all the features of its smaller stablemate plus many more, but still maintains its affordable and trailerable status.

It's hard to believe the 2400 is a mere 600mm longer than the 2200. Although the two boats look similar from the outside and have a similar helm and cockpit configuration, it's below where the difference is really noticeable.

SPACE TO BURN
The additional internal volume of the 2400's cabin has allowed Mustang to incorporate a fully-enclosed head, galley, double berth forward and transverse berth aft. These features are practically unheard of in a 24-footer, let alone one with a legally trailerable beam of 2.5m.

Including a galley and head increases the uses of the Club Sport tenfold and turns it into a viable overnighter.

Not having to fork out mooring fees is another plus, not to mention the versatility of being able to tow your pride and joy to various locations around the country. Indeed, most sportscruiser owners are restricted to their local waterways - but with a Club Sport 2400 hitched up to the four-wheel-drive, the destinations are almost limitless. Imagine poking around the Gold Coast one week, then cruising the magnificent Whitsundays the next. Sounds good!

NO JACKET REQUIRED
Like the 2200, the 2400 in standard form comes feature-packed with little, if any, optioning required. Mustang's theory is to make purchasing a boat as simple as possible. Rather than starting with a base boat and sifting your way through an options list, the Club Sport comes complete. All you have to do is fuel it up and go boating.

Boarding the Club Sport 2400 is via a fully-moulded swim platform. A retractable dive ladder is recessed into the swim platform to aid access to the boat after a swim or a snorkel. Fender storage is located outboard of the transom, as are fuel and water tank breathers.

Access to the cockpit from the swim platform is via a hinged transom door on the starboard side.

The cockpit is designed with outdoor entertaining in mind. To port is a three-seater lounge against the transom, with a two-seater opposite. A removable table turns this area into an outdoor dining area. The transom seat is split into two sections - one being an icebox, while the larger section incorporates the engineroom hatch.

On the starboard-side of the cockpit is a small sink with freshwater tap and storage below. Over the cockpit is a targa-arch which includes bimini tops fore and aft providing sun protection to both the helm and the cockpit. The targa also houses recessed lighting and waterproof stereo speakers.

FULL STEAM AHEAD
The helmsman is well catered for with a comfortable bucket seat and well-appointed dash. The dash features an adjustable steering wheel, waterproof switch panels, trim tabs and VDO instrument console. Even though the VDO unit is very comprehensive, there is little room for adding additional electronics.

A compass is flush-mounted above the dash and one of the new MerCruiser gear and throttle controls is located on the starboard bulkhead adjacent to the helm. These new controls feel very nice to use and are a quantum leap from their predecessors.

A moulded step adjacent to the helm is a clever idea, which allows access to the foredeck (via the walk-through windscreen) without having to clamber over upholstery.

Not that accessing the foredeck need be a regular occurrence as there is an electric windlass to take care of anchoring duties - although it is a good place to sunbake! A stylish bowrail provides additional safety forward.

An L-shaped lounge opposite the helm allows easy communication between passengers and the skipper while underway.

DOWN BELOW
Access to the cabin is through a solid sliding door. Once below, the impression is of being on a much larger boat. Directly to starboard is a fully-enclosed head with electric toilet, washbasin and shower facilities. There is also a porthole in the head for natural light and ventilation.

Opposite the head is a small galley which includes a 12V fridge, sink, good storage space as well as a microwave and 240V sockets which are powered by an inverter.

Forward of the galley is a huge double berth which incorporates a drop-down table that can be raised to form a dinette. Cupboard space is also provided adjacent to the forward berth. Deep sidepockets run around the forward berth, while a Mustang-bedecked mirror and stereo speakers grace the forward bulkhead. An overhead hatch provides ventilation.

A transverse berth, located beneath the cockpit sole at the aft end of the cabin, adds another dimension to a boat this size. Taking the kids or some friends on an overnighter is a viable option.

The testboat looked very stylish with its sexy dark-blue hull and virginal white deck mouldings. The smooth-flowing lines and swept-back targa all assist in making the Club Sport a headturner.

V-EIGHT MUSCLE
Standard power is a 5.0lt EFI MerCruiser, which is what was fitted to the testboat. The 5.7lt model is available as an engine upgrade, although probably not necessary unless speed is number one priority.

The standard powerplant pushed the 2400 to a top speed of 35kt at 4800rpm, while comfortable cruise revs were around 3500rpm, which provided a GPS-registered 22kt.

FUN IN THE SUN
Like all good sportscruisers, the Club Sport 2400 was fun to drive. It turned very nicely into a corner and didn't mind being thrown around a bit, with no sign of cavitation.

Driving around the marina was a breeze, as it's still a relatively small boat to handle, and the power-assisted steering aided maneouvrability. Although the testboat wasn't on a trailer, launch and retrieve is unlikely to be a hassle with one of today's crop of drive-on/drive-off trailers. Indeed, Mustang itself offers a custom trailer for the 2400.

The Club Sport 2400 really does add a new dimension to the sportscruiser market. It's an ideal entry-level cruiser and one which lets people experience the benefits of big-boat characteristics without the headaches of big-boat expenses.

It is likely to appeal to the travelling boatie who would rather do the long hauls on the road, rather than at sea.

At a tad under $86,000, you can even afford to shout yourself a new four-wheel-drive to tow it...