Mustang 2400 Club Sport Review

Issue: June 2003
Manufacturer: Mustang 

In the best tradition of its predecessors, the 2600 Sports Cruiser and 2200 Club Sport, Mustang’s 2400 Club Sport is a richly appointed boat that somehow manages to affect both a pretty face and a healthy portion of pure practicality. All three sisterships are very much larger/smaller versions of each other. They all have fine bows and long sculptured cabin tops, devoid of side decks, to extend the fullness of the beam. Put simply, this is why there is so much ‘living’ room inside this particular branch of the Mustang family. Mustang’s new 2400 continues the tradition of having more room aboard than a boat of the size has any right to offer. 

Basically the concept is to use a bridge deck configuration to gain enough height to tuck an aft double berth below a high-set cockpit area. It provides maximum interior and deck space within a given length. At the same time, the height allows the traditionally intrusive sterndrive engine box to be incorporated into the upper deck level, leaving a completely flat and open floor plan. Clever work around the transom takes care of the similarly (and again traditionally) intrusive drive leg. In the 26 the drive leg ‘disappears’ into a recessed section of the transom underneath a moulded-in boarding platform. In the new 24 it has been hidden from sight and mind by an added-on transom platform. The end effect is the same. 

Aboard, there is minimal difference between the 26 and 24. While the new boat is naturally smaller, the differences in interior living space will hardly be noticed by folk who can’t quite make it to a 26. For those who may have missed previous tests of the 2200 and 2600, a quick tour of the 2400 Club Sport is in order: A set of shade canopies and side curtains supplied as standard with the 2400 Club Sport allows the entire upper deck area to be covered in completely against inclement weather … or left completely open when it’s fine. 

This arrangement allows the upper deck to serve as the living, lounge and dining area, while the cabin area becomes kitchen, bedroom/s and bathroom. To port, beside the helm area, is an L-shaped lounge. A waist-high bulkhead separates this from an aft dinette/lounge. Opposite the bulkhead and behind the helm is a cabinet with a sink built into it. Hatches into this cabinet and the cockpit side give access to small storage areas and the main electric switch control. Walking along the starboard side past the aft dinette/aft lounge you come to a transom door ‘ this may be locked for peace of mind when children are aboard. A hand-held hot and cold shower is set into the transom walk-through. This is ideally situated to wash off salt and sand outside the main living area on the transom platform. 

Set centrally into the transom are a pair of fender holders and there’s a folding boarding ladder on the port side of the platform. Beside the cabin door a step moulded into the bulkhead makes it easy to climb through the screen onto the cabin top. Anchor access was certainly possible this way, although most would likely choose to do so at the touch of a button from the helm. The 2400 has a very low bowrail. I guess that cabin top is not going to be used as extra living space if conditions preclude anyone from moving around out there. A sliding door into the cabin beside the helm locks solidly, as is necessary for canalside and marina security. 

Down below, the head and shower cubicle are to starboard and the galley to port. A heat exchanger hot water system operating within the powerplant’s cooling system provides hot water while ever the motor is running. There is a 14ltr holding tank to supply hot water for washing up etc. A 140ltr tank stores the entire fresh water supply. That’s an adequate size for a couple of days aboard this boat. Our test boat was fitted with a single ring spirit or 240V stove. 

Personally I would prefer the optional 800W 12-240V inverter powering a small microwave to warm food and boil water. Also included in the galley are a sink with hot and cold water, a refrigerator and no less than three separate cupboards. A double power point located above the test boat’s sink was connected only to the boat’s shore power system. Negatives ? The bow section down in the cabin has quite limited headroom, at a mere 170cm I found my head quite close to the ceiling here. If the lower dinette is used mainly as a bunk, this might not be a hassle but tall people would not be able to use the bow area as a lounge. 

With only small windows, and notwithstanding the insulating abilities of fibreglass, I also suspect the interior of the boat might become a little stuffy in hot weather. The intent is to live ‘upstairs’, at least during the day, and with the removable canopies this is a realistic option. In any case, 12V fans in the cabin might well be a worthwhile investment for more tropical climes. Apart from that, the standard equipment list is extensive. AM/FM/CD music is piped throughout. Then there is detailed touches like an oval-shaped mirror to increase the sense of space in the cabin. Quality fittings add to a classy atmosphere everywhere you look. 

The Mustang 2400 Club Sport is a classy boat sure to attract buyers with an eye left somewhere between Mustang’s 22 and 26 versions of this brilliant concept. 

Words by Warren Steptoe