GULFSTAR 44 Detailed Review
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of GULFSTAR 44. Built by Gulfstar Yachts and designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra, the boat was first built in 1978. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 13.62. Its sail area/displacement ratio 12.76. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Perkins, runs on Diesel.
GULFSTAR 44 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about GULFSTAR 44 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.
Boat Information
Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the gulfstar 44.
GULFSTAR 44 was designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra.
Who builds GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 is built by Gulfstar Yachts.
When was GULFSTAR 44 first built?
GULFSTAR 44 was first built in 1978.
How long is GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 is 10.82 m in length.
What is mast height on GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 has a mast height of 11.37 m.
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Boat #4: 1985 Gulf Star 44
Come aboard as I get a full on-the-water tour of this impressive 1985 Gulf Star 45 Hirsch model, only 1 of 30 built, a moderate-sized, comfortable coastal cruiser suitable for a family of four. Thank Brandon with Perdido Sailor, Inc. for the tour!
Finding these boat tours helpful? Awesome. Help me film more! And, let me know certain boats you would like to see. I’ve got a Beneteau, an Island Packet and, a real treat, my first motor vessel, this Mama Jama, which I’m going to call an almost-mega yacht.
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3 thoughts on “ boat #4: 1985 gulf star 44 ”.
Annie: Love the videos. So long as they are fun for you, we’ll repeatedly enjoy those you post. My mom used to VCR cruisers as M&D went back and forth on the ICW. Sadly, they are all lost. Lots of great characters hamming it for the old girl.
Two ideas. One, see if you can find a Gemini 105 catamaran. They are remarkable little boats. The second idea is more fun… maybe. Video a man overboard recovery. I mean the part where you winch Philip back on deck. I have done this with owners I have coached. It is crazy hard to do and results in some very funny outcomes. (Wear a tank suit!)
Suggest a raft up and multiple sailors/boats. Cocktails may follow the exercise. May…?
Beneteau is my favorite manufacturer. I remember I had a similar one when I was a young man. That was a while ago. It’s interesting if you show Beneteau.
Thanks for the comment! Beneteaus are definitely popular boats. I haven’t done a tour in a while, but if I come across one willing to show off their beauty Bene, I’ll consider it. Thanks!
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Review of Gulfstar 44
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season.
The Gulfstar 44 is equipped with a long keel. A full keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space.
The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.68 - 1.78 meter (5.51 - 5.81 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 8.0 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Gulfstar 44 is about 289 kg/cm, alternatively 1619 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 289 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1619 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is a Ballast Ratio?
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 31m 2 (333 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Mainsail halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Jib/genoa halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Spinnaker halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Jib sheet | 13.6 m | (44.6 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 13.6 m | (44.6 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 34.0 m | (111.5 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 29.9 m | (98.1 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Cunningham | 4.9 m | (16.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Kickingstrap | 9.8 m | (32.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Clew-outhaul | 9.8 m | (32.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
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- Sailboat Guide
Gulfstar 44 Kth
Gulfstar 44 Kth is a 44 ′ 8 ″ / 13.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts starting in 1974.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
Rig dimensions for ketch. See GULFSTAR 44 for more details.
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Gulfstar yachts review: a complicated history.
Gulfstar Yachts was founded in 1970 by Vincent Lazzara in Tampa Bay, Florida. Mr. Lazzara was fresh off a two year forced absence from the power and sailboat building business. As part of selling his share in Columbia Yachts, he signed a non-compete clause and boded his time building houseboats. In 1970, Mr. Lazzara was already a legendary figure who had invented a snap-shackle variation, helped build one of the first fiberglass sailboats in the Rhodes designed Bounty II, and was involved with Columbia Yachts which was one of the leading early builders of fiberglass sailboats. But, his greatest legacy was to be Gulfstar Yachts.
Mr. Lazzara drawing on his experience decided to produce sailboat hulls that could double as trawlers. With a different deck mold and larger engine, Gulfstar delivered 53 and 36-foot trawlers while by stepping a mast, they had 53 and 36 motorsailers. He tapped into the floating condominium mentality of the public and built exactly what would sell. The sailboats had great accommodation but poor performance with their shoal draft, short rigs, and wide beam. Other boats produced during this era include a 43 trawler and 44 motorsailer.
While Mr. Lazzara was experienced in boat building, his crew at the Tampa Bay factory were not. In the early Gulfstar years, the workmanship bordered on criminal. Some choices were made to save money and produce boats inexpensively. The interiors were full of Formica. The ballast was iron in concrete slurry. But other problems had less to do with philosophy and more to do with poor practices. The balsa cored decks did not have solid radii of glass around deck hardware and were not sealed with resin either. They did not use backing plates for cleats. Workmen according to a former yard hand would carelessly cut holes in the deck and leave unfinished hulls out in the rain. Gulfstars still to this day cannot shake the poor quality reputation from their mistakes made in the early 1970’s.
Around 1975, Mr. Lazzara felt that consumer tastes were changing. Instead of beamy motorsailers, high performance yachts were coming into vogue. Gulfstar would have to evolve. They introduced a 50-foot high performance sailboat that would become one of their most famous designs, the Gulfstar 50 . It was an era of evolution where they shifted from iron to lead ballast and Formica to classic dark teak interiors. They even changed their logo from a star to a wreath.
By 1978, the workmanship had significantly improved. They patented a process and developed a special plywood to camber edges. All the bulkheads they nicely laminated, all the corners nicely radiused. The joinery work would slowly rival the best in the industry. They did not go completely away from motorsailers and still produced some poor performing shoal draft, short rig, beamy motorsailers like the Gulfstar 47 Sailmaster series. But all their models in the late 1970’s had much better quality construction than the early 1970’s versions.
Gulfstar Yachts and all builders during this era had to grapple with the oil embargo and low supply of resin. To save resin, Mr. Lazzara used a 50% glass to resin ratio which was unheard of in those days. These days this ratio is standard as we have found out that the glass not resin rich laminate holds the strength. Despite this innovation, the discovery came along with serious growing pains, and many Gulfstars of this era have had blister problems. Whether due to their fluctuating resin ratios, the chopper gun, or the lack of vinylester resins, Gulfstars in this era until the mid 1980’s have a history of blister problems.
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Vincent Lazzara’s two sons became involved in the company. R.C. Lazzara started designing the Gulfstar yachts of this era. By the 1980’s, the workmanship was as good or better than any other manufacturer out there. They continued to produce fine teak interiors and performance oriented sailboats such as the Gulfstar 44 and Gulfstar 60 designs. Along with these sailboats, they produced displacement motor yachts such as the 44 and 48 designs.
As they progressed into the mid 1980’s, their production shifted towards powerboats and away from the performance sailboats. The sons were more power boat guys. Maybe the height of their sailboat skill is the 54 Sail Cruiser whose stunning interior joiner work, soft ride, and quality construction is about the opposite of Gulfstar’s early days. In the late 1980’s, Gulfstar moved mostly to motor yachts. They still produced some interesting sailboats including some for the CSY charter fleet such as the 50, 45 Hirsch, and 42. They for years discussed a merger with Vikings Yachts, a power boat builder. Finally in 1990, Gulfstar sold its assets to Viking Yachts. The sons moved onto found Lazzara Yachts, a current mega-yacht builder in the Tampa Bay area.
7 Replies to “Gulfstar Yachts Review: A Complicated History”
- Pingback: Ted Hood Gulfstar 40 - SailNet Community
gostaria de comprar o projeto do gulfstar 60 1986 a navedade o kit para contrui-lo aqui no brasil. pois é um projeto fabuloso,um veleiro marinheiro e lindo com boa performa-se em mar aberto. qual o valor total do kit com todas as medidas necessarias para construção em um estaleiro no brasil.
Gracias por su commentario. No hablo Portugessa pero un poco de espanol. Me gusta los lineas del GS60 tambien. No se sobre un proyecto por vende por si yo tenga, se lo enviara. Ricardo Jordan
Jordan Yacht and Ship Company Royale Palm Yacht Basin 629 Northeast Third Street, Dania Beach, Florida 33004 Tel: 954.522.8650 • Fax: 954.736.1648 Cell: +1.954.296.2687 • Email: [email protected]
Please visit our website: http://www.jordanyachts.com
i have a 1976 43′ trawler. the constitution seems antiquity but there are stress cracks at the back of the upper station to the cabin top over my aft berth. long and wide spans over the aft cabin and over the main saloon. I’ve been thinking of polls center in the saloon and at the foot of the bed (2 poster at the foot) before it gets weak and costs me $.
Editorial note: one does not “bode” one’s time.
Do you know the height clearance of mast on 1978 Gulfstar 37 sloop
Actually, “bode” is acceptable past tense of the verb “bide.” The corrected spelling of the author’s phrase would have been: “he signed a non-compete clause and bode his time building houseboats.” Also acceptable would have been “…bided his time…”
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- Trawler Builders Forums
Gulfstar 36 and 44
- Thread starter Dark Side
- Start date Jan 24, 2008
- Jan 24, 2008
Veteran Member
I've tried several times to get 36 owners to respond to the question of what the roll characteristics are, considering the sailboat hull.* I like the economy that the hull design engenders and I like the standing head room in the engine compartment and I like some features of the later interior finish. My son is urging me to acquire a 44 in that the accomodations match what both of us like for a price that we can afford.* I'd appreciate any comments, pro or con, about either or both boats.* I've been boatless for a little over two years now, since Katrina, and I'm getting antsy.* I'm an old time sailor with plenty of on the water experience both on and off shore, but know little about trawlers other than the crash course I've been taking from the various books recommended on the PMM site.* I NEED your help. DS
- Dec 28, 2009
I have a 43 gulfstar and we love*her . She has alittle roll but its soft not snappy . unlike some boats i have been on .
- Feb 20, 2010
I know this is a little late to reply to this thread, but I saw the question about Gulfstar 44's..... We are fulltime liveaboards on our GS-44, and we find that the boat has very little "roll" as compared to other boats.* We have seen other makes of boats dance around in slips during storms while ours was fairly stationary.* I attribute this to the low center of gravity due to the 500 gallon diesel tank built low in the center of the boat extending down into the low bilge, and the fact that the 3 water tanks holding 450 gallons of water are built very low as well.* Additionally, the boat has a full keel which adds stability.
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10 Best Used Cruising Sailboats
- By John Kretschmer
- Updated: May 24, 2024
The appeal of offshore voyaging is difficult to explain to land people who can’t imagine life without basic human rights like copious quantities of hot water and unlimited data. It can even be challenging to explain to fellow sailors who think the notion of spending days or weeks at sea is a form of waterboarding, some kind of self-inflicted torture.
But for those of us who understand, who relish intimacy with the untamed wilderness that is the ocean and embrace self-reliance and individual expression while accepting the dispassionate whims of Neptune, this is the good life.
There are two essential truths about this life: One, money does not matter. Cruising budgets and lifestyles reflect bank accounts with variously positioned commas; it’s the passages and landfalls that add up, not your investment portfolio. And two, a good bluewater sailboat — not necessarily an expensive boat, but a well-designed, solidly built, imminently seaworthy boat that is only limited by your moxie and imagination — is the key to successful bluewater passagemaking.
– LEARN THE NAVIGATION RULES – Know the “Rules of the Road” that govern all boat traffic. Be courteous and never assume other boaters can see you. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
So, to that second point, I’ve compiled a list of interesting and affordable cruising sailboats for serious voyaging. A list of 10 sailboats for any purpose, much less world cruising, is sure to evoke outrage from strong-minded sailors, who by nature tend to be a bit opinionated. Stand by before hurling insults my way, and let me explain. I have decided to stay away from the sailboats we know by heart, the iconic old boats that usually populate a list like this: the Westsail 32, Tayana 37, Shannon 38 and Valiant 40 (the last of which, with a bit of searching, can still be found at or just below $100,000).
My list of some of the best liveaboard sailboats is eclectic and includes a mix of well-known and obscure manufacturers, but all the boats are linked in three ways: All are top-quality vessels capable of crossing oceans. They’re affordable, although in a few cases you have to look for older models in less-than-stellar condition to stay below $100,000. Indeed, in some ways, this list of used sailboats is a function of age; most of the boats were priced at more than $100,000 when new but have dipped below our self-imposed threshold in middle age. And finally, they’re all boats that I have encountered in the past few years in far-flung cruising destinations .
Island Packet 35
Love them or loathe them, Island Packets are everywhere. To some, the beamy, full-keel, high-freeboard hull designs seem quaint, to put it charitably. To others, the robust construction standards, roomy interiors and overall user-friendliness make them the ideal cruising boat. More than most, sailing vessels are compromises, and Bob Johnson and his crew at Island Packet were brilliant in prioritizing the needs of sailors. The IP 35 was introduced in 1988 and features a huge cockpit, an easy-to-handle cutter rig with a jib boom, and a clever, comfortable interior with the volume of many 40-footers. It might not be the fastest boat upwind, but the long waterline translates to good performance off the breeze, meaning the IP 35 finds its stride in the trade winds. In all, 188 boats were built before production stopped in 1994.
Don’t confuse the IP 35 with the IP 350, which was launched in 1997 and included a stern swim step. You won’t find a 350 for less than $100,000, but you will have a choice among 35s, especially those built before 1990. With two nice staterooms, the 35 is ideal for family cruising. I know of a couple of 35s that have completed the classic Atlantic Circle passage. It’s perfect for a sabbatical cruise because it holds its value and there’s a ready market when it comes time to sell.
Prout Snowgoose 37
There’s no room for discussion: Catamarans are crossing oceans, and many sailors are choosing cats for world cruising. My last visits to the Azores and Canary Islands, the classic Atlantic waypoints, proved the point. I’m not much of a statistician, but by my count, at least a quarter and maybe a third of the boats I saw were catamarans. There would be more on this list, but they are just too expensive. Finding a quality catamaran for less than $100,000 is tough. One boat to consider is the classic workhorse multihull, the Prout Snowgoose 37.
When the Snowgoose 37 was launched in 1983, English builder Prout & Sons had already been in business for nearly 50 years. The 37 was an updated version of the Snowgoose 35, one of the most successful cruising cats ever. In 1986, the 37 was updated again; the Snowgoose Elite model included more beam and interior upgrades. These models are challenging to find for under $100,000, but it’s possible. A quick glance at yachtworld.com shows several of both models available for less than $100,000. Again, the strong dollar makes European boats an excellent value.
The Snowgoose 37 is not sexy like go-fast cats, and not roomy like modern cruising cats. It is, however, seaworthy. Of the 500 built, many have circumnavigated. Older boats have solid fiberglass hulls, and more recent models are solid glass from the waterline down and cored above. The cockpit is rather compact by catamaran standards, and the bridgedeck is solid (no tramp). Many 37s and all Elites were rigged with staysails, a big plus in heavy weather. The masthead-rigged Snowgoose 37 can be sailed like a monohull offshore, and it’s quite nice not having a huge, roachy mainsail to wrestle with in a storm. With a 15-foot-3-inch beam for the 37 and a 16-foot-3-inch beam for the Elite, it’s easy to find affordable dockage and yards for haulouts. Most boats have three double cabins, making the Snowgoose 37 an ideal family cruiser.
The Corbin 39 is not as well known as it should be. It’s a capable bluewater sailboat cruiser with many impressive voyages logged. My Quetzal spent several weeks moored alongside a handsome 39 in Corfu that had sailed around the world, and I also spent a winter in Malta in the same boatyard as another 39 that had recently crossed the Atlantic. A canoe-stern, flush-deck pilothouse cutter, the 39 was offered with either an aft or center cockpit. Designed by Michael Dufour and constructed by Corbin les Bateaux in Canada, hull number one was launched in 1977. Built in various locations in Quebec, 129 boats were launched before a fire destroyed the deck tooling in 1982. A new deck with a larger cockpit was designed, and 70 more boats were laid up before production ceased in 1990.
The rub on the Corbin 39 is that the majority of boats were sold as kits with owner-finished interiors. Kits varied from just hull-and-deck to “sailaway,” with everything fitted except the interior. Only 15 boats were finished at the factory. Not surprisingly, the interior quality is unpredictable, from rough-hewn lumberyard specials to beautifully handcrafted gems finished by marine professionals. The difference is reflected in the price. A nicely finished, well-equipped model from the mid-’80s typically sells for between $60,000 and $80,000.
The hull shape features a long fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder. The hulls are heavily laid up and include Airex coring. Early decks were plywood-cored, but most boats have Airex in the deck as well. Ballast is 9,000 pounds of internal lead, translating to a 40 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio. The wide flush deck is spacious, and the sleek pilothouse usually includes inside steering. Massive double anchor rollers are incorporated into the bowsprit in later models. Most boats include a double-spreader spar, and almost all were set up as cutters. There’s plenty of freeboard, which becomes obvious below. While interior arrangements vary considerably, there’s a lot of room to work with. I prefer the post-1982 aft-cockpit 39s; they’re generally of a higher quality than earlier boats.
– CARRY A BEACON – Satellite beacons such as EPIRBs or PLBs allow boaters to transmit distress signals and their exact coordinates from anywhere on the planet, no cell service required. It may be the best $400 you ever spend. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Cabo Rico 38
“The Cabo Rico 38 hull shape is the one in which everything came together best,” wrote Bill Crealock in his design notes. He might have changed his mind later in life, considering that the Cabo Rico was introduced in 1977 and he designed many boats after that, but few will dispute that this 38-foot cutter, built in Costa Rica, is flat-out beautiful. From the clipper bow to the sweet sheer to the abundance of honey-colored teak, the Cabo Rico 38 is a boat to inspire the most practical among us to quit their job, buy this vessel, and head for the South Pacific.
Not surprisingly, many people have done just that. Cabo Rico built 200 full-keeled 38s, with most of the production occurring in the 1980s. There’s always a selection of boats for sale for less than $100,000. Cabo Rico was an outlier among manufacturers of the time, building serious cruising boats in Central America instead of Taiwan, but quality control was always excellent. The full keel is slightly cutaway, and the rudder is attached to the trailing edge. The prop is in an aperture and totally protected, but not well suited to backing into a slip. Full-keel boats may make some younger sailors cringe, but the CR 38 has a very soft ride in rough seas and heaves to effectively. It also has a solid fiberglass hull with a layer of balsa for insulation. Sometimes it’s noted that the hull is balsa-cored, but it’s not. After about hull number 40, lead was used instead of iron for internal ballast. The deck is balsa-cored, however, and there’s a substantial bulwark. Items to be wary of are the teak decks (most 38s have them) and the fittings supporting the bobstay.
A true cutter rig, the 38 has just under 1,000 square feet of working sail area and performs better than most people suspect. The staysail was originally set on a boom that cluttered the foredeck and limited sail shape. Many boats have been converted with furling staysails sans the boom — a nice upgrade. When the wind pipes up, the 38 tracks nicely with a reefed main and staysail. I encounter 38s all over the Caribbean. They’re easy to spot; they’re the beautiful boats in the anchorage.
Tayana Vancouver 42
Ta Yang, builder of Tayana sailboats, has been building capable cruising boats forever, it seems. The Robert Harris-designed Tayana Vancouver 42 has been a mainstay of the serious cruising fleet since the day it was launched in 1979, and is still in demand today. The company built 200 boats, mostly in the ’80s and early ’90s, although a few V42s were built into the 2000s. With a bit of digging and some haggling, you can find boats for less than $100,000, but they’re likely to be older models. As of this writing, yachtworld.com has eight V42s listed, with three asking less than $100,000.
I’ve encountered the V42 all over the world, and in my yacht-delivery days, I had the pleasure of delivering a couple of 42s up the East Coast and down to the Caribbean. The double-ended hull shape with a fin-skeg underbody is stiff and seaworthy, if not wickedly fast. Considering the rugged construction, with a solid fiberglass hull and balsa-cored deck, nobody has ever accused Ta Yang of going light on its boats. Ballast is internal iron, a massive single casting that weighs in at 11,800 pounds. Ta Yang has evolved as a builder, and later models included upgrades like vinylester resin and larger Yanmar diesels.
A true cutter, the V42 has a double-spreader rig and is heavily stayed. The seagoing deck is cambered to shed water. Teak decks, with all their virtues and vices, were common; I’d look for a boat that’s been de-teaked. Like the Corbin 39, the V42 came with either a center or aft cockpit, although most boats were aft-cockpit models. The aft cockpit is deep and secure, if a bit tight due to volume sacrificed by the canoe stern. The center cockpit is cramped but offers excellent visibility. The interior is lovely, with exquisite Taiwanese joinery. Although interior arrangements vary because Ta Yang encouraged owner input, across the board, this is a friendly boat for living aboard. The aft-cockpit model includes one head and a traditional layout with excellent light and ventilation. The center-cockpit model features a large owner’s stateroom aft.
Wauquiez Pretorien 35
The Pretorien 35 does not pay homage to tradition. The Euro-style low-slung wedge deck and flattish lines were thoroughly modern when the Pretorien was launched in 1979. Sure, there are IOR influences in this well-proven Holman & Pye design, including a slightly pinched stern, cramped cockpit, and a high-aspect, short-boom mainsail that results in a large foretriangle. But a small main is easy to handle offshore, especially in squally conditions, and a large poled-out furling genoa provides a low-stress way to cross oceans. The test of a design is revealed long after the launch, and the Pretorien has aged brilliantly. It’s often mistaken for a Swan or Baltic. Famed voyager and author Hal Roth chose a Pretorien for his last boat.
Below the water, which is what really matters at sea, the Pretorien pushes the right buttons for serious sailing. A fine entry provides enough of a forefoot to prevent pounding in lumpy conditions, and as on the Valiant 40, the fin keel incorporates a stub to which the external ballast is fastened. The rudder is mounted well aft for excellent steering control, especially on a deep reach, and is tucked behind a narrow but full-length skeg. The Pretorien displaces 13,000 pounds, of which 6,000 pounds is ballast, translating to a stiff, seakindly boat.
The construction is superb. The solid fiberglass hull includes longitudinal stringers that stiffen the panels and encapsulate the bulkheads. Tabbing and fiberglass work is first-rate throughout. Wauquiez was one of the first builders to use solid laminate beneath high-load deck fittings. The side decks are wide and, with the chainplates well inboard, easy to navigate. The interior arrangement is conventional, but ample beam amidships helps create a surprisingly spacious feel below.
There were 212 Pretoriens built during a seven-year production run, so there’s usually a good selection of boats on the used market. Today’s strong dollar makes European Pretoriens an excellent value.
– SHOW THEM HOW MUCH YOU CARE – Nothing says ‘I love you’ like making sure the kids’ life jackets are snugged up and properly buckled. Safety Tip Provided by the U.S. Coast Guard
Gulfstar 44
Gulfstar had a terrible reputation in the early ’70s: It was infamous for producing wide-body motorsailers with tiny rigs and chintzy Formica interiors. Company founder Vince Lazzara was adept at reading market trends and upped his game in the late ’70s and ’80s. Lazzara, who also founded Columbia Yachts, was a veteran of the production-sailboat wars and realized that buyers were demanding high-quality boats that sailed well. The Gulfstar 44 was launched in 1978, and 105 were sold before the company started producing the Hirsh 45 in 1985.
Some mistake the G44 for a Bristol, and it has a similar profile, right down to the teak toerail and raked cabin trunk. A sleek center-cockpit design, the hull shape features a 5-foot-6-inch fin keel, a skeg-hung rudder and moderate proportions. I know the boat well, having delivered one from Bermuda to Annapolis and another from Fort Lauderdale to Boston. It has a nice ride in lumpy seas and powers up when the big genoa is drawing on a reach. The construction is typical of the time, with solid fiberglass hulls and cored decks. Gulfstars were known to blister, and it’s likely that any 44 you find will have had an epoxy bottom job along the way — and if it hasn’t, it will need one. The keel-stepped spar has an air draft of 55 feet. Some owners have modified the sloop rig with a staysail. The cockpit is roomy, especially for a center-cockpit design, although there’s not much of a bridgedeck. All sail controls are led aft. Lazzara was an early proponent of this feature, and the boat is user-friendly overall.
The interior sells the boat. It’s nicely finished in teak, and the layout is made for living aboard. The aft cabin includes an enormous double berth with an en suite head and stall shower. The main saloon is spacious and well ventilated, although beware of the plastic opening portlights. If you are looking for a comfortable, well-built center-cockpit cruiser but can’t find one that you can afford, track down a Gulfstar 44; you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Any list of bluewater cruising sailboats must include a Robert Perry design. I could have easily put together nine Perry boats for this list. The Nordic 40 may surprise some, especially because 40 feet is an iconic length, bringing to mind such boats as the Valiant 40, Hinckley Bermuda 40, Bristol 40, Pacific Seacraft 40, Passport 40 and others. The trick is finding a 40-footer for less than $100,000. Nonetheless, the Nordic 40 and its larger sister ship, the 44, are among my favorite boats.
Based in Bellingham, Washington, Nordic produced world-class yachts during its brief production run in the 1980s. Only 40 Nordic 40s were launched between 1982 and 1987, but they’re worth seeking out on the used-boat market. The 40 features the classic double-ended Perry hull shape, with a fine entry, a deep and powerful fin keel, a skeg-mounted rudder positioned well aft, and a reverse transom. Freeboard is moderate and the sheer line is subtle, but to my eye, with its double-spreader rig and gently sloping deck line, the boat is poetry in the water.
The hull is solid fiberglass and the deck is balsa-cored, with solid laminates below loaded-up deck fittings. Original boats came with Navtec rod rigging and a hydraulic backstay, but many have been upgraded by now. Sail-control lines are led aft to the compact but functional T-shaped cockpit. The traveler is forward of the companionway, allowing for a cockpit dodger. The Nordic 40 is nimble in light to moderate breeze but can also stand up in a blow and heave to decently.
The interior is well suited to a cruising couple. It’s really a two-person boat, with a V-berth forward and large C-shaped galley aft, with plenty of counter space and a huge fridge. It includes the normal deft Perry touches — excellent sea berths, a separate stall shower and generous tankage. If you do find a Nordic 40 on the used market, be sure to take a hard look at the Westerbeke diesel and the V-drive transmission.
Pacific Seacraft 34
A handsome, nimble and capable double-ender by legendary designer Bill Crealock, the Pacific Seacraft 34 is well proven, with scores of ocean crossings in its wake.
After the boat was first launched as the Crealock 34 in 1979, Pacific Seacraft introduced a fifth model years later, a scaled-down version of the popular PS 37. Though expensive at the time, the 34 was another success story for one of America’s premier builders, and hundreds of boats were built in the company’s yard in Santa Ana, California. There is always a good selection of used boats available for less than $100,000. Another nice perk for used-boat buyers is that the 34 is back in production at the reincarnated Pacific Seacraft yard in Washington, North Carolina, providing an outlet for parts and advice. The company is now owned and operated by marine archaeologist Stephen Brodie and his father, Reid.
The 34 blends traditional values above the waterline with what was then a more modern underbody, with a long fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. A bit hefty at 13,500 pounds of displacement, the design otherwise is a study in moderation, and drawn with a keen eye toward providing a soft ride in a seaway and staying on good terms with Neptune in a blow.
The hull is solid fiberglass, and early decks were plywood-cored before Pacific switched to end-grain balsa. The hull-to-deck joint incorporates a molded bulwark that offers added security when you’re moving about on deck, and a vertical surface for mounting stanchions.
Most 34s are cutter-rigged for versatility but carry moderate-size genoas instead of high-cut yankees for more horsepower off the wind. Down below, the layout is traditional, but the 6-foot-4-inch headroom is a pleasant surprise. The Pacific Seacraft 34 is perfect for a cruising couple.
John Kretschmer is a delivery captain, adventurer and writer, whose own boat Quetzal , a 1987 Kaufman 47, has seen a refit or two over the years. His latest book is Sailing a Serious Ocean: Sailboats, Storms, Stories and Lessons Learned from 30 Years at Sea , also available on his website .
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Around 1978 when consumer tastes changed so did Gulfstar. Lazzara switched to producing high performance sailboats. There is confusion with the 44 Gulfstar because they produced an early 1970's motorsailer version. The early 1980's Gulfstar 44 CC is a whole different animal and one these performance designs.
We recently bought a 1981 Gulfstar 44 center cockpit. It was the boat we decided on after multiple years of reading, discussing and ocassionally cussing. Some people would naturally cuss the Gulfstar but then some compared it to the Hylas 44. An older article by Bob Perry had quite an indepth discussion of the pro's and con's of the boat then ...
Here's my short list... Gulfstar 44 - Irwin 43 - Kelly Peterson 44 ... The GS 44 and I43 would likely be 1985 and newer, the KP 44 likely 1979 or so. Operating out of St Augustine and sailing coastal
Hear a lot of bad stuff about '74-'75 Gulfstar 44 Motorsailers, including one Jordan Yacht review stating that they should not be taken offshore . Also, there are concerns about the 4,500/22,500 (0.2)
Find detailed information about the GULFSTAR 44 sailboat, such as hull type, rigging type, dimensions, displacement, ballast, sail area, and more. See also sailboat calculations, design and builder links, and sailboat forum topics.
Time for a new to me boat , thinking the Gulfstar 44 1979 and newer will do just fine for my coastal cruising and occasional jaunt offshore. I hear they are a stout and good sailing vessel. Im looking for people that may have one or have had one just to get a little feedback . Jordan Yachts did a recent review of one and found it a well found boat.
GULFSTAR 44 Detailed Review. If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of GULFSTAR 44. Built by Gulfstar Yachts and designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra, the boat was first built in 1978. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 13.62.
Boat #4: 1985 Gulf Star 44. April 8, 2016 anniedike. Come aboard as I get a full on-the-water tour of this impressive 1985 Gulf Star 45 Hirsch model, only 1 of 30 built, a moderate-sized, comfortable coastal cruiser suitable for a family of four. Thank Brandon with Perdido Sailor, Inc. for the tour!
Learn about the Gulfstar 44, a classic monohull sailboat built by Gulfstar Yachts from 1978 to 1984. Find out its dimensions, rig, sails, auxiliary power, accommodations, and sailing characteristics.
Specifications and Review of Gulfstar 44 based on the boat's specifications and artificial intelligense.
Gulfstar 44 Kth is a 44′ 8″ / 13.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts starting in 1974.
The Gulfstar 44 ($80,000 to $120,000) from the early 1980s was well-designed and built by Vince Lazzara in Florida. There was an early 1970s version which I'd ignore, but the center cockpit versions from the 1980s were well ahead of their time and today, represent a good value.
Gulfstar Yachts Review: A Complicated History. Gulfstar Yachts was founded in 1970 by Vincent Lazzara in Tampa Bay, Florida. Mr. Lazzara was fresh off a two year forced absence from the power and sailboat building business. As part of selling his share in Columbia Yachts, he signed a non-compete clause and boded his time building houseboats.
I've tried several times to get 36 owners to respond to the question of what the roll characteristics are, considering the sailboat hull.*. I like the economy that the hull design engenders and I like the standing head room in the engine compartment and I like some features of the later interior finish. My son is urging me to acquire a 44 in ...
Gulfstar 44. My wife and I have purchased a Gulfstar 44 with a ketch-cutter rig. In a previous post, I asked for any information on this model. However, if anyone has any information on the Gulfstar 44, sloop or ketch, in the way of owner's manuals, systems manuals, etc., that you would be willing to share, we would really like to hear from you.
Re: Thoughts and opinions on Gulfstar 44 MkII Motorsailer? Yes, this would be the motorsailer that sold as the 43 trawler with twin engines. They also had a 44 motoryacht in the 80's. . .this makes it pretty difficult to sift through all the more common boats to find much, if anything about the MS. Thanks bob!
The Gulfstar 44 was launched in 1978, and 105 were sold before the company started producing the Hirsh 45 in 1985. Some mistake the G44 for a Bristol, and it has a similar profile, right down to the teak toerail and raked cabin trunk.
699 posts · Joined 2006. #8 · Jan 30, 2007. That's a great looking boat (if that's the one). Buy it! We had a Gulfstar 1980 Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster and loved it. Ours did have blister problems, so have a good survey. "Tell 'em I'm busy.
Hello everyone My partner and I are looking at Gulfstars and saw a very nice GS 44 last week. We are also interested in the GS47 sailmaster and plan to look at some in the next few weeks.
gulfstar 44 cc. We just purchased one up in Canada and are having trouble identifying tanks, electrical circuits etc.. Don't ask strangers if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. The reason you have your own boat is to be able to do what you want! 😇. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread.
By then, the workmanship was as good as any other production manufacturer in the country. Gulfstar continued to produce fine teak interiors and performance-oriented sailboats such as the Gulfstar 44 and Gulfstar 60. Along with these sailboats, the company produced displacement motor yachts such as the 44 and 48 designs.