Gulftstar 50: A Good Boat?

The Gulfstar 50 is a 50-foot monohull sailboat, designed by Vince and Richard Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts between 1975 and 1980. It is a centre-cockpit cruiser with a ketch or sloop rig and a GRP hull. The Gulfstar 50 has received praise for its interior space, joinery, performance, and value, but there are some common issues that owners have faced, such as hull blisters, leaking deck fittings, and corrosion of the mast step. Overall, the Gulfstar 50 is considered a good boat, especially for its price, and it is well-suited for ocean passages.

The Gulfstar 50 is a good liveaboard boat

The Gulfstar 50 is also a good liveaboard boat because it is seaworthy and performs well in light to moderate winds. It has good sailing performance and can reach hull speeds of 9.3 knots easily. It is stable and comfortable to sail, with a balanced helm and a powerful rudder. It does not slam much in a chop and has a well-proportioned hull and rig. However, in heavy winds, the boat may become overpowered and require reefing or changing sails.

While the Gulfstar 50 is a good liveaboard boat, it is important to note that it has some common issues that owners have faced. These include hull blisters, corrosion of the mast step, leaking deck fittings, and separation of the rudder skeg. The construction quality has been described as "not top-notch" and "leaving a lot to be desired". However, many owners value their Gulfstar 50s and are willing to make repairs.

Overall, the Gulfstar 50 is a good liveaboard boat, offering a spacious and comfortable interior, good sailing performance, and seaworthiness. While there are some common issues to look out for, well-maintained boats can be found on the market.

The Gulfstar 50 is a good bluewater cruising boat

The Gulfstar 50 is a moderate-weight sailboat that is reasonably stable and stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It has an excellent water supply range and is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat. The boat's most attractive feature is its interior. The more popular layout features three staterooms: a master stateroom aft with an en suite head and shower and a large U-shaped double berth; a forward stateroom with a V-berth and access to a shared head; and a midships stateroom with upper and lower single berths. There is also a convertible dinette in the main saloon that can sleep two more people.

The Gulfstar 50 is available as either a sloop or a ketch. The sloop rig has a single mast with a foretriangle area of 45.2m² and a mainsail area of 38m², for a total sail area of 83.2m². The ketch rig has two masts with a foretriangle area of 45.2m², a mainsail area of 38m², a mizzen area of 14m², and an optional mizzen staysail area of 12m², for a total sail area of up to 109.2m². There is also a tall sloop option with a higher mast and larger sail area.

The Gulfstar 50 has a long fin keel with an encapsulated ballast of lead chunks embedded in concrete slurry. The keel has a draft of 1.7m and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 30%. The Gulfstar 50 is a good bluewater cruising boat with a comfortable interior, good performance, and a stable and easy-to-handle sailing experience.

The Gulfstar 50 has good sailing performance

The Gulfstar 50 is a large center-cockpit cruiser with a solid hull laminate composed of multiple layers of mat and woven roving. It was designed by Vince Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts between 1975 and 1980. Lazzara, an industry pioneer, had previously worked at Aeromarine and Columbia Yachts, and brought his expertise in fiberglass boatbuilding to Gulfstar.

The Gulfstar 50 is a moderate-weight sailboat with good sailing performance. It is reasonably stable and stiff, with an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat and has an excellent water supply range. The boat is stable and comfortable to sail, with good performance in light to moderate winds. It can easily reach its hull speed of 9.3 knots and point well to windward. It is also easy to handle, with a balanced helm and a powerful rudder.

However, in heavy winds, the Gulfstar 50 may become overpowered and may require reefing or changing sails. Additionally, the boat is not very maneuverable in tight spaces and may require a bow thruster or careful use of prop wash. The sail plan is not particularly large, and some owners have advised against a roller-furling mainsail if sailing performance is important to you.

The Gulfstar 50 is available in sloop or ketch configurations. The sloop rig has a single mast with a foretriangle area of 45.2m² and a mainsail area of 38m², for a total sail area of 83.2m². The ketch rig has two masts with a foretriangle area of 45.2m², a mainsail area of 38m², a mizzen area of 14m², and an optional mizzen staysail area of 12m², for a total sail area of up to 109.2m². There is also a tall sloop option with a higher mast and larger sail area.

Overall, the Gulfstar 50 has good sailing performance, especially for its size and weight. It is a comfortable and stable boat, well-suited for bluewater cruising, and is capable of good speeds in moderate to heavy winds.

The Gulfstar 50 has a spacious interior

The Gulfstar 50 is a spacious and comfortable boat, ideal for families or those seeking a roomy living space. The interior boasts three staterooms, with the master stateroom aft featuring an en suite head and a versatile U-shaped berth. This unique berth allows a couple to sleep together athwartship while in the harbour, or separately in lateral positions while at sea. The forward stateroom has a large V-berth that can be converted into a double, and the third stateroom has two single bunks and an additional en suite head.

The galley is L-shaped and runs down the walk-through alley to port, with twin sinks positioned for easy drainage on either tack. The saloon offers a dinette and settee, as well as a pilot berth to starboard. For those seeking even more space, the two-stateroom layout provides a spacious navigation station and expanded engine space beneath the cockpit, instead of the third stateroom.

The Gulfstar 50's interior is not just about space; it also showcases superior joinery and generous accommodations. The standard or owner's version features teak veneer cabinetry, a large navigation station, a wet bar, and a walk-in engine room. The charter version, designed for simplicity and practicality, offers Formica cabinetry, a smaller navigation station, and no wet bar or walk-in engine room.

In addition to its ample interior, the Gulfstar 50 has a spacious deck and cockpit area. The centre-cockpit design provides a comfortable and secure space for sailing and entertainment. Overall, the Gulfstar 50 offers an impressive amount of living and storage space, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a roomy and comfortable sailing experience.

The Gulfstar 50 is good value for money

The Gulfstar 50 is a great choice for those seeking a large, comfortable, and well-performing boat that offers good value for money. Here's why:

Spacious and Comfortable

The Gulfstar 50 is a center-cockpit cruiser that offers exceptional space and comfort. Its interior boasts generous accommodations, including three staterooms, a large U-shaped double berth, a forward stateroom with a V-berth, and a midship stateroom with single bunks. The saloon features a dinette, settee, and pilot berth, providing ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The galley, with its twin sinks and efficient layout, is perfect for preparing meals while underway.

Seaworthy and Stable

Designed by Vince Lazzara, an industry pioneer, the Gulfstar 50 is a capable bluewater cruising boat. Its robust construction, full bulkheads, and well-proportioned hull contribute to its seaworthiness. The boat handles well in a seaway, with a forefoot that bites and deep bilges that minimize slamming in choppy waters. Its moderate hull form and balanced helm make it relatively easy to sail, even in heavy winds.

Good Performance

While the Gulfstar 50 may not excel in light winds, it performs well in moderate to heavy weather. It can easily maintain speeds of 7 knots or more under working sail when the wind is blowing over 12 knots. The ketch or sloop configurations offer different sailing experiences, with the sloop being more responsive and the ketch providing additional sail area for lighter winds.

Value for Money

The Gulfstar 50 offers excellent value for money in the brokerage market for larger center-cockpit boats. While it may require some upgrades and repairs, such as addressing hull blisters and corrosion, well-maintained boats are available at attractive price points. The average asking price, as of December 2021, ranged from $80,000 to $190,892, making it an affordable option for those seeking a spacious and capable cruising yacht.

The Gulfstar 50 is a well-designed and spacious yacht that offers good value for money. Its comfortable interior, seaworthy capabilities, and decent performance make it an excellent choice for those seeking a large cruising boat without breaking the bank. With its sturdy construction and handling capabilities, the Gulfstar 50 is a reliable companion for bluewater adventures.

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