Design and Construction
The 13.5M has a solid fiberglass hull, fin keel, and skeg-hung rudder. Its 36.09-foot waterline and 14.11-foot beam give it the volume of a serious offshore vessel rather than a weekend coastal boat.
Displacement is 25,353 pounds, with a ballast ratio of 30.43. The yacht sits low and steady, and period descriptions characterize its construction as extremely strong—a robust structure suited to its intended bluewater role. A capsize screening figure of 1.92 places it firmly among conservative, ocean-capable cruisers, while a comfort ratio near 30 reflects an emphasis on motion damping rather than raw racing pace.
Rig and Handling
The 13.5M’s performance credentials come largely from its rig. The sailing version is distinct from the motor variants and appears in records with either a ketch or sloop rig. Its generous sail plan provides strong light-air performance, an important trait for a heavy 15-ton boat that might otherwise slog through calms.
The sail plan includes a 349-square-foot mainsail, a 422-square-foot jib, and a 654-square-foot genoa. A spinnaker of more than 1,300 square feet was available for downwind sailing. Combined with its excellent seakeeping, this gives the boat a composed rather than dramatic manner in open water.
The ketch option also spreads sail-handling loads and gives an offshore crew flexible rig configurations for changing conditions. Even so, the boat’s loaded weight calls for disciplined sail handling and appropriately managed ground tackle.
Accommodations
Below deck, the Gallart offers the living space expected from its broad, heavy hull. Layouts are usually divided into three staterooms, with extra crew space on some boats. Depending on the arrangement, the yacht can sleep six to eight people or more using the forward V-berth, saloon, and aft berths.
The accommodation also includes a galley and enclosed head. Finishes range from teak to practical surfaces suited to the demands of living aboard. The 14.11-foot beam provides genuine room for extended cruising, while the sleeping capacity can serve either a voyaging family or a couple who regularly keep guests aboard.
Equipment and Power
Volvo Penta supplied the original auxiliary diesel installation, giving the heavy hull a dependable motoring reserve when the wind fails. Original engines and other systems now date from the 1980s, however, so any example will require a thorough survey and is likely to need refitting.
Tankage reflects the boat’s passage-making purpose. Fuel capacity is 224 gallons, while water capacity is 211 gallons, allowing long stretches between replenishment.
The Verdict
The Gallart 13.5M is a limited-production Spanish bluewater cruiser offered with either a ketch or sloop rig. It was strongly built and has a composed manner in open water. Its generous sail area helps overcome the inertia of a 15-ton hull in light air, while its roomy accommodations suit long-term cruising or living aboard.
Prospective buyers should account for the model’s scarcity and the age of its original systems. Even so, the underlying design remains a considered answer to offshore passage-making.
Pros
- Extremely strong fiberglass construction and steady bluewater behavior
- Generous sail plan, including a genoa of more than 650 square feet, for strong light-air performance
- Excellent seakeeping and comfort-oriented motion on ocean passages
- Sleeps six to eight people or more, with three cabins plus crew quarters in some layouts
- Large fuel and water capacities for extended independent cruising
Cons
- Limited production makes individual examples harder to find
- A loaded weight near 15 tons demands disciplined sail handling and ground-tackle management
- Original Volvo Penta diesels and other 1980s systems require a thorough survey and will likely need refitting
