Design and Construction
The 13.5M is a solid fiberglass monohull with a fin keel and skeg-hung rudder, its 36.09-foot waterline and 14.11-foot beam giving it the volume of a serious offshore vessel rather than a weekend coastal boat. At a displacement of 25,353 pounds with a ballast ratio of 30.43, the yacht sits low and steady, and period descriptions credit the build as extremely strong — a robust structure suited to the bluewater role its designers assigned it. The 1.92 capsize screening figure places it firmly among conservative ocean-capable cruisers, while a comfort ratio near 30 confirms the priority on motion damping over raw racing pace.
Rig and Handling
Where the 13.5M earns its performance reputation is above the deck. The sailboat variant is distinct from the motor versions, carrying either a ketch or sloop rig in the records, and the sail plan is generous enough to give strong light-air performance — a meaningful trait for a heavy 15-tonner that might otherwise slog in calms. The numbers behind that claim are substantial: a 349-square-foot mainsail, a 422-square-foot jib, and a 654-square-foot genoa, with a spinnaker of more than 1,300 square feet available for downwind work. Combined with the excellent seakeeping, the boat reads as one that handles open water with composure rather than drama.
Accommodations
Below, the Gallart provides livable space usually split into three staterooms with extra crew space on certain boats, accommodating six to eight or more via a forward V-berth, saloon, galley, enclosed head, and aft berths. Interior finishes run to teak or practical surfaces, a fitting choice for liveaboard durability. The beamy hull translates the volume into genuine room for extended cruising, and the sleeping capacity supports either a family voyage or a couple with permanent guests aboard.
Equipment and Power
Auxiliary diesel power came from Volvo Penta as the original installation, giving the heavy hull a dependable motoring reserve when the wind fails. The 224-gallon fuel capacity and 211-gallon water capacity underline the passage-making intent, allowing long stretches between replenishment. The ketch option in particular spreads sail-handling loads and gives offshore crews flexible rig configurations for varied conditions.
The Verdict
The Gallart 13.5M is a limited-production bluewater ketch or sloop from a Spanish yard, built strong and sailed with composure in open water. Its generous sail area overcomes the inertia of a 15-ton hull in light air, and its accommodations suit long-term cruising or living aboard. Buyers should recognize the scarcity of the model and the age of its original systems, but the underlying design remains a considered answer to offshore passage-making.
Pros
- Extremely strong fiberglass construction with steady bluewater behavior
- Generous sail plan (genoa over 650 sq ft) delivering strong light-air performance
- Excellent seakeeping and comfort-oriented motion for ocean passages
- Sleeps 6–8+ with three cabins plus crew quarters in some layouts
- Large fuel and water capacity for extended independent cruising
Cons
- Produced in limited numbers, making any specific example harder to source
- Loaded weight near 15 tons demands disciplined sail handling and ground tackle
- Original Volvo Penta diesels and 1980s systems require thorough survey and likely refit
