Design Brief & Intent
The Gipsy Speed was designed as a high-performance, open-cockpit sports daysailer and coastal racer-cruiser. Streuer designed a sleek, easily driven hull with a narrow waterplane, measuring 19.88 feet overall with a modest beam of 6.43 feet. Unlike competing pocket cruisers of the late 1960s that prioritized heavy cabin accommodations at the expense of sailing sensations, the Gipsy Speed prioritized a massive, ergonomically optimized cockpit to facilitate active crew movement and hiking. The construction quality from Gruben Bootsbau was exceptionally high for the era. While the boat is mostly open, the small forward deck shelter provides a dry compartment for gear storage, though the vessel is fundamentally intended for active day use rather than overnighting. The fit and finish reflect Gruben's hallmark attention to detail, utilizing robust GRP molding and sturdy wood accents that have aged remarkably well when properly maintained.
Sailing Performance & Handling
Under sail, the Gipsy Speed is exceptionally lively and highly communicative. Boasting a remarkable sail area to displacement ratio of 26.63, the boat has an abundance of horsepower relative to its light 1,102-pound displacement. This makes it a formidable performer in light-to-moderate air, where it accelerates out of tacks with minimal drag and easily climbs up to its theoretical hull speed. However, with a high capsize screening ratio of 2.49, the Gipsy Speed behaves far more like an athletic racing dinghy than a ballasted pocket keelboat.
Despite carrying a high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 40.02%, the boat's stability is highly dynamic and depends heavily on active crew weight management. With the centerboard fully deployed to its maximum draft of 3.61 feet, the boat exhibits impressive upwind pointing ability. The outboard rudder configuration provides highly tactile, direct helm feedback, allowing the helmsman to feel every puff and wind shift. When off the wind with the centerboard partially retracted, the flat run of the aft hull sections allows the Gipsy Speed to break free of its bow wave and plane under spinnaker in moderate breezes.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Today, the Gipsy Speed occupies a distinct niche on the secondhand brokerage market, primarily valued by vintage sailing enthusiasts and club racers in Central Europe. Because production was concentrated near the Bodensee (Lake Constance) region, the model remains relatively scarce outside of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. On the market, the boat trades at a solid value relative to its performance capabilities.
Refit economics are generally favorable due to the boat's uncomplicated systems. Since there is no inboard engine, owners avoid the heavy maintenance overhead of mechanical drivetrains, typically relying on a small outboard motor mounted on a transom bracket. However, prospective buyers should budget for the replacement of aging sails and the modernization of running rigging, as the high-horsepower rig places considerable strain on blocks and lines, which are often worn on older, budget-neglected hulls.
Known Issues & Triage
The most critical design vulnerability of the Gipsy Speed is that the cockpit is not self-bailing. In the event of a heavy knockdown or shipping water in a steep chop, the cockpit must be cleared manually using a bucket or high-capacity hand pump. Owners sailing in rougher coastal waters should always carry reliable manual bilge pumps and ensure a tight-fitting cockpit cover is utilized when moored.
Structurally, the high-tension fractional rig imposes significant downward loads on the deck. Over decades of hard sailing, older hulls are prone to deck compression and stress cracking around the mast step. Triage requires a thorough inspection of the deck's core material under the mast tabernacle for delamination or rot, and veteran owners often reinforce the underlying support post or bulkhead to distribute the loads more effectively. Additionally, because Gruben Bootsbau operated on a smaller scale compared to mass-market giants, finding original replacement rudder assemblies or custom deck hardware can be difficult, often requiring custom metal fabrication or adaptations of modern dinghy hardware.
The Verdict
The Gipsy Speed is a pure, unadulterated sailing machine that bridges the gap between high-performance dinghy racing and pocket daysailing. It is not a boat for those seeking a passive, hands-off cruising experience; rather, it rewards skilled, active sailors who appreciate direct feedback and rapid acceleration. For the right owner, it represents a beautifully built piece of European maritime history that remains highly competitive and deeply engaging on the water.
Pros
- Exceptional light-wind performance and rapid acceleration fueled by a powerful fractional rig.
- Directly tactile and highly responsive helm feedback from the outboard rudder.
- Easily trailered and launched by a single person due to its light weight and centerboard design.
- High-quality fiberglass construction from a respected boutique German yard.
Cons
- Open cockpit is not self-bailing, requiring manual bilge management in heavy weather.
- High capsize risk if sailed carelessly in heavy air, demanding active crew weight placement.
- Older models are susceptible to mast step deck compression.
- Niche production makes original hardware and replacement parts difficult to source.
