Design Brief & Intent
The Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster was built primarily for cruising couples who intended to spend extended periods living aboard or navigating thin waters. Unlike contemporary designs of the early 1980s that tried to cram as many berths as possible into a 40-foot hull, the Sailmaster debuted with a controversial single-stateroom layout. By dedicating the forward section to a spacious owner's V-berth and eliminating the traditional aft quarter berth, Richard Lazzara freed up space for an expansive main saloon, a proper U-shaped galley, a dedicated navigation station that doubled as an office, and a cavernous, deep cockpit locker. This layout prioritized luxury and organization for two people over high-density crew sleeping arrangements.
The interior execution reflects Gulfstar's upgraded "Golden Era" standards, utilizing extensive hand-rubbed, varnished teak joinery and a solid teak-and-holly sole. The saloon’s focal point is its elevated house, featuring large side and forward-facing doghouse windows that flood the cabin with natural light and allow seated occupants near-panoramic visibility. This design directly challenged competitors like the Mariner 39 or Pacific Seacraft 40, balancing the light of a true pilothouse with the lower windage and sleeker lines of an aft-cockpit cruiser.
Variations & Configurations
Throughout its production run from 1981 to 1984, approximately 57 to 60 hulls of the 39 Sailmaster were completed. While the initial Mark I models embraced the strict single-stateroom layout, the market demanded more versatility. In 1982, Gulfstar introduced the Mark II configuration. The Mark II replaced the deep starboard cockpit locker and navigation office with a portside quarter berth, providing a secondary sleeping area for guests while retaining the bright, open saloon.
Under the water, the boat was configured with a moderate-draft fin keel drawing only 4.75 feet, combined with a highly protected, skeg-hung rudder. This shallow draft made the 39 Sailmaster an ideal platform for exploring the Bahamas, the Florida Keys, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Rigged primarily as a cutter—or a sloop with a convertible stay—the Sailmaster allowed for flexible sail plans in a variety of wind conditions. Recognizing the hull's potential, Gulfstar also adapted the mold to create a center-cockpit variant, branded as the Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster, with roughly a dozen units constructed specifically for the Moorings charter fleet.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The physical handling of the 39 Sailmaster is characterized by stability and predictable, steady tracking. Sporting a displacement of 19,000 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 43.16%, the boat is notably stiff, carrying its sail well in a blow and resisting sudden heeling. Its displacement-to-length ratio of 248.92 places it firmly in the moderate-displacement category, ensuring it has the momentum to punch through a choppy seaway without pounding.
With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 15.37, the boat is conservatively rigged. In light air under 10 knots, the 39 Sailmaster can feel somewhat sluggish, requiring a patient hand or a large cruising chute to keep moving. However, when the breeze wakes up to 12 to 15 knots, the hull comes alive. Helming is a highly seakindly experience; a comfort ratio of 30.83 indicates a slow, gentle motion that significantly reduces crew fatigue on multi-day passages. Furthermore, its capsize screening formula of 1.81 indicates excellent safety margins, well below the traditional offshore threshold of 2.0, confirming its viability for blue-water passages.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Today, the Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster occupies a respected niche on the brokerage market, generally trading at a premium compared to older, 1970s-era Gulfstar models. Because only 60 hulls were manufactured, they are relatively scarce.
The refit economics of the 39 Sailmaster are generally favorable because of the hull's overall structural integrity. However, prospective owners should budget for standard aged-yacht upgrades, such as standing rigging replacement and electronics modernization. The boat's long-term value is highly dependent on the condition of its teak interior and whether the hull has undergone proper blister prevention treatments. A well-maintained model that has had its major systems updated remains a highly desirable vessel that holds its value remarkably well.
Known Issues & Triage
While the 39 Sailmaster was built to a higher standard than its predecessors, buyers must look out for several age-related vulnerabilities.
- Osmotic Blistering: Gelcoat blistering is a documented issue on some early 1980s Gulfstar hulls. While rarely structural, a badly blistered bottom can require a labor-intensive hull peeling, drying, and epoxy-barrier coating.
- Saloon Window Leaks: The distinctive raised saloon windows are prone to weeping over time. Left unchecked, these leaks can rot the cored fiberglass deck adjacent to the cabin house and ruin the beautiful teak joinery below. Soft spots on the deck around the cabin trunk are a critical red flag.
- Ballast and Keel Void: Gulfstar lowered the lead ballast into the keel cavity and encapsulated it in a resin-and-cement slurry. If water penetrates the outer laminate—often from grounding damage—it can saturate the internal matrix, leading to a wet keel that is difficult to dry out and repair.
- Integral Tanks: The freshwater and fuel tanks on these vessels are fiberglass structures integrated directly into the hull grid. While this saves space and lowers the center of gravity, accessing, cleaning, or repairing them if they develop structural leaks can be exceptionally difficult.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners of the 39 Sailmaster have successfully adapted the platform to contemporary technology. The engine room, which originally housed a 50-horsepower Perkins 4-108 diesel, is highly accessible, making it an excellent candidate for modern diesel repowers or even full electric conversion packages. The spacious bilge and deep lockers accommodate large lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery banks, which are easily integrated with high-output alternators or solar arrays mounted on a custom stern arch. Additionally, many owners replace the original plastic opening ports with modern stainless-steel or aluminum units and re-bed the large salon window panes using modern polyurethane sealants to eliminate water intrusion permanently.
The Verdict
The Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster is an exceptional, overlooked option for cruising couples seeking a bright, liveable, and highly stable yacht. It successfully bridges the gap between the dark, cramped interiors of the classic era and the light-filled saloons of modern designs, all while retaining a traditional underbody that ensures safety and comfort in heavy weather.
Pros
- Exceptionally bright and airy saloon with excellent sitting-level visibility.
- Stiff, stable, and seakindly motion in a breeze.
- Shoal draft makes it perfect for thin-water cruising in the Bahamas and Florida.
- Beautifully crafted, high-quality teak interior joinery.
- Excellent, easy-to-manage layout optimized specifically for short-handed couples.
Cons
- Relatively sluggish performance in light air (under 10 knots of wind).
- Raised saloon windows require diligent maintenance to prevent leaks and deck rot.
- Integral fiberglass tanks are highly challenging to repair or replace.
- Susceptibility to gelcoat blistering on hulls from this production era.
