Good Old Boat’s detailed survey describes a boat conceived for comfortable coastal and offshore cruising rather than all-out performance. Her construction, rig, and accommodation plan all reflect that purpose.
Design and Construction
The hull below the waterline is solid fiberglass. The deck and topsides are cored with end-grain balsa to add stiffness while reducing weight, and the full deck-and-hull envelope uses fiberglass and polyester laminates. The hull-to-deck joint is an overlapping shoebox design, while the stick-built interior is arranged around a longitudinal stringer system. The lead ballast is fully encapsulated.
Exterior teak is extensive, including the eyebrows, handrails, toerails, companionway doors, and cockpit coaming tops. Below, most of the interior is marine-grade plywood with teak veneer and a gloss-varnish finish. Off-white laminate panels and an off-white vinyl overhead lighten the cabin. The sole is teak and holly, and the doors have raised solid-teak panels.
Gulfstar even held a patent for cambering the corners of its interior woodwork, a detail that raises the joinery above typical production work.
Rig, Machinery, and Handling
The Sailmaster has a cutter rig with a white-painted, keel-stepped aluminum mast, outboard chainplates, and a single pair of tapered spreaders. Stainless steel wire standing rigging includes cap shrouds, dual lowers, and a split backstay. The running rigging is double-braid polyester, and the rig includes a topping lift.
A Barient #8P and a pair of line stoppers handle two reefing lines beneath the boom. The outboard chainplates limit sheeting angles and therefore constrain the boat’s upwind ability. Her best point of sail is a reach, where the helm balances well. A long fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide excellent directional stability and keep the rudder from stalling at extreme angles.
Auxiliary power comes from a 50-horsepower Perkins 4-108 diesel coupled to a Velvet Drive transmission and V-drive.
Accommodations
The interior is often described as a single-stateroom or galley-forward arrangement. The forward spaces—the V-berth, head, and galley—sit lower than the raised main saloon.
In the V-berth area, a his-and-hers hanging locker with a bureau stands to port, with a four-drawer chest to starboard. The L-shaped galley, opposite the head, extends eight feet aft. It has a Formica counter, top-loading icebox, gimbaled two-burner propane stove with oven, and double stainless steel sink with pressurized hot and cold water.
The head includes a one-piece fiberglass shower stall with a seat, pressure water, an opening portlight, and a Dorade vent. A second door opens into the saloon.
In the saloon, an L-shaped settee lies to port and a straight settee to starboard. Farther aft on the starboard side is an aft-facing navigation station with a swivel chair.
On the Mk II variant, Gulfstar replaced the deep port locker with a shallow locker and quarter berth. The starboard spirits locker also gave way to a hanging locker.
Deck and Cockpit
Molded-in non-skid, 18-inch sidedecks, and a 3-inch teak toerail define the deck layout. At the stem, a teak anchor platform is followed by 12-inch open-throat bow cleats, chocks, and a windlass. Farther aft are 63-inch teak handrails and stainless steel cowl vents mounted on Dorade boxes.
The doghouse has six large fixed portlights, plus two facing forward. A 16-inch bridge deck deflects most water, while four 2-inch corner drains serve the cockpit. Other features include a centerline swim ladder, a dedicated propane locker beneath the helm seat, and a deep starboard locker that provides access to the engine and batteries.
Known Issues
Leaks around the fixed portlights are among the most common owner complaints about this design and are worth checking on any candidate.
The boat’s remaining structural inventory includes aluminum ports and hatches, bronze seacocks, and balsa-cored deck edges.
Verdict
The Gulfstar 39 Sailmaster is a thoughtfully built cruiser from a mature period in Gulfstar’s production history. Her balsa-cored deck, encapsulated lead ballast, and patented interior joinery reflect that background. The outboard chainplates cost her tight-winded performance, but a cruising couple gets a galley-forward layout, secure cockpit drainage, and a balanced helm on a reach.
Pros
- Encapsulated lead ballast and a solid-fiberglass hull below the waterline
- Teak-and-holly sole and patented cambered interior woodwork
- Secure cockpit with four corner drains and a bridge-deck deflector
- Balanced helm and good directional stability from the skeg-hung rudder
Cons
- Outboard chainplates limit upwind sheeting angles
- Fixed portlights are prone to leaking, according to owner reports
