Design and Construction
Hood drew the 40 as a true performance cruiser/racer with classic lines, and the result earned a reputation as one of the best-performing models. Gulfstar's mid-to-late-1970s improvement in build practice shows here: quality was solid for the era with teak interiors and fiberglass construction, a step beyond the cost-saving early-1970s methods the yard had used on its first hulls. The boat carries a modern fin keel or an optional centerboard/shoal draft for versatility in shallower waters, and at just over 40 feet on the waterline of 32.5 feet with a 12-foot beam, a 20,000-pound displacement, and 8,500 pounds of ballast, she is a substantial yacht. That heavier displacement provides stiffness, good righting ability, and bluewater potential with excellent motion comfort in seas.
Rig and Handling
The Gulfstar 40 carries an aft-cockpit masthead sloop rig, and the standard sail plan is generous: a 329-square-foot mainsail married to a 430-square-foot jib, with a 666-square-foot genoa available for reaching and a 1,098-square-foot asymmetrical spinnaker for downwind work. The numbers translate into a boat with responsive and quick handling and excellent upwind ability. She makes good speed in moderate breezes, often 10 knots or better, yet delivers a comfortable, cushy ride that handles chop without pounding — a combination of solid sailing characteristics that justified her standing among the builder's finest.
Accommodations
Below, the Gulfstar 40 follows a traditional layout sleeping six in two cabins, with a V-berth forward, settees and convertibles in the salon, and an aft cabin for private quarters. Ample overall volume fills the interior, and the large cockpit stretching over eight feet makes the deck as sociable as the cabin. Forepeak anchor storage keeps ground tackle clear of the living space, a practical touch on a boat meant for extended cruising.
Known Issues
Any early Gulfstar can show blister or osmosis issues in the gelcoat and laminate, and the 40 is no exception to that generational caveat. The hull-to-keel junction is a known weak point on this design, and the joint should always be surveyed thoroughly before any purchase or commitment, since a compromised connection between fin or centerboard shoe and hull is not a cosmetic matter on a performance cruiser.
The Verdict
The Gulfstar 40 (Hood) is a genuinely uncommon entry in the American cruiser field: a Ted Hood performance cruiser/racer built in tiny numbers by a yard better known for volume production, yet executed with the better construction Gulfstar had learned by the mid-1970s. She rewards the sailor who wants upwind bite and sea-kindly motion in a traditional teak interior, and she asks only that her rare hull be checked with unusual care at the keel.
Pros
- True performance cruiser/racer pedigree from Ted Hood
- Excellent upwind ability and quick, responsive handling
- Heavy-displacement stiffness with bluewater potential and fine motion comfort
- Traditional two-cabin layout with ample volume and a large cockpit
Cons
- Fewer than 20 hulls built, making spares and comparable data scarce
- Early-Gulfstar blister/osmosis risk
- Hull/keel joint demands thorough survey
