Design and Construction
The hull is built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim, on a fixed long keel beneath a raked stem and vertical transom. The keel-mounted rudder is controlled by a wheel. At about 21,000 pounds displacement with 5,000 pounds of lead ballast, the 43 shows a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 24 percent and a comfort ratio in the upper twenties. Her 39-foot waterline and near-12-foot beam give volume for cruising without excess wetted surface; hull speed is near 8.4 knots.
Rig and Handling
The Gulfstar 43 was offered with a masthead sloop rig or an optional ketch, letting an owner split the sail plan for shorthanded ease. The sloop carries about 664 square feet of sail area, a sail-area-to-displacement ratio near 14. A British Perkins diesel provides auxiliary power. The wheel-steered long-keel layout rewards anticipation in tight quarters and resists leeway at the cost of a wider turn.
Accommodations
The wood trim and teak joinery give a warm cruising interior. The long-keel hull and near-twelve-foot beam yield livable quarters; 115 gallons of water and 65 gallons of diesel support time away from a dock.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership centers on aging systems: Perkins servicing, teak varnish and caulking, and rigging renewal for whichever mast the boat carries. Production ended in the late 1970s, so parts are standard fiberglass-and-Perkins rather than proprietary.
The Verdict
The Gulfstar 43 is a straightforward long-keel cruiser that asks only ordinary care of a fiberglass yacht.
Pros
- Long-keel wheel-steered hull with lead ballast and hand-laid glass
- Sloop or ketch rig choice for cruising flexibility
- Generous water and fuel capacity for self-sufficient stays
Cons
- Wide turning circle of a keel-rudder long-keel layout
- Wood trim needs ongoing maintenance
