Design and Construction
The hull is built predominantly of fiberglass with wood trim. It has a fixed long keel, a raked stem, and a vertical transom. A wheel controls the keel-mounted rudder.
The Gulfstar 43 displaces about 21,000 pounds and carries 5,000 pounds of lead ballast, giving it a ballast-to-displacement ratio near 24 percent and a comfort ratio in the upper twenties. Its 39-foot waterline and near-12-foot beam provide cruising volume 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, allowing an owner to split the sail plan for shorthanded ease. The sloop carries about 664 square feet of sail, with 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. It resists leeway, but the tradeoff is a wider turning circle.
Accommodations and Cruising Capacity
Wood trim and teak joinery give the interior a warm, traditional cruising character. The long-keel hull and near-12-foot beam provide livable quarters, while 115 gallons of water and 65 gallons of diesel support extended time away from a dock.
Refits and Ownership
Ownership mainly involves caring for aging systems: servicing the Perkins diesel, maintaining the teak varnish and caulking, and renewing the rigging for whichever rig 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 the ordinary care expected of a fiberglass yacht.
Pros
- Long-keel, wheel-steered hull with lead ballast and hand-laid fiberglass
- Choice of sloop or ketch rig for cruising flexibility
- Generous water and fuel capacity for self-sufficient stays
Cons
- Wide turning circle from the keel-mounted rudder and long-keel layout
- Wood trim requires ongoing maintenance
