She’s a heavier cruiser known to sail far and wide. Her profile combines a counter stern with a slight overhang and reverse transom, a modest cabin trunk, and a slight sheer. The result has more flair than many contemporaries, without resorting to fussy styling.
Design and Construction
Below the waterline, the Gulfstar 44 Kth has a modern fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. This arrangement distinguishes her from the early-model Gulfstar 44s, which were motorsailers, and gives the boat a performance-cruiser underbody.
Gulfstar built the boat with a solid hull layup and a balsa-cored deck. Longitudinal stringers and transverse floors stiffen the hull, and all examples carry lead ballast. The traditional hull-to-deck joint uses an inner flange, bolted and glued with 5200.
There’s quite a bit of teak on deck, including in the cockpit. A fine teak toerail runs around the perimeter, accompanied by grab handles. These details give the boat a traditional character, even as the underbody reflects her performance-cruiser intent.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The ketch rig is keel-stepped and slightly overrigged compared with its peers. The boat carries more rig than 69% of similar sailboats, indicating a slightly over-canvased cruising platform.
Owners who have sailed the Gulfstar 44 Kth hard report that she handles well and loves rough weather. One owner said she never pounds, provides a smooth ride, and leaves the crew feeling safe and in control.
The theoretical maximum speed for a displacement hull of this length is about 8.0 knots. Her immersion rate is roughly 1,619 pounds per inch.
Accommodations
Below deck, the dark teak joinery is stunning and reflects the high quality of Gulfstar’s later workmanship. The trade-off is an interior that can feel closed-in; John Kretschmer suggested adding a few more portholes to brighten it.
The layout includes an aft stateroom. Mark I versions have a practical, seaworthy athwartship king berth, while Mark II boats offer a centerline queen. These are arrangements many buyers seek.
Two heads, with separate fore and aft showers, serve the accommodations. The step-down, U-shaped galley is seaworthy and has excellent headroom—even the tallest crew can stand upright. It’s tight without feeling small.
There’s also plenty of room for a generator, watermaker, and other additional equipment. Kretschmer, a former Hylas skipper, called the Gulfstar 44 a great design. He went so far as to say it’s a better design than the Hylas 44 and the boat everybody’s looking for.
Engine, Systems, and Refits
The engine is either the venerable Perkins 4-108 or 4-154. Both are well-supported diesels that suit the boat’s 160-horsepower class.
The roomy aft quarters and generous systems space make it straightforward to add a generator or watermaker for owners who want to extend the boat’s voyaging range.
Known Issues
Even later Gulfstars, including the 44, can be affected by blister problems. The laminate therefore deserves careful attention during a survey.
Verdict
The Gulfstar 44 Kth is a thoughtfully evolved cruiser. She combines a solid, lead-ballasted hull with a performance-oriented fin-keel and skeg-rudder underbody, a ketch rig carrying ample canvas, and a teak-rich interior with seaworthy berths and standing headroom in the step-down galley.
She rewards an offshore-minded owner. Her main drawback is the risk of blistering associated with laminates of her era.
Pros
- Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder provide performance-cruiser handling, unlike the earlier motorsailer 44s
- Lead ballast, solid hull layup, and stringer-stiffened construction
- Aft stateroom with either a king or queen berth
- Two heads with separate showers
- Standing headroom in the galley
- Ample space for generator and watermaker additions
Cons
- Hull laminate can be susceptible to blister problems
- Dark teak interior can feel closed-in without additional portlights
