Sailing Performance & Handling
The Gulfstar 50 Sailmaster is characterized by its stability and predictable motion in a seaway. With a displacement of approximately 35,000 to 41,000 pounds and a generous Comfort Ratio of nearly 39, the vessel is designed to minimize the fatiguing effects of "pounding" in a head sea. The Sailmaster version specifically addressed the light-air sluggishness of earlier models by incorporating a taller mast and a larger sail plan, resulting in a slightly higher Sail Area/Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio than the original 13.5 found on the standard G50.
Handling is widely regarded as balanced, thanks to a deep fin keel and a large, skeg-hung rudder that provides excellent tracking. According to technical assessments on Wave Train, the boat feels most at home in winds exceeding 12 knots, where it easily maintains speeds of 7 knots or more. While it is not a light-air racer, its Capsize Screening Formula of approximately 1.7 indicates a hull form that is exceptionally safe for transoceanic passages. Owners often report that the ketch-rigged versions offer superior sail-handling flexibility in heavy weather, allowing for a "jib and jigger" configuration that keeps the boat upright and under control when conditions deteriorate.
Interior Comfort & Variations
The interior of the 50 Sailmaster is where Gulfstar’s "floating condominium" roots were most effectively elevated into true yacht-quality craftsmanship. The layout is dominated by the legendary "Great Cabin" aft, a massive master suite featuring a large U-shaped berth and an en-suite head with a separate stall shower. The Sailmaster variant specifically moved away from the Formica-heavy interiors of early 1970s Gulfstars, instead utilizing rich, cambered teak joinery and solid wood bulkheads tabbed directly to the hull.
Two primary configurations exist: a three-stateroom "charter" layout and a more expansive two-stateroom "owner’s" version. The two-stateroom model is particularly prized by cruising couples, as it replaces the midship bunk room with a dedicated, wrap-around navigation station and provides significantly more room for engine access. All variants benefit from a deep bilge that keeps tankage low, which not only lowers the center of gravity but also frees up vast amounts of storage space beneath the settees and berths.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Gulfstar 50 series has long been a staple of the offshore cruising community, frequently appearing in literature concerning affordable blue-water boats. Noted delivery skipper and author John Kretschmer has frequently cited the Gulfstar 50 in Sail Magazine as one of the best values on the brokerage market for sailors seeking a serious ocean-going vessel. Its cultural footprint is most visible in the "Cruising World" community, where the model is often featured as a classic example of the 1980s American center-cockpit design.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers must approach a Gulfstar 50 Sailmaster with a focused technical checklist, as several era-specific construction choices require scrutiny.
- Fuel and Water Tanks: The most significant "gotcha" is the fuel tankage. Many were built with black iron tanks located deep in the bilge. If these have not been replaced, they are likely corroded and require an expensive, invasive removal process that often involves cutting the cabin sole.
- Deck Core Delamination: Like many boats of this era, the decks are balsa-cored. Leaking stanchion bases or chainplates can lead to localized delamination. The mizzen mast step on ketch-rigged models is a known stress point where the core can be crushed over time.
- Chainplate Inspection: The chainplates are set nearly outboard to allow for wide spreaders. Inspecting the stainless steel tangs where they pass through the deck is critical, as persistent leaks here can damage the bulkheads they are tabbed to.
- Mast Steps: The mainmast often sits on an iron plate in the bilge. Over decades of exposure to bilge water, this plate can corrode, requiring the mast to be pulled and the step to be rebuilt with stainless steel or G10 fiberglass.
Community & Resources
Owners of these vessels are supported by a dedicated community, most notably the Gulfstar Owners Club, which provides technical archives and a forum for discussing restoration projects. Technical data and historical context for the 50 Sailmaster and its siblings, like the Gulfstar 44 and the 47 Sailmaster, are also maintained through specialized researcher pages like those found on Jordan Yachts.
The Verdict
The Gulfstar 50 Sailmaster is a robust, comfortable, and capable blue-water cruiser that offers more "boat per dollar" than almost any other 50-footer of its generation. It is an ideal platform for liveaboards or long-distance cruisers who value interior volume and a stable motion over high-speed racing performance.
Pros:
- Enormous interior volume with a world-class aft cabin.
- High "Comfort Ratio" ensures a gentle motion in rough seas.
- Significantly improved build quality and joinery compared to earlier Gulfstar models.
- A proven blue-water hull with a safe capsize screening ratio.
Cons:
- Replacing original iron fuel tanks is a major and expensive undertaking.
- Standard rig is underpowered in light air (below 10 knots).
- Potential for balsa core issues in the deck and at mast steps.
