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Gulfstar 44 review: one of the best designs ever.
Vince Lazzara was not a beginner when he started Gulfstar in 1970. He had previously co-owned Columbia Yachts. Lazzara keenly knew what would sell and big bathtub motorsailers were in demand in the early 1970’s. If you wanted a powerboat, they pumped out an early Gulfstar. If you wanted a sailboat, they would stick on a mast like the 53 motorsailer which doubled as a displacement trawler. Gulfstar produced roomy motorsailers in their Tampa Bay factory. Around 1978 when consumer tastes changed so did Gulfstar. Lazzara switched to producing high performance sailboats. There is confusion with the 44 Gulfstar because they produced an early 1970’s motorsailer version. The early 1980’s Gulfstar 44 CC is a whole different animal and one these performance designs.
John Kretschmer, a former Hylas skipper, said one time to me about the Gulfstar 44, “You know that’s a great design. I’m as connected to Hylas as anybody but I’d say the Gulfstar 44 is a better design than the Hylas 44. It’s the boat everybody’s looking for. Add a few more portholes to get more light in the interior and…I can’t think of a better design.” Lazzara was a master of beauty above, speed below, and comfort inside. You’ll find these with either an athwartship king or centerline queen aft. The step down U-shaped galley is seaworthy with great headroom. If you are looking at 44 Peterson or 44 Hylases, you might also consider the 44 Gulfstar.
First Impressions What gives the Gulfstar 44 more flair than other designs is her counter stern. Lazzara pulled it off well on the 44 as the slight overhang and reverse transom combine for a handsome look – not modern or classic. This 44-footer is one of those designs in life that keeps in style while the passing fancies cascade away. Gulfstar brochures credit the design to R. C. “Dick” Lazzara, Vince’s son, but you can see a heavy influence of dear old dad. Underneath she has a modern fin keel and skeg hung rudder. Overall, Lazzara helped pioneer the raked bow centercockpit cruiser look we see today in most production boats. Her cabintrunk is modest with a slight sheer. She is nice with that touch of flair with the stern. She has quite a bit of teak on deck in the cockpit. A fine teak toerail runs around along with the handles. If you are looking for the lowest maintenance boat, the 44 is a more classic, prettier style with the wood. It does not have all stainless steel or plastic as these days you will find on sensible production yachts.
Construction There are two different tracks here that are important to keep distinct: design and construction. As the designs moved from motorsailers to performance centercockpit cruisers, the construction on a separate tack improved. These are not really related. It is not that Gulfstar made all motorsailers inexpensively or all cruisers high quality. It just so happened that as they became more experienced and improved their workmanship, they switched to building a different type of design. Late model motorsailers like the 47 Sailmaster series benefited from the increase in skills at the Gulfstar factory.
In the early 1970’s, Gulfstar construction was lower quality than later on. When I say lower quality, I can illustrate this by certain techniques. In general the dividing line is somewhere around 1978. Before 1978, the interiors were mostly Formica – inexpensive and functional. After then, the interiors were teak verneer and used a patented process to camber edges. The dark teak joinery work is as good or better than any manufacturer out there especially in the late 1980’s. Also before 1978 approximately, they used iron ballast and afterwords lead ballast both encapsulated. Lead ballast is one of the fundamental ways to improve performance by using a denser material to lower center of gravity. All the Gulfstar 44’s, most the 50’s, and all the 47’s have lead ballast. Gulfstar used a solid hull layup and balsa core deck. Longitudinal stringers and transverse floors stiffen the hull. The joint is the traditional inner flange bolted and glued with 5200. The mast is keel stepped.
But despite the increase in quality as Gulfstar became more experienced, they were still hit hard by blister problems throughout. The oil embargo caused all manufacturers in this era to try innovative ways to save resin. The chopper gun probably affected them too. And this was before the wide use of blister preventing vinylester resins. If there is one thing that even later Gulfstars including 44’s can be affected by, that is blister problems. They call this the blister pox of the 1980’s. I think it is critical to ask about the blister history and last time a bottom job has been done on a Gulfstar irrespective of the era.
Down Below Down below is really where the Gulfstar 44 shines. The dark teak joinery work is stunning and attests to the high quality of Gulfstar’s later workmanship. The layout with her aft stateroom is nice. One of the most attractive combinations clients look for is a centerline queen aft stateroom as on the Mark II versions. The Mark I versions have an athwartship king which is a practical, seaworthy berth and impressive as well. On the layout, you can see she has a large berth aft. And she has two heads with separate showers for and aft. The heads look like they have slightly different orientation of the sink and shower between the Mark I and II versions according to company literature. Another great feature is the step down galley. The 44 has nice headroom anyway but with the step down galley even the tallest came stand up straight. And, the galley is tight and seaworthy without seeming small. If I designed a boat, I would make the galley just like the 44.
Engine and Underway The engine room is not the best I have seen. It is large and similar to the 50 Gulfstar but a little lower and further in there. Access is via the passageway and a cutout from the aft stateroom. The engine is either the venerable Perkins 4-108 or 4-154. Expect the 4-108 to burn oil, but otherwise run like a top if properly maintained. The beefier 4-154 is great except that parts are hard to find. There is plenty of room for a generator, watermaker, and other additional equipment. In general when looking at brokerage listing you will see those with high and low hour engines. Clients clearly prefer a newer, lower hour engine and the price differential is somewhere like $20k to $30k.
One owner of the Gulfstar 44 described her in heavy seas, “She really handles well and loves rough weather. The rougher it gets the better she performs. We took a trip on a catamaran which really pounded to Australia. We should have taken our 44. She does never pounds but smooth rides. We always feel safe and controlled.” She is a heavier cruiser and known to sail far and wide. You can feel down below her strength and quality. With her fin keel and skeg hung rudder, she is a performance cruiser unlike the early model 44’s which were motorsailers that should not be taken offshore.
I sea-trialed a 44 on a beautiful Fall day in Fort Lauderdale. A tropical storm had sucked out all the bad weather, and a cold front was providing cloud cover and cool air. In 10 knots true from the north east and light swell, we raced along maxing out at 4.8 knots on a broad reach with main and a 120% jib outside the Port Everglades cut. We tacked and close hauled to windward making a couple knots into the light breeze.
Conclusion In the beginning, they did not know what they were doing quality-wise and produced poor performing designs. In the middle and later, they got it together and produced some great boats. Gulfstars of the early 1970’s like the early 44 motorsailers are suspect quality boats. But around 1978 and onward, they produced some great designs including the Gulfstar 44. Gulfstar switched again later on as the Lazzara sons who were powerboat guys got involved. While keeping the quality, they switched to displacement motor yachts of which the 54 Motor Cruiser is the best example. By 1990, they were producing solely powerboats and sold the company to Viking Yachts. The Lazzara sons formed the super yacht company Lazzara Yachts which continues to today. Gulfstar 44’s are attractive values and comparable to Hylas 44’s. You can find these for somewhere between $100,000 to $140,000 on the brokerage market.
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GULFSTAR 44 Detailed Review
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of GULFSTAR 44. Built by Gulfstar Yachts and designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra, the boat was first built in 1978. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 13.62. Its sail area/displacement ratio 12.76. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Perkins, runs on Diesel.
GULFSTAR 44 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about GULFSTAR 44 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.
Boat Information
Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the gulfstar 44.
GULFSTAR 44 was designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra.
Who builds GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 is built by Gulfstar Yachts.
When was GULFSTAR 44 first built?
GULFSTAR 44 was first built in 1978.
How long is GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 is 10.82 m in length.
What is mast height on GULFSTAR 44?
GULFSTAR 44 has a mast height of 11.37 m.
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- Sailboat Guide
Gulfstar 44 Kth
Gulfstar 44 Kth is a 44 ′ 8 ″ / 13.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts starting in 1974.
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
Rig dimensions for ketch. See GULFSTAR 44 for more details.
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Review of Gulfstar 44
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season.
The Gulfstar 44 is equipped with a long keel. A long keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space.
The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.68 - 1.78 meter (5.51 - 5.81 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 8.0 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Gulfstar 44 is about 289 kg/cm, alternatively 1619 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 289 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1619 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is a Ballast Ratio?
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 31m 2 (333 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Mainsail halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Jib/genoa halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Spinnaker halyard | 34.8 m | (114.3 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Jib sheet | 13.6 m | (44.6 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 13.6 m | (44.6 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 34.0 m | (111.5 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 29.9 m | (98.1 feet) | 16 mm | (5/8 inch) |
| Cunningham | 4.9 m | (16.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Kickingstrap | 9.8 m | (32.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
| Clew-outhaul | 9.8 m | (32.0 feet) | 14 mm | (0.55 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Gulfstar 44 it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
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GULFSTAR 44. Save to Favorites . Beta Marine. BOTH. US IMPERIAL. METRIC. Sailboat Specifications Definitions Hull Type: Fin with rudder on skeg: Rigging Type: Masthead Sloop: LOA: 44.67 ft / 13.62 m ... Kelsall Sailing Performance (KSP): Another measure of relative speed potential of a boat. It takes into consideration "reported" sail area ...
The Gulfstar 44 is a 44.67ft masthead sloop designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built in fiberglass by Gulfstar Yachts between 1978 and 1984. 105 units have been built. The Gulfstar 44 is a moderate weight sailboat which is under powered. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized.
Around 1978 when consumer tastes changed so did Gulfstar. Lazzara switched to producing high performance sailboats. There is confusion with the 44 Gulfstar because they produced an early 1970's motorsailer version. The early 1980's Gulfstar 44 CC is a whole different animal and one these performance designs.
Gulfstar 44 is a 44′ 8″ / 13.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra and built by Gulfstar Yachts between 1978 and 1984. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts. ... Gulfstar 44 is a 44 ...
Gulfstar 44. We recently bought a 1981 Gulfstar 44 center cockpit. It was the boat we decided on after multiple years of reading, discussing and ocassionally cussing. Some people would naturally cuss the Gulfstar but then some compared it to the Hylas 44. An older article by Bob Perry had quite an indepth discussion of the pro's and con's of ...
Sailboats Built By Gulfstar Yachts (Dates indicate when boat was first built by any builder) Sort by: ... HIRSCH 45 (GULFSTAR) 44.67 ft / 13.62 m: 1985: ShipCanvas. KiwiGrip. Bruntons. Rudder Craft. SPW Non-BR. Pelagic Autopilots. Boater's Closet Non-BR. EWOL. bottom ads1 row1. bottom ads2 row1.
GULFSTAR 44 Detailed Review. If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of GULFSTAR 44. Built by Gulfstar Yachts and designed by Vince & Richard Lazarra, the boat was first built in 1978. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 13.62.
Gulfstar 44 Kth is a 44′ 8″ / 13.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built by Gulfstar Yachts starting in 1974. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.
The Gulfstar 44 is a large sailboat designed in the early eighties. Here we would have liked to show you nice photos of the Gulfstar 44. ... The immersion rate for Gulfstar 44 is about 289 kg/cm, alternatively 1619 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 289 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1619 lbs cargo on the ...
The l/b ratio for Gulfstar 44 is 3.41. Wide Slim 54% 0 50 100. Compared with other similar sailboats it is slimmer than 54% of all other designs. It seems that the designer has chosen a slightly more speedy hull design.
1984 Gulfstar 44. US$59,000. ↓ Price Drop. Raiatea Yacht | Papeete, French Polynesia. Request Info; Sponsored Boats | related to your search. 2024 Excel 1651 F4 Shallow Water. Request price. Performance East Inc | Goldsboro, North Carolina. 2024 Gator-tail 18/54 EXTREME SERIES. US$30,999.
Here's my short list... Gulfstar 44 - Irwin 43 - Kelly Peterson 44 ... The GS 44 and I43 would likely be 1985 and newer, the KP 44 likely 1979 or so. Operating out of St Augustine and sailing coastal US with occasional passages to Bermuda, Bahamas and Caribbean. I've researched all affordable center cockpits 42' to 45', have at least stepped aboard the GS 44 and KP 44 but have not sailed any ...
General Data about Gulfstar 44. Brand: Gulfstar: Model: 44: Boat Type: Sail: Category: Cruiser (Sail) Year Of Production: 1982: Condition (New/Used) Pre-Owned (Used) Country: Cotuit, Massachusetts : Fuel (Gas/Diesel) Diesel : ... ©2022 Boats and Yachts Detailed Data And Technical Specs (Dimensions, Prices, Weight and Engine Power) ...
The Gulfstar 44 kth is a 44.67ft masthead ketch designed by Richard C. Lazzara and built in fiberglass since 1974. The Gulfstar 44 kth is a moderate weight sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is reasonably stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat.
87689 posts · Joined 1999. #1 · May 3, 2006. My wife and I have purchased a Gulfstar 44 with a ketch-cutter rig. In a previous post, I asked for any information on this model. However, if anyone has any information on the Gulfstar 44, sloop or ketch, in the way of owner's manuals, systems manuals, etc., that you would be willing to share, we ...
April 8, 2016 anniedike. Come aboard as I get a full on-the-water tour of this impressive 1985 Gulf Star 45 Hirsch model, only 1 of 30 built, a moderate-sized, comfortable coastal cruiser suitable for a family of four. Thank Brandon with Perdido Sailor, Inc. for the tour! Boat #4: 1985 Gulf Star 45. Watch on.
Other Sailboats Status Not open for further replies. R. Ron Dworski. May 3, 2006 #1 My wife and I have purchased a Gulfstar 44 with a ketch-cutter rig. ... 44 with a ketch-cutter rig. In a previous post, I asked for any information on this model. However, if anyone has any information on the Gulfstar 44, sloop or ketch, in the way of owner's ...
Topic. April 11, 2020 at 3:51 am #83398. William Cowan. Participant. Looking for the location and access to the 2 water tanks on my Gulfstar 44.
gulfstar 44 cc. We just purchased one up in Canada and are having trouble identifying tanks, electrical circuits etc.. Don't ask strangers if it is OK to do something on YOUR boat. The reason you have your own boat is to be able to do what you want! 😇. This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread.
The starting price is $28,000, the most expensive is $102,000, and the average price of $86,350. Related boats include the following models: 43 Trawler, 50 and 41. Boat Trader works with thousands of boat dealers and brokers to bring you one of the largest collections of Gulfstar 44 boats on the market. You can also browse boat dealers to find ...
LENGTH: Traditionally, LOA (length over all) equaled hull length. Today, many builders use LOA to include rail overhangs, bowsprits, etc. and LOD (length on deck) for hull length. That said, LOA may still mean LOD if the builder is being honest and using accepted industry standards developed by groups like the ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council).