The Gulfstar 44 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Gulfstar 44 sailboat, designed by American designers Vince and Richard Lazarra, is a solidly built vessel constructed by Gulfstar Yachts at their facilities in Saint Petersburg, Florida, USA.

Gulfstar 44

Published Specification for the Gulfstar 44

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Fin keel, Skeg hung rudder
Hull Material: Fiberglass with balsa-cored deck
* Length Overall: 13.6 meters (44.6 feet)
* Waterline Length: 10.8 meters (35.4 feet)
* Beam: 4.0 meters (13.1 feet)
* Draft: 1.7 meters (5.6 feet)
Rig Type: Sloop
* Displacement: 11,793 kilograms (25,900 pounds)
* Ballast: 3,856 kilograms (Lead) (8,500 pounds)
* Sail Area: 64.8 square meters (700 square feet)
Water Tank Capacity: 606 litres (132 gallons)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 303 litres (81 gallons)
Hull Speed: 8.7 knots
Designer: Vince & Richard Lazarra
Builder: Gulfstar Yachts
Year First Built: 1978
Year Last Built: 1984
Number Built: 105

* Used to derive the design ratios referred to later in this article - here's how they're calculated...

Options & Alternatives

Buyers could choose between different interior layouts, including options for either an athwartship king berth or a centreline queen aft.

The interior design focused on providing comfortable and functional living spaces, with a U-shaped galley and good headroom.

Besides the standard sloop rig, there was also a ketch version offered.

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Where...

“I” is measured along the front of mast from the highest halyard to the main deck. The main deck is where the deck would be if there were no deckhouse;
“J” is the base of the foretriangle measured along the deck from the headstay to the mast;
“P” is the luff length of the main-sail, measured along the aft face of the mast from the top of the boom to the highest point that the mainsail can be hoisted;
“E” is the foot length of the main-sail, measured along the boom from the after face of the mast to the outermost point on the boom to which the main can be pulled.

Sail Area:

Sail Area (Total): 64.8m² (700ft²)
Mainsail Area: 32.9m² (355ft²)
Foretriangle Sail Area: 31.8m² (345ft²)

Rig Dimensions:

I (Foretriangle Height): 13.8m (45'1")
J (Foretriangle Base): 4.6m (15'2")
P (Mast Height): 11.4m (37'3")
E (Mast Foot to Bow): 5.8m (19'0")

Published Design Ratios
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio: 12.76
Ballast / Displacement Ratio: 32.69%
Displacement / Length Ratio: 259.44
Comfort Ratio: 33.95
Capsize Ratio: 1.78

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The above design ratios are fairly typical for a moderate displacement cruiser of this type and can be interpreted to provide an indication of such a vessel's likely sailing characteristics - however they have their limitations:

The design ratios are static measurements which don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

The context in which the boat is intended to be used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

Based on the published design ratios, the theoretical sailing characteristics of the Gulfstar 44 can be summarized as follows:

The Gulfstar 44 sailboat, with a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 12.76, falls below the 16 mark, indicating that it is somewhat underpowered. This means the sailboat is designed more for stable and comfortable cruising rather than high performance.

Its Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 32.69% suggests moderate stiffness. While it isn't as stiff as boats with a ratio of 40 or more, it should still be able to handle wind and maintain reasonable stability in various conditions.

With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 259.44, the Gulfstar 44 is categorized as a moderate displacement boat. It strikes a balance between comfort and performance, requiring a reasonable amount of sail area to reach its design hull speed.

The Comfort Ratio of 33.95 indicates a reasonably sedate motion, typical of a moderate bluewater cruising boat. This suggests that the Gulfstar 44 is designed to provide a comfortable experience for extended voyages, with less pronounced motion in various sea conditions.

Lastly, the Capsize Ratio of 1.78, being less than 2.0, implies good bluewater capability. This means the Gulfstar 44 is well-suited for ocean passages, with a lower vulnerability to capsizing compared to boats with a higher ratio.

In conclusion, the Gulfstar 44 appears to be a well-rounded cruiser that offers a good balance of performance, comfort, and seaworthiness. It's a solid choice for sailors who are looking for a versatile boat that can handle a variety of conditions.

Here's what Jordan Yachts had to say about the Gulfstar 44...

More Specs & Key Performance Indicators for Popular Cruising Boats

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35' to 40'

40' to 45'

45' to 50'

50' to 55'

Over 55'

This article was written with the assistance of Gemini, a large language model developed by Google. Gemini was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.