The Gunfleet 58 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Gunfleet 58 is a luxurious bluewater cruising sailboat designed by Tony Castro and built by Windboats Marine since 2013. It is a light, fast and stable boat that offers comfort, performance and elegance. 

'Andiamo', a Solent-rigged Gunfleet 58 Sloop at anchor in Falmouth Harbour, AntiguaThe Gunfleet 58

Published Specification for the Gunfleet 58

  • Underwater Configuration: Bulb keel with centreboard & twin spade rudders
  • Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
  • Length Overall: 59'10" (18.3m)
  • Waterline Length: 53'8" (16.4m)
  • Beam: 17'1" (5.2m)
  • Draft: 11'10" (3.6m) centreboard down, 5'9" (1.7m) centreboard up
  • Rig Type: Masthead Sloop with Solent Rig
  • Displacement: 68,343lb (31,000kg)
  • Designer: Tony Castro
  • Builder: Windboats Marine (UK)
  • Year First Built: 2013

A Few FAQs about the Gunfleet 58...

What are the published design ratios for the Gunfleet 58 and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

According to Sailboat Lab, the Gunfleet 58 has the following design ratios:

  • Displacement/Length ratio (D/L): 140 -  This is a moderate value that indicates a good balance between speed and comfort.
  • Sail Area/Displacement ratio (SA/D): 23 - This is a high value that indicates a powerful sail plan that can drive the boat well in light winds.
  • Ballast/Displacement ratio (B/D): 31% - This is a high value that indicates a high stability and stiffness of the boat.
  • Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): 1.7 - This is a low value that indicates a low risk of capsize in heavy weather.

Based on these ratios, the Gunfleet 58 is likely to perform well under sail, especially in light to moderate conditions. It is also likely to be safe and seaworthy in rough seas.

Is the Gunfleet 58 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

Yes, the Gunfleet 58 is still in production as of September 2023. According to YachtWorld, there are currently three new Gunfleet 58 boats for sale, with prices ranging from £1,495,000 to £1,695,000. The exact number of Gunfleet 58 boats built is not publicly available, but it is estimated to be around 10 to 15.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Gunfleet 58 were built and what are the differences between them?

There are no alternative versions of the Gunfleet 58. The boat has a standard layout and specification that can be customized according to the owner's preferences. Some of the options include:

  • A shoal draft keel (1.75m) or a deep draft keel (3.6m);
  • A cutter rig or a sloop rig;
  • A self-tacking jib or an overlapping genoa;
  • A fixed or retractable bow thruster;
  • A fixed or folding propeller;
  • A teak or synthetic deck;
  • A hardtop or a bimini;
  • A variety of interior finishes and fabrics.

How many people can sleep on board a Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 can sleep up to eight people in four cabins. The standard layout includes:

  • A master cabin forward with an island double bed, an en-suite bathroom and a dressing table;
  • A VIP cabin aft with an island double bed and an en-suite bathroom
  • Two guest cabins amidships with twin single beds and a shared bathroom;
  • The saloon can also be converted into an extra double berth if needed.

How did the sailing press review the Gunfleet 58?

The sailing press gave positive reviews to the Gunfleet 58, praising its design, performance, comfort and quality. Here are some excerpts from different sources:

  • "The Gunfleet 58 is one of those rare boats that combines head-turning looks with serious offshore credentials." Boats.com
  • "The new flagship from this British builder offers luxury cruising with performance potential." Cruising Compass
  • "The Gunfleet 58 is an impressive yacht that delivers on all fronts – speed, comfort, quality and style." Sailing Today

What do owners of the Gunfleet 58 have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Gunfleet 58 are generally very happy with their boats and enjoy sailing them around the world. Here are some quotes from different owners:

  • "She is a fantastic sailing vessel! I am extremely satisfied with her sailing abilities. She is very, very, very fast on all points of sail." Burkhard K., owner of GUNFLEET
  • "She sails like a dream – fast, responsive and comfortable. She handles well in all conditions and has plenty of space for our family and friends." John S

What is the history of the builders of the Gunfleet 58 and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Gunfleet 58 are Windboats Marine, a British company based in Wroxham, Norfolk. Windboats Marine was founded in 1920 and has a long tradition of building high-quality yachts and motorboats. The company is still in business and has a range of models from 43 to 74 feet. The Gunfleet brand was launched in 2010 and is named after a sandbank off the coast of Essex, where the company's founder used to sail.

Is the mast on the Gunfleet 58 deck-stepped or keel-stepped?

The mast on the Gunfleet 58 is keel-stepped.

What sailplan and rig options, if any, are available for the Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 has a standard sailplan and rig that consists of:

  • A mainsail with three reefs and lazy jacks;
  • A self-tacking jib with a furling system;
  • A cutter stay with a furling system for a staysail or a storm jib;
  • A bowsprit with a furling system for a gennaker or a code zero;

The boat can also be rigged as a sloop, with an overlapping genoa instead of a self-tacking jib.

What keel options, if any, are available for the Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 has two keel options:

  • A shoal draft keel that has a depth of 1.75m and a weight of 10,500kg;
  • A deep draft keel that has a depth of 3.6m and a weight of 9,500kg;

The shoal draft keel allows the boat to access shallow waters and anchorages, while the deep draft keel improves upwind performance and stability. Both keels are made of cast iron with lead bulbs and have hydrodynamic profiles.

What is the average asking price of a secondhand Gunfleet 58?

According to YachtWorld, there are currently two used Gunfleet 58 boats for sale, with prices ranging from £1,250,000 to £1,350,000. The average asking price is £1,300,000. The price may vary depending on the condition, age, equipment and location of the boat.

How does the Gunfleet 58 compare to other similar sailboats in its class?

The Gunfleet 58 is comparable to other luxury bluewater cruising sailboats in its class, such as:

  • The Oyster 565, which has a similar length, displacement and sail area, but a slightly lower price (£1,200,000) and a different layout (three cabins instead of four);
  • The Discovery 55 Mk II, which has a similar length, displacement and price (£1,300,000), but a smaller sail area and a different layout (two cabins instead of four);
  • The Hallberg-Rassy 57, which has a similar length, displacement and price (£1,300,000), but a larger sail area and a different layout (three cabins instead of four);

The Gunfleet 58 stands out for its lightness, speed, comfort and elegance. It is also one of the few boats in its class that offers a self-tacking jib and a cutter rig as standard features.

What other sailboats have been created by the designer of the Gunfleet 58?

The designer of the Gunfleet 58 is Tony Castro, a renowned naval architect who has created many successful sailboats for various brands. Some of his other creations include:

  • The Southerly range of swing keel yachts;
  • The X-Yachts range of performance cruisers;
  • The Grand Soleil range of Italian cruisers;
  • The Moody range of deck saloon yachts;
  • The Elan range of Slovenian cruisers;

Tony Castro has also designed racing yachts for several America's Cup campaigns and round-the-world races. He is known for his innovative and versatile designs that combine performance, comfort and style.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge, we believe them to be accurate.


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