49 Gulfstar Motor Yacht? Good, Bad opinions

The Gulfstars are well known for major blister issues. Beyond that, I agree with your assessment. Great layout, great space, low profile, US built. Fly bridge is a bit small. I like the 3208's. Survey her carefully and happy loop boating.

While one normally looks to the past to search for a pedigree for a current build, you can do a 180 as well for edification: Vince, with sons Dick & Brad, built the Gulfstar trawers (yes, notable for blisters early on), then turned to motoryachts which were then built/sold, in 1990, as Vikings, one of the most far-thinking boats of their time (notable for their lack of blisters), and then, currently, to the very advanced/high-end line of Lazzara Yachts.

Gulfstar pioneered Star-ply, the laminated wood-strip joinery for curved sections, such as doorways and galley fiddles. By the 1980s, their workmanship was very good and interior joinery was top-notch.

GulfStar 49

My neighbor at the marina has a 49 Gulfstar and I also was impressed with the layout and workmanship. I am considering it for for a live a board. I guess it was only made in 1988, then Viking bought them out. I was hoping Viking continued the line, but was told, they dropped it.

It has everything my Wife and I wanted, but I was hoping to find a newer model.

The Lazzara-built Gulfstar 49 was available from '84 to '87. The Lazzaras then went on to build their Gulfstar motoryacht line with the 55 coming on line in 1987. The tooling was sold to Viking (New Gretna, NJ) around 1989/1990 who continued production of the 50'-72' motoryachts--very different from the earlier 49.

53 Hatteras

I cannot believe I missed the 53 Hatt in my search for a live-a-board. It has the exact layout that my wife and I want. I thought the layout on the 53 was the same as the 52. I went to Sam's website and looked at the brochures and it looks like the 54 has the same layout.
Whats the difference between the two?

My only problem is, I don't know if I want a 25 year old boat. Wish they made made them a few more years.

I am also in the market for a live aboard in Florida for the winter months. Just looked at a 49 Gulfstar. 1988 I believe it was a very nice layout lots of space. I am looking to have something that we could take to the Caribean if we wanted. It the gulfstar sea worthy enough for this or should imstickmwith a similar vintage Hatteras

You're down to two good boats. (Both known for blisters BTW), along with solid hulls. There's more to be considered now. You should visit a couple of each and see if one falls off your list. One thing I advise people when they're boat shopping is to consider resale ease and what that's worth to them. I'm partial to Hatteras, but that may be for the same reason you started this thread. Your questions are about how good a Gulfstar is. No such questions about Hatteras. That's worth money at resale.

Just curious, been 3 1/2 years, still comparing boats?

Do the Great Loop, yet?

Since his last post was 3 1/2 years ago, I doubt you're going to get your answer. But Good Spirit has current questions, hence the thread revival.

True, however, NYCAP123 seems to have missed that info.

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and thank you for having me.
I, in my search, pulled a couple of late 80s vintage Hatts and a couple late 80s vintage Gulfstars. The Hatts had numerous blisters, the Gulfstars had few. I bought a Gulfstar. The wood work is impecable, the engine room is stand up, the hull is solid, the layout is very roomy. I still Like the Hatts but the vintage that was in my budget put me to the Gulfstar. The one I have, they only made 12 of.

Hello Dean I too am new to this forum and looked for 4+ years for the right boat. The 49 Gulfstar won, lots of bang for the buck. Ours is the same year and had been more than well maintained. It is slower than I would have liked but very comfortable. I spend countless hours on little projects and upgrades. The loop is the dream and winters in Fla. We thought for the money the return will be awesome. Boat is in Myrtle Beach, SC. If you would like to compare notes feel free to contact me EMAIL REMOVED

I would gladly exchange info with you. Gulfstar information is scarce.

Hello Dean- Hard to believe 5 weeks passed since I replied to your post concerning Gulfstars. I posted a no no ( e-mail) address the fine print issue sometimes gets me in trouble. Please feel free to send any questions and concerns and I will check the site more often. One issue I have is finding wire raceways to fly bridge and arch I have new radios and antennas to install and question how to start, same questions for transducer cables I'm afraid to cut and use existing wire for a fish tape. Jump in one and all.

Gary,
You should be receiving email alerts when new posts are made to this thread. You can also communicate directly with Dean through PM; Simply click on his name, then click on start a conversation.
I wouldn't be too afraid of using an existing wire as a fish tape if you have to. Just use one with enough slack to reconnect it. You may run into a problem though where the wires are bundled. So I'd first try using an electricians fish wire. Make your future life easier when you do it by leaving in a fish tape for future use.

Hey Cap Thanks for the reply I sure appreciate any and all help and love talking boats. We have found the Gulfstar to be very comfortable and loaded with space, storage, and room to roam. Just can't get used to speed and lack of information about the boats and lack of feedback from other owners. We plan on doing the loop and hope we have chosen wisely. Thanks again for your response and please comment anytime. Gary

Just signed contract to buy a 1987 golfstar 55 my looked at a lot of boats I like the layout on this one time will tell on to sea trial and survey