Gulfstar 50 Ketch - Reviews?

[Jeff Millar]

Would like to learn from owners of the Gulfstar 50, Ketch
all details, qualities , flaws.

[camaraderie]

Have a friend with one and have been aboard and had many discussions.
On theplus side:
Cheap for what you get, reasonably robustly constructed...can take a pounding at sea, sails moderately well...not like some gulfstars! , lots of living space, good tankage capacity, nice interior, good engine and good mechanical space.

On the downside:
Lots of common issues on survey...cheap hardware, soft decks, heavy blister problems, leaking hatches, leaking tanks, water ingress into keel. Many of these issues will have been corrected by PO's...but all need to be carefully checked as does the quality and extent of repairs...(i.e. blisters...full peel or pop/patch & go?).
Tends to be rolly at sea on a reach...uncomfortable on this point of sail.

I think that these boats are excellent values, best suited for extended liveabord use in coastal/Caribbean conditions, but also capable of making passages and standing up to weather off shore. My friend has done several Caribe to New England offshore runs and one Atlantic round trip. He is happy with the boat.