Gulfstar 37, Coastal Cruiser, Offshore Cruiser or Circumnavigator?

[Havsund]

Hello all boating enthusiasts!
This is my first forumpost, ever, so hopefully I have done this right, if not then I apologise

I am about to go ahead and make an offer on a GS 37 -79
"The Plan" is to bring it to the Caribbean and use it as a liveaboard cruiser for a year or two and then take it back to Europe.
To me the boat looks to be a comfortable and seaworthy vessel, very spacious and I love the classic lines, and apart from some reports about quality issues on the early Gulfstars everything looks fine.
Then I met a previous GS 37 owner who had serious doubts about safely doing a Atlantic crossing. I have no idea how experienced he is as a sailor though. I have not changed my mind, but it made me think about the whole thing again.
The boat is well over 30 yrs old, so obviously it need work done, but as far as I can see it should be just as good or better than a lot of the boats that I know have done this before.

I know it was a popular boat in its time and surely of over a hundred made, some must have done a ocean crossing at some point.

Or?

If you know the Gulfstar 37 I would be very grateful for your advice!

[Kevin84]

People have crossed the Atlantic in 10' sailboats before. Far more depends on your skill as a skipper than the boat. I'm trying to buy a Tayana 37, a proven world cruiser, but I wouldn't cross the Atlantic in her because I'm not ready as a Captain. It'll all depend on you. Or rather, 95% depends on you, 5% depends on the boat.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[kentobin]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tar-34705.html

[gonesail]

i like the gulfstar 37. it looks good on the inside and out. nice cockpit and the rig can be handled by one person. i sailed one in 15 knots of wind and it tracked beautifully along with hitting 9 knots boat speed. seemed like a solid and well built boat.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Havsund.

Some good analysis & opinion here:

Originally Posted by kentobin

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tar-34705.html

[Havsund]

Thank you for the warm welcome and the link to the Gulfstar thread (how I missed that I dont know) It answered many questions and raised some new ones

[Barney Post]

GULFSTAR 37 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

[Salty Skipper]

Hi...I have a Gulfstar 43 center cockpit ketch, Mk II.....I would trade you for your 37!

My Gulfstar is one of several produced, hull no. 44 in 1977 that were properly layed up and is free from improper lay-up blisters, or bottom pocks...Not all came out as fortunate! This boat is all original...the original gelcoat remains in very good condition. A Side power bow thruster has been installed, the original Perkins 4-108 has 4 thousand hours maintained, oil changes every trip out...really! I live aboard, I don't need all the space this 43 gives....I'd love to trade even on a GS 37......call me 774-392-1930...steve