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49 Gulfstar Motor Yacht? Good, Bad opinions

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by ohcaptainron, Mar 1, 2011.

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  1. ohcaptainron

    ohcaptainron New Member

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    Have been looking at mid 80s Hatteras 53 Classic/ED to do the loop.
    I came accross a really nice 49 Gulfstar w/3208s, interesting boat, very well laid out, tons of room, 3 cabins 3 full heads, semi-displacement hull, less than 4ft draft, 17ft bridge clearance. Seems to be well made, well finished, and at least this example well maintained. To me it seems more suitable for the loop than the 53 Hat, without sacrificing any room.

    I know Hatteras, known quanity. Anyone owned, operated, familiar with this boat, good bad or indifferent. Thanks

    Ron
  2. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    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.
  3. Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    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.
  4. patch

    patch New Member

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    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.
  5. Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    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.
  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    i looked at the gulfstars when i bought my 53 but the amount of space didn't even come close. the Hatt is a true flush deck and offer a lot more space in only 3 or 4' more LOA and obvously for the same maitneance costs.

    also, two big drawbacks in my opinion... lack of a lower helm/pilothouse which makes single handling harder as you have to come down from the FB to get to your lines where as with a PH you are just 5 steps away from your spring lines. Even if you dont' plan on singlehandling, it's nice to be able to handle the boat on your own in case your wife/GF is busy with something else. even more critical on the loop...

    the other big drawback is that the saloon is a few steps down instead of being on the same level with a pair of double teak doors. much nicer! also, with the pilothouse doors on each side and opening windows, you get a lot more air flowing thru and out the double aft deck door. most of the time, when anchored out, even in summer, as long as there is 10kts breeze the saloon is cool enough not to use AC.

    draft is a non issue as the 53 draws just about 4'...
  7. patch

    patch New Member

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    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.
  8. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    i'll take a 25 to 40 year old Hatt. over most other 10 year old brand... it's only the hulls that were solid but the systems. things like heavy copper plumbing, fiberglass tanks, etc... they obvioulsy have issues but fewer than most boats.

    age isnt' the issue, it all comes down to how boats have been built AND MAINTAINED/UPGRADED
  9. Good Spirit

    Good Spirit Member

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    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
  10. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    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.
  11. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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

    Do the Great Loop, yet?
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    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.
  13. Old Phart

    Old Phart Senior Member

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

  14. Dean P

    Dean P New Member

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    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.
  15. Gary C

    Gary C New Member

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    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
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 20, 2016
  16. Dean P

    Dean P New Member

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

    Gary C New Member

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    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.
  18. NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    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.
  19. Gary C

    Gary C New Member

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    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
  20. Turbax

    Turbax New Member

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    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