The Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 42'5" (14.5m)

Waterline Length: 40'6" (12.3m)

Beam: 13'10" (4.2m)

Draft: 5'6" (1.7m)

Rig Type: Ketch

Displacement: 38,000lb (17,237kg)

Designer: Vince Lazzara

Builder: Gulfstar Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1978

Year Last Built: 1981

Number Built: 79

Owners Association: The Gulfstar Owners Club

Published Design Ratios for the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 13.1

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 27.6

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 255

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 41.7

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 13.1 suggests that the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 27.6 means that the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 will have a tendency to heel excessively in a gust, and she'll need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 255, tells us the Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 41.7 suggests that crew comfort of a Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Gulfstar Sailmaster 47 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.