What is the Gulfstar 37's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Gulfstar 37 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 13.61. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Gulfstar 37's comfort ratio?

The Gulfstar 37 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.5. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Gulfstar 37 safe for offshore sailing?

The Gulfstar 37 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.76. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Gulfstar 37?

The theoretical hull speed of the Gulfstar 37 is 7.58 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Gulfstar 37 weigh?

The Gulfstar 37 has a displacement of 19,500.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 37.00 ft.

How much does a used Gulfstar 37 cost?

Based on 4 recent market listings, used Gulfstar 37 sailboats typically sell for between $25,000 and $39,950, with a median asking price of $32,475. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Gulfstar 37?

The Gulfstar 37 was designed by Vince Lazzara, first built in 1976.

Gulfstar 37 Performance — PHRF Rating, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Gulfstar 37 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

7.6 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 32.0′, the Gulfstar 37 tops out around 7.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √32.0′ LWL = 7.6 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

PHRF Rating

153s/nm

Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

SA / Displacement

13.6

Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.

Ballast / Displacement

41.0%

Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.

Displacement / Length

266

Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.

Comfort Ratio

33.5

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.76

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.6kts

S# (Speed Number)

1.8

SA/Disp (Calculated)

14.4

Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.

Pounds/Inch Immersion

1lbs

Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.

Motion & Offshore Suitability

Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.

Comfort Ratio

33.5

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.76

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore

Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters

PHRF Fleet Position

Where the Gulfstar 37 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Heavy Cruiser 210–300

Esprit 37 150s/nm

Gulfstar 37 153s/nm Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

Endeavour 37 174s/nm

Estimated Speed by Wind

Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.

Point of Sail	6 kts TWS	10 kts TWS	15 kts TWS	20 kts TWS
Close-hauled40–50°	2.7	3.4	3.8	4.0
Close Reach60°	3.3	4.2	4.7	4.9
Beam Reach90°	4.0	5.1	5.7	6.0
Broad Reach120–135°	3.7	4.7	5.3	5.5
Run150–180°	3.0	3.8	4.2	4.4

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.6 kts), SA/D (13.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current. Speeds in gold approach hull speed; bold gold means near or at hull speed.

Wind Range & Comfort Envelope

Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Gulfstar 37 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–8 kts 8–24 kts 24–34 kts 34+ kts

Ghosting

0–8 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

8–24 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

24–34 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

34+ kts

Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.

How It Compares

Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Gulfstar 37.

	Gulfstar 37	Endeavour 37	Esprit 37	Irwin 37 3	Irwin 37 4	Valiant 37
Dimensions
LOA	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0	37.0
LWL	32.0	30.0	31.6	30.0	30.0	31.6
Beam	11.8	11.6	11.5	11.5	11.5	11.5
Displacement	19	20	17	20	20	17
Ballast	8	8	6	7	6	6
Sail Area	614	574	667	630	627	667
Performance
PHRF	153	174	150	—	—	—
SA/Disp	13.6	12.5	16.2	13.7	13.7	16.2
Bal/Disp	41.0	40.0	39.4	39.0	33.5	39.4
Comfort	33.5	36.9	30.6	37.2	37.2	30.6
Capsize	1.76	1.71	1.79	1.70	1.70	1.79
Hull Speed	7.6	7.3	7.5	7.3	7.3	7.5