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Gulfstar 43
Designer: Vince Lazarra  ·  Builder: Gulfstar Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Gulfstar 43

Built during Gulfstar's productive era in the 1970s and early 1980s, this 43-footer represents the Florida builder's commitment to creating robust cruising sailboats for serious blue-water sailors. Gulfstar earned a solid reputation for constructing well-built fiberglass vessels that could handle extended passages while offering comfortable accommodations for live-aboard cruising. The Gulfstar 43 embodies the classic cruising boat philosophy of the period, prioritizing seaworthiness and interior volume over racing performance. Her generous beam and traditional lines provide stability and space below, making her well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore passages. The design reflects Gulfstar's understanding of what cruising sailors needed: a dependable platform that could carry supplies for extended voyages while maintaining reasonable sailing characteristics. While not known for exceptional speed, the Gulfstar 43 has earned respect among cruising sailors for her solid construction and practical layout. Her traditional appearance and proven track record make her an attractive option for sailors seeking a capable cruising boat with character. The design represents an era when builders focused on creating boats that would serve their owners reliably for decades of adventure.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$69,500 – $69,500
typical asking price
Median $69,500  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$69,500 – $69,500 3
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.33 ft / 13.21 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 39.16 ft / 11.94 m
Beam 11.92 ft / 3.63 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 21,000.00 lb / 9,525 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Vince Lazarra
Builder Gulfstar Yachts (USA)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1978
Number Built 80
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
126
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
23.81
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
156.11
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 10.0 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 14.01
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.92 ft / 4.55 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 664.00 ft² / 61.69 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Perkins
Engine & Accommodations
Fuel Capacity 65 gals / 246 L
Water Capacity 115 gals / 435 L
How It Compares

vs. Columbia 43, Gulfstar 43 Ms, Irwin 43 1971, Swan 431, Tartan 44

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Gulfstar 43 ★
43.3 ft
Columbia 43
43.3 ft
Gulfstar 43 Ms
43.3 ft
Irwin 43 1971
43.5 ft
Swan 431
43.3 ft
Tartan 44
43.1 ft
LWL
Gulfstar 43 ★
39.2 ft
Columbia 43
32.0 ft
Gulfstar 43 Ms
39.2 ft
Irwin 43 1971
32.0 ft
Swan 431
33.3 ft
Tartan 44
32.7 ft
Beam
Gulfstar 43 ★
11.9 ft
Columbia 43
12.3 ft
Gulfstar 43 Ms
13.9 ft
Irwin 43 1971
11.5 ft
Swan 431
13.4 ft
Tartan 44
12.3 ft
Displacement
Gulfstar 43 ★
21 lbs
Columbia 43
18 lbs
Gulfstar 43 Ms
21 lbs
Irwin 43 1971
23 lbs
Swan 431
26 lbs
Tartan 44
18 lbs
Ballast
Gulfstar 43 ★
5 lbs
Columbia 43
9 lbs
Gulfstar 43 Ms
Irwin 43 1971
10 lbs
Swan 431
11 lbs
Tartan 44
Sail Area
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
806 sq ft
Gulfstar 43 Ms
660 sq ft
Irwin 43 1971
872 sq ft
Swan 431
896 sq ft
Tartan 44
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Gulfstar 43 ★
126 s/nm
Columbia 43
111 s/nm
Gulfstar 43 Ms
153 s/nm
Irwin 43 1971
177 s/nm
Swan 431
87 s/nm
Tartan 44
98 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
18.2
Gulfstar 43 Ms
13.9
Irwin 43 1971
17.3
Swan 431
16.2
Tartan 44
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Gulfstar 43 ★
23.8 %
Columbia 43
50.3 %
Gulfstar 43 Ms
Irwin 43 1971
Swan 431
44.9 %
Tartan 44
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
29.1
Gulfstar 43 Ms
24.1
Irwin 43 1971
38.8
Swan 431
35.6
Tartan 44
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
1.86
Gulfstar 43 Ms
2.02
Irwin 43 1971
1.62
Swan 431
1.80
Tartan 44
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Gulfstar 43 ★
156
Columbia 43
257
Gulfstar 43 Ms
155
Irwin 43 1971
Swan 431
319
Tartan 44
240
Hull Speed
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
7.6 kts
Gulfstar 43 Ms
8.4 kts
Irwin 43 1971
7.6 kts
Swan 431
7.7 kts
Tartan 44
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Gulfstar 43 ★
Columbia 43
2.2
Gulfstar 43 Ms
2.8
Irwin 43 1971
1.7
Swan 431
1.6
Tartan 44
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