1978 Gulfstar 50

This is one of the finest Gulfstar 50's in existence ... Offered for sale by her owner of 43 years.

She is an exceptional example of the Gulfstar 50 and is widely regarded as one of the top five 50's in existence today. Unlike most vessels of her class and vintage, she has been meticulously maintained and upgraded; and unlike many newer vessels, she’s built like a tank. Thoughtfully customized, she’s truly turnkey and ready for a comfortable live-a-board life. She’s also fully rigged for serious blue water cruising. Whether crossing an ocean or enjoying a day sail, this boat is an absolute joy to sail. She is a rare find and cannot be replicated at this price. Her current insurance and survey valuations significantly exceed the asking price. She is a fully-rigged, blue-water vessel that has made multiple long passages. 

This vessel features a major engine rebuild with fewer than 100 hours of use, new standing rigging, freshly painted masts, and all-new navigation and communication electronics. Her extensive sail inventory is suited for all conditions, from light air to storms. She also includes a generous stock of spare parts for the engine, generator, and all key onboard systems, along with numerous recent upgrades and refreshed components throughout.

This vessel is 100% ready to comfortably cross oceans. She reflects a lifetime of knowledgeable ownership and care, and is being offered for sale only due to health reasons of the owners. If you're seeking a proven, seaworthy cruiser with classic lines and modern performance, this vessel deserves your consideration. One visit, and you'll understand how unusually outstanding this vessel is. 

LAYOUT

Beginning forward is the vee-berth with port and starboard berths for two and with triangle filler, hanging lockers and access to the port side guest head. A separate storage locker is to starboard. Next aft is the main cabin/salon with a U-shaped dinette to port and settee to starboard that can convert to an upper and lower berth for two. The galley is further aft and port with the navigation station to starboard and deck access at center. The port-side companionway aft provides engine room access, and the master stateroom is aft with extra-long double berth for two, private head with shower, hanging and drawer storage.

GALLEY

Custom 6 cu/ft refrigerator and 5 cu/ft freezer compartments each with Crosby dual holding plates and Seafrost compressor (new 2023), Force 10 3-burner propane stove (new 2023) with two 2.5 gallon aluminum tanks, GE microwave oven (new 2023), one of a kind-custom teak liquor & storage bar between galley and salon, charcoal filtered drinking water faucet and separate sea water faucet at deep double stainless steel sink, 5 gallon electric water heater (new 2022).

DECOR

The décor is teak and holly flooring with a gloss varnish finish throughout the interior, the cabinetry has been built out with extra shelves, vinyl headliner, Sunbrella cushions. 

MECHANICAL

Perkins 4.154-62hp inboard diesel with less than 100 hours since major overhaul, 900 Racor fuel filter, Borg Warner marine transmission, Northern Lights 8.5-KW diesel generator with 2950 hours, 500 Racor fuel filter, mechanical steering wheel with hydraulic steering by auto pilot, 16,000BTU reverse cycle Marine Aire A/C system split to both staterooms (new 2023), 12,000BTU reverse cycle A/C for salon, Ecotec 12 volt 336 gallon per day water maker (new 2020), Crown Raritan 12v toilet in master head (new 2025), Maxi-Prop propeller (new 2022), Xantrex 2000 watt inverter (new 2020), Newmar 12 volt 80 amp battery charger, three 175-watt solar panels mounted on davits with tilting base and solar battery charger (new 2020), four bank battery system with all West Marine gel cel batteries, Niehoff 60 amp brushless alternator (new 2023). All battery banks and charging systems are diode isolated. Engine room discharge hoses have JIC screw-on fittings (no hose clamps), multiple shore power cords and accessories, line cutting spurs on shaft, electric pump oil change system. 80 CF scuba tank with 30' diving hose & regulator; both new and never used. Delphi also has an electric pump and 30' of hose to transfer fuel from tanks on deck to the fuel fill port. There's a 12 volt outlet on deck to plug in the fuel transfer pump.

DECK

Fiberglass non-skid decks, stainless rail stanchions with cable life lines, custom stainless steel manual davits for dinghy (new 2020), custom stainless steel swim boarding ladder on transom, custom (removable) stainless steel portable boarding ladder on port side, Ideal 12 volt anchor windlass (factory reconditioned 2020) with foot pedal control and remote cockpit control, one 45lb plow anchor with 150’ of chain (new 2020) and 150’ of rode, spare 40lb Danforth anchor with 150’ of rode, spare 40lb Danforth anchor, Achilles inflatable tender with 15hp 2-stroke Yamaha outboard (new 2023) and 2hp Honda outboard, black Sunbrella dodger top (new 2025) with stainless steel frames, black Sunbrella cockpit bimini with stainless frames, Viking 8-man life raft with ACR PLB EPIRB packed inside.

ELECTRONICS

Sony HTA 3000 Dolby Soundbar with Sony 200 watt subwoofer in salon (new 2026), 12-volt Sony AM/FM/CD player with Bose speakers in salon and master state room (new 2023), LG 24” LCD TV salon with Bose sound bar in main salon (new 2020), Samsung 24” LCD TV MSR with Bose sound bar in master state room (new 2020), Raymarine Axiom Pro 12 Doppler radar with 4kw radar dome (new 2023), Garmin 541 GPS map, Magellan 1000 hand held GPS, Raymarine-SmartPilot with rotary drive and new hydraulic pump (2023), Raymarine i50/i60 digital depth, speed and wind direction indicator (new 2023), ICOM ICM 605 VHF (new 2023), Raytheon 45 VHF in master stateroom, ICOM M802 single side band radio (factory reconditioned 2023), Sirius satellite weather receiver (new 2023), Danforth 5” compass, Raymarine 700 AIS transceiver (new 2023), Qunatum 2 cell phone booster antenna (new 2023), ACR Cat 1 EPIRB.

SAILS & RIGGING

Harken roller furling for jib, dual tracks on main mast for storm mainsail, running inner forestay and running back stay for storm inner jib sail, 140% roller furling heavy jib sail with reefing to 110%, main sail and mizzen with seven additional sails: 95% jib, storm tri sail, storm jib, Martin mizzen, two Barient #22 cockpit winches, two Barient #28 cockpit winches, one Barient 22SS main mast halyard winch, two Barient 21SS main mast halyard winches, two Barient #18 mizzen mast halyard winches.

COMMENTS

Delphi recently underwent a major overhaul including, substantial engine rebuild, dodger, salon upholstery, through hull valves & hoses, Maxi-prop, shaft, transmission coupling, cutlass bearing, motor mounts, rebuilt anchor windlass, standing rigging, mast wiring, antennas, anemometer, both masts removed and repainted, bottom job (Dec 2025). Extensive generator and engine spare parts. A recent survey rates the boat as “Above Average to Excellent Condition” with a market value that far exceeds the asking price. 

FUEL EFFICIENCY

At 5.8 knots, the Perkins 4.154 consumes approximately three quarts of gallon of fuel per hour. The Northern Lights 8.5 kW generator consumes approximately one gallon per hour.

SOLAR ELECTRICITY GENERATION

On a bright day, the three 175-watt solar panels produce sufficient power to operate the autopilot, GPS, and refrigerator/freezer. During extended passages, running the generator for 2–3 hours in the evening maintains all systems and provides hot water.

ADDITIONAL UNITS INCLUDED

Achilles 9'6" tender with 15 HP Evinrude 2-stroke (outboard new 2022) and 2 HP Honda 4-stroke outboard

MAXIMUM SPEED

9.5 knots (under sail)