We had narrowed down to what boats we were going to consider, see The Boat, and now it was time to start actually getting on some of the boats and trying them on for size. We decided that we would look at boats that we could drive to, which eliminated boats on the west coast and in the far North East of the US. Previously we had spent a week looking at boats in Annapolis and it was here that we first got on some Center Cockpit boats. We climbed on an Endevour 43. We were pretty amazed at the size of the aft state room. We got on a lot of boats including a very nice Caliber 40 and a Cabo Rico 38. We also began to quickly realize that if we didn’t take notes right after we looked at a boat we quickly got them confused. In fact now as I look over these notes I can barely remember some of the boats that we looked at. We heavily researched Center Cockpit boats, after our visit to Annapolis and the Eastern shore, and created the list we reference on the Boat page. Armed with a narrowed down list we became addicted to Yachtworld and several other “boats for sale” sites. We got pretty bad checking out those sites a couple of times a day. We also began planning trips to those areas where we could get on boats. On one of our first trips we headed to south Florida as there were a number of boats in a small area. We managed to find and get on our first Gulfstar 44. This boat was in a slip at Dinner Key in Miami. So not only was the boat nice but also the location was fantastic! The boat itself was very nice and had a lot of cruising gear on it. The owner was a good “do it yourselfer” so had made several nice upgrades to the boat. What was good about this visit was seeing the layout of the boat. We would soon come to realize how nice this was. The walk through was high enough that Joan and I could both get through without having to double over. The other big plus is that it had a dedicated standup shower. On our list of things we would like to have that was near the top. While in south Florida we also were able to see a Kelly Peterson 44, Gulfstar 41. Gulfstar 47 Motorsailer and a Hylas 44. The KellyP was again a boat just back from cruising with lots of cruising gear and again lots of mods made by a very self reliant cruiser. He had even had made his own water maker. The GS41 was very dirty, smelly and over priced! The Gulfstar 47 was very big and not a craft for us. The Hylas was a very nice boat but also above our budget plus it was hard to step in and out of the cockpit. A nice view of several choices of boats with the best result of the trip was we really liked the layout of the Gulfstar 44.
The layout of the 44
Our next trip to Florida saw us in Key West and we got on a very nice Hunter. This was not on our list but it was good to see how boats were set up. We also found out that brokers really like several days notice when you want to look at boats. The other part of this trip visiting marinas where we might want to hang out for awhile. The best deal was on Naval Air Station Key West were a slip was half the price of a commercial slip, and a nice secure place!
We soon found ourselves south bound again. This time we were delivering furniture and cars across the country. We traveled the entire east coast of Florida from Fort Lauderdale to Fernandina Beach and then into southern Georgia. We again got the opportunity to visit marinas up the coast.
We finally ended up in Brunswick GA visiting Tom and Sabrina Nichols who were there getting their Caliber 40 ready to go cruising. While here we not only got to stay on their boat but also got to meet a lot of cruisers. They were all very generous enough to show us their boats. Besides the Caliber we were staying on we saw a couple of Pearson 422s, Island Packet, Out Island and even a very nice trawler. There was a Brewer 44 in Brunswick as well. We had really wanted to get on one of these as it was also on our short list but unfortunately it did not work out meeting up with the owner. We also stopped in St Augustine and got on a nice Bristol 45-5. This was a very nice boat and we liked the layout. It has a great reputation. The only thing about this boat was it was a little high priced and it had a swing keel. We also made the trip to Green Cove Springs to look at another Gulfstar 44 but the yard was closed for the July 4th holiday so all we could do was look at it through the fence.
In August we decided to head in the other direction, North! We drove up to Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay to look at two Gulfstar 44s. Just before we left one of the boats sold proving that the GS 44 was still sought after. We were able to get on what must be the nicest GS 44 we ever saw. The boat was in Elk Rapids Michigan, which is a very pretty little town. The boat was in prime shape. Everything was in place and ready to go. It even had bow thrusters! We spent several hours on the boat with the broker and were able to really get to know the GS44. While this boat had everything on it and it was very clean it also was priced at the top of the market. We drove away thinking that if we found nothing else then we would make a bid on this boat, after the winter, and enjoy sailing in the Great Lakes and then making our way to the east coast.
Later in the fall we had the opportunity to head back to Florida for some sailing. We were able to spend a week on an Island Packet 46.
Paul’s IP
Best Seat in the House
The Crew Nov 2013
Swing Bridge on the ICW north bound
The skipper is a friend, and great teacher, so we learned a lot about cruising. It also confirmed for us that we would like to own a center cockpit. While there we were did get onto another Gulfstar 44. This boat was in not good shape and would have taken way to much time and money to get her up to speed. But it did confirm to us that we loved the size and layout. While in Palmetto Florida we met up with a great broker who showed us several Island Packets of all sizes and years. We also got on a Morgan 45, another boat with a great rep. This boat was on our short list so we were glad to get on. We discovered that we were not keen on the layout.
We then kept monitoring all the boat for sale web sites, usually a couple of times a day. On one Monday in January Joan checked Yachtworld in the morning and saw nothing new. In the afternoon I checked and there was a new listing for a GS 44 in Kemah Texas. We called the broker and Tuesday morning found us on the road to the Houston area. About Oklahoma City I got a call on the phone offering me a job I had been interviewing for! Some things were coming together here. Wednesday we met with the broker who assured us that this was the nicest GS 44 we would ever see. We got on the boat and after about a half hour he commented that we obviously know more about the boat than he did so he left us to it. It was indeed a very nice, clean boat. It was just about ready to go cruising and more importantly it was priced right! We ended making an offer, which was countered and we accepted. We then went through the process of buying a boat. It surveyed very well. The final statement from the surveyor was “You have a dang fine boat there.”
Broker and Pat on the shake down cruise
Checking the bottom during survey
We can actually get INTO the engine room
The Boat came with both a dingy and davits
Center Cockpit, Very easy to step in and out of
Lookling aft from the V-berth, Nice wood work
Port Sette, again check out the wood!
Our Gulfstar 44
So that is how we have become the lucky, proud and privileged owners of a 1981 Gulfstar 44, Center Cockpit. We will now start documenting getting the boat and us ready to go. More details of the boat can be found on the Boat Tab
Original Gulfstar Logo
SomedayI'll 