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1981 Gulfstar 44 boat for sale
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Inevitable
Inevitable is a 1981 Gulfstar 44, a center cockpit ketch built in the USA and widely regarded as one of Gulfstar’s best cruising designs, a full keel with cutaway forefoot and ecapsulated ballast that trades a touch of directional stability for genuinely sharp maneuverability and a sail plan on the generous size for her class that rewards light air sailing. This example is in very good condition inside and out, backed by a documented history of major work rather than deferred maintenance.
The hull received an Awlgrip paint job in 2006. A cut-away forefoot and proper skeg-mounted rudder round out a hull built for comfortable offshore work, and new anti-fouling was applied in 2025. The exterior stays low maintenance thanks to a fresh application of Kiwi Grip non-skid on both the main deck and house deck, while the interior finishes are beautiful throughout, with a new headliner installed recently.
Sail handling is quick and easy thanks to Hood in-mast furling on the main, driven by motor from the cockpit or worked manually from forward, and the mainsail itself was professionally cleaned last spring. All sails are in excellent condition, with Sunbrella UV covers on the jib and staysail, both set on Harken furlers, and a new Sunbrella cover on the mizzen.
Power comes from a Perkins 4-154 diesel that was pulled from the boat in 2006 for a full rebuild and has been kept current since, with new freshwater and raw water pumps in 2025, a new lift pump in 2024, and a new shaft coupler and prop shaft in 2025. A January 2026 engine survey by Gartside Marine turned up no issues, with the sole exception of an hour meter that isn’t currently registering time.
The center cockpit was recently upgraded with a new dodger and a bimini with zip-out side panels and a transition piece, giving full enclosure when the weather calls for it, along with new cockpit cushions. Inevitable is located in Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island, the gateway to some of the most pristine cruising grounds in the world.
Specifications
propulsion
Engine #1
PROPULSION
- Perkins 4-154, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel, 65 hp
- Fully rebuilt 2006 (removed from vessel for rebuild)
- New freshwater and raw water pumps, 2025
- New lift pump, 2024
- New shaft coupler and prop shaft, 2025
- 100 amp internally regulated alternator
- Borg Warner reduction gear with reverse
- 3-blade bronze propeller, partially protected by keel
- Engine survey by Gartside Marine, January 2026: no issues noted, except the hour meter is not functioning
- Good access to the engine, transmission, stuffing box, oil and fuel filters, and dripless shaft seal
RIGGING & SAILS
- Ketch rig, two aluminum keel-stepped masts
- Hood in-mast furling mainsail, motor-driven from the cockpit or manual from forward
- Mainsail professionally cleaned, Spring 2026
- All sails in excellent condition: main, mizzen, genoa, staysail
- Jib and staysail on Harken furlers with Sunbrella UV covers
- New Sunbrella cover for the mizzen sail
- 1×19 stainless steel standing rigging, swaged fittings, bronze turnbuckles
- Winches: Barient #18, #21, #22, #32ST, plus two Harken
ELECTRONICS & NAVIGATION
- New Standard Horizon VHF/GPS
- Northstar radar
- Lowrance chart plotter
- New CPT autopilot, 3 year warranty
- B&G sailing instruments (will require upgrading)
- Danforth liquid-dampened compass
GROUND TACKLE
- 45 lb Rocna main anchor
- Over 300 ft of 5/16″ chain
- Muir Cougar 12V DC electric windlass, new larger motor, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- 200 amp solar panel mounted on davits, panel and controller new 2023
- 100 amp internally regulated alternator
- 12V DC house bank
- Inverter/charger, accessible under the aft cabin bed along with the rudder quadrant, autopilot ram, and house battery bank
- LED lighting throughout
- Portable Honda e2200i generator
TANKAGE & PLUMBING
- Fresh water: 140 gallons in two tanks
- RainFresh water filtration system in the galley
- Newer water heater (AC electric and engine heat)
- 30 gallon holding tank with electric pumpout
DOMESTIC SYSTEMS
- Princess 3-burner propane stove with large oven
- New Xintex propane fume detection system with solenoid shutoff, galley
- New NovaKool/Danfoss compressor for the large fridge/freezer
- Newport diesel heater in the main salon, new 2022
- Smart TV
- Extensive storage throughout
CABINS & HEADS
Forward
- Large V-berth with ensuite head
Aft Cabin
- Excellent ventilation
- Ensuite electric toilet
- Separate shower stall
DECK & COCKPIT EQUIPMENT
- New dodger and bimini with zip-out side panels and transition piece for full enclosure
- Covers for dodger and transition piece windows
- New cockpit cushions
- Force 10 rail-mounted BBQ
- Dinghy davits with rail bracket for outboard stowage
- Large aft storage compartment, plus a smaller compartment for propane bottles (1×20 lb, 1×10 lb)
- Two aft deck stowage boxes
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
- Electric and manual bilge pumps with high water alarm
- CO detector with alarm
- Fire extinguishers: two 1A10BC, one 3A40BC, plus one clean-agent system
- Radar reflector, portable air horn, lifebuoy, buoyant heaving line
Tender
- 2022 OceanAir rigid hull inflatable
- Tohatsu 4 hp, 4-stroke outboard, full service July 2023
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