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Gunfleet 43 review: from the archive

• June 2, 2021

Britain has a new maker of cruising yachts – Gunfleet Marine. Chris Beeson goes to the East Coast to test its first boat, the Gunfleet 43

Performance in a Force 3 breeze was very lively for a round-the-world cruiser. Credit: Gunfleet

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

For some, Gunfleet conjours up twilight encounters with Dickensian characters on misty salt marshes. Others may see it as an eyesore of a windfarm, we set off to the East Coast to offer our opinion of the Gunfleet 43.

For Richard Matthews, the man who founded and then sold Oyster Yachts, it’s a welcome return to the business of building high-quality cruising boats in Britain.

Performance of the Gunfleet 43

With a light nor’easter, never more than 10 knots, I was concerned that such a heavy boat might struggle to get going but in fact she positively sauntered in long-legged style.

At 35-40° to the apparent wind angle with 12-15 knots over the deck, she logged over 6 knots, peaking at 6.7 knots at the wider angle where she was more comfortable.

The liferaft locker in the transom is opened from the lazarette.

On a fetch, she clocked 5.7-6.3 knots with 9-12 knots of apparent wind and we beam reached at 5.4-6.2 knots before putting up the gennaker and tearing off at 7.1-7.5 knots.

We eased the sheets and broad reached between 120-150° at 5.1-6.9 knots before hardening up the gennaker to 75° apparent wind angle and logging 7.3-8.1 knots in 7-9 knots of apparent wind.

Motoring back, the 55hp Volvo driving a three-blade, folding Radice prop urged her along at 8.7kn flat out, at 2,800rpm, and 7.7kn throttled back to 2,000rpm.

At the helm on the Gunfleet 43

The Whitlock/Lewmar system’s steering cables run straight down then aft to the quadrant, and minimal friction delivers a feeling of power steering.

She’s finger-light but there’s a stately feel about her, like a Bentley at sea, that reminds you there’s a lot of yacht under your command.

The cockpit is positioned well forward in the yacht, which allows for a sundeck and aft deck, but the main feeling is of elevation.

Mainsheet and genoa sheet winches are within easy reach of the wheel.

You’re quite some way up in the cockpit, though the reason for that becomes very pleasantly apparent when you go below.

Coamings surround the cockpit but, while the ideal height for resting an elbow aft, they’re a bit shallow for a backrest.

The helmsman has his own.

Primary and mainsheet winches are within easy reach, likewise the traveller controls.

And the clever Flightdeck system means you’re not reaching through the wheel’s spokes to use the plotter or play with the throttle when manoeuvring.

Design & construction of the Gunfleet 43

The hull is drawn by Tony Castro, variously of Barracuda 46, Challenge 72 and Laser SB3 fame, – she’s got a good pedigree.

Castro also worked with Gunfleet’s own team to optimise her deck design for shorthanded cruising.

Iso/NPG gelcoat provides greater UV resistance and vinylester skin resin ensures water resistance.

The 113% jib is sheeted between the cap shrouds and lowers, so she can pinch up to windward.

She’s made of solid GRP laminate with isophthalic resin up to 20cm (8in) above the waterline where the end-grain balsa core sandwich begins.

Forward of the keel, the hull is strengthened by Kevlar and there’s carbon fibre reinforcement for the rig loads.

She has a composite floor and marine ply bulkheads laminated in place for stiffness, a stainless steel rudder stock and a lead bulb on a cast iron fin keel.

Sailplan of the Gunfleet 43

The 11/12th fractional rig features swept-back spreaders on a Seldén mast and an adjustable backstay above the transom.

She has a 113% jib for easy tacking, sheeted between the shrouds and lowers, and a stackpack main with end-boom sheeting on a traveller aft of the cockpit.

Genoa tracks allow for a larger jib but I’d like to see them extend further forward for effective sheeting, using the adjustable genoa cars, when the jib is deep reefed.

The stats say she’s by no means over-canvassed for a yacht of her displacement, but her performance in relatively light winds defies the numbers.

Deck layout of the Gunfleet 43

She has a big double bow roller with a short bobstay to bear the load of offwind sails tacked to the roller.

There’s a windlass with a warping drum on the deck between the bow roller and the anchor locker.

Big teak toerails keep your feet secure while moving aft through the shrouds, which is easy with the lowers inboard and the shrouds out, but the sidedecks are narrow.

Our test boat had no coachroof grabrail but, wisely, they do feature on subsequent hulls.

Aft of the cockpit is a sundeck and there’s a big lazarette locker on the aft deck with a gas locker in the port quarter.

There’s a winch at the mast for the spinnaker and genoa halyards; the rest of the lines lead aft to Lewmar 45 halyard winches, one of which is electric, to handle the main halyard.

Subsequent hulls also feature a halyard bin at the bridgedeck.

A removable cockpit table attaches to the binnacle but you need the optional footblocks to brace against, as the cockpit is too wide to brace against the leeward seating.

Living aboard the Gunfleet 43

If the topsides look formidable, the sidedecks parsimonious and the helm position elevated, the reason is space below – and it’s remarkable for a 43-footer.

The saloon is cavernous with 6ft 7in headroom at the companionway, 6ft at the forward bulkhead and 6ft 4in at the bar – yes, the bar – to starboard, opposite the forward heads.

Hull ports and huge windows in the coachroof flood the saloon with light and there are twice as many Xenon lights in the deckhead as you’d expect for illumination at night.

Big windows flood the spacious saloon with natural light.

In addition to the grabrails below the coachroof windows, subsequent boats feature a grabrail in the centre of the deckhead, which you’ll need to make moving around below safe at sea.

The sheer volume of this boat becomes even more obvious in the owner’s cabin aft.

It’s vast, with 6ft 3in headroom, and bright thanks to the central strip of decklights and hatch, and the opening hull ports.

It features plenty of stowage including a vast drawer below the berth, great ventilation and some really nice touches, like the small cubbies at the head of the bed for phones and watches.

Forward of the vanity table/desk is the en suite with a shower cubicle.

The palatial aft cabin boasts 6ft 3in of headroom and oodles of stowage.

The Corian sole is standard and there’s plenty of light and opening hatches.

Up forward there’s another large double berth, also en suite, and again very bright because of the acrylic strip running along the centre of the deckhead.

Stowage is abundant in soft-close drawers and lockers.

The design is thoughtful and experienced, the joinery sensational and the quality of materials uncompromising.

Chart table

It’s a good size with stowage below the seat, forward of the knees and in a bin locker outboard.

Facing you is the CZone system from which you can control everything on board, from bilge pumps to steaming lights, and also monitor power draw, tankage and a hatful of other metrics.

There’s another smaller touch-screen panel in the aft cabin so you can run everything from your berth, too.

Experienced sea-cooks have put this galley together.

There’s 6ft 4in headroom so you’re not cracking your skull every two minutes, as you might well be on other centre cockpit boats of this size.

All the Corian surfaces are fully fiddled, to ensure that most spills will stay contained rather than turning the sole into a skidpan.

Lockers, also fiddled, are plentiful and there’s more stowage below the sole.

Abundant stowage, a big fridge-freezer and all the worktops are fiddled so things don’t slide off.

Gunfleet fits a GN Espace stove, which, in addition to gimballing fore and aft as well as athwartships, is designed to use trays that will also sit snugly on ledges in the galley sink and in the saloon table’s central serving space.

Maintenance of the Gunfleet 43

Gunfleet designs luxurious liveaboard yachts and maintenance access is a key factor in that.

If you can afford her, you’re probably in a position to hire someone else to do the maintenance, but rest assured, they will not struggle for access anywhere.

And if you ever have to diagnose and fix an engine fault at sea, you’ll be glad it’s so easy to get to.

Our verdict on the Gunfleet 43

What’s she like to sail.

I was impressed with her performance.

She has a rather low sail area/displacement (SA/D) figure of 16.3. Boats with this sort of SA/D usually have big engines to handle light winds.

To give this figure relevance, the Océanis 43 is 20.7 and the Arcona 430, 26.4.

They would revel in these conditions but I wasn’t expecting more than five knots from the Gunfleet upwind, in maximum apparent wind, and much less downwind. She was very fleet-footed.

Having said that, she’s not designed for pootling around the coast and it’s notable that the two other boats that match her SA/D figure are the Najad 410 and the Malö 40, both solid ocean cruisers designed to lug a life’s worth of kit around the top of the world.

The Gunfleet wasn’t fully loaded but she wasn’t empty either.

The helm position seemed unnervingly high to start with – you stand at a level only just below the sidedeck.

But once you establish that the boom isn’t going to decapitate you, you begin to appreciate the uninterrupted views forward.

The wheel wasn’t as engaging as I’d hoped for, with little in the way of feedback, but as a blue water boat.

She’ll spend the vast majority of her time under autopilot so the fact that she was smooth and light is a big bonus.

What’s she like in port and at anchor?

One thing’s for sure, you won’t be roughing it.

With the space below, and the evident emphasis on light, ventilation and stowage, you wouldn’t need to compromise your standards one iota.

The quality of workmanship is excellent throughout and a huge amount of experience has been built into this boat.

The basic spec is very high, including …

• CZone systems management touch-screen
• Shore power cable
• Battery charger and inverter
• Antifouling, fenders
• Mooring lines
• Wine glasses
• Whisky tumblers
• Bone china place
• Lewmar One-Touch winch handles
• Spare halogen bulbs
• Bucket and brush

…. and three bottles of Champagne – ‘one for launch, two to drink.’

You also get tanks two-thirds full and free berthing for the week’s sea trials they will take you through.

The only things you really need to add are a chartplotter, an offwind sail and the extra halyard for it.

I expect most owners will also ask for a TV, generator, watermaker and some sort of satcom, but she’s genuinely ready to go.

Would she suit you and your crew?

She’s no slouch, as we’ve established, but she’s also undemanding as a cruiser in that you don’t need decades of sailing knowledge to get her to perform to a very decent standard.

The deck is laid out to allow plenty of space to move around.

Lunch in the cockpit under the bimini, then lounging in the sun.

Before stepping down onto the aft deck, grabbing your mask and snorkel from the lazarette and jumping into warm, azure water for a poke around the coral.

Below decks, you’ll recognise the build quality as being a bit special and appreciate the fact that everything just works, everything does what it should and does it elegantly.

It’s a prime example of designing with experience and using technology well.

I see her owners as a successful couple looking to slow down their hectic pace of life and add a bit of uncomplicated fun.

I would imagine she’ll be more regularly found further south, where the weather is a bit more reliable, guaranteeing some sun in your busy schedule.

Nor would I be remotely surprised to see her seduce her owners into packing it all in and sailing around the world.

First published in the January 2013 issue of YM

The Gunfleet 58 from an owner´s perspective

• April 17th, 2018

There are not too many brands out there which can be labelled as manufacturing “luxurious blue water sailing yachts”. Of course, there is one name that jumps into our minds at an instant: Oyster Yachts. After more than 30 years of focusing on making arguably most impressive oceangoing vessels, this brand is indisputable the epitome of this class of sailing yacht. Indisputable but not uncontested: With its founder Richard Matthews selling and leaving the company in 2008 there soon appeared another brand on the market under his leadership. Gunfleet Marine.

Gunfleet Yachts, as it is said in their own mission statement, wants to take the concept of luxurious true blue water cruising to a whole new level. The Gunfleet 43 and 58 are quite successful in a market hard-fought by brands like Oyster, Contest, Discovery and all the others. I´ve talked to a German owner of a Gunfleet 58, current flagship of their line, about his impression of the boat and here´s what he was telling me.

“It was love at first sight.”

Lars Reisberg | NO FRILLS SAILING.com: “Burkhard, thanks for sharing your time with me to talk about your boat. First of all, let me ask: Since when have you got your Gunfleet 58 and what´s the story behind the boat?”

Burkhard: “The boat is actually the third yacht in my life. We bought her in March 2016 when she was in St. Lucia for sale as being the second owners now. You see, in a couple of years we want to cast off for the big loop with the family and we were looking for a boat that would make such a venture possible …”

NFS.com: “… and that was the Gunfleet?”

Burkhard: “No, not at all! In the first place we were looking into a used Oyster 56 – I am a huge fan of Oysters at this time – and I found that the Discovery 55 was also a great boat to take a look at. As the story goes, we´ve had opportunities on two Oysters and one Discovery. Later, everything was set up to have two of the boats inspected, flights had been booked and we were ready to go when my wife – on our way to the airport to fly down to X-Yachts in Haderslev where we had our current boat at this time – read an e-mail by a sales agent who was proposing the Gunfleet 58. I looked at the boat in the pictures attached, looked at my wife and said: This. Is. The. Boat!”

NFS.com: “Really?”

Burkhard: “Yes, that´s true! We cancelled the appointments and instead flew to St. Lucia. When I walked down the jetty where the boat was mooring, I can tell you, it was really love at first sight! She is such a gorgeous boat, such a gripping design. I thought to myself that this yacht really is the boat that can make come true everything we were dreaming of at this time.”

NFS.com: “So although you are an Oyster fan you went for the Gunfleet?”

Burkhard: “Well, you see, from the standpoint of material and building quality both yards are the same. Both offer the highest level of craftmanship and are top notch when it comes to finishing quality. Gunfleet, from my point of view, is a more modern design and I still think that the Gunfleet offers the best layout both on and below deck. Besides: When we were sailing out of St. Lucia for a demonstration we left the harbour and came out to the open sea when a flock of humpback wales was dashing along and started to jump and bounce. I took this as a good harbinger and we opted for the Gunfleet. I can tell you, we haven´t been regretting this decision a single time.”

“I am puzzled by her speed.”

NFS.com: “What are the sailing characteristics of the Gunfleet 58 in general? What would you tell us about the yacht as a sailing vessel?”

Burkhard: “Well of course, with 31 tons of displacement she is heavy ordnance indeed. But I must say that her sailplan is very, very well thought through. We have a wide choice of sails to hoist to be effectively powered in virtually all wind set-ups – but of course, the boat needs wind in the first place. To sum it up: She is a fantastic sailing vessel! I am extremely satisfied with her sailing abilities. She is very, very, very fast on all points of sail and I can tell you, when I am sailing during the weekends off Mallorca where a lot of Oysters are moored as well, we beat them with ease regularly. As I said: It´s a modern layout.”

NFS.com: “In some test videos on YouTube I did get the impression that the boat was tending towards slight excessive heeling when going upwind …?”

Burkhard: “… I don´t know what the people aboard did or did not for these films but I can´t confirm this impression. On the contrary, I have the feeling that the Gunfleet isn´t tending towards heeling too much compared to other boats. I am sailing with my family so of course I will put in a reef when wind is blowing strong. Or I´ll change to the smaller jibs. But, for example, in a broad reach point of sail the boat will never go slower than 9 knots, mostly hover around 10 knots or more. This is fantastic! She is very agile on the helm and a fast boat for her size and displacement for sure.”

NFS.com: “One of the big points on Gunfleet is the centreboard and therefore variable draft. Are you utilizing this option in real life sailing often?”

Burkhard: “Oh yes we do! Very often, to be honest. The variable draft enables us to go very, very deep into anchoring bays or in harbours where boats of this size normally cannot go. This is an asset I am appreciating very much on the Gunfleet.”

“She is my dream yacht. Well, one of them…”

NFS.com: “Burkhard, tell me about her internal layout and what you like on her interior design . What do you love most about the Gunfleet?”

Burkhard: “Well, first of all, there is so much volume inside! She is so huge. As you know, I like Oysters and used to sail on these boats a lot. The Oyster 56 and her successor, the Oyster 575 used to be the boats of my dreams. But when Oyster was coming up with the 675, I thought that this must be the ultimate dream yacht of them all! And now, I tell you one little story: Mooring in Mallorca, one of my neighbours at the jetty owns a 675. When I one day was invited onto his yacht, I was puzzled how small the aft cabin was compared to my boat. 10 feet more and the cabins are smaller? So you see, Gunfleet somehow managed to get more out of the 58 feet.”

NFS.com: “Is there anything you dislike on your yacht as well?”

Burkhard: “Of course. A boat is always a compromise and we are individuals with very special ideas and intentions. There are some things I really disliked about my boat. First of all I thought that the saloon was too spacious – what is great in harbour can pose a threat out on the seas. But this was a unnecessary concern because there is grab handles everywhere and the big saloon is no problem. What was really not good was the roofing panel´s clothing. This was a kind of leather that was too soft, too thick. It tended to get dents and bulges very easily and I invested a lot of money to rip off the whole roofing panels, get them out and refurbished by a yard …”

NFS.com: “Oh, I know what you are talking about …“

Burkhard: “What I also didn´t like was the flooring panels. I love the Walnut timber. It´s a great and unique design and a special grain. But the floor was so soft that even sunglasses falling down out of my pocket would leave defects in the wood. That´s not tolerable. So again, the yard had to apply a covering lamination to harden the material.”

NFS.com: “That´s mere cosmetics then. Nothing structural or technological?”

Burkhard: “Yes. I found that the overall capacity of the batteries was far too little. We upgraded the battery bunks to 1.000 amp-hours. When on an ocean passage, I don´t want to start the generator or engine on a daily basis. Last not least, Gunfleet´s decision to manage all the electric infrastructure with CZone by Mastervolt is a total mess in my eyes. We´ve had a number of – sometimes serious – problems and blackouts because of this system. This is, in my eyes, the greatest fault of the Gunfleet and I would never ever again go for a boat equipped with this technology.”

NFS.com: “But now the boat is finished and equipped in a way you want her?”

Burkhard: “Yes. She is an absolutely great boat and I am completely happy each time I board her. All of us are. The best thing is that my wife can go sunbathing or lounging where ever she wants to do this and me and my friends can do all the sailing stuff back in the cockpit without even bothering her with a single line. That´s fantastic! And you know what I like so much more over all the other yachts, especially Oysters?”

NFS.com: “… tell me please!”

Burkhard: “She looks just awesome with her sprayhood attached. That´s something that will make so many other boats look … unbalanced, if not ugly. But with the Gunfleet it´s different. She looks very well and her lines aren´t disturbed by the sprayhood. That´s an important thing from an aesthetics point of view. At least for me.”

“Casting off for the big tour in some years.”

NFS.com: “Burkhard, the boat is now stationed on Mallorca. What are you doing with your boat? Are there any plans for bigger trips?”

Burkhard: “Oh yes of course. The long term objective is the circumnavigation in a few years time. She is the perfect boat for doing this. You see, I wanted to own and sail a boat for at least three years before casting off for such a big adventure. I want everything to be perfect and I want to know my boat. So right now we are shaking her down in every respect to be able to identify possible weaknesses – like the insufficient battery capacity for example – to iron out this stuff.”

NFS.com: “And then it´s off and away?”

Burkhard: “Yeah, I think so. Of course I´ll have to work for a couple of years from now to have the bank account well loaded to be able to finance such a tour. But we as a family are working towards this big aim. But underway there is still so much to explore in the Mediterranean: I want to sail to the Southern coast of France to stay there for a while, then it´s the Adriatic and this alone bears so many great places to be seen.”

NFS.com: “When you will be casting off for the circumnavigation, which route do you have in mind?”

Burkhard: “The classic Coconut-Milk Run I guess. Through the Panama Canal …”

NFS.com: “… not down South around the Horn?”

Burkhard: “No, I think there you will need other boats. The Gunfleet is a perfect yacht in a sense as we need her but I would choose a different boat when it comes to the more extreme Latitudes . My dream, if money wouldn´t be a question, would be a Hutting yacht. This is really a “go anywhere”-boat. But don´t get me wrong, I love the Gunfleet: For what we plan to be doing with her she is just perfect. For the Coconut-Milk Run she offers from my point of view the best mix between volume, comfort and sailing performance. Maybe the Discovery is slightly better in terms of seaworthiness but this should be marginal.”  

Burkhard, I wish you, your family and your boat thousands of unforgettable miles under sails and the best of luck for your plans. Let´s stay in touch and keep me updated on your sailing adventures aboard your fine Gunfleet 58. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the boat here on NO FRILLS SAILING.com.

Pictures with kind permission of Gunfleet Marine and Private

You may also like to check out these interesting articles on blue water cruisers:

A walkthrough with Magnus Rassy: The Hallberg-Rassy 64 in Cannes

Not an Epitaph: The Oyster 745 at Duesseldorf Boat Show

What is the perfect blue water yacht like? Talking to Jimmy Cornell

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• Sailboat Guide

Gunfleet Marine

Before creating Gunfleet, Founder, Richard Matthews, spent over 35 years building up one of the UK’s most successful yacht companies, Oyster, which he sold in 2008. Looking for a new challenge, the idea of utilising all these years of experience to form a new yacht building brand proved irresistible and the Gunfleet range of performance, variable draft cruising yachts was launched. The Gunfleet brand is operated by Windboats Marine. Moulding and fitting out is carried out at their two sites in Norfolk, then the yachts are launched and commissioned at Fox’s Marina in Ipswich, where the Sales Office is located. Gunfleet Marine Riverside Fox’s Marina Ipswich Suffolk IP2 8NJ www.gunfleetmarine.com

• Tony Castro

2 sailboats built by Gunfleet Marine

Gunfleet 43

Gunfleet 58

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• Gunfleet 58

The Gunfleet 58 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Gunfleet 58 is a luxurious bluewater cruising sailboat designed by Tony Castro and built by Windboats Marine since 2013. It is a light, fast and stable boat that offers comfort, performance and elegance. 

Published Specification for the Gunfleet 58

• Underwater Configuration:  Bulb keel with centreboard & twin spade rudders
• Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)
• Length Overall:  59'10" (18.3m)
• Waterline Length:  53'8" (16.4m)
• Beam:  17'1" (5.2m)
• Draft:  11'10" (3.6m) centreboard down,  5'9" (1.7m) centreboard up
• Rig Type:  Masthead Sloop with Solent Rig
• Displacement:  68,343lb (31,000kg)
• Designer:  Tony Castro
• Builder:  Windboats Marine (UK)
• Year First Built:  2013

A Few FAQs about the Gunfleet 58...

What are the published design ratios for the Gunfleet 58 and, based on those ratios, how is the boat likely to perform under sail?

According to Sailboat Lab , the Gunfleet 58 has the following design ratios:

• Displacement/Length ratio (D/L): 140 -  This is a moderate value that indicates a good balance between speed and comfort.
• Sail Area/Displacement ratio (SA/D): 23 - This is a high value that indicates a powerful sail plan that can drive the boat well in light winds.
• Ballast/Displacement ratio (B/D): 31% - This is a high value that indicates a high stability and stiffness of the boat.
• Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): 1.7 - This is a low value that indicates a low risk of capsize in heavy weather.

Based on these ratios, the Gunfleet 58 is likely to perform well under sail, especially in light to moderate conditions. It is also likely to be safe and seaworthy in rough seas.

Is the Gunfleet 58 still in production and, if not, when did production end and how many of these sailboats were built?

Yes, the Gunfleet 58 is still in production as of September 2023. According to YachtWorld, there are currently three new Gunfleet 58 boats for sale, with prices ranging from £1,495,000 to £1,695,000. The exact number of Gunfleet 58 boats built is not publicly available, but it is estimated to be around 10 to 15.

What, if any, alternative versions of the Gunfleet 58 were built and what are the differences between them?

There are no alternative versions of the Gunfleet 58. The boat has a standard layout and specification that can be customized according to the owner's preferences. Some of the options include:

• A shoal draft keel (1.75m) or a deep draft keel (3.6m);
• A cutter rig or a sloop rig;
• A self-tacking jib or an overlapping genoa;
• A fixed or retractable bow thruster;
• A fixed or folding propeller;
• A teak or synthetic deck;
• A hardtop or a bimini;
• A variety of interior finishes and fabrics.

How many people can sleep on board a Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 can sleep up to eight people in four cabins. The standard layout includes:

• A master cabin forward with an island double bed, an en-suite bathroom and a dressing table;
• A VIP cabin aft with an island double bed and an en-suite bathroom
• Two guest cabins amidships with twin single beds and a shared bathroom;
• The saloon can also be converted into an extra double berth if needed.

How did the sailing press review the Gunfleet 58?

The sailing press gave positive reviews to the Gunfleet 58, praising its design, performance, comfort and quality. Here are some excerpts from different sources:

• "The Gunfleet 58 is one of those rare boats that combines head-turning looks with serious offshore credentials." Boats.com
• "The new flagship from this British builder offers luxury cruising with performance potential." Cruising Compass
• "The Gunfleet 58 is an impressive yacht that delivers on all fronts – speed, comfort, quality and style." Sailing Today

What do owners of the Gunfleet 58 have to say about their boats?

Owners of the Gunfleet 58 are generally very happy with their boats and enjoy sailing them around the world. Here are some quotes from different owners:

• "She is a fantastic sailing vessel! I am extremely satisfied with her sailing abilities. She is very, very, very fast on all points of sail." Burkhard K., owner of GUNFLEET
• "She sails like a dream – fast, responsive and comfortable. She handles well in all conditions and has plenty of space for our family and friends." John S

What is the history of the builders of the Gunfleet 58 and is the company still in business?

The builders of the Gunfleet 58 are Windboats Marine, a British company based in Wroxham, Norfolk. Windboats Marine was founded in 1920 and has a long tradition of building high-quality yachts and motorboats. The company is still in business and has a range of models from 43 to 74 feet. The Gunfleet brand was launched in 2010 and is named after a sandbank off the coast of Essex, where the company's founder used to sail.

Is the mast on the Gunfleet 58 deck-stepped or keel-stepped?

The mast on the Gunfleet 58 is keel-stepped.

What sailplan and rig options, if any, are available for the Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 has a standard sailplan and rig that consists of:

• A mainsail with three reefs and lazy jacks;
• A self-tacking jib with a furling system;
• A cutter stay with a furling system for a staysail or a storm jib;
• A bowsprit with a furling system for a gennaker or a code zero;

The boat can also be rigged as a sloop, with an overlapping genoa instead of a self-tacking jib.

What keel options, if any, are available for the Gunfleet 58?

The Gunfleet 58 has two keel options:

• A shoal draft keel that has a depth of 1.75m and a weight of 10,500kg;
• A deep draft keel that has a depth of 3.6m and a weight of 9,500kg;

The shoal draft keel allows the boat to access shallow waters and anchorages, while the deep draft keel improves upwind performance and stability. Both keels are made of cast iron with lead bulbs and have hydrodynamic profiles.

What is the average asking price of a secondhand Gunfleet 58?

According to YachtWorld , there are currently two used Gunfleet 58 boats for sale, with prices ranging from £1,250,000 to £1,350,000. The average asking price is £1,300,000. The price may vary depending on the condition, age, equipment and location of the boat.

How does the Gunfleet 58 compare to other similar sailboats in its class?

The Gunfleet 58 is comparable to other luxury bluewater cruising sailboats in its class, such as:

• The Oyster 565, which has a similar length, displacement and sail area, but a slightly lower price (£1,200,000) and a different layout (three cabins instead of four);
• The Discovery 55 Mk II, which has a similar length, displacement and price (£1,300,000), but a smaller sail area and a different layout (two cabins instead of four);
• The Hallberg-Rassy 57, which has a similar length, displacement and price (£1,300,000), but a larger sail area and a different layout (three cabins instead of four);

The Gunfleet 58 stands out for its lightness, speed, comfort and elegance. It is also one of the few boats in its class that offers a self-tacking jib and a cutter rig as standard features.

What other sailboats have been created by the designer of the Gunfleet 58?

The designer of the Gunfleet 58 is Tony Castro, a renowned naval architect who has created many successful sailboats for various brands. Some of his other creations include:

• The Southerly range of swing keel yachts;
• The X-Yachts range of performance cruisers;
• The Grand Soleil range of Italian cruisers;
• The Moody range of deck saloon yachts;
• The Elan range of Slovenian cruisers;

Tony Castro has also designed racing yachts for several America's Cup campaigns and round-the-world races. He is known for his innovative and versatile designs that combine performance, comfort and style.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

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