Gulfstar 54 Sailcruiser

1986 Gulfstar Sailcruiser 54 | Twin Engines, Deck Saloon & Rare Bluewater Design


A rare offering, this 1986 Gulfstar Sailcruiser 54 is one of just 23 built and stands out as a true bluewater liveaboard. Her raised deck saloon design provides panoramic views and a bright, welcoming interior, making her equally suited for extended voyages or comfortable full-time living. With a shallow draft of just 4’11”, she easily explores the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and Mediterranean waters.


Purpose-built for serious passage making, she carries twin Yanmar 66HP engines for maneuverability and redundancy at sea. Her 50,000 lb displacement, skeg-hung rudder, and versatile ketch rig combine strength, stability, and control offshore. Notable upgrades include a 2020 mainsail, 2019 rigging, 8kVA Onan generator, bow thruster, solar power, and a custom 120L watermaker (partial assembly required). A full B&G navigation suite with radar, chartplotter, and autopilot enhances safety on long passages.


Below, the three-cabin, two-head layout balances space and practicality. The aft master suite offers ensuite comfort with private deck access, while the raised saloon, walk-through galley, and abundant storage ensure a welcoming interior. Teak joinery, integrated hardtop, air conditioning, electric winches, and modern galley appliances further elevate onboard comfort.


Currently ashore and ready for inspection, this Gulfstar Sailcruiser 54 presents a unique chance to secure a proven offshore cruiser designed for long-range independence. Contact Williams & Smithells International today to arrange a private viewing.

Construction

Beige GRP hull
Teak-laid deck on GRP
White GRP superstructure
Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder
Hydraulic wheel steering
Adjustable swim platform

Machinery

2 x Yanmar 4JH-THE diesel engines
Yanmar KBW20 gearbox
Shaft drive to 3-blade feathering propellers
Onan 8.0MDK 3R/1B 8kVA generator
Vetus BOWB 150, 250mm bow thruster
Custom 120L watermaker (requires servicing and partial assembly)

Electrics

12v 24v 110v and 220v onboard voltage
2 Domestic battery banks (960Ah total) 2018
115Ah engine start battery 2018
170Ah bow thruster battery 2020
Heart Freedom 10 battery 50 amp charger
Heart Freedom 10 inverter
4 x Sunpower solar panels 440w total
Show porwer

Tankage

Fuel: 1,320L (GRP)
Water: 945L (GRP)
Holding: 70L (Polyethylene)

Accommodation

Sleeps 6 in 3 cabins + 2 in saloon
Aft master cabin with island double berth and ensuite heads (port) with WC and shower
Direct deck access from aft cabin
Walkthrough galley to starboard
Spacious saloon with U-shaped dining area (starboard) and armchair seating (port)
Dedicated nav station (port)
Large engine room beneath saloon
Forward heads with WC and shower (port)
Starboard bunk cabin
Forward guest cabin with centreline double berth
2 x Cruisair Marine 16,000 BTU air-conditioning units (saltwater pump needs connecting)
Warm wood interior joinery

Domestic

Tappan 4-burner electric hob
Panasonic electric oven with microwave
Double aluminium sink
Vitrifrigo DW180.2RF fridge
Sony CDX-A250 stereo system
LG flat screen TV

Deck

Ideal electric windlass
55kg Spade anchor with 120m of 10mm chain
10kg Fortress FX37 kedge anchor with warp
6 x Mooring lines
8 x Fenders
2 x Boathooks
Integrated pasarelle in stern platform
Hardtop sprayhood
Deck shower

Navigation

Ritchie Globe Master SP-5 binnacle compass
B&G ZEUS 3 chartplotter
Airmar 235DST-PSE speed/log and depth sounder
B&G HALO 20+ radar
B&G V60-B Marine VHF
Navico NAC-3 autopilot
Icom IC-M700 HF

Tenders

ZAR 10HDL 3m Hypalon/aluminium tender (5-person capacity)
15HP Mariner outboard (serviced 2021)
Davits integrated into swim platform

Safety

SeaSafe Pro-Light 10-person liferaft (serviced 2022)
6 x Fire extinguishers
Fire blanket
2 x Electric bilge pumps
8 x Lifejackets
Hard plastic grab bag
EPIRB
9 x Flares
2 x Lifebuoys with 30m line
Radar reflector
Emergency tiller

The condition or level of safety equipment on board is not to be negotiated on following survey. It is likely to be listed by most surveyors but is not structural or an integral working part of the vessel and is not to be used to further negotiate the price down after survey. We strongly suggest that for your own personal safety that when purchasing a yacht you provide new safety equipment rather than relying on second hand gear.

Should you become the new owner of this yacht then the responsibility to re-register or update official bodies for items such as EPIRB, VHF, MMSI or AIS becomes yours.

Rig & Sails

Ketch rig
Hood/Python aluminium spars
Stainless steel standing rigging (2019)

Winches:
2 x Electric Barient 32 (2-speed) primary winches
2 x Barient 21/2 (2-speed) halyard winches
1 x Barient 21 (2-speed) mainsail winch
1 x Barient 17 (2-speed) outhaul winch
Andersen line tender

Sails:
White in-mast furling 9oz HM Vectran Glaros mainsail (2020)
White roller furling 11.8oz Marblehead Jeckells genoa (2007)
White roller furling 10.4oz HiMod Dacron mizzen (2006)
White 10.3oz Dacron Hood staysail
Multi-coloured Hood cruising chute

A rare example of the limited-production Gulfstar Sailcruiser 54, this 1986 ketch-rigged deck saloon offers spacious comfort, twin Yanmar diesels, and serious offshore capability. With a bright raised saloon, shallow draft, updated rigging and sails, and a suite of bluewater equipment—including generator, solar, and watermaker—she’s ideal for extended cruising or liveaboard life. Now ashore and ready for inspection.