Vince Lazzara was one of the pioneers in building boats out of fiberglass and help found Columbia Yachts in 1962 which became one of the largest builders of sailboats.  He left and founded Gulfstar Inc in 1970/1.  The first boat it produced was a 36-foot motor-sailer. In 1973 it built the Gulfstar 41 center-cockpit sailboat and in the next year began private labeling boats for others, including yachts for charter companies that included CSY, Bill Stevens, the Moorings, La Vida, and Bahamas Yachting Services.  Gulfstar added motor yachts to the lineup in 1977 and ten years later, ceased building sailboats altogether. That same year, Gulfstar merged with motor yacht manufacturer Viking to form Viking-Gulfstar.
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Gulfstar production history (approximate/estimated):

Model Years produced Number produced
Sail:
36 auxiliary sailboat 1983-85 23
36 salon motorsailer 1971 3 or 4
36 motorsailer 1971-72 ???
37 aft cockpit sailboat 1976-79 154
37 center-cockpit sailboat 1986 10-12
39 center-cockpit sailboat 1986 10-12
39 SailMaster 1981-84 57
40 center-cockpit SailMaster 1982 12
40 custom sailboat 1977-78 2
41 auxiliary sailboat 1973-75 160
42 CSY 1986 42
43 auxiliary sailboat 1976-78 80
43 motorsailer 1971-73 10
44 auxiliary sailboat 1978-82 70
44 auxiliary sailboat West Indies 1982-83 10-12
44 MK II 1983-84 10
44 motorsailer 1974-75 79
45 Hirsch 1985-87 30
47 SailMaster 1978-81 79
50 auxiliary sailboat 1975-80 172
50 CSY 1986 ???
50 SailMaster 1982-85 17
52 motorsailer Independence model 1975-76 12
53 motorsailer 1971-75 27
54 SailCruiser 1985-86 23
60 auxiliary sailboat 1981-84 ???
60 MK II 1985-86 12
62 SailMaster 1982-85 6
63 SailCruiser 1985-86 2
80 auxiliary sailboat 1986 1
Power:
36 trawler MK I 1972-73 98
36 trawler MK II 1975-76 35
38 motor cruiser 1980-84 30
43 trawler MK I 1973-74 64
43 trawler MK II 1975-77 90
44 motor cruiser 1978-80 105
44 motor yacht MK I 1985 ???
44 motor yacht MK II 1986 ???
44 motor yacht MK III 1987 12
44 motor yacht MK IV 1988 2
44 motor yacht OPAD 1987-88 1
48 motor yacht 1981-82 23
49 motor yacht MK I 1983-84 26
49 motor yacht MK II 1985 10
49 motor yacht MK III 1986 10
49 motor yacht MK IV 1987-88 12
49 motor yacht EAD 1987-88 6
53 trawler 1975-76 6
55 motor yacht 1987-90 ???
63 motor yacht 1987-90 28
72 motor yacht 1987-90 ???

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Gulfstar 50:  This information is accredited to John Kretschmer and his wonderful book, Used Boat: Notebook.  The Gulfstar 50 was introduced to the market as a 1975 model and somewhere around 1977 the G50 evolved into the MKII model.  The G50 was offered in two layouts: the two and three cabins.  The 3 cabin layout was designed for the charter industry but actually became the desired layout of the owners.  The standard engine was a Perkins 60-62hp which is considered to be under powered for this size boat and an optional 85hp engine was offered later.  The early models had about 60 gallons of fuel & 200 gallons of water and the later models had about 100 gallons of fuel with an additional 65 gallons of water reported to be in hull #124-143.  Some common issues that were found were leaking ports, hatches and stanchions but it is pretty hard not to find these items on any 30+ year old sailboat.  Blistering and some delimination have also been reported.  John Kretschmer credits the cockpit being drier on the G50 going on the wind compared to other center cockpit designs of the day.  The Gulfstar 50 was popular in its day is and is still popular on today’s brokerage market.  http://books.google.com/books?id=jUYzDQaiZhUC&pg=PA221&lpg=PA221&dq=%22gulfstar+50%22&source=bl&ots=Etprt78Fin&sig=9bWSp_xhJ6XWmQ–gh5Ugia53ag&hl=en&ei=_FMES6KgN9SonQev_rRs&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CBYQ6AEwBDge#v=onepage&q=%22gulfstar%2050%22&f=false
 
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