Moonlighter - GULFSTAR FOR SALE

1985 Gulfstar 44 Motor Yacht • Walkaround Trawler

Liveaboard • Long-Range Cruiser • Caterpillar Diesels

A superb distance cruiser and one of the finest liveaboard options in her size range. Powered by twin 300hp Caterpillar 3208s, she sips fuel at classic 8-knot trawler pace yet can comfortably run 12–15 knots when desired. Built to Gulfstar’s renowned standards, she offers secure full walkaround side decks and a fully enclosed, air-conditioned sundeck/upper salon that truly elevates onboard comfort.

Inside, you’ll find a spacious upper salon, a full-beam aft owner’s stateroom with ensuite, and a forward centerline-queen guest cabin with its own head and stall shower. The midship galley is fitted with full-size appliances and a generous dinette, while an interior staircase gives direct access to the enclosed flybridge—seamless movement between helm, salon, and galley in any weather.

Highlights:

• Twin 300hp Caterpillar 3208 diesels
• Onan 8kW generator plus 3000w inverter system
• Garmin electronics package with radar, AIS, and autopilot
• Washer/dryer, dual VacuFlush heads, two stall showers
• Enclosed, air-conditioned upper salon/sundeck
• SeaDek, windlass with 100' chain, Marquipt stairs
• Outstanding walk-in engine room access

Dependable, quiet, and remarkably livable—an ideal Great Loop boat, coastal cruiser, and year-round liveaboard. Category keywords: Motor Yacht, Trawler Yacht, Aft Cabin, Flybridge, Walkaround, Passagemaker, Long-Range Cruiser, Great Loop Boat.

Accommodations

A welcoming salon sets the tone with Mermaid 24,000 BTU air conditioning with reverse-cycle heat shared with the galley, a LoveSac sectional sofa aft to port with storage beneath, an electric recliner aft to starboard, and an additional arm chair to starboard. Warm ambience comes from two adjustable wall lamps and two end tables with lamps, while an icemaker with a stainless steel door and a wet bar with filtered water and sink elevate entertaining. Media is effortless with a 32” smart TV paired to an amplified antenna and DVD, room-darkening blinds tame the light on the side windows, and Phantom lockable screens secure all 3 exterior doors for breezy comfort without compromise.

Midships, the galley is properly equipped for gourmet service: a full-size refrigerator/freezer and a stainless steel sink measuring 25”x22” with faucet, soap dispenser, and filtered water, complemented by a two-burner ceramic induction cooktop 220v, a microwave oven, and a versatile Ninja combo toaster/convection oven/air fryer. A second 32” smart TV with amplified antenna keeps the conversation going, while L-shaped seating for 6–8 with a large table to starboard invites long, lingering meals. Overhead LED lighting sets the mood, two acrylic chairs add flexibility, room-darkening shades grace all windows, and a coffee maker is ready at first light.

The full-beam aft master stateroom is a private haven with a centerline queen framed by a headboard and storage below, a twelve-drawer dresser with mirror to starboard, and an L-shaped settee thoughtfully placed starboard aft. Entertainment comes via a 24” smart TV with antenna, wardrobe needs are met by two large lockers to port, and overhead LED lighting, a nightstand with lamp, and floor access to dripless shafts prove that practicality has its place. Climate is assured by Mermaid 16,000 BTU air conditioning shared with the forward stateroom.

The master ensuite head is finished with a mirrored vanity offering two cabinets, a sink with faucet, a hair dryer, and a mirrored ceiling that lifts the space. A VacuFlush head, towel racks, and a stall shower are joined by an overhead hatch in the shower that doubles as an escape hatch to the aft deck for thoughtful safety.

The forward hallway to the forward stateroom, head, and engine room is intelligently appointed with a stacked washer and vented dryer, a wine locker, a useful countertop, and overhead lighting.

In the forward guest stateroom, a centerline queen with storage below sits beneath an overhead hatch with screen. Wardrobes port and starboard, two reading lamps, and a huge in-sole storage area speak to extended cruising, while A/C shared with the master stateroom and overhead LED lighting ensure comfort. There is also direct access to the anchor locker.

The forward guest head provides dual access and includes a hair dryer, sink with faucet, a Vacu-Flush head, and a stall shower with curtain, plus two medicine cabinets—one mirrored—and overhead lighting to finish the space with polish.

Electronics and helm details

At the helm, confidence comes standard with full engine instrumentation that is lighted and easy to scan, paired to a Garmin Dome Radar GMR 18 HD for crisp returns. Dual Garmin GPSmap displays—1040xs and 840xs—deliver GPS, charting, depth, and radar redundancy, while a Robinson autopilot holds a precise course. Communications are handled by a Standard Horizon Eclipse marine VHF radio and an Icom IC‑M330 marine VHF, with a lighted compass for classic clarity and an AIS R‑100 2 channel receiver enhancing situational awareness. Controls include Morse shift and throttle, a Glendinning engine synchronizer, trim tab controls, and windlass controls, with a hand held sport light and a convenient 12v outlet at the ready. A windscreen wiper with its control switch keeps the view clear, a captain’s chair with a padded seat and arms anchors the command position, and a Davis Instruments 152 radar reflector plus trumpet horns round out a capable, seagoing suite.

Electrical

Power has been thoughtfully engineered with an Onan 8 kW generator and a Glendinning Cable Master with a 70’ cord, feeding a 50 amp shore power connection. Charging is handled by a Mastervolt battery charger at 50 amp, while a Go Power 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter with a remote in the galley supplies quiet AC independence. The inverter battery bank is supported by 6 Group 31 batteries, and a dedicated locker forward of the port engine houses 3 Group 4D batteries assigned to port engine start, starboard engine start, and house, respectively.

Deck

On deck, seamanlike hardware includes 7 stainless steel cleats—two at the stern, two spring, and 3 at the bow—supported by stainless steel bow, side, and stern rails. All windows are protected with covers, and a spare anchor with chocks stands ready. The Ideal anchor windlass handles a plow anchor on 100 ft of 3/8” chain, while the bow pulpit carries 2 burgee flag holders. Shade and protection come from a Sunbrella bow cover with support poles spanning the entire bow, and boarding is simplified with Marquipt sea stairs with handrail and storage brackets plus a Marquipt sea ladder with pins. Boat hook mounts port and starboard, a raw water wash down at anchor keeps things clean, and Sea Deck has been applied to the exterior boat deck for surefooted comfort.

The flybridge invites conversation with L‑shaped bench seating for 4, a rigid Bimini top with complete enclosure and zip‑in screens, and a stereo system AM/FM/CD with two all‑weather speakers. Storage aft and under the settee meets day‑boating needs, complemented by a custom teak storage cabinet aft to starboard, life jacket storage on the aft shelf, and access to the tender davit on the aft sundeck top.

Aft, the deck/cockpit accommodates 2 chairs and carries a Life Sling, with stern double doors to the salon and two stainless steel fender racks flanking the area. A flag pole holder stands proud, two mounts for boat hooks are at the ready, and a Sunbrella sun shade softens the afternoon. Steps lead down to the swim platform, and the platform itself carries a drop‑down 3‑step ladder for effortless reboarding.

Engine and mechanical details

Access is outstanding thanks to a walk‑in door in the forward hallway, and service is simplified by an electric oil change system. Engine room gauges and hour meters were replaced in 2016, and reliability is reinforced by two bilge pumps with float switches. For cooling and systems, there is an AC raw water strainer with a bypass valve and a sea chest with a basket strainer. Hot water is supplied by a 20 gallon, 240v water heater, with ample lighting and great access throughout and additional storage areas that make daily checks and long‑range cruising a pleasure.

Exclusions

For clarity, the tender and outboard are NOT PART OF SALE.