Gulfstar 54 Sailcruiser
Gulfstar is an American yard that was well renowned in the 70’s and 80’s for quality, comfort and design. A total of 23 Sailcruisers were manufactured by Gulfstar Yachts in St. Petersburg Florida between 1985 and 1987.
Sybaris is hull No. 5 and was built during the first half of 1986. She was delivered in June 1986 and made her maiden voyage from Florida to New York the same month.
The family run Gulfstar company was sold in the late 80’s, and the Lazzara family then started Lazzara Yachts which today specializes in mega motor yachts.
The Gulfstar 54 Sailcruiser (see plan below) was built with more than sufficient space, inside and on deck, for luxury charter. We accommodate a maximum of 6 charter guests in two en-suite state rooms and one large bunk bed room . Each of the two heads (bath rooms) have separate spacious shower cabins. The main saloon is over 15m² (large enough to dance in) with a comfortable U sofa, two easy chairs, bar, LCD TV, stereo with docking station, library and games. One step down going aft is the galley which is equipped with electrical stove/oven/microwave, fridge/freezer and plenty of working space.
Cruising in the Eastern Mediterranean means that you will be spending most of your time topside, and the Sailcruiser is simply unsurpassed in deck and cockpit space. The main center cockpit is over 3m long and covered by a hard top. In the aft is a large uncluttered teak deck space with direct access to the movable bath platform. This is where you will be swimming sunbathing, fishing and maybe enjoying a nice sunset. You can also choose to spread out on the enormous forward teak deck to further touch up that tan.
Sybaris is equipped with full modern safety and navigation equipment: Radar/Chart Plotter, Two station VHF, Autopilot, Navtex, Loud Hailer, Handheld VHF and GPS, Epirb and much more. All safety equipment is certified on a yearly basis to Greek charter standards. She is fitted with two 66hp Yanmar engines for safety and comfort. Sailing is easy with electric furling for the mainsail, and manual furling for the mizzen and foresail. For downwind sailing optimum speed is possible using the colourful gennaker (asymmetric spinnaker).
For recreation you will find a 6 person aluminium RIB with a 15hp outboard engine, kayak, dive compressor, dive gear, fishing gear, a well stocked library of movies, music, books and games, and much more.
Comfort is further guaranteed with large comfortable beds, air condition, vaccu-flush toilets, watermaker, plenty of hot water and a large shower.
Type
Construction
Guests
Cabins
Heads/shower
Mainsail
Genoa
Mizzen
Total
Gulfstar 54 Sailcruiser
GRP / long keel
6 people (plus crew)
3
2 (+ cockpit shower)
39.7 m2
55.8 m2 (140%)
10.3 m2
106 m2
Length (LOA)
Beam
Draft
Displacement
Fuel capacity
Water capacity
Mast above water
Engines
Generator
Solar panels
Watermaker
Compressor
16.6m (55’5″)
4.8m (15’9″)
1.5m (4’11”)
22.7 metric tons
1’400 liters
1’100 liters
16.7 m
2 x Yanmar 66HP
Onan 8kw
240 W (14A)
125 lit/h
Bauer
The meaning of “Sybaris / Σύβαρις”
Sybaris was an important city of Magna Graecia. It was situated on the Gulf of Taranto, in Southern Italy, between two rivers, the Crathis and the Sybaris.
The city was founded in 720 BC. Sybaris amassed great wealth thanks to its fertile land and busy port. Its inhabitants became famous among the Greeks for their hedonism, feasts, and excesses, to the extent that “sybarite” and “sybaritic” have become bywords for opulence, luxury and outrageous pleasure-seeking. In the second half of the sixth century BC Sybaris started minting its first coins, of which the oldest have been dated to approximately 530 BC.
In 510 BC the city was subjugated by its neighbour Kroton and its population driven out. The ruins were then rediscovered and excavated in the 1960s.
Many anecdotes about the arrogance, and excessive luxury of Sybaris exist in ancient literature. According to Athenaeus the Sybarites invented the chamber pot and pioneered the concept of intellectual property to ensure that cooks could exclusively profit from their signature dishes for a whole year. A prominent citizen called Smindyrides allegedly could not sleep on a bed of rose petals because one of the petals was folded over. They always travelled in chariots, but would still take three days for a journey of one day. The roads to villas in the countryside were roofed over and canals transported wine from vineyards to cellars near the sea.
