Built in England 1949 total restoration 1991 and major refit 2005-06
Designed by Laurent Giles the foremost naval architect in England, Gulvain was the world’s first sailboat constructed of aluminum.
Gulvain is one of the most famous sailboats in yachting history, and is a two time Trans-Atlantic Race winner and winner of many, many ocean races. Gulvain is featured in books and magazine articles including a 1960s photo album by Beken of Cowes of the world’s greatest sailboats “Beauty of Sail” and a 1950 oil painting by Montegue Dawson “Ocean Racers”. Gulvain is prominently described in The Encyclopedia of Sailing and is the subject of a book “Gulvain; Fast off the Wind”, written by John Tassos.
Gulvain is a well known sailboat throughout Europe, Mediterranean, and North America and has been meticulously restored and captain maintained.
Recently completed a 3 day race to Nova Scotia with a crew of 4 no problems.
Gulvain has been refit to a comfortable (elegant) cruiser with two staterooms one forward and one aft; and two full heads. Very comfortable main salon/dining room is entered by a built-in spiral mahogany-and teak staircase from a small deck house (pilot room). The interior is spectacular teak and holly with the original walnut cabinetry in place. The galley is fully functional with new refrigerator, freezer, stove-oven, microwave and stainless steel sink and food rep area. Internal tanks carry 200 gallons of fresh water. The vessel is designed for extended live aboard conditions.
Engine is 80 hp Yanmar (diesel) with low hours since rebuild in 2005, 150 gallons fuel and a new (2006) Westerbeeke 8kw diesel generator.
Full navigation and communication equip, GPS, SSB, Loran and helm station instruments.
Sails are all Hood Spectra in excellent condition. Deck gear and rigging is in excellent condition and straight forward to operate. New mast and boom is aluminum (Isomet).
History and extent of rebuild and restoration:
In 1991 Gulvain was acquired as a restoration project. O H Rodgers, naval architect based in Tampa, FL directed the restoration and designed a cruiser-racer configuration to owner’s specs.
Replaced Keel…The entire keel was removed and redesigned with stainless steel bolts embedded with epoxy to a 1 inch aluminum plate. The mast and rigging is secured by heavily constructed new chain plates starboard and port.
The vessel was taken down to bare metal and all structural members were examined and replaced as needed stem to stern. Additional structural supports were added to accommodate new winches and engine room. A new and larger rudder was fabricated.
New Engine, generator, and all systems (electric wring, water, waste, dual cycle AC and heat) were designed to the new interior. New cabinetry, walls, ceilings, lights, and bulkheads were fabricated.
The aluminum hull was etched by acid solution and sheeted with glass and epoxy for a lifetime of easy maintenance, faired and painted light blue (white topsides) awlgrip.
This work was all completed at the Trident-Windship Boat Yard in Tampa (InterMarine). OH Rogers drew plans and directed all work.
In 2005and 2006 there was another major refit of all systems and repainted entire boat.
There are very detailed logs of the vessel, and all expenses and items incurred in the refit are recorded in the ships records. There is over $1 million (USD) expended in acquiring and restoring Gulvain.
One of the strongest and safest boats afloat Gulvain has recently sailed to Mexico, Jamaica, Antigua, England-Ireland, Spain and Bermuda and Nova Scotia. She is very comfortable (and beautiful) under sail, easy to handle by three or even two people and a proven passage maker. There is no doubt that Gulvain would make an extraordinary Charter Boat business. She has been lightly Chartered in the past and always with her regular Captain in charge.