[malyea]

Here's my short list... Gulfstar 44 - Irwin 43 - Kelly Peterson 44 ...

The GS 44 and I43 would likely be 1985 and newer, the KP 44 likely 1979 or so.

Operating out of St Augustine and sailing coastal US with occasional passages to Bermuda, Bahamas and Caribbean.

I've researched all affordable center cockpits 42' to 45', have at least stepped aboard the GS 44 and KP 44 but have not sailed any of them.

I'd welcome assessments, comments, etc comparing just these 3 boats.

Thanks!

Yes, I'm experienced and 99.9% sure we're going with a center cockpit design.

 

[DonScribner]

Mal,

Know nothing, can't comment. But, I'd recommend the one with the shallowest draft.

 

[aeventyr60]

KP 44 without a doubt. Look for a well looked after vessel with the previous owner spending 40-60 K on upgrades and never leaving the dock... a like vessel was advertised here on SN awhile back....the boats we see out here, in the distant anchorages, always include a smattering of KP 44's. Do not buy a fixer upper.

 

[malyea]

Great, thanks....

Any owners comments about their experience with I43 or GS44?

 

[mike dryver]

Bob Perry did an inspection/review of the G.S. 44 yrs. ago. He was quiet taken aback, as he said there was not 1 thing he could actually ***** about as to quality of fit finish, etc. If you google Gulfstar 44 you will come up with some info on them.

 

[Caribbeachbum]

I have a strong preference for the KP44. I think it's a real notch above the other two. But that is just my not-worth-too-much opinion. They are all good boats, and I'd lump the C&C 43 in with them as well, to give yourself even more to choose from. They're old, so how well one has been kept up is probably the most important consideration. Well, that and which one you like the most.

 

[malyea]

Short list shorter...Nixed the KP44

Spent 3 hours inspecting a KP44 in Oriental, NC yesterday and have ruled out the KP44 entirely.

I love her reported sailing qualities and while some of the Formosa builds are reported as suspect - she tugs hard at my sailors heart...however -

The cockpit well is too small and cramped ... for me.

The passageway aft is only 51" high - too low ... for me.

The engine access to the front of the Perkins is way too limited i.e. nearly jammed against the compartment bulkhead ... for me.

These things I can't change.

I did find a very nice 1987 Irwin 43 MkIII that has been well maintained, hauled every winter and has a 7 year old Yanmar - not a rebuild but a new motor.

Thoughts...

 

[souljour2000]

Irwin 43 looks very enticing...basic cabin layout. shallow draft...skeg-reinforced rudder though it looks a bit small......good tankage..a touch of "piraty Morgan OI look" in the stern with those block portlights that look like cannon ports...roomy veritable floating condo ...that boat looks very interesting if I were in the market in that range....is the hull cored?

 

[malyea]

I believe the hull is not cored

 

[malyea]

Research now indicates the I43 is solid frp below the waterline and foam core above with plywood cored decks.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Brewgyver]

Re: Short list shorter...Nixed the KP44

Spent 3 hours inspecting a KP44 in Oriental, NC yesterday and have ruled out the KP44 entirely.

(snippage)

The passageway aft is only 51" high - too low ... for me.

Really? Fifty one inches? Was that a typo?

 

[malyea]

No typo....51"

 

[Brewgyver]

Yeah, after I posted that I looked one up on sailboatlistings, it had a pretty good photo from the salon looking aft, could see how low that passageway overhead is. Maybe for Peter Dinklage, but not me. I get beaned enough on the boom.

 

[miatapaul]

Yeah, after I posted that I looked one up on sailboatlistings, it had a pretty good photo from the salon looking aft, could see how low that passageway overhead is. Maybe for Peter Dinklage, but not me. I get beaned enough on the boom.

Well if you want to keep the overall freeboard low you really have no choice. I personally think it would be an acceptable compromise. Your other choice is to turn the boat into a wedding cake, or have a walk over. If the passage is too low for you, you could always use the boat as a walkover and convert the passage into a closet, not quite walk-in, but a crouch in closet.

By the way was that Trio that you looked at? I heard it finally sold at auction. I wanted to consider it, but it is a lot of boat to have a project in.

 

[malyea]

Yes it was Trio.

 

[miatapaul]

Yes it was Trio.

So how did she look after the sinking?

 

[malyea]

Not bad at all visually speaking. Not much evidence water was two feet deep in the cabin.