2015 WINNER THE GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT This is what a modern, luxury sailing yacht should be. SAIL Magazine The Gunfleet 58 boasts systems and performance that are as impressive as its gorgeous looks. SAIL Magazine So what is it that makes the Gunfleet 58 a winning yacht? In the following pages we highlight some of the features found as standard on the Gunfleet 58, which really do set her apart from the competition
VARIABLE DRAFT The Gunfleet 58 has an external lead bulb ballast keel, giving her a board-up draft of just 1.75m (5 8 ). This has the major advantage of opening up many cruising grounds such as the Bahamas that are off-limits to deep draft boats, and is a great convenience in others, whether it s to access that pretty little harbor that s rather shallow, or just to be able to anchor closer to the beach. The Gunfleet 58 is not a flat-bottomed boat with no grip on the water, and even with the board fully raised she can sail upwind quite happily. But when, at the touch of a button, you lower the aerofoil section board down to 3.6m (11 10 ), she grips the water giving her truly outstanding windward performance. Her twin, semi-balanced spade rudders give finger-light control making her a supremely rewarding yacht to sail. Such is the control they give that the Gunfleet 58 can be pressed hard, yet remains totally under control. I enjoyed helming her more than any other yacht I ve sailed in this range. Toby Hodges Yachting World 2 GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT
AN OUTDOOR LIVING COCKPIT The cockpit has been designed as a really comfortable and safe living area that works equally well mid-ocean as it does at anchor or in the marina. You won t find any sheets or winches in this supremely secure and relaxing outdoor living space. The cockpit seats are 2m (6 7 ) long and straight, which makes them much more comfortable for lying out on when on passage. Located either side of an expansive and beautifully finished teak table, which can be fitted with optional refrigeration, the cockpit seats have a choice of upholstered all-weather cushions. To give a great feeling of security, the seat backs are unusually high at over 50cm. But what is really unusual about this living area is the absence of rope no sheets to trip over or to get caught around unwary guests ankles! And no need to clamber over the seats to get to the sheet winches. GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT 3
SHORT-HANDED SAILING FROM THE HELM AREA The twin wheel stations allow easy and safe movement from cockpit to deck for guests and crew, whilst giving the helmsman an excellent all-round view, yet still well protected by the side coamings that are virtually as high as the wheel bosses which makes an interesting comparison with some other yachts on the market. The Flightdeck wheels are perfect for today s push-button sailing giving undisturbed and safe access to nav screens, mainsail furling controls, centreboard control etc. Outboard of the protective coaming are the electric primary headsail winches, with the electric mainsheet winch just behind the port helm seat, allowing the helmsman to control the sails and tack the yacht alone. With hydraulic in-mast furling, complete with an in-boom hydraulic outhaul and various options for powered headsail furlers, we aim to make life as easy as possible. With the Gunfleet s modern swept spreader rig there is no need for a babystay (so tacking is quicker and easier) or running backstays with all their associated cordage cluttering the deck. 4 GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT
SAIL LOCKER STOWAGE, STOWAGE AND MORE STOWAGE Most sailors claim, There s never enough stowage! well, we invite you to check out the Gunfleet 58! Up forward she has a sail locker that will swallow a couple of downwind sails and still have room for some fenders, at 1.35m (4 5 ) deep, we even fit some steps in case you can t get out! Between the sail locker and forward cabin is a watertight crash bulkhead. Space below the helm seats is used for stowage, with the starboard seat housing a big liferaft locker. The aft lazarette, which uses the full 4.2m (13 8 ) width of the stern is truly enormous and will swallow up spares, fenders, water toys, the BBQ etc etc, even an inflatable. It is exceptional for a yacht of this size. Below decks, her high volume interior ensures that there s plenty of space for personal gear with capacious hanging lockers in the cabins, lots of galley lockers and even a stowage bin below the galley floor, plus easily accessed storage areas under settees and berths. On the Gunfleet, there is definitely enough stowage! LAZARETTE GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT 5
AFT SUN DECK AND SWIMMING PLATFORM Sailing is all about relaxation, so we have kept a spacious area of 2.3m x 2.5m (7 6 x 8 2 ) of the flush aft deck clear for those wanting to soak up the sun. Gunfleet s full-length custom deck mattresses are a great feature and, when you need to cool off, a few steps take you down to the optional hydraulically operated bathing platform. The bathing platform is 2.18m (7 2 ) wide by 1.25m (4 1 ) long and comes equipped with lockers for dive bottles, a bathing ladder going deep into the water, and even a dinghy bumper bar to make life easy when you re unloading the fruits of a shore shopping trip from the tender. And when you are setting off for the next destination, push a button and the platform stows itself. 6 GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT
LIGHT AND SPACE Descending the carefully contoured companionway steps to the saloon, your first impression is of an overwhelming sense of volume and light. The Gunfleet s wraparound coachroof windows are complemented by four large hull windows, giving an exceptionally spacious feel to the saloon, which makes full use of the yacht s 5.2m (17 1 ) beam. Owning a Gunfleet yacht is all about being able to sail to fabulous parts of the world and to be able to enjoy them whether you are in or outside the yacht. Even when relaxing in the saloon you feel part of what s happening outside. And when it s party time, the saloon dining table doubles in size to a very generous 2.2m (7 2 ) wide. Spacious, yes, but still well supplied with the handholds you ll need in heavy weather. To date, Gunfleet 58 buyers have chosen light timbers such as American oak, or maple but we also offer plenty of other possibilities, so every yacht is truly unique to her owners. GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT 7
AN OWNER S STATEROOM FIT FOR A 65-FOOTER The huge owner s aft stateroom makes full use of the yacht s powerful stern, and with six hull windows and two deck hatches, is both well lit and ventilated. Locker space abounds, and the standard layout includes a desk/dressing table, plus a day bed the perfect retreat to escape to whilst occasionally glancing out through the hull windows. The 2m x 1.5m (6 7 x 4 11 ) bed is centered in the cabin, giving easy access, and easy bed making from both sides. Equipped with three leecloths, it s also a very comfortable place to be when on passage. The owner s bathroom is appropriately large and well appointed, with a very generously proportioned stall shower. 8 GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT
A CHEF S GALLEY The Gunfleet 58 is designed and built for serious cruising, so the passageway galley gives the cook a safe and secure place to work in all weathers. The five-burner cooker is matched to the size of the sink how often have you found that you can t fit the oven tray into the sink? You can on a Gunfleet. With generous Corian worktops on both sides, lots of locker space, and the potential for dishwasher, washer/dryer and ice-maker, the galley should suit even the most demanding of chefs! GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT 9
A PROPER ENGINE ROOM Accessed via a large door in the starboard twin cabin just aft of the chart table, the engine room has been designed to house all the ancillary machinery, including air-con chiller units and water maker as well as the 150hp Volvo engine. We use the description room advisedly it is 2.26m (7 5 ) long, with at least 1.85m (6 ) headroom, so there genuinely is space to carry out maintenance with ease. Secondary access is via doors below the galley sink. Additional doors below the galley sink give easy access to the raw water inlet manifold. By paying careful attention to sound attenuation, the engine installation is so quiet that, when starting the engine at the helm, you need to look at the rev counter to check that it s actually running! The Gunfleet s easily driven hull allows a flat water motoring speed of 10 knots, and one of the 58 owners has reported to us that at a slow cruising speed of 7 knots, they reckon they have a range approaching 1,600 miles not bad for a performance cruising yacht! 10 GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT
Take a video tour around some of the Gunfleet 58 s outstanding features See what SAILhas to say about the Gunfleet 58 in their Best Boats video GUNFLEET 58 A WINNING YACHT 11
INDIVIDUAL YACHTS FOR INDIVIDUAL OWNERS Gunfleet Marine LLP Fox s Marina Ipswich, Suffolk IP2 8NJ, UK +44 1473 694747 sales@gunfleetmarine.com gunfleetmarine.com