Combining sparkling performance with an astonishingly spacious interior, the Gunfleet 43 is rewarding to sail in all weathers, being light on the helm yet positive.
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Built in Great Britain, Gunfleet 43 comes from the company established by Richard Matthews, a men who spent more than 35 years creating one of the UK’s most successful yacht companies, Oyster, which he sold in 2008.
Gunfleet's non-overlapping high aspect headsail provides excellent pointing ability and she is quick and easy to tack. Fast to accelerate, she gets into the groove quickly with hull speeds that defy her size and displacement. Above all, she feels comfortable and secure under sail and will take long passages in her stride without tiring her crew. The cockpit and deck layout have been perfectly designed for easy, short-handed sailing, with sheets and traveller all within reach of the helmsman.
There is excellent visibility from behind the flightdeck helm and the 43 provides a dry, comfortable ride. A unique feature is her flush aft deck, immediately behind the centre cockpit, effectively doubling the leisure space in warmer climes and perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. The Gunfleet 43 has a shoal draft, centerboard keel, giving a draft of approximately 1.38m (4'6") board up to 2.70m (8'10") board down, without compromising the yacht's interior layout in any way.
For you technically inclined, a bit of data: length overall is 13.43m (44' 1"); draft centre boarder up is 1.38m (4' 6"), centre board down 2.70m (8'10"); mainsail ares (fully battened) is 48sq m (517 sq m), and jib (furling 113%) id 39 sq m (420 sq m). A fixed keel version is available as an option. Twin rudders give an unbelievable degree of balance and control. She can carry with her 460 litres (100 gallons) of water and 460 litres of fuel. The engine is Volvo D2 with 55hp.
The 43 features a spacious, light and airy saloon with centreline table, bar area and two settees, which double as seaberths. The galley is practical and a joy to use with abundant stowage in soft-close drawers, integrated GN Espace cooker, a water station sink and stainless steel front-opening fridge/freezer. The real wow factor has to be the owner's cabin, which offers the sort of space you would normally only expect to find on a yacht over 50 feet.
Beautifully appointed, it features a superb en-suite, a desk and seating area. Forward is a second en-suite guest cabin making the standard layout perfect for a couple wishing to spend extended time aboard, joined occasionally by friends or family. Joinery in the interior is in light oak with teak sole boards, there are curtains to all hull ports, carpeting to aft cabin sole, quality upholstery for saloon and other seating with bi-density foam filling, and high quality foam mattresses to berths. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.
