Gunboat 48

War machine?

The name Gunboat borrows an evocation from the military world which smells of gunpowder, but the only cannon concerned is the starting gun and the only weapon these very civilised machines possess is their speed! Peter Johnstone (the son of the creator of the JBoat!) is a top racing sailor and an enlightened catamaran lover, who wanted a very fast, comfortable catamaran for himself and his family, which could be sailed short-handed: this was to be TRIBE, the first G.60’.

Lines that are recognisable amongst a thousand others: this is the Gunboat!

Or social ‘must’?

The north-east of the United States is full of exceptional anchorages and rich sailors! Sailing conditions are pleasant there in summer, and Florida and the Caribbean are within delivery range from October onwards. This area is the brand’s cradle. Even with a weak dollar, US labour costs remain expensive and as Peter’s demands concerning quality are rather exceptional, South Africa seemed to be a suitable answer. The Gunboat factory (around a hundred workers nowadays) was therefore set up in Cape Town.

The Gunboats like to meet up (on selected stretches of water) to race: one of the charms ...