1986 Gulf Commander 42 Sport Sedan

One defining characteristic of the Gulf Commander 42 Salon is the interior volume created by its wide beam and raised salon. Aragenda offers comfortable accommodations for cruising couples, families, or guests, with two private staterooms, a spacious salon, an enclosed head with shower, and lower and upper helm stations. Large windows provide excellent natural light and panoramic views while underway or at anchor, creating a bright and welcoming living environment.

The interior layout begins forward with a private master stateroom featuring an island double berth, abundant storage, and excellent accessibility from both sides and generous hanging locker and drawer storage.

A guest stateroom provides over-under single bunks, making it ideal for additional crew, family members, or grandchildren. The enclosed head includes a vanity, sink, marine toilet, and shower facilities.

Stairs lead up into the raised main cabin where the lower helm station, galley, and salon create a highly functional social and cruising environment. The salon sole provides engine room access through a removable hatch, allowing straightforward servicing and maintenance.

The aft cockpit is protected by a custom aluminum hardtop, significantly extending the usable living space in all weather conditions. This area is ideal for entertaining, fishing, relaxing at anchor, or serving as a staging area for dinghy operations. Easy access is provided through a transom door leading to the full-width swim platform.

The salon is exceptionally spacious for a vessel in this class and benefits from large windows that provide excellent visibility and abundant natural light. Rich teak cabinetry and paneling create a warm, traditional yacht atmosphere. The salon features a comfortable settee, dining table, and occasional seating, making it an inviting space for extended cruising and entertaining.

The lower helm offers excellent all-weather operation and clear sightlines for coastal cruising. Engine instrumentation, navigation electronics, steering controls, and communications equipment are conveniently positioned within easy reach of the operator. The protected helm station is particularly appreciated during shoulder-season and northern cruising where weather protection is essential.

Owner’s Stateroom

• Forward master stateroom

• Island double berth

• Privacy door

• Storage lockers and cabinetry

• Natural ventilation from opening ports and hatches

Guest Stateroom

• Over-under single bunks

• Ideal for guests or family members

• Dedicated storage

Head

• Enclosed private head

• Vanity and sink

• Marine toilet

• Separate shower facility

Command Bridge

The command bridge provides outstanding visibility for docking, navigation, and enjoying sunny cruising days. Accessed from the cockpit, the bridge features a second helm station with wheel steering and seating. A bimini top and dodger provide shade and weather protection while retaining excellent visibility. This elevated operating position is a favourite feature among Gulf Commander owners for summer cruising and close-quarters maneuvering.

On the aft deck is a manual crane for lifting crab and prawn traps as well as raising and lowering the outboards. There is a huge space up top for additional chairs and storage.

Aragenda is equipped for extended cruising and comfortable living aboard, featuring diesel cabin heat, propane cooking, refrigeration, microwave cooking capability, hot and cold pressurized water, and a marine sanitation system. The equipment selection reflects practical Pacific Northwest cruising requirements, emphasizing reliability, efficiency, and self-sufficiency.

Galley Equipment

Wedgewood Four-Burner Propane Range with Oven

• Manufacturer: Wedgewood

• Type: Four-burner propane stove with oven

• Provides true residential-style meal preparation capability

• Ideal for extended cruising and anchoring

Panasonic Microwave Oven

• Manufacturer: Panasonic

• Quick and convenient meal preparation while connected to shore power, inverter, or generator

Nova Kool RFU8320 Refrigerator/Freezer

• Manufacturer: Nova Kool

• Model: RFU8320

• AC/DC operation

• Refrigerator with dedicated freezer compartment

• Designed specifically for marine use with efficient power consumption

Heating System

Espar Diesel Forced-Air Heating System

• Manufacturer: Espar

• Diesel-fueled forced-air furnace

• Room-sealed combustion design

• Vents exhaust gases outside the vessel

• Ideal for year-round Pacific Northwest cruising

• Efficient operation without dependence on shore power

Bus Heater

• Supplemental heating system from engine

• Utilizes engine heat while underway

• Improves comfort in colder conditions

Hot Water System

30-Litre Water Heater

• AC electric heating element

• Integrated with pressurized freshwater system

• Supplies hot water to galley and head

• Supports comfortable extended cruising

Freshwater System

• 150-gallon freshwater capacity

• 12-volt demand pressure pump

• Hot and cold water service throughout vessel

Sanitation

Marine Head System

• Manual marine toilet

• Dedicated holding tank system

• Enclosed shower compartment

• Vanity with sink

The system is designed for coastal cruising compliance with both overboard discharge and pump-out capability where permitted.

The electrical system aboard Aragenda has been designed to support extended cruising away from the dock. Extensive house battery capacity, inverter capability, generator power, shore power connectivity, and multiple charging sources provide excellent onboard electrical independence.

Battery System

Starting Battery Bank

• Quantity: 1

• Type: Group 4D 12-volt battery

• Dedicated engine starting bank

House Battery Bank

• Quantity: 8

• Type: GC 6-volt batteries

• Wired in series/parallel for 12-volt service

• Large reserve capacity for cruising and anchoring

All battery banks are secured, protected, and connected through master battery switches.

Charging Systems

Engine-Driven Alternators

• Charging provided by main engine alternators

• Continuous battery charging while underway

AC Battery Charger

• Supports charging at the dock or through generator power

Magnum Inverter

• Manufacturer: Magnum

• Capacity: 3,000 Watts

• Supplies AC power away from shore power

• Enhances onboard independence and comfort

AC Electrical System

• 120-volt AC service

• 30-amp twist-lock shore power connection

• AC distribution panel

• Source selector switch

• Double-pole master breakers

• Branch circuit breakers

• Polarity indicator

Electrical Protection

• Main battery disconnect switches

• Breaker-protected circuits

• Fuse-protected circuits

• Marine-grade stranded copper wiring

• Polarity monitoring system

Generator

Westerbeke Diesel Generator

• Manufacturer: Westerbeke

• Output: 3 kW

• Water-cooled diesel engine

• Supports battery charging and onboard AC systems while at anchor

The navigation package aboard Aragenda combines reliable traditional systems with modern Garmin multifunction technology. Dual helm stations, integrated chartplotting, radar, GPS, AIS capability, multiple VHF radios, and autopilot functionality provide excellent situational awareness and confidence during coastal cruising.

Multifunction Navigation System

Garmin GPSMAP Series Multifunction Display

• Manufacturer: Garmin

• Chartplotter functionality

• GPS navigation

• Radar integration

• Sounder functionality

• Consolidated navigation display

This integrated system simplifies voyage planning, route monitoring, and collision avoidance while reducing helm clutter.

VHF Communications

Icom IC-M504 DSC VHF

• Manufacturer: Icom

• Model: IC-M504

• Digital Selective Calling capability

Uniden Solara DSC VHF

• Manufacturer: Uniden

• Model: Solara

• Secondary communications system

Icom IC-M510

• Manufacturer: Icom

• Model: IC-M510

• AIS capability

• GPS integration

• DSC functionality

• Reported as new and awaiting installation at survey time

Additional Navigation Equipment

Hunter Combination Instrument

• Speed

• Log

• Depth indications

Magnetic Compass

• Internal gimbaled compass

Autopilot

Wagner Sea Auto Pilot - Not currently operable

• Manufacturer: Wagner

• Model: Sea Auto Pilot

• Reduces operator fatigue on extended passages

• Improves course-keeping efficiency

Wagner Rudder Angle Indicator - Not currently operable

• Provides immediate steering feedback

• Useful for close-quarters maneuvering

The anchoring system aboard Aragenda is sized for extended coastal cruising and overnight anchoring. The combination of chain rode, rope rode, and powered windlass provides dependable holding power and easy anchor handling for short-handed crews.

Anchor System

Primary Anchor

• Bruce anchor

• Approximate weight: 15 kg

• Well suited for a variety of bottom conditions commonly encountered throughout the Pacific Northwest

Anchor Rode

• 100 feet galvanized chain

• 250 feet nylon rode

• Excellent combination of abrasion resistance and shock absorption

Windlass

• Manufacturer: Lewmar

• 12-volt electric windlass

• Simplifies anchor deployment and retrieval

• Enhances safety and ease of operation

Tender

• 2016 Highfield 10’6” hard bottom tender

• Yamaha 6hp engine

• Additional 15 hp 2-stroke outboard

• On davits off swimgrid

• Command Bridge manual crane for raising and lowering the outboards.

Aragenda has twin Volvo Penta TAMD40B turbocharged diesel engines. These respected six-cylinder diesels are well known throughout the cruising community for durability, fuel efficiency, straightforward servicing, and excellent reliability. Combined with hydraulic steering, twin-screw maneuverability, and a Westerbeke generator, the propulsion system provides an ideal platform for long-range coastal cruising.

Main Engines

Twin Volvo Penta TAMD40B(T) Diesel Engines

• Manufacturer: Volvo Penta

• Model: TAMD40B(T)

• Quantity: Two

• Configuration: Inline six-cylinder turbocharged diesels

• Power: 165 HP each

• Cruise Speed: 8.5 knots

Benefits include:

• Proven commercial-grade reliability

• Fuel-efficient displacement cruising

• Strong reputation among experienced coastal cruisers

• Economical operation and long service life

Drivetrain

Transmission

• Volvo Penta reduction gears

Shafting

• 1½-inch stainless steel shafts

Shaft Seals

• Traditional stuffing boxes

Struts

• Bronze

Rudders

• Bronze spade rudders

Steering

• Dual hydraulic wheel steering stations

Controls

• Morse mechanical engine controls

Propellers

• Twin four-blade bronze propellers

• Twin-screw configuration provides excellent maneuverability around docks and marinas

Fuel System

• Twin welded aluminum fuel tanks

• Approximately 250 gallons total fuel capacity

• Side-deck fueling locations

• Flexible and rigid fuel lines

Mechanical Highlights

• Fresh-water-cooled engines with heat exchangers

• Wet exhaust system with mufflers

• Well-organized machinery space

• Clean engine room condition at survey

• Mechanical inspection completed October 2026

• Bottom paint and zinc service completed April 2025

• Oil coolers replaced in 2023