gibsea 28

[sailbadthesinner]

a friend has moved to france cognac region near royan ( if that means anything to anyone)
he has been offerred a gibsea 28
whqat i can dedeuce through the cloud of booze it has a lifting keel and would be based there ( the pontoon fees are 750 euros per annum!)
friend is novice vsailor and worried that boat is seaworthy pour famille ( nwife three teenager girls who may mayu not turn up
anyone know a surveyor in this area. if it was lifting keel i sadi he should get mechanism inspected at least
anyone any opinions on this boat???


<hr width=100% size=1><font color=red>if guinness is good for you. i must be very very good</font color=red>

 

[Sybarite]

No advice on the particular model but Gibseas were always by reputation good solid no-frills boats. If in family it would better suit where the children are young. A survey though is always a good idea.

John

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[goupil]

a couple of friends crossed Atlantic in one with their two children. Certainly a bit cramped but they enjoyed it. An extreme testimony (but they chose this boat because of her reputation / their money).
IMO she's a seaworthy cruiser from the old school (no aft cabin) and a good one for a family.
As you said swinging center board must be check and osmosis as well. What about price ?
Be careful : is your friend sure to have the freedom to use the previous owner pontoon ? It'isnt the common rule...
May be I would go in the area in November, in that case I'll be happy to give MHO.
But if you're a surveyor in boats, you miss something : between Cognac and Bordeaux you'll have a good change from Guinness !

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[tony_brighton]

I had a Gibsea77 which was a 26' version of the 28. Generally I was very pleased with it. The lifting keel is probably a steel plate in a stub keel wound up with a simple winch at the saloon table. If so, the thing to watch for is the wear on the pivot pin (simple steel pin) and the lifting strop pulling through the steel plate through wear and tear. I had mine sorted for a few quid - not expensive.

As far as sailing goes, these have reasonably good performance, they dont point too close but good enough and are fine off the wind. They make great learner boats and for a 28' boat will be hard to beat for accommodation. They are generally simple boats to sail and great for a family starter boat. I took my 26' Gibsea to the Channel Islands and West Country - no problem at all.

Other points :
- its probably a tiller steered boat with a transom hung rudder
- hopefully its diesel inboard with saildrive - a number had Volvo arrangements
- very simple and cheap to maintain.


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