Gibsea - any informed opinions?

[windlipper]

Our search for the next boat continues. Have looked at a couple of Gibsea yachts, a 33 and a 36 footer. The 33 is probably a better size for our needs. They are a manufacturer I have no knowledge of.
Anyone ready to sing their praises (or otherwise)?

 

[Roberto]

albeit a bit bigger, have a look at this site, they are enthusiastic about their gibsea

http://norsiglar.com/english/spesificationf.html

I chartered quite a few of them, 25 to 35 feet long models, a bit older maybe than what you are looking for these were built in the eighties, and always had the impression of sturdy boats, no frills, but a constant impression of being safe on a boat with a very good seakeeping ability

I do not know how more modern models compare with the older ones I tried, though


r

 

[windlipper]

Thanks for the info. It's the older ones I am looking at.

 

[Norman_E]

The older Gibsea boats were very nice. A friend has a 454 which sails very well. It is also finished internally to a very high standard. The later "dolphin nose" Gibsea yachts were built after the takeover by Dufour and were cruising designs mainly for the charter market. They were not very successful commercially and Dufour dropped the Gibsea brand name and have now produced the "Grand Large" range to fill the same market slot. All of the older (pre Dufour) Gibsea boats I have seen appear to be good designs, but as with all second hand boats condition is all important.
There is an owners association here.

 

[Artemis_C2121]

Hi
We have had a Gib,Sea 106 a couple of years ago its of its of the older stable, we well pleased with the sea keeping and performance she is a stiff boat and quite well finished. As mentioned condition is the all important factor. Reports from the owners association (of which i am a member) and any owners i have spoken with all seem happy with them.

Nev

 

[DEJAVU]

Pobably a biased opinion since I have a Gibsea 84 but the older Gibseas were built to last whereas the more modern variants appear, from my experience, to be a vastly 'cheaper' product. All that said, mine is for sale due to upsizing so if anyone wants a well kept Gibsea 84 have alook at www.yachtdejavu.co.uk!

 

[markstirling]

Just returned from a sailing holiday in Greece on an old 29 foot Gib'sea which included getting caught-out in rather poor conditions for relatively novice sailors. Boat was solidly built, surprisingly spacious and looked after us nicely us in the dodgy weather.

 

[Stellina]

A couple of years ago I started looking for a family boat; new and 2nd hand. We ended up with a 2nd hand Gib'Sea 33 after looking at various new and used *eau's/Elans. The reasons were roomy interior (we are both tall), safe cockpit (for kids), wide and long sofa berths when you lift the backs (for the grandparents), reasonable sailing properties, bulb keel (low draft), built by Dufour and of course price and availabilty. Compared to the the new boats I looked at, I felt the 33 had a "solid" interior. I would have bought the larger (28 hp) engine version if I had found one. We bought ours in Stavanger and sailed it to Trondheim with a 6 month old baby on board and were very happy with the boat; if you have to motor it is more noisy than I thought though.

Andy

 

[TheBoatman]

I sail a Gibsea Master 96 and it's a great boat. Very comfortable, strong and sails well.
Highly recommend.

Peter.

 

[Aardee]

We have a 10-year-old Gibsea 302. Quick, comfortable & well built for a French AWB.

Would also recommend...

 

[kengill]

The best Gibsea's made in the eighties were the Gib'sea 84, The Master 96.

I've owned my 96 for eight and a half years now and am convinced of its suitability. I also had agreat 84 for five years.

One slight word of warning the Master 352 has a shorter master cabin than the 96 so don't buy the 352 unless you are shorter than 5'5".

 

[danharmandan]

Hi Dejavu, I have just purchased a Gibsea 84 - 1985. She is very similar to yours just not in quite as good condition! I bought her for 12k - it was a bit of an impulse purchase and I wondered if you could give me an idea of any potential problems or weak points in the boat? Many thanks, Dan