Gib'Sea Yachts - Any History or Opinions ?

[simonmd]

Am currently in the market for a relatively cheap liveaboard sail boat in Southern Spain.

I viewed one today that impressed me, which was a GIBSEA 402 built in 1988. She's an ex sailing school boat and so has been kept up pretty well, just let down by looking a bit tired cosmetically. Would make a great winter project before next season.

Been searching on the 'net to try to find out a bit more about Gibsea but am comming up short. All i've found out is they seem to have some connection with the French Dufour company, are they just a brand of theirs or were they a company in their own right? Does anyone have any more history / opinions?

Thanks in advance, Simon

[djmarchand]

I sold the Dufour/Gibsea line as a broker in Annapolis about 8 years ago. Gibsea is Dufour's cheaper brand. I would put their quality on par with the BCH boats. Certainly a noticable step downward from a Dufour.

Talk to a Dufour dealer in your area and they can fill in the blanks.

But they are solid, servicable boats and in this market you can probably buy one pretty cheap.

David

[simonmd]

Ah, makes a bit more sence now. The model ive seen is the 402. Any opinions on that one?

[GordMay]

Gib’Sea Yacht Owners Association
➥ GibSea Yacht Owners Association - Powered by XMB

[simonmd]

Thanks for the link but i'd already found that. To even get a look inside their forums, they want you to A, Print a form, B, Fill it out manually, C, Write a manual cheque out for some money, D, POST IT to their UK address!

I mean come on,this is 2010, have they not heard of PayPal?? And all that to get a look at a forum that has no more than 300 posts, most of which will no doubt be "Hi, i've just got a GibSea xxx....".

[Hydra]

simonmd,
I am the happy owner of a Gib'Sea 302, built in 1994.

Gibert Marine had a reputation for building sturdy boats. From my experience, this is true.

From my book on second-hand boats, the Gib'Sea 402 has been designed by Joubert-Nivelt (80 boats built from 1986 to 1990). It is suitable for racing as well as for cruising.
The dimensions are:
LWL: 9.9m
Beam: 3.85m
There were 2 keel versions:
- 7.7t (ballast 2.85t), 1.5m draught
- 7.5t (ballast 2.69t), 2m draught
There were 2 rig versions, one with a lengthened mast for racing (+1m).
On the standard version, the mainsail is 37.05 sq m and the genoa 55.45 sq m.

The British owner of another Gib'Sea told me that the owner association isn't really active.

Alain

[aquarian]

Have you checked Sailboat Data?
Sailboats built by Gib'sea/Gibert Marine on Sailboatdata.com - (sort by LOA)

[simonmd]

The 402 isnt listed on there but thanks for the link.

[djmarchand]

Be sure and check out the sanitation system. Dufour was very late to join the holding tank game. The early 2000 models had wierd small vertical tanks stuffed in the side of the hull behind the head almost as an afterthought as if they hadn't planned for any space in the bilge for holding tanks.

Don't recall how Gibsea dealt with these but they may be similar.

David

[ato]

Originally Posted by simonmd

The 402 isnt listed on there but thanks for the link.

Hi Simon, I'm also trying to find more material on another Dufour, the Dufour Gib'Sea 43. I'm looking at one in the moment and am quite happy with the boat. Although the price tag still needs some serious discussion... the owner wants 140k US$, ex charter but all systems are good.

good luck!