1980 Gib Sea 41

nickansc · #1 (**permalink**) 12-22-2010

We're about to view a 1980 Gib Sea 41 with the aim of blue water cruising. Despite hours of searching the internet we've uncovered very little information on the earlier Gib Sea designs (the company was bought by Dufour more recently). Does anyone know anything about these vessels? Are they suitable for blue water cruising? Anything significant we should keep in mind when viewing?

Thanks for your help and seasons greetings to you all!

jackdale · #2 (**permalink**) 12-22-2010

Nick

Where are you located? Where is the boat?

I have looked at a Gib Sea ketch that was in Nanaimo years ago. The foundation appeared good, but it was going to take a lot of upgrading to get to where I would like it.

Some comments seem to place them below Dufour in build quality. That is not a good thing.

nickansc · #3 (**permalink**) 12-24-2010

Hi, we're in the UK. She was built before Dufour bought the company so hopefully unrelated build quality issues

nickansc · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2011

Update: we bought her!

She's needed some modernising, but then most 30 year old boats will do. After 8 months and roughly 1500 miles in various weather she handles well and enjoys the bigger seas (certainly more than me at least!). Accomodation is comfortable with tasteful wood work rather than the plastics and lino so common in modern boats. Hull is a decent thickness so she's stable and the rounded design of the hull forward means she doesn't slam into waves like flatter nosed boats are prone to.

All in all a decent boat compared with others available at a similar price and certainly very comfortable for long-term cruising.