Gib'Sea 43: Dufour's Gib'Sea 43 Delivers Versatility at a Great Value
Cruising News/Sailing Central.com
May 2001 Boat in Review
By Guy deBoer
Recently, a fellow sailing editor voiced his concerns regarding the ever- increasing cost and expense of yachting. Several boat builders have been aggressively pursuing the upper end of the sailing market, delivering superbly designed and crafted sailing yachts.
Personally, I strongly believe that many more builders are equally devoted to developing sailing vessels that deliver outstanding quality and value. In the past several years the French builder, Dufour, has developed a strong line of family cruisers for the US and Caribbean markets.
The Gib'Sea 43 is the largest of this new line of cruisers from Dufour. A smaller sister ship, the 22 and soon to be launched Gib'Sea 51 and 35 will round out this line of designs. The Gib'Sea 43 under the Mooring nameplate, Mooring 433, was just awarded Cruising World's 2001 Production Cruiser under $200,000. Obviously, several other writers feel that something positive is happening with Dufour's resurgence here in the US.
The Miami Boat show was our opportunity to crawl through Dufour's new Gib'Sea 43 and sail her with here new owner from Chicago. As I walked down the dock to the boat, the style and sweep of her sheer line and dolphin nose bow struck me. The contour and angled sides of the coach roof belie the volume of the interior design.
Even the opening cabin windows are rounded, making one feel that you truly are aboard a European styled cruiser. Stepping aboard the Gib'Sea you are greeted by large spacious side decks. As you walk forward, you will notice stainless handrails, 5 large opening hatches providing excellent ventilation and a clear open coachroof. Dufour has lead all halyard and line from the mast through a recessed and covered channel making the look of the coachroof clean and uncluttered and great for lounging and sun bathing.
The dolphin bow provides functionality and a large anchor well with Lofrance windless keeping the anchor from view and providing for casual anchoring ease. Additional standard deck hardware provided with the Gib'Sea includes a Facnor roller furler, Lewmar winches, hatches and Spinlock sheet stoppers.
Stepping back into the cockpit, one is greeted with several comfort and styling features. The twin wheel steering stations provides direct access to the swim platform while offering an excellent view of the horizon. A large centerline drop leaf table makes entertaining and dining a true outdoor experience.
The cockpit seating area is covered in teak trim surrounded by a high backrest and foaming. Instruments including the Volvo engine control , are placed on a center pod for easy control by the starboard wheel station.
Stepping down to the main salon, you are surrounded by a sculptured interior design with varnished paneling , which includes a headliner with wood panel inserts. This allows for access into electrical and mechanical areas. There is a large dining and entertainment table with a centerline L shaped seat wrapped around the starboard settee. A stainless handhold for a back rest and safety makes this main salon stand out amongst its peers.
The main salon features a port side aft head and shower arrangement that offers great storage and comfort for a boat of this size. The head location provides premium access for the crew while sailing.
A large U shaped galley is just forward to port with a laminated countertop as standard. The sink, a double SS with pressure hot and cold water, twin burner stove and oven coupled with storage bins, cabinets and shelves should make the galley chores a breeze.
Walking through the main bulkhead, you can be in two very different configurations with single model. The first setup is a very large owner's cabin with hanging lockers and storage to spare, where you can lounge on long settee while your mate sleeps. The second option, made available with a quick movement of a door and a partition, creates a fourth cabin featuring twin single berths for your children. The choices makes this Gib'Sea one of the most versatile cruisers on the market.
Our sail on Biscayne Bay was a true test for everyday cruising. Light winds coupled with a warm and balmy day in February makes me want to enjoy more days sailing this design. The Gib'Sea tracked and tacked well with only a main and 135% jib. The twin steering wheels allowed me to sit comfortably and enjoy the pleasures of sailing this new design from France.
Overall the Gib'Sea 43 has several features that stand out in my mind. Features such as the versatility of cabin arrangements and the main salon styling and design make me want to entertain and invite friends for a sail. This unique design, with its open decks and cruising features, starts with a base price for under $200,000 and is a boat worth investigating closely.
Construction:
Gel coat and first solid laminate layer impregnated with NPC resin guarantees an excellent barrier against osmosis. Hull laid up by hand with isophatlic resin and glas fiber with TWARON reinforcements. Floor laminated to the hull. Bals sandwich deck. Hull an deck inner moldings. Inner molded heads. Cast iron keel. Semi-Eliptic rudder filled with closed cell epoxy foam, fitted on self-aligning bearings.
Technical:
- Pressurized Hot/Cold water system.
- Electric Bilge Pump
- Electric shower evacuation pump
- Electrical panel with circuit breakers
- 1 x 75 A engine battery
- 1 x 135 A service batter
- Battery switches for each batter
Engine:
- Volvo 50 HP diesel eingine with shaft drive transmission. Heat exchanger
- 55 A alternator
- Fuel filter with water separator
- Sound Insulation foam
-Fixed three blade propeller
-Access in front and behnind engine
- Electric ventilation. Engine control panel
-Fuel tank , about 230 L
- Gauge on chart table electrical panel
Mast & Rigging:
- Annodized aluminum double spreader mast with double backstay and lower forestay
- Deck organizers for halyard returns
- Anodized Aluminum boom
- Boom Vang
Boat Data:
| LOA | 42'8" |
| BEAM | 14' |
| DISPLACEMENT | 18040 LBS |
| DRAFT | 5'7" |
| FRESH WATER | 150 GAL |
| FUEL | 61 GAL |
| SAIL AREA | 926 SQ FT |
| HEAD ROOM | 6'5" |
This article was written by Guy deBoer and published in the May 2001 edition of Cruising News/Sailing Central.com Magazine. Pictures from the article have not been reproduced in the reading room, however two sample Dufour photos are shown.
|
