Gib Sea 76

Description

The Gib'Sea 76 (also styled Gib Sea 76 or Gib'Sea 76) is a compact French pocket cruiser designed by Joubert/Nivelt (Michel Joubert and Bernard Nivelt) and built by Gibert Marine (Gib'Sea/Gibert Marine) in France from approximately 1984 to 1990. Production numbers were moderate for the era (likely in the hundreds), with many examples used for coastal cruising or as affordable family boats. This fiberglass monohull masthead sloop features variable draft options (often a lifting keel/centerboard for shallow access and trailering, or fixed fin), emphasizing practicality, light weight, and spacious feel below—open-plan saloon for a bright, airy interior, V-berth forward, saloon settees (convertible to double), compact galley, enclosed head (often chemical toilet), and berths sleeping 4–6 modestly (headroom around 5 ft 9 in–6 ft). It's praised for forgiving handling, decent performance in moderate conditions, and value as a starter cruiser—suitable for lake/coastal daysailing, weekends, or short passages (e.g., English Channel crossings per owner reports). Auxiliary is typically a small inboard diesel (e.g., Yanmar or Volvo 1–2 cyl, 9–18 hp) or outboard in some. These '80s classics are solid French builds (pre-Dufour takeover).