Design and Construction
At 36 ft 3 in overall with a 31 ft 6 in waterline and 11 ft 10 in beam, the 364 carries 12,760 lb of displacement on a solid fiberglass hull with an iron ballast of 6,173 lb and a 48.3 percent ballast-displacement ratio. The underbody is fine, paired with a deep, high-aspect fin keel and spade rudder fine underbody with high-aspect foil that promised agility. Gibert Marine's 1990s practice of solid hull laminates with balsa-cored decks places the 364 in the same construction era as its stablemates. What is clear is that the hull form and rig—a masthead sloop with 609 sq ft of sail—targeted performance cruising before the Dufour integration changed the brand's direction.
Rig and Handling
The 364 should have been a quick sailor given the lean underbody and tall 57.4 ft mast, yet Yachting Monthly found her no better than average in practice. The deep draft of 6 ft 7 in and high-aspect keel suggest weatherly tracking and a firm grip to windward, but the recorded performance fell short of the theoretical promise. With a displacement-length ratio near 183 and a sail-area-displacement ratio of 17.8, the numbers describe a moderately powered cruiser rather than a lightweight sprinter, and the real-world verdict tempers any expectation of sparkling pace.
Accommodations
Below, the 364 disappointed reviewers on several fronts. The interior suffered from being too basic with some very light joinery too basic with light joinery, and headroom was tight at just over 6 ft. The chart table drew specific criticism as disappointing, and the galley proved more useful at anchor than at sea—a telling limitation for a boat of this size intending offshore work. Not all was poor: a wet locker at the foot of the companionway was counted a good feature, giving dedicated stowage for dripping oilskins right where they are shed.
The Verdict
The Gib'Sea 364 is a transitional design—the last Gibert-built expression of the Joubert/Nivelt cruiser ethos before Dufour absorbed the brand. Its fine underbody and deep keel look the part, but the sailing performance landed only mid-pack, and the cabin is plainly finished with low headroom and a weak chart station. For a buyer who values the wet-locker practicality and a recognizable pre-Dufour pedigree over polish, it remains a coherent used cruiser; those expecting lively performance or a refined interior should look elsewhere.
Pros
- Deep, high-aspect keel and fine underbody for windward ability
- Practical wet locker at the companionway foot
- Last independent Gibert Marine design group before Dufour integration
Cons
- Sailed no better than average despite performance-oriented hull
- Basic interior with light joinery and disappointing chart table
- Tight headroom just over 6 ft; galley weak at sea
