The Gib Sea 364 1996 vs Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Gib Sea 364 1996 at 36,0 ft versus Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 at 37,7 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 tips the scales at 16 094 lbs — 3 087 lbs less than the Gib Sea 364 1996 at 13 007 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 30 hp for the Gib Sea 364 1996 and 27 hp for the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Gib Sea 364 1996 carries 32 gallons versus 21 gallons in the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Gib Sea 364 1996 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 displaces 16 094 lbs — a 3 087-lb difference over the Gib Sea 364 1996 at 13 007 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 6,9 ft and 6,1 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
Sailboat comparisons often come down to details that specs don't fully capture — the quality of the standing rigging, the layout of the cockpit, and how the boat feels on a beat in 20 knots. A sea trial on both is strongly recommended.
Bottom line: The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 372 - Deep draft Deep draft 1987 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 16 094 lbs displacement and 38 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Gib Sea 364 1996 at 13 007 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.