The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 vs Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 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 Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 at 25,4 ft versus Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 at 26,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 tips the scales at 6 724 lbs — 2 535 lbs more than the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 at 4 189 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 are rated for 7 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 displaces 6 724 lbs — a 2 535-lb difference over the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 at 4 189 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.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 draws 6,8 ft, compared to 4,1 ft for the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989. That 2,7-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 uses Sloop rigging.
Hull speed is rated at 6,4 knots for the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 and 6,3 knots for the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989. For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 carries 26 gallons versus 16 gallons on the Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 262 - Deep draft Deep draft 1989 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 6 724 lbs displacement and 25 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Gib Sea Gib'Sea 264 1995 at 4 189 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.