1942 Nordic Folkboat vs 1985 Sabre 32 — Comparison
1942 Nordic Folkboat
1985 Sabre 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1942 Nordic Folkboat | 1985 Sabre 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Nordic | Sabre |
| Year | 1942 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | Tord Sunden | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.18 m (7.2 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.19 m (3.9 ft) | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 720 kg (1,587 lbs) | 1,633 kg (3,600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.0 m² (248 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Wood/Epoxy | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 8 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 20 L (5.3 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1942 Nordic Folkboat and 1985 Sabre 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1942 Nordic Folkboat is a classic design by Nordic from Sweden, while the 1985 Sabre 32 is a 1980s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1942 Nordic Folkboat was penned by Tord Sunden. The 1985 Sabre 32 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.18m, compared to the 1985 Sabre 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1985 Sabre 32 is 2.13m longer than the 1942 Nordic Folkboat. The 1985 Sabre 32 displaces approximately 127% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.80 and 23.0 m² of sail area. The 1985 Sabre 32, with an SA/D of 16.71 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1985 Sabre 32 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1985 Sabre 32 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1942 Nordic Folkboat and 40.0% for the 1985 Sabre 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1942 Nordic Folkboat provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L of water capacity and 20L of fuel. The 1985 Sabre 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1942 Nordic Folkboat is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1985 Sabre 32 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1985 Sabre 32 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.