1978 Sabre 30 vs 1984 Moody 33 — Comparison
1978 Sabre 30
1984 Moody 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Sabre 30 | 1984 Moody 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Moody |
| Year | 1978–1985 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.40 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) | 2,100 kg (4,630 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Sabre 30 and 1984 Moody 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s design by Sabre from USA, while the 1984 Moody 33 is a 1980s offering from Moody from UK. The 1978 Sabre 30 was penned by Roger Hewson. The 1984 Moody 33 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1978 Sabre 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1984 Moody 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1984 Moody 33 is 0.92m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The 1984 Moody 33 displaces approximately 43% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Sabre 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.92 and 37.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Moody 33, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Sabre 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Sabre 30 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The 1984 Moody 33 has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30 and 40.4% for the 1984 Moody 33, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Sabre 30 provides 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1984 Moody 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 140L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Moody 33 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 1978 Sabre 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Moody 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Sabre 30 · 1984 Moody 33