1978 Sabre 30 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Sabre 30 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Sabre | Tartan |
| Year | 1978–1985 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Roger Hewson | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Sabre 30 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s design by Sabre from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1978 Sabre 30 was penned by Roger Hewson. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1978 Sabre 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 2.14m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 94% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Sabre 30 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 · 1997 Tartan 3700