1981 Ericson 30+ vs 1985 Sabre 32 — Comparison
1981 Ericson 30+
1985 Sabre 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Ericson 30+ | 1985 Sabre 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Sabre |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1985–1991 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.45 m (4.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 1,633 kg (3,600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Ericson 30+ and 1985 Sabre 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Ericson 30+ is a 1980s design by Ericson from USA, while the 1985 Sabre 32 is a 1980s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1981 Ericson 30+ was penned by Bruce King. The 1985 Sabre 32 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 1981 Ericson 30+ measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1985 Sabre 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1985 Sabre 32 is 0.61m longer than the 1981 Ericson 30+.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Ericson 30+ has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 39.7 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 1981 Ericson 30+ offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1985 Sabre 32 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1981 Ericson 30+ and 40.0% for the 1985 Sabre 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Ericson 30+ provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1985 Sabre 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Ericson 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 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 1981 Ericson 30+ offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.