Beneteau First 30 vs 1994 Sabre 362 — Comparison
Beneteau First 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 30 | 1994 Sabre 362 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Sabre |
| Year | 1983–1989 | 1994–2001 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Jean Berret | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,300 kg (2,866 lbs) | 2,540 kg (5,600 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) | 54.0 m² (581 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 60 L (15.9 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 30 and 1994 Sabre 362 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 30 is a 1980s design by Beneteau from France, while the 1994 Sabre 362 is a 1990s offering from Sabre from USA. The Beneteau First 30 was penned by Jean Berret. The 1994 Sabre 362 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1994 Sabre 362 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1994 Sabre 362 is 1.83m longer than the Beneteau First 30. The 1994 Sabre 362 displaces approximately 70% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 30 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.17 and 42.0 m² of sail area. The 1994 Sabre 362, with an SA/D of 16.39 and 54.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau First 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1994 Sabre 362 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 36.1% for the Beneteau First 30 and 41.5% for the 1994 Sabre 362, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 30 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L of water capacity and 60L of fuel. The 1994 Sabre 362 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Beneteau First 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 Beneteau First 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: Beneteau First 30 · 1994 Sabre 362